MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2006 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Gordon, Little, Chaney, Burton, Frazier, Harden, Moffatt, Dearing, Posey

Senate Bill 3013

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007.

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

SECTION 1.  The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, for the support and maintenance of the Alcorn State University Agricultural Programs for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006, and ending June 30, 2007    $     3,612,863.00.

SECTION 2.  The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized for expenditure out of any special source funds which are collected by or otherwise become available, for the support and maintenance of the Alcorn State University Agricultural Programs for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006, and ending June 30, 2007........................ $        21,097.00.

     SECTION 3.  Of the funds appropriated in Section 2, Twenty-one Thousand Ninety-seven Dollars ($21,097.00) shall be derived from funds in the Education Enhancement Fund deposited pursuant to Sections 27-65-75 and 27-67-31, Mississippi Code of 1972.

     SECTION 4.  No general funds authorized to be expended herein shall be used to replace federal funds and/or other special funds which are being used for salaries which are withdrawn and no longer available.

     SECTION 5.  It is the intention of the Legislature that the agency's budget request for Fiscal Year 2008 shall be submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in a format and level of detail comparable to the format and level of detail provided during the Fiscal Year 2007 budget request process.

     SECTION 6.  It is the intention of the Legislature that whenever two (2) or more bids are received by this agency for the purchase of commodities or equipment, and whenever all things stated in such received bids are equal with respect to price, quality and service, the Mississippi Industries for the Blind shall be given preference.  A similar preference shall be given to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind whenever purchases are made without competitive bids.

     SECTION 7.  It is legislative intent to ensure beneficial information reaches as many Mississippians as possible.  Further, it is legislative intent that the expenditure of public funds for this purpose be accomplished in an efficient and effective manner.

     Therefore, state agencies as standard procedure, will observe the following criteria:

     (1)  Develop goals and desired result for a campaign.

     (2)  Evaluate effectiveness through respected advertising standards, including market reach and cost effectiveness.

     (3)  Seek public service announcements, which would be aired by media without cost.

     (4)  Itemize and justify professional assistance and related expenses for creative and production costs outside of the actual media expenditures.

     (5)  Utilize Mississippi owned media companies when feasible.

     SECTION 8.  Of the funds appropriated in Sections 1 and 2, an amount of Three Hundred Fifty-five Thousand One Hundred Eighty Dollars ($355,180.00) shall be used for The Mississippi Natural Products Association, Inc.

     SECTION 9.  The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the proper fund or funds as set forth in this act, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers in the manner provided by law.

     SECTION 10.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.