MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency
By: Senator(s) England, Barnett, Blackmon, Blackwell, Blount, Boyd, Branning, Bryan, Butler, Carter, Caughman, Chassaniol, Chism, DeBar, DeLano, Doty, Fillingane, Frazier, Harkins, Hill, Hopson, Horhn, Jackson (11th), Jackson (15th), Jackson (32nd), Johnson, Jordan, Kirby, McCaughn, McDaniel, McLendon, McMahan, Michel, Moran, Norwood, Parker, Parks, Polk, Seymour, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Sojourner, Sparks, Suber, Tate, Thomas, Thompson, Turner-Ford, Whaley, Wiggins, Witherspoon, Younger
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 7-3-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICIAL SEAL USED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL CONTAIN THE WORDS "IN GOD WE TRUST" AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 7-3-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
7-3-7. The Secretary of
State shall have a seal which shall be in the form of a circle, with the image
of an eagle in the center and around the margin the words "Secretary of
State-State of Mississippi" and under the image of the eagle the words:
" * * *In
God We Trust."
The Secretary of State shall
affix the seal prescribed to every document where the same is required by law,
and to every certificate and other official paper executed by him where
necessary or proper. All documents authenticated with * * *
the seal and signed by * * * the
Secretary of State shall be received as evidence in all courts, investigations,
and proceedings authorized by law, and may be recorded in the same manner and
with like effect as a deed. All copies of papers in the Office of * * *
the Secretary of State, certified by him and authenticated by * * *
the seal, shall be accepted in all matters equally in like manner as the
original.
SECTION 2. The Office of the Secretary of State shall continue to use stationery and other supplies having the seal thereon as it existed before July 1, 2020, until such stationery and other supplies are depleted. The seal as it existed before July 1, 2020, affixed on any public buildings, property or any other item shall remain thereon until the replacement of the seal due to normal wear or until replacement with any nonpublic funds.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.