MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Thames

A RESOLUTION CREATING A SPECIAL SENATE COMMITTEE FOR THE PURPOSE OF STUDYING THE EFFECTS OF, AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN, FIRE ANTS, THE POULTRY INDUSTRY AND SWINE INDUSTRY ON THE STATE'S ENVIRONMENT, WILDLIFE AND ECONOMY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.  

WHEREAS, the Senate finds that Mississippi's agriculture industry, environment and wildlife habitat are all equally important, and there is a need to closely examine and further study the effects of, and relationship between, fire ants, the poultry industry and swine industry on Mississippi's environment, wildlife and economy:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That there is hereby created a special committee to study the effects of, and relationship between, fire ants, the poultry industry and swine industry on the state's environment, wildlife and economy, and to study any other related subject matter the committee deems necessary and within its jurisdiction.

The committee shall be composed of the following members:

(a) The Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and two (2) members from the Senate Agriculture Committee to be designated by the President of the Senate;

(b) The Chairman of the Senate Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources Committee, and two (2) members from the Senate Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources Committee to be designated by the President of the Senate; and

(c) The Chairman of the Senate Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committee, and two (2) members from the Senate Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committee to be designated by the President of the Senate.

The committee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman of the committee. 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. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings at least five days prior to the date on which a meeting is to be held.

For attending meetings of the committee, each member shall be paid from the contingent expense fund of the Senate the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem and expenses shall be paid for attending meetings of the committee while the Legislature is in session, and no per diem and expenses shall be paid without prior approval of the Senate Management Committee.

The committee shall not hire any staff, but shall utilize the clerical and legal staff already employed by the Senate, and any other staff provided by a state agency pursuant to a request therefor by the committee.

The study committee shall be dissolved on January 1, 1998.