MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Constitution

By: Representative Ellington, Cameron, Chism, Fillingane, Ishee, Janus, Jennings, Ketchings, Lott, Martinson, Masterson, Montgomery (74th), Moore (60th), Reeves, Robinson (84th), Rotenberry, Snowden, Zuber

House Concurrent Resolution 64

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO CREATE A NEW SECTION TO PROHIBIT THE LEGISLATURE, FROM AND AFTER JANUARY 1, 2004, FROM AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF ANY BONDS, NOTES OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF INDEBTEDNESS THAT PLEDGE THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IF ANY OF THE PROCEEDS MAY BE USED FOR THE PAYMENT OF OR TO DEFRAY COSTS NECESSARILY INCURRED BY ANY AGENCY, DEPARTMENT, INSTITUTION OR INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE STATE IN ITS DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS OR DELIVERING SERVICES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the following amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 is proposed to the qualified electors of the state:                               

     Amend the Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to create a new section to read as follows:

     "Section 115A.  From and after January 1, 2004, the Legislature shall not authorize the issuance of any bonds, notes or other forms of obligation representing any indebtedness that pledge the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi if any of the proceeds may be used for the payment of or to defray costs necessarily incurred by any agency, department, institution or instrumentality of the state in its day-to-day operation of conducting business or delivering services, including but not limited to, expenses and costs related to salaries, travel expenses, office rental, office equipment or supplies, motor vehicles and utility costs."              

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this proposed amendment shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the qualified electors at an election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2003, as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution and by general law.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of this proposed amendment for the ballot shall read as follows:  "This proposed constitutional amendment prohibits the Legislature, from and after January 1, 2004, from issuing any bonds, notes or other obligations of indebtedness that pledge the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi if any of the proceeds may be used for the payment of or to defray costs necessarily incurred by any agency, department, institution or instrumentality of the state in its day-to-day operation of conducting business or delivering services."