Committee approves committee substitute to authorize sale or lease of former DPS headquarters

The Public Property committee on Jan. 31 adopted a committee substitute and reported Senate Bill 2340, which would authorize the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to sell, lease or convey property located at 1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue in Jackson on behalf of the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

The chair summarized the measure and said the committee substitute redirects proceeds of any sale or lease to the general fund and ensures the state retains mineral rights and the option to repurchase under certain conditions. Committee members asked whether a buyer or proposal already existed; the chair said no formal agreement was known and that DFA would review proposals and appraisals.

Senator Bridal expressed concern about broad DFA discretion and questioned redevelopment language stating uses "include commercial, residential" while excluding heavy industry, adult entertainment, casinos, liquor stores and solid waste facilities. The chair confirmed those exclusions are in the draft: "Redevelopment shall not include heavy industrial purposes, adult entertainment establishments, casinos, or any other gaming, liquor stores, or solid waste facilities."

The committee adopted the committee substitute and voted to bring the bill out of committee as amended. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally.