Summary — HB 1676
Title: Bonds; authorize issuance for Poultry Sciences Academic Research Center at Alcorn State University
Bill No.: HB 1676
Introduced: December 19, 2024
Subject: Ways and Means
Status: Died in committee (Sine Die adjournment, 2025)
Sponsors (as listed): Crowell; Womack
Note on source materials: The document package you provided contains multiple, unrelated statutes and draft texts from different states (Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas) that are all labeled “HB 1676.” It does not include the actual text of an HB 1676 specifically authorizing bonds for Alcorn State University. The summary below therefore explains the bill’s stated purpose and outlines the typical provisions and impacts such a bond authorization bill would contain. Where text-specific details (dollar amounts, repayment terms, etc.) are normally required, I note that the provided record did not include them.
Main purpose and intent
The bill’s stated purpose is to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance the construction, renovation, equipping, or associated facilities for a Poultry Sciences Academic Research Center at Alcorn State University. The intent would be to expand academic and research capacity in poultry science—supporting teaching, research, extension, and workforce training tied to the poultry industry.
Key provisions likely included (text not provided)
Because the actual bill text was not in the provided materials, the following are the common elements such legislation typically includes and which readers should look for in the bill text:
- Authorization for a state agency or board (or the university) to issue bonds to raise capital for the Poultry Sciences Academic Research Center.
- A specified maximum principal amount (dollar cap) authorized for issuance.
- Identification of allowable uses of proceeds (construction, renovation, equipment, site work, debt service reserves, issuance costs).
- Type of bonds authorized (general obligation bonds backed by the state, or revenue bonds payable from university revenues).
- Repayment source and term (tax-supported repayment vs. special fund, term length, interest rate parameters).
- Requirements for approvals (governing board, oversight agency, governor approval, or legislative appropriation).
- Any required local match, private fundraising, or federal grant coordination.
- Procurement, construction oversight, and reporting or audit requirements.
- Effective date and any sunset or bond issuance deadlines.
Who would be affected
- Alcorn State University: capital expansion, new facilities for students and faculty.
- Students and faculty in poultry science, animal science, and related programs: improved instructional and research facilities.
- Poultry industry and regional economy: potential benefits from research, workforce training, and extension services.
- Taxpayers and state budget: fiscal impact depends on whether bonds are state-backed (tax-supported) or payable from university/revenue sources.
- Bond investors and the municipal bond market (if publicly issued).
Fiscal and policy impacts (not specified in provided materials)
- Net fiscal impact depends on authorized amount, bond type, and repayment plan. If state general-obligation bonds are authorized, debt service could affect future budgets. If revenue bonds are used, impact is primarily on university finances.
- Economic development and workforce benefits are probable but would depend on program scale and implementation.
Procedural/timeline aspects
- Introduced: December 19, 2024.
- Referred to Ways and Means (per provided actions).
- Died in House committee at Sine Die adjournment (May 5, 2025), so it did not advance in the 2025 session.
- Future prospects: The measure could be refiled in a subsequent session, potentially with revisions addressing fiscal or policy concerns raised in committee.
Recommended next steps to obtain full details
- Request the official bill text and fiscal note from the relevant state legislature’s website or the Office of the Clerk for the chamber where HB 1676 was filed.
- Contact the sponsor’s office (listed sponsors: Crowell and Womack) or Alcorn State University’s government relations office for the bill’s precise provisions, authorized amount, and intended repayment mechanism.
- Review any committee reports or fiscal analysis that accompanied the bill while in Ways and Means for estimated costs and budget impacts.
If you can provide the actual bill text or identify the state legislative session where this Alcorn State bond bill was filed, I can produce a detailed, provision-by-provision summary and extract exact dollar amounts and fiscal impacts.
