MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2021 Regular Session

To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

By: Representative Turner

House Bill 136

AN ACT TO REQUIRE ANY PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE HANDLING OR HAVING THE CUSTODY OF PUBLIC FUNDS, BY VIRTUE OF HIS OR HER OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT, TO GIVE BOND IN A CERTAIN AMOUNT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  (1)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any public officer or employee handling or having the custody of public funds, by virtue of his or her office or employment, shall give an individual bond.  Such bond for the public officer or employee shall be in the amount of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), unless a specific amount is otherwise required by law.  The provisions of this section shall not apply to any public officer or employee whose activity of handling or having custody of public funds is incidental to his or her employment or job duties, as defined by the regulations of the State Auditor's office.

     (2)  All individual bonds as required by this section shall follow the form and content as provided in Section 25-1-15. 

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.