MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Harden

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CREATE A JOINT STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE CREATION OF A DEPARTMENT ON WOMEN'S AFFAIRS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That a special joint study committee is created to make a comprehensive study of the creation of a cabinet level position or department on women's affairs. The joint committee shall be composed of five (5) members of the House of Representatives, one (1) from each congressional district, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, five (5) members of the Senate, one (1) from each congressional district, to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, and the Speaker Pro Tempore of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The chairman of the joint committee shall be elected by the committee.

Within fifteen (15) days after sine die adjournment of the 2000 Regular Session of the Legislature, the Speaker and the Lieutenant Governor shall appoint the members of the committee. After the members are appointed, the joint committee shall meet on a date designated by the chairman of the joint committee at the New Capitol to organize the committee and establish rules for transacting its business and keeping records. A majority of the members of the joint committee from each house shall constitute a quorum at all committee meetings. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members from each house present and voting shall be required in the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, and in any other actions taken by the committee. All members of the joint committee shall be notified in writing of all regular and special meetings of the committee, which notices shall be mailed at least five (5) days before the dates of the meetings.

The joint committee may establish any subcommittees that it deems desirable to study and report to the committee with respect to any matter that is within the scope of this resolution.

The joint committee shall make a written report of its findings and recommendations, and shall mail copies of the report to each member of the Legislature not later than December 1, 2000.

In carrying out the provisions of this resolution, the joint committee may utilize the services, facilities and personnel of all departments, agencies, offices and institutions of the state, including the state universities and the community and junior colleges.

For attending meetings of the joint committee each member shall be paid, from the contingent expense fund of the member's respective house, per diem compensation in the amount authorized by Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, and a mileage allowance and an expense allowance in the amount authorized by Section 5-1-47, Mississippi Code of 1972. However, no per diem compensation, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid for attending meetings of the joint committee while the Legislature is in session, and no per diem compensation, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid without prior approval of the proper committee in the member's respective house.

All expenses incurred by and on behalf of the joint committee shall be paid from funds made available by the House Management Committee and the Senate Management Committee from the contingent expense funds of the respective houses, from any funds appropriated for the purpose of this resolution, and from any grants or contributions made to the committee for its purpose.