MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representative Myers

House Bill 477

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF MONIES DERIVED FROM TOBACCO LITIGATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING SCHOOL PROGRAMS ON THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF SMOKING FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1999. 

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

SECTION 1. Subject to the provisions of Section 2 of this act, the following sum, or so much of it as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the State Department of Education for the purpose of funding special programs in the public schools designed to educate children on the harmful effects of smoking for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1998, and ending July 1, 1999..............................................$10,000,000.00.

SECTION 2. The money appropriated by this act shall be paid out of any money in the State General Fund derived from claims asserted by the Attorney General on behalf of the State of Mississippi and all of its governmental agencies, departments, political subdivisions and any other state-controlled public entities against tobacco manufacturers, distributors, trade firms and such other entities in the tobacco industry which are named defendants in litigation relating to the manufacturing, marketing, packaging, distribution and sale of tobacco products, whether derived under settlement agreement or judgment rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction.

SECTION 3. The money appropriated by Section 1 of this act is for the purpose of providing funding to the State Department of Education to provide grants, in an equal amount, to all local school districts in the state for special programs designed to educate children on the harmful effects of smoking and the use of other tobacco products and on nicotine addiction.

SECTION 4. The money appropriated by this act shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, subject to the provisions of Section 2 of this act, 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, 1998.