MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Johnson (19th)

Senate Bill 2919

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT NO TAXES MAY BE IMPOSED OR INCREASED PURSUANT TO ANY AUTHORITY GRANTED IN ANY LOCAL AND PRIVATE LAW UNTIL THE LEVYING AUTHORITY HAS HELD AN ELECTION ON THE QUESTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any local and private law to the contrary, whether heretofore or hereinafter enacted, no tax authorized by such law shall be imposed or increased until the levying authority has held an election on the question of such imposition or increase. Such elections shall be held pursuant to the regular procedures for the holding of mandatory special elections on the imposition of any taxes by the levying authority.

SECTION 2. The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi is hereby directed to 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.