MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2002 Regular Session

To: Fees, Salaries and Administration

By: Senator(s) Thames, Furniss, Walls, Carlton, Jordan, Huggins, Simmons, Blackmon, Dawkins, Horhn, Dearing, Johnson (38th)

Senate Bill 2542

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 2, CHAPTER 170, LAWS OF 1922, AS AMENDED, TO INCREASE THE PER DIEM FOR COMMISSIONERS OF THE YAZOO-MISSISSIPPI DELTA LEVEE BOARD; TO AMEND SECTION 2, CHAPTER 90, LAWS OF 1904, AS AMENDED, TO INCREASE THE PER DIEM FOR COMMISSIONERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI LEVEE COMMISSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 2, Chapter 170, Laws of 1922, as last amended by Section 1, Chapter 392, Laws of 1981, is amended as follows:

     Section 2.  The salaries or compensation of the officers of the board and all employees shall be fixed by the board at such amounts and within such limits as, in the opinion of the board, shall be proper for the services rendered.

     Members of the Board of Levee Commissioners, other than the officers, shall receive per diem in the amount of Sixty-seven Dollars ($67.00) for each day, or fraction thereof, occupied with the discharge of official duties, for no more than thirty-six (36) days during any one (1) fiscal year, or, in his or her discretion, irrevocably may choose to receive as compensation for his or her services an annual salary not to exceed the amount of Two Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($2,400.00), which choice shall remain in force for the remainder of the member's term of office.  The receipt of the compensation shall not entitle any member of the board to receive or be eligible for any state employee group insurance, retirement or other fringe benefits.  Members of the board shall receive mileage and expenses as set by Section 25-3-41 incurred in the performance of official duties.

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     SECTION 2.  Section 2, Chapter 90, Laws of 1904, as last amended by Section 1, Chapter 515, Laws of 1981, is amended as follows:

     Section 2.  (a)  The Board of Levee Commissioners for the Mississippi Levee Commission may have the following paid officers and employees, to wit:

     A president; other members of the board; a chief engineer, assistant chief engineer, assistant engineers as, in the opinion of the board, may be necessary; an attorney or firm of attorneys; a secretary and treasurer, and bookkeeper; a superintendent of maintenance and such employees and helpers as, in the discretion of the board, may be deemed necessary to properly conduct the affairs of the board.

     (b)  The salaries or compensation of the president of the board and all employees shall be fixed by the board at such amounts and within such limits as, in the opinion of the board, shall be proper for the services rendered.

     In addition to the salaries fixed by the board within the limits above prescribed, the president, other officers and employees of said board shall receive mileage expenses as set by Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, for distance traveled other than in vehicles operated by said board while actually on the business of the board, and the actual cost of meals, lodging and other travel expenses while so engaged.

     (c)  Members of the Board of Mississippi Levee Commissioners, other than the president, shall receive per diem in the amount of Sixty-seven Dollars ($67.00) for each day, or fraction thereof, occupied with the discharge of official duties, for no more than thirty-six (36) days during any one (1) fiscal year, or, in his or her discretion, irrevocably may choose to receive as compensation for his or her services an annual salary not to exceed the amount of Two Thousand Four Hundred Dollars ($2,400.00), which choice shall remain in force for the remainder of the member's term of office.  The receipt of the compensation shall not entitle any member of the board to receive or be eligible for any state employee group insurance, retirement or other fringe benefits.  Members of the board shall receive mileage and expenses as set by Section 25-3-41 incurred in the performance of official duties.

     (d)  The board may, in its discretion, employ on a temporary basis such other engineering, accounting, legal, clerical or technical personnel and levee guards as it may deem necessary to carry out the functions of the board.

     (e)  The engineering department is authorized to and shall perform the duties formerly performed by the levee guards.

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