MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Ports and Marine Resources

By: Senator(s) Gollott

Senate Bill 3059

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-7-407, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXPAND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE BILOXI PORT COMMISSION; TO REVISE THE COMPENSATION OF THE PORT COMMISSIONERS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-7-409, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE SELECTION AND DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMISSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

 

SECTION 1. Section 59-7-407, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

59-7-407. A port commission created under this article shall consist of six (6) members who shall be qualified electors of the municipality operating under * * * this article, and shall be appointed as follows: two (2) shall be appointed by the Governor, two (2) * * * shall be appointed by the governing authorities of the municipality * * *, and two (2) * * * shall be appointed by the board of supervisors of the county * * *. The commission shall have jurisdiction over the port, terminals, harbors and passes leading thereto, and all vessels, boats and wharves, common carriers and public utilities * * * using the port. * * * Commissioners shall be paid the uniform per diem compensation authorized in Section 25-3-69 for the discharge of official duties at meetings called in accordance with Section 59-7-409.

In the first instance, the two (2) commissioners appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for terms of five (5) and (4) years, respectively, from the date of appointment; * * * one (1) member * * * appointed by the board of supervisors shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years from the date of appointment, and the members * * * appointed by the governing authorities of the municipality shall be appointed for terms of two (2) and one (1) years, respectively, from the date of appointment. The additional member appointed by the board of supervisors shall be appointed to a term of five (5) years. After the first appointments, thereafter each member appointed shall be appointed for a term of five (5) years.

The commission shall, upon appointment, organize as provided in Section 59-7-409.

SECTION 2. Section 59-7-409, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

59-7-409. The port commission established by Section 59-7-407 shall meet at a regular place to be designated by the port commission for organization as a port commission, after giving at least ten (10) days' notice of the time and place of the meeting by publication in a newspaper published in the city, and they shall elect a president and secretary who shall be members of the commission. The president shall be elected annually and shall vote only in cases of a tie vote.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.