MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Stribling

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CREATE A JOINT STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE HEALTH CARE CERTIFICATE OF NEED PROCESS IN MISSISSIPPI AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING ANY CHANGES THAT SHOULD BE MADE TO IMPROVE THAT PROCESS; TO DIRECT THE JOINT COMMITTEE TO MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 1997; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That a special joint study committee is created to make a comprehensive study of the health care certificate of need process in Mississippi and make recommendations concerning any changes that should be made to improve that process. The joint committee shall be composed of seven (7) members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, seven (7) members of the Senate to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, and the Chairmen of the House Public Health and Welfare Committee and the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee or their designees. The chairman of the joint committee shall be a member of the House who shall be named by the Speaker.

Within fifteen (15) days after sine die adjournment of the 1997 Regular Session of the Legislature, the Speaker and the Lieutenant Governor shall appoint the members of the committee. After the members are appointed, the joint committee shall meet on a date designated by the chairman of the joint committee at the New Capitol, to organize the committee and establish rules for transacting its business and keeping records. A majority of the members of the joint committee from each house shall constitute a quorum at all committee meetings. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members from each house present and voting shall be required in the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, and in any other actions taken by the committee. All members of the joint committee shall be notified in writing of all regular and special meetings of the committee, which notices shall be mailed at least five days before the dates of the meetings.

The joint committee may establish any subcommittees that it deems desirable to study and report to the committee with respect to any matter that is within the scope of this resolution.

The joint committee shall make a written report of its findings and recommendations, and shall mail copies of the report to each member of the Legislature not later than December 1, 1997.

In carrying out the provisions of this resolution, the joint committee may utilize the services, facilities and personnel of all departments, agencies, offices and institutions of the state, including the state universities and the community and junior colleges. In particular, the joint committee shall consult with the State Department of Health and the Division of Medicaid, and the State Department of Health and the Division of Medicaid shall cooperate with the committee and provide the committee with any information and other assistance requested by the committee. The joint committee may consult and seek advice from various groups in the state in order to understand the effect of any existing laws or any changes in law being considered by the committee.

For attending meetings of the joint committee, each member shall be paid, from the contingent expense fund of the member's respective house, per diem compensation in the amount authorized by Section 25-3-69 and a mileage allowance and an expense allowance in the amount authorized by Section 5-1-47. However, no per diem compensation, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid for attending meetings of the joint committee while the Legislature is in session, and no per diem compensation, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid without prior approval of the proper committee in the member's respective house.

All expenses incurred by and on behalf of the joint committee shall be paid from funds made available by the House Management Committee and the Senate Management Committee from the contingent expense funds of the respective houses, from any funds appropriated for the purpose of this resolution, and from any grants or contributions made to the committee for its purpose.