MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Constitution

By: Representatives Hopkins, Criswell

House Concurrent Resolution 22

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 66, MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO PROHIBIT THE STATE OR ANY AGENCY OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE OR ANY OTHER UNIT OF GOVERNMENT FROM DONATING OR CONTRIBUTING ANY PUBLIC FUNDS TO ANY PERSON, ORGANIZATION OR OTHER ENTITY FOR ANY PURPOSE.

     BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the following amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 is proposed to the qualified electors of the state:

     Amend Section 66, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to read as follows:

     "Section 66.  * * *No law granting a donation or gratuity in favor of any person or object shall be enacted except by the concurrence of two‑thirds of the members elect of each branch of the legislature, nor by any vote for a sectarian purpose or use. The state or any agency or political subdivision of the state or any other unit of government is prohibited from donating or contributing any public funds to any person, organization or other entity for any purpose.  This section shall supersede any law that is in conflict with the provisions of this section."

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this proposed amendment shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the qualified electors at an election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2019, as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution and by general law.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of this proposed amendment for the ballot shall read as follows:  "This proposed constitutional amendment prohibits the state or any agency or political subdivision of the state or other unit of government from donating or contributing public funds to any person, organization or other entity for any purpose."