Senate Bill 2857

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-1-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE PROVISIONS WHICH PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY SHALL BE FUNDED SEPARATELY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THAT THE BUDGET FOR THE MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY SHALL BE MAINTAINED AND ADMINISTERED BY CRIME LABORATORY PERSONNEL; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY SHALL ESTABLISH 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 shall collect, for services rendered by the crime laboratory proper fees commensurate with the services rendered. Such 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 Fiscal Management Board. Such 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 its passage.