MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Apportionment and Elections

By: Representative Wells-Smith

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-13-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE CORPORATIONS TO CONTRIBUTE MONEY, SECURITY, FUNDS OR PROPERTY TO A POLITICAL PARTY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $25,000.00 TO ASSIST THE POLITICAL PARTY IN THE CONSTRUCTION OR PURCHASE OF A BUILDING TO HOUSE ITS STATE HEADQUARTERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 97-13-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

97-13-15. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any corporation, incorporated company or incorporated association, by whatever name it may be known, incorporated or organized under the laws of this state, or doing business in this state, or for any servant, agent, employee or officer thereof, to give, donate, appropriate or furnish directly or indirectly, any money, security, funds or property of said corporation, incorporated company or incorporated association, in excess of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the purpose of aiding any political party or any candidate for any public office, or any candidate for any nomination for any public office of any political party, or to give, donate, appropriate or furnish, directly or indirectly, any money, security, funds or property of said corporation, incorporated company or association in excess of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) to any committee or person as a contribution to the expense of any political party or any candidate, representative or committee of any political party or candidate for nomination by any political party, or any committee or other person acting in behalf of such candidate. The limit of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for contributions to political parties shall be an annual limitation applicable to each calendar year.

(2) A corporation, incorporated company or incorporated association, by whatever name it may be known, incorporated or organized under the laws of this state, or doing business in this state, may furnish money, security, funds or property to any political party in an amount not to exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for the purpose of assisting the political party in the construction or purchase of a building to house its state headquarters.

SECTION 2. The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.