(1) There is hereby authorized to be established the International Gardens of Mississippi which shall be situated in Copiah County, Mississippi, on lands selected by the Joint Legislative International Gardens Commission created by House Concurrent Resolution No. 61 of the 1970 Regular Legislative Session. The site chosen shall be purchased by and the International Gardens of Mississippi shall be developed and maintained with funds to be furnished by the county or counties involved.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall, in the development of said gardens, abide by the intent of House Concurrent Resolution No. 121 of the 1968 Regular Legislative Session, the intent and recommendations and reports of the Joint Legislative International Gardens Commission, and the final report concerning the proposed gardens as prepared by Mississippi State University for the Legislature wherever reasonable, practical and possible.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may accept financial aid from the United States government, foundations, organizations, and public and private corporations unless expressly forbidden by the laws of the State of Mississippi. Aid, assistance, advice and gifts may be accepted from foreign nations or other states of the United States.

However, until completion of the improvements to the existing state parks designated in House Bill 660, Regular Session of 1972, no funds made available to the State of Mississippi under the Federal Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965 shall be used in the International Gardens of Mississippi.