JACKSON, MS – The Mississippi State Senate passed a one-year moratorium on the purchase, lease, or acquisition of vehicles by State agencies, as well as a requirement for State agencies to reduce the total number of vehicles they manage.

The moratorium specifically applies to all State agencies with more than 40 vehicles. It also requires them to reduce the number of vehicles they manage by 2% each fiscal year through June 30, 2016.

The moratorium is set to begin on July 1, 2012, and continue through June 30, 2013. The only vehicles excluded from the moratorium include those purchased by the State’s Department of Public Safety (vehicles for law enforcement or other emergency services use), although that department is required to justify the need for purchases by the Bureau of Fleet Management, Department of Finance and Administration.

One provision for lease or purchase applies to the use of grant money specifically set aside for the purchase of vehicles.

Although the bill passed the Senate, the Mississippi House of Representatives has referred the bill a committee for further review as of 3/21/2012.

By Greg Basich