MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Bean

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CREATING A JOINT COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO STUDY THE STATE'S CERTIFICATE OF NEED PROGRAM AND THE ISSUE OF EXPANDING THE MEDICAID PROGRAM BY ADDING PAYMENTS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That:

(1) There is hereby created a joint study committee of the Senate and House of Representatives which shall study the state's certificate of need program and which shall also study the issue of expansion of the Medicaid program by the addition of payments for special educational services. The joint committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature on or before December 15, 1997; and upon the presentation of such report the joint committee shall be dissolved.

(2) The committee shall consist of the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee; the Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee; the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; the Chairman of the House Public Health and Welfare Committee; ten (10) members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, two (2) from each congressional district; and ten (10) members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, two (2) from each congressional district. Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the adoption of this resolution by the Legislature; and, within fifteen (15) days thereafter on a day to be designated jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, the committee shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a chairman and a vice-chairman. The vice-chairman shall also serve as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping all records of the committee. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. In the selection of its officers and the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the joint committee from each house shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, such notices to be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the date on which a meeting is to be held.

(3) Members of the committee shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same manner as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem or expense for attending meetings of the committee will be paid while the Legislature is in session. No committee member may incur per diem, travel or other expenses unless previously authorized by vote, at a meeting of the committee, which action shall be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting.

(4) The committee shall utilize clerical and legal staff already employed by the Legislature, and any other staff assistance made available to it. To effectuate the purpose of this resolution, each department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state shall, at the request of the chairman of the committee, provide to the committee such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the committee properly to carry out its task.