MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Highways and Transportation

By: Senator(s) Hewes

Senate Bill 2531

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 65-1-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO HOLD ITS MEETINGS AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 65-1-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     65-1-5.  When the transportation commissioners enter upon the duties of their office, the * * * commission shall meet and organize by the election of one (1) of its members to serve as chairman of the commission for the four-year term for which the commissioner shall have been elected.  The commission, a majority of which shall constitute a quorum, shall meet in regular session on the second Tuesday of each month at the office of the commission in Jackson, Mississippi or in any other location as may be set by the commission * * *. At such regular sessions the commission may hear, continue and determine any and all matters coming before it.  The commission may hold special sessions at the call of the executive director or the chairman at such times and places * * * as either of them may deem necessary.  At such special sessions it may hear, continue, consider and determine any and all matters coming before it, provided that at least five (5) days' notice of such sessions shall be given to all the members of the commission beforehand.  A special session may be called at any time without the foregoing notice, or any notice, if by and with the unanimous consent of all the members of the commission, but such unanimous consent shall be spread at large on the minutes of the commission.  If a session is held at a location other than at the office of the commission in Jackson, the commission shall provide a means for public participation in the session from the office of the commission in Jackson.

     The * * * commission shall act as a legal entity, and shall only speak through its minutes, and in all matters shall act as a unit.  Any action on the part of any member of the commission separately shall not bind the commission as a unit, but such individual member only shall be liable personally on his official bond.

     The * * * commission shall be a body corporate and as such may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, in any court of justice having jurisdiction of the subject matter of any such suit.  In any suit against the * * * commission service of process shall be had by serving the secretary of the commission with such process; and a copy of the declaration, petition or bill of complaint, or other initial pleading shall be handed the secretary along with the process.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.