MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representatives Watson, Schoby, Bowles, Coleman (29th), Denny, Perry, Simmons (37th), Stevens

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING SALARIES AND TRAVEL EXPENSES OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OF THE STATE AND PAYING OFFICE EXPENSES OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND REIMBURSING THE EXPENSES OF SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1998.  

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

SECTION 1. The following sums, or so much thereof as may be necessary, are hereby appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of paying salaries and travel expenses of district attorneys and assistant district attorneys of the state and paying office expenses of district attorneys for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, and ending June 30, 1998 $ 17,156,287.00.

SECTION 2. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 1, not more than the amounts set forth below shall be expended for the respective purposes:

(a) Salaries and travel expenses of district attorneys, assistant district attorneys and criminal investigators of the state:

Salaries $10,351,256.00

Travel Expenses 415,167.00

Tort Claims Assessment $ 26,838.00

None of the funds authorized in this section shall be used to reimburse district attorneys or their staff for taxable meals incurred within their geographical district.

(b) Office expenses of district attorneys as authorized by Section 25-31-8, Mississippi Code of 1972

$ 768,000.00.

(c) Paying the salaries as set forth in Section 37-13-91, Mississippi Code of 1972, and reimbursing the expenses of the school attendance officers in the state, as required by law and as certified by the State Board of Education $ 5,595,026.00.

Such expenses reimbursed under this subsection shall be in accordance with state law and the actual expenses for the fiscal year not to exceed:

Travel Expenses $ 3,700.00

Office Expenses 1,000.00

Tort Claims Assessment $ 11,427.00

It is the intention of the Legislature that the school attendance officers shall not use funds provided for travel expenses for meals inside their assigned geographical area.

Of the funds appropriated herein, the Department of Finance and Administration shall continue to authorize the funding of one hundred fifty-eight (158) school attendance officers.

SECTION 3. Of the funds appropriated in Section 1, Seventy-eight Thousand Five Hundred Sixteen Dollars ($78,516.00) is provided to fund salary and office expense for one (1) full-time legal assistant in the Sixth Circuit Court District as authorized in Section 25-31-5(2)(f), Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 4. The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, 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 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.