MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Furniss

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING THE SMALL TOWN YOUTH ANTI-CRIME/ANTI-DRUG PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 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 Public Safety for the purpose of funding a Small Town Youth Anti-crime/Anti-drug Program, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, and ending June 30, 1998 $ 2,600,000.00.

SECTION 2. The funds appropriated under the provisions of this act are a result of the following:

The Legislature finds that youth crime and illegal drug activities in towns in Mississippi is in equal proportion to youth crime and illegal drug activities in cities in Mississippi. The Legislature also finds that a population of Two Thousand (2,000) or less constitutes a town, and Mississippi has approximately One Hundred Eighty-eight (188) towns according to the 1990 census. Further, the Legislature finds that towns do not always have adequate resources to deal with crime and illegal drug activity.

It is hereby declared to be the intention of the Legislature to provide financial assistance to towns to combat youth crime and illegal drug activities. It is further declared by the Legislature that a minimum amount of financial assistance required to assist towns in combatting youth crime and illegal drug activities should be no less than Thirteen Thousand Dollars ($13,000.00) per year which represents the approximate annual amount of funds required to incarcerate a state inmate for one year.

SECTION 3. With the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 1, the Department of Public Safety shall allocate an amount not to exceed Thirteen Thousand Dollars ($13,000.00) to the Mayor or Board of each town in Mississippi to combat youth crime and illegal drug activities. It is the intention of the Legislature that each town shall receive Thirteen Thousand Dollars ($13,000.00) from the funds appropriated in this act; however, in the event funds appropriated in this act are inadequate, the Department of Public Safety shall prorate allocations to towns to ensure each town receives an equal amount of funding for the purposes set forth in this act.

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.