House Bill 1000

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-1-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES THE MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY TO BE FUNDED SEPARATELY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY; TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES THE BUDGET FOR THE CRIME LABORATORY TO BE MAINTAINED AND ADMINISTERED BY CRIME LABORATORY PERSONNEL UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE DIRECTOR; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY WILL ESTABLISH AND THE DIVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY WILL COLLECT THE FEES FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY THE CRIME LABORATORY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 45-1-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-1-29. * * *

(1) Grants and donations to the crime laboratory may be accepted from individuals, the federal government, firms, corporations, foundations and other interested organizations and societies.

(2) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall establish and the Division of Support Services of the Department of Public Safety shall collect for services rendered proper fees commensurate with the services rendered by the crime laboratory. Those fees shall be deposited into a special fund in the State Treasury to the credit of the crime laboratory and expended in accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration. Those fees may be used for any authorized expenditure of the crime laboratory except expenditures for salaries, wages and fringe benefits.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.