MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2021 Regular Session

To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

By: Senator(s) Parker

Senate Bill 2197

AN ACT TO CREATE NO MORE THAN TWO POSITIONS OF DEPUTY SECRETARIES OF STATE WHOSE QUALIFICATIONS SHALL BE THE SAME AS THAT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE AT HIS OR HER WILL AND PLEASURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  The following shall be codified as Section 7-3-73, Mississippi Code of 1972:

     7-3-73.  There shall be no more than two (2) deputy secretaries of state whose qualifications shall be the same as that of the Secretary of State, who shall be appointed by the Secretary of State to serve at his or her will and pleasure.  The Secretary of State may, in writing filed with his or her office, designate the deputy secretaries of state to perform any duties and powers conferred on the Secretary of State and to serve in his or her place and stead on any nonconstitutional board or commission for a particular meeting or series of called or regular meetings; and on such boards or commissions the deputy secretary of state's vote, decision or signature thereon shall have the full force and effect and shall be legal and binding on the State of Mississippi as if the Secretary of State had personally participated in such meeting or meetings.

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