An Act providing for health care insurance coverage protections; imposing duties on the Insurance Department and the Insurance Commissioner; and imposing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jessica Benham and 27 co-sponsors

Authorizes state bonds to fund repair/renovation at Mississippi Valley State University, enabling campus infrastructure improvements financed by debt (died in committee).

Referred to Banking & Insurance

Summary — HB 535: Bonds to Authorize Repair & Renovation at Mississippi Valley State University

Status: Died in Committee
Introduced: November 24, 2025
Subject area: Ways and Means / Capital finance

Purpose
- The bill would have authorized the issuance of bonds to fund repair, renovation, and related capital improvements for buildings and facilities at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU). Its primary intent was to provide state-supported capital financing to restore, modernize, or preserve campus infrastructure.

Key provisions (based on available summary information)
- Authorization to issue bonds: The bill proposed that the state (or an authorized state bond issuing authority) issue bonds specifically to raise capital for MVSU facility repairs and renovations.
- Use of proceeds: Bond proceeds would be designated for capital projects at MVSU — e.g., structural repairs, systems upgrades (mechanical/electrical/roofing), code compliance, and other renovation needs (the bill text provided does not list project-by-project details).
- Repayment and security: The measure likely specified the source of debt service payments (typical examples include a dedicated appropriation, the state’s general obligation pledge, or revenue bonds secured by university revenues), but no repayment details or dollar amounts were provided in the materials available.
- Oversight/administration: The bill would typically authorize appropriate state agencies or the university to administer projects, comply with public procurement rules, and report on project status; however, specific oversight language was not available.

Who would be affected
- Mississippi Valley State University: gains access to capital for deferred maintenance, modernization, and safety upgrades.
- Students, faculty, and campus visitors: benefit from improved facilities and potentially enhanced program delivery.
- State finances and taxpayers: affected through the state’s debt profile and any appropriation or obligation to repay bond principal and interest.
- Local construction and professional services industry: prospective short‑term economic activity and jobs during project implementation.
- Bond investors and credit agencies: engaged if the state issued marketable debt.

Fiscal and procedural notes
- No bond amount, fiscal note, or repayment source was provided in the materials supplied.
- Procedural status: The bill was filed 11/24/2025 and ultimately “Died In Committee,” so it did not advance to enactment.
- Because it did not pass, no funds were authorized or spent under this proposal.

What’s missing / recommended follow-up
- Full bill text and section-by-section language (to confirm project list, bond amount, repayment source, and statutory amendments).
- Official fiscal note or debt-service estimate showing expected cost to the state and timing.
- Committee reports or testimony (for project justifications and stakeholder positions).
- Any companion measures (budget appropriations or capital outlay bills) that would affect implementation.

If you want, I can: (1) draft a shorter bill-tracking note for stakeholders; (2) search for the full text and fiscal analysis (if you provide the jurisdiction/legislature); or (3) prepare sample talking points summarizing likely fiscal impacts if a similar bond proposal were pursued.