MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Fees and Salaries of Public Officers

By: Representative Morris

House Bill 997

AN ACT TO CREATE AN ADVISORY COMMISSION TO BE KNOWN AS THE "COMMISSION ON COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE"; TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE ON THE COMPENSATION AND EXPENSE ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO MEMBERS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE COMMISSION BY THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR; TO PROHIBIT ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM SERVING ON THE COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION WILL CEASE TO EXIST UPON FILING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is created an advisory commission to be known as the "Commission on Compensation and Expenses of the State Legislature."

(2) Before September 1, 1998, the commission shall make written recommendations to the House of Representatives and the Senate as to what the commission determines to be the appropriate compensation per regular session and for attending each extraordinary session, office expense allowance for those months or fractions thereof when the Legislature is not in session, travel expense allowance and mileage expense reimbursement for the Lieutenant Governor and members of the Legislature. The commission also shall recommend an appropriate mechanism, if any, for future adjustments to such compensation, office expense allowance, travel expense allowance and mileage expense reimbursement. The commission shall propose rules for allowable office expense allowances and rules for travel reimbursement.

(3) The commission shall consist of ten (10) members, five (5) of whom shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and five (5) of whom shall be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor. These ten (10) members shall be chosen in a manner so as to achieve as equal a representation of the citizenry of the state as possible. Membership shall include residents of urban as well as rural areas of the state. In making the appointments, the Speaker and Lieutenant Governor shall appoint citizens who have demonstrated integrity and are widely recognized as knowledgeable and successful in the areas of business and finance. Such appointees should have demonstrated leadership ability, broadly based knowledge and business or professional ability. No member of the commission shall be an elected municipal, county or state official or an employee of state or local government or of any association of governments or government officials.

(4) The commission shall meet at such times and places as it deems necessary.

(5) The commission shall elect one (1) member to serve as chair of the commission.

(6) The commission may establish such subcommittees as it deems necessary for the performance of its duties.

(7) Members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for mileage and travel expenses actually incurred in the performance of their official duties. Such reimbursement shall be paid in accordance with Section 25-3-41 from the contingent expense funds of the House of Representatives and Senate, subject to the approval of the House and Senate Management Committees.

(8) The Legislative Budget Office shall provide staff and such other assistance as may be necessary for the commission to fulfill its duties.

(9) The commission shall cease to exist upon filing its recommendations with the House of Representatives and the Senate.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.