Public Law 95–35

That the consent of Congress is given to the Mississippi-Louisiana Bridge construction compact entered into between the States of Mississippi and Louisiana, which compact reads as follows:

“Article I.

The purpose of this compact is to promote the construction of a bridge connecting the States of Mississippi and Louisiana at or near Natchez, Mississippi, and Vidalia, Louisiana, and to establish a joint interstate authority to assist in these efforts.

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“Article II.

This compact shall become effective immediately as to the States ratifying it whenever the States of Louisiana and Mississippi have ratified it and Congress has given consent thereto.

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“Article III.

The States which are parties to this compact (herein-after referred to as ‘party States’) do hereby establish and create a joint agency which shall be known as the Mississippi-Louisiana Bridge Authority (hereinafter referred to as the ‘authority’). The membership of such authority shall consist of the Governor of each party State, one representative each from the Mississippi State Highway Department and the Louisiana Department of Highways, five other citizens of each party State, to be appointed by the Governor thereof. The appointive members of the authority shall serve for terms of four years each. Vacancies on the authority shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired portion of the term. The members of the authority shall not be compensated for service on the authority, but each of the appointed members shall be entitled to actual and reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings, or incurred otherwise in the performance of his duties as a member of the authority. The members of the authority shall hold regular quarterly meetings and such special meetings as its business may require. They shall choose annually a chairman and vice chairman from among their members, and the chairmanship shall rotate each year among the party States in order of their acceptance of this compact. The secretary of the authority (hereinafter provided for) shall notify each member in writing of all meetings of the authority in such a manner and under such rules and regulations as the authority may prescribe. The authority shall adopt rules and regulations for the transaction of its business; and the secretary shall keep a record of all its business and shall furnish a copy thereof to each member of the authority. It shall be the duty of the authority, in general, to promote, encourage, and coordinate the efforts of the party States to secure the development of the Mississippi-Louisiana Bridge at or near Natchez, Mississippi, and Vidalia. Louisiana. Toward this end, the authority shall have power to hold hearings; to conduct studies and surveys of all problems, benefits, and other matters associated with the construction of the Mississippi-Louisiana Bridge, and to make reports thereon; to acquire, by gift, grant, or otherwise, from local, State, Federal, or private sources such money or property as may be provided for the proper performance of their function, and to hold and dispose of same; to cooperate with other public or private groups, whether local, State, regional, or national, having an interest in the bridge construction; to formulate and execute plans and policies for emphasizing the purpose, of this compact before the Congress of the United States and other appropriate officers and agencies of the United States; and to exercise such other powers as may be appropriate to enable it to accomplish its functions and duties in connection with the construction of the Mississippi-Louisiana Bridge and to carry out the purposes of this compact.

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“Article IV.

The authority shall appoint a secretary, who shall be a person familiar with the nature, procedures, and significance of the bridge construction and the informational, educational, and publicity methods of stimulating general interest in such developments, and who shall be the compact administrator. The term of office of the secretary shall be at the pleasure of the authority and such officer shall receive such compensation as the authority shall prescribe. The secretary shall maintain custody of the authority’s books, records, and papers, which shall be kept by the secretary at the office of the authority, and shall perform all functions and duties and exercise all powers and authorities which may be delegated to the secretary by the authority.

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“Article V.

Each party State agrees that its legislature may, in its discretion, from time to time make available and pay over to the authority funds for the establishment and operation of the authority. The contribution of each party State will be in equal amounts.

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“Article VI.

Nothing m this compact shall be construed so as to conflict with any existing statute, or to limit the powers of any party State, or to repeal or prevent legislation, or to authorize or permit curtailment or diminution of any other bridge project, or to affect any existing or future cooperative arrangement or relationship between any Federal agency and a party State.

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“Article VII.

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each party State until the Legislature or Governor of each or either State takes action to withdraw therefrom; provided that such withdrawal shall not become effective until six months after the date of the action taken by the legislature or Governor. Notice of such action shall be given to the other party State or States by the secretary of state of the party State which takes such action.”

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Sec. 2.

The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is expressly reserved.