As Amended
SEC. 65-23-103. Acceptance of loans and gifts and exercise of eminent domain.
The state highway commission in proceeding hereunder may accept any loan, gift, or grant from the United States of America, the State of Mississippi, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, and may enter into any agreement or agreements not prohibited by the constitution which may be necessary to obtain such loan, grant, or gift. Construction contracts may be awarded with advertised notice for bids in such manner as provided by law by the state highway commission. The state highway commission may enter on any lands, waters, and premises for the purpose of making surveys, soundings, and examinations; and if considered advisable may exercise the right of eminent domain and may institute condemnation proceedings under the provisions of any pertinent general law of Mississippi for the purpose of acquiring any property to be used or useful in connection with the project. The state highway commission shall be under no obligation to accept and pay for any property condemned, and may pay for same from the proceeds derived from the sale of the revenue bonds or any funds available to the state highway commission for construction purposes; and in any condemnation suit the court having jurisdiction may make such orders as may be just to the state highway commission and to the owners of the property to be condemned. Upon the institution of any such condemnation proceedings, the state highway commission shall have the right to immediate possession of the property which is the subject matter of the condemnation proceedings, and may enter thereon. The State of Mississippi hereby expressly grants to the state highway commission full easements and rights of way through, across, under, and over any land or property owned by the state which may be necessary or convenient to the construction, acquisition, or efficient operation of the project.
SOURCES: Codes, 1942, Sec. 8447-02; Laws, 1950, ch. 406, Sec. 2.