MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representatives Bozeman, Ellis

House Bill 1317

AN ACT TO CREATE A JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE ON RESTRUCTURING THE ELECTRIC UTILITY INDUSTRY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is created a Joint Legislative Study Committee on Restructuring the Electric Utility Industry to study and make recommendations to the Legislature on all aspects of restructuring the electric industry in the State of Mississippi.

(2) The joint legislative study committee shall be composed of: the Chairman of the Public Utilities Committee of the House of Representatives and nine (9) members of that committee to be appointed by the chairman; the Chairman of the Senate Public Utilities Committee and nine (9) members of that committee to be appointed by the chairman; the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and three (3) members of that committee to be appointed by the chairman; and the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and three (3) members of that committee to be appointed by the chairman. If any chairman serving on the study committee is unable to attend any meeting of the committee, the vice chairman of the respective committee may attend and vote at such meeting. Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after passage of this act. Within fifteen (15) days thereafter, on a day to be designated jointly by the Chairmen of the Public Utilities Committees, the study committee shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a chairman and vice chairman. The vice chairman also shall serve as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping all records of the study committee. A majority of the members of the study 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 study committee will be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, and such notices shall be mailed at least five (5) days before the date on which a meeting is to be held.

(3) For attending meetings of the study committee, each member shall be paid from the contingent expense fund of his respective house per diem in the amount authorized by Section 25-3-69, and a mileage allowance and an expense allowance in the amount authorized by Section 5-1-47. However, no per diem, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid for attending meetings of the committee while the Legislature is in session, and no per diem, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid without prior approval of the proper committee in the member's respective house.

(4) Funding for the study committee may be provided from any funds that may be appropriated for the expenses of the study committee. The study committee may accept money from any source, public or private, to be expended in implementing its duties under this act.

(5) The study committee may employ consultants or staff as well as utilize clerical and legal staff employed by the Legislature and any other staff assistance made available to the committee.

(6) Upon presentation of its report to the Legislature before the 2003 Regular Session, the study committee shall be dissolved.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.