MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Ports, Harbors and Airports

By: Representative Compretta, Dedeaux, Upshaw

House Bill 1193

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-11-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH THE PER DIEM COMPENSATION FOR MEMBERS OF COUNTY PORT AND HARBOR COMMISSIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 61-3-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DAYS THAT COMMISSIONERS OF REGIONAL OR MUNICIPAL AIRPORT AUTHORITIES MAY RECEIVE COMPENSATION IN ANY ONE YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 59-11-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     59-11-3.  (1)  Any county port and harbor commission * * * created pursuant to Section 59-11-1 shall be appointed as follows:  two (2) members shall be appointed by the Governor, one (1) from each of the two (2) municipalities of the county, * * * which appointments shall be made from those persons recommended and nominated by the governing authorities of the municipalities, and shall be qualified electors of the county; and five (5) members shall be appointed by the board of supervisors of such county, each supervisor to recommend the appointment of one (1) member thereof.  The members of the county port and harbor commission shall serve for terms concurrent with that of the Governor and the board of supervisors making such appointment.

     (2)  Each member of the county port and harbor commission shall receive per diem compensation in the amount of Fifty-five Dollars ($55.00) for each day engaged in attendance of meetings of the county port and harbor commission and shall be reimbursed for mileage and actual travel expenses at the rate authorized for county employees under Section 25-3-41.

     SECTION 2.  Section 61-3-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     61-3-13.  Each commissioner of a regional or municipal airport authority may receive from that airport authority per diem compensation in the amount provided by Section 25-3-69 for each day or fraction of a day engaged in attendance of meetings of the authority or engaged in other official duties of the authority, not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) days in any one (1) year, and may receive from the airport authority actual traveling expenses incurred in the discharge of his duties.  Each commissioner shall hold office until his successor has been appointed and has qualified.  The certificates of the appointment and reappointment of commissioners shall be filed with the authority.

     The powers of each authority shall be vested in the commissioners of that authority.  A majority of the commissioners of an authority shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the authority and exercising its powers and for all other purposes.  Action may be taken by the authority upon a vote of not less than a majority of the commissioners present.  There shall be elected a chairman and vice chairman from among the commissioners.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after October 1, 2004.