House Bill 638

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-3-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE DATE OF REPEAL ON THE PROVISION OF LAW THAT PROVIDES THE SALARIES OF CERTAIN ELECTED OFFICIALS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-3-34, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY WHO MAY RECEIVE AN EDUCATION BENCHMARK; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 25-3-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-3-31. The annual salaries of the following elected state and district officers are fixed as follows:

Governor....................................... $122,160.00

Attorney General............................... 108,960.00

Secretary of State............................. 90,000.00

Commissioner of Insurance...................... 90,000.00

State Treasurer................................ 90,000.00

State Auditor of Public Accounts............... 90,000.00

Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce....... 90,000.00

Transportation Commissioners................... 78,000.00

Public Service Commissioners................... 78,000.00

* * *

The above fixed salary of the Governor shall be the reference amount utilized in computing average compensation and earned compensation pursuant to Section 25-11-103(f) and Section 25-11-103(k) and to related sections which require such computations.

* * *

SECTION 2. Section 25-3-34, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-3-34. (1) * * * Any appointed or elected state or district official or employee eligible for an education benchmark, except state legislators, shall receive the award of an education benchmark as defined in State Personnel Board rules for the possession or attainment of any of the following:

(a) The Certified Public Manager designation;

(b) A job-related Ph.D (Doctor of Philosophy) degree which is not required as a minimum qualification of the position;

(c) A job-related certification, licensure or registration requiring the passage of an examination, which is not required as a minimum qualification of the position.

(2) No such official or employee may receive more than a total of three (3) eligible benchmarks, only one (1) of which may be for a job-related certification, licensure or registration.

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

SECTION 3. The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.