MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representatives Moody, Warren, Comans, Hamilton, Holland, Read, Stevens, Stringer, Watson

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE FISCAL YEARS 1997 AND 1998.  

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

SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Department of Rehabilitation Services for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, and ending June 30, 1998 $ 8,882,755.00.

SECTION 2. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in any special fund in the State Treasury to the credit of the Department of Rehabilitation Services which is comprised of special source funds collected by or otherwise available to the department for the support of the various offices of the department, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the department for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, and ending June 30, 1998

$ 75,347,866.00.

SECTION 3. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Sections 1 and 2, not more than the amounts set forth below shall be expended for the respective major objects or purposes of expenditure:

OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

MAJOR OBJECTS OF EXPENDITURE:

Personal Services:

Salaries, Wages and Fringe Benefits $ 18,208,927.00

Travel and Subsistence 602,052.00

Contractual Services 2,808,912.00

Commodities 280,113.00

Capital Outlay:

Other Than Equipment 0.00

Equipment 486,573.00

Subsidies, Loans and Grants 18,585,514.00

Total $ 40,972,091.00

FUNDING:

General Funds $ 7,444,060.00

Special Funds 33,528,031.00

Total $ 40,972,091.00

AUTHORIZED POSITIONS:

Permanent: Full Time. . . . . . . . . 462

Part Time. . . . . . . . . 11

Time-Limited: Full Time. . . . . . . . . 98

Part Time. . . . . . . . . 5

OFFICE OF DISABILITY DETERMINATION SERVICES

MAJOR OBJECTS OF EXPENDITURE:

Personal Services:

Salaries, Wages and Fringe Benefits $ 11,470,898.00

Travel and Subsistence 174,390.00

Contractual Services 9,051,964.00

Commodities 523,390.00

Capital Outlay:

Other Than Equipment 0.00

Equipment 521,625.00

Subsidies, Loans and Grants 8,343,868.00

Total $ 30,086,135.00

FUNDING:

General Funds $ 0.00

Special Funds 30,086,135.00

Total $ 30,086,135.00

AUTHORIZED POSITIONS:

Permanent: Full Time. . . . . . . . . 298

Part Time. . . . . . . . . 20

Time-Limited: Full Time. . . . . . . . . 38

Part Time. . . . . . . . . 0

OFFICE OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION FOR THE BLIND

MAJOR OBJECTS OF EXPENDITURE:

Personal Services:

Salaries, Wages and Fringe Benefits $ 3,300,203.00

Travel and Subsistence 139,422.00

Contractual Services 685,849.00

Commodities 79,874.00

Capital Outlay:

Other Than Equipment 15,000.00

Equipment 237,794.00

Subsidies, Loans and Grants 4,252,131.00

Total $ 8,710,273.00

FUNDING:

General Funds $ 1,438,695.00

Special Funds 7,271,578.00

Total $ 8,710,273.00

AUTHORIZED POSITIONS:

Permanent: Full Time. . . . . . . . . 85

Part Time. . . . . . . . . 3

Time-Limited: Full Time. . . . . . . . . 6

Part Time. . . . . . . . . 4

The office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind shall remain accredited by using not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) of the funds appropriated along with matching funds for payment of fees to an accreditation agency recommended by the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

OFFICE OF SUPPORT SERVICES

MAJOR OBJECTS OF EXPENDITURE:

Personal Services:

Salaries, Wages and Fringe Benefits $ 1,386,370.00

Travel and Subsistence 50,500.00

Contractual Services 455,297.00

Commodities 37,860.00

Capital Outlay:

Other Than Equipment 0.00

Equipment 32,095.00

Subsidies, Loans and Grants 0.00

Total $ 1,962,122.00

FUNDING:

General Funds $ 0.00

Special Funds 1,962,122.00

Total $ 1,962,122.00

AUTHORIZED POSITIONS:

Permanent: Full Time. . . . . . . . . 27

Part Time. . . . . . . . . 0

Time-Limited: Full Time. . . . . . . . . 0

Part Time. . . . . . . . . 0

SPINAL CORD AND HEAD INJURY PROGRAM

FUNDING:

General Funds $ 0.00

Special Funds $ 2,500,000.00

Total $ 2,500,000.00

From the funds herein appropriated, the Department of Rehabilitation Services may cooperate with other state or federal agencies in setting up and executing programs for vocational rehabilitation for eligible disabled and/or handicapped individuals throughout the state.

From the funds provided in the budget category "Personal Services: Salaries, Wages and Fringe Benefits," funds may be expended for the following purposes, in compliance with policies established by the State Personnel Board and any conditions placed on such expenditure:

(a) The components of the Variable Compensation Plan shall be maintained within the constraints of the funds appropriated herein.

(b) Funds shall be used to fund the "Realignment" component at the requirement established by the State Personnel Board.

(c) Subsequent to the application of Realignment, as specified in Subparagraph (b), above, funds shall be used to provide all eligible state employees employed on or before June 30, 1996, a Three Hundred Dollar ($300.00) "In-Service" COLA base salary increase effective July 1, 1997.

(d) All eligible state employees employed on or before June 30, 1996, shall receive a one percent (1%) salary increase on the first day of the month following their anniversary hire date.

(e) To be eligible for the salary increases specified in Subparagraphs (c) and (d), above, employees must have a current overall performance appraisal rating of "meets expectations" (2.0), or above, on the effective date of the increase. Employees who, subsequent to their eligibility date, receive a performance appraisal rating of "meets expectations" (2.0), or above, during Fiscal Year 1998 shall receive the salary increase effective the date of the rating. If an eligible employee is currently at or above end step for his or her job classification, or should this salary increase cause an eligible employee's salary to exceed end step, that portion of the increase exceeding end step shall be built into the employee's base salary.

It is the agency's responsibility to make certain that funds required to be appropriated for Personal Services for Fiscal Year 1999 do not exceed Fiscal Year 1998 funds appropriated for that purpose unless programs and/or positions are added to the agency's budget by the Mississippi Legislature.

It is the intention of the Legislature that the Executive Director of the Department of Rehabilitation Services may transfer between the various offices authorized herein both funds and positions not to exceed five percent (5%) of the receiving office in addition to any other transfers or escalations made in accordance with Section 27-104-17 (3), Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated. The Executive Director of the Department of Rehabilitation Services shall submit written justification for the transfer to the Legislative Budget Office and the Department of Finance and Administration on or before the fifteenth of the month prior to the effective date of the transfer. It is further the intention of the Legislature that any transfers made under the provisions of this paragraph shall be of an emergency nature and that in no case shall the transfers be made which substantially alter the legislative intent for the various offices as set forth in the original appropriations made under this act.

No general funds authorized to be expended herein shall be used to replace federal funds and/or other special funds which are being used for salaries authorized under the provisions of this act and which are withdrawn and no longer available.

SECTION 4. In addition to all other sums herein appropriated, the following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any funds which are received by or otherwise become available to the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services for the purposes listed below for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, and ending June 30, 1998 $ 3,125,000.00.

Signature Works $ 1,000,000.00.

Mississippi State Comprehensive Assistive

Technology Center $ 675,000.00.

Mississippi Industries for the Blind $ 1,000,000.00.

Olive Branch Allied Enterprises Expansion $ 250,000.00.

Goodwill Industries $ 200,000.00.

SECTION 5. It shall be unlawful for any officer, employee or other person whatsoever to use or permit or authorize the use of any automobile or any other motor vehicle owned by the State of Mississippi or any department, agency or institution thereof for any purpose other than upon the official business of the State of Mississippi or any agency, department or institution thereof.

It is the intent of the Legislature that motor vehicles authorized to be owned and operated by this agency shall comply with Sections 25-1-77 to 25-1-93, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 6. In addition to all other sums heretofore appropriated, the following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund which is comprised of special source funds collected by or otherwise available to the Department of Rehabilitation Services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997 $ 500,000.00

SECTION 7. In addition to all other sums heretofore appropriated, the following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Department of Rehabilitation Services for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997

$ 400,000.00.

This additional appropriation is made for the purpose of providing the funds necessary for the Department to meet current commitments to clients in the State Attendant Care Program.

SECTION 8. The money appropriated under the provisions of Sections 1 and 7 shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, and the money appropriated under the provisions of Sections 2, 4 and 6 shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the proper special funds to the credit of the Department of Rehabilitation Services, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law.

SECTION 9. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997, except for Sections 6 and 7 which shall take effect and be in force from and after passage.