MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2006 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representative Stringer, Holland, Reynolds, Norquist, Bondurant, Upshaw, Franks, Brown, Banks, Buck, Hines, Flaggs, Blackmon, Stevens, Martinson, Akins, Coleman (29th), Moak, Evans, Eaton, Lott, Perkins, Scott, Hudson, Walley, Johnson, Broomfield, Clarke, Bailey, Beckett, Vince, Baker (8th), Thomas, Smith (27th), McBride, Rogers (14th), Montgomery, Ward

House Bill 209

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF STATE EMPLOYEES, EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND EMPLOYEES OF THE PUBLIC COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000.00 FOR EACH OF FISCAL YEARS 2007 AND 2008; TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE THE SALARY INCREASES; TO REQUIRE THAT STATE EMPLOYEES WITH CERTAIN LICENSES WHO USE THE SKILLS REQUIRED BY THOSE LICENSES IN THEIR JOBS SHALL BE PAID THE SAME AS OTHER STATE EMPLOYEES IN POSITIONS THAT REQUIRE THOSE LICENSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  For the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2006, and the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2007, the annual compensation of each state employee, each employee of the state institutions of higher learning, and each employee of public community and junior colleges that has been employed for twelve (12) months or longer by the state, the state institutions of higher learning or the public community and junior colleges, shall be increased by an amount equal to One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), effective on July 1 of the year.

     (2)  If the increase in compensation provided for in this section would cause any state employee's compensation to be in excess of the compensation of the executive head of the state agency or department in which he is employed, then that employee's compensation shall be increased only to the extent that the employee's salary will be equal in amount to the compensation of the executive head.  If any increase in compensation provided for in this section would cause the compensation of any employee of the state institutions of higher learning or the public community and junior colleges to be in excess of the head of the institution or community or junior college, then that employee's compensation shall be increased only to the extent that the employee's salary will be equal in amount to the compensation of the head of the institution or community or junior college.

     SECTION 2.  If any employee is unable to receive the full amount of the salary increase provided for in Section 1 of this act because to award the entire allowable increase would cause that employee's base salary to exceed the end step of his or her particular job classification, the end step of that particular job classification shall be increased.  The increase shall be in an amount necessary to enable all employees in that particular job classification to be eligible to receive the full salary increase to which they are entitled under this act.

     SECTION 3.  (1)  Any state employee who possesses or attains a vocational or technical license and who uses the skills required by such license to perform at least thirty percent (30%) of the duties of the employee's position shall be paid a salary at least equal to the salary paid to other state employees who are employed in positions that require such vocational or technical license.

     (2)  The State Personnel Board shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.

     SECTION 4.  The Legislature shall appropriate the funds necessary to provide for the increases in compensation provided for in this act.

     SECTION 5.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.