Senate Bill 2275

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH AND EMPOWER THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH STATE AGENCY REORGANIZATION STUDY TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT OF THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TASK FORCE; TO REQUIRE THAT THE TASK FORCE MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE REORGANIZATION OF STATE AGENCIES TO IMPROVE GOVERNMENTAL EFFICIENCY; TO REQUIRE THAT THE TASK FORCE BE SUBJECT TO MISSISSIPPI OPEN MEETING LAWS AND THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT; TO REQUIRE THAT THE TASK FORCE SUBMIT A RECOMMENDATION REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE BY DECEMBER 1, 2025, AND INCLUDE LEGISLATION TO MAKE THE REORGANIZATION RECOMMENDATIONS POSSIBLE; TO ALLOW THE TASK FORCE TO UTILIZE ADVISORY COMMITTEES AS NEEDED; TO ESTABLISH HOW TASK FORCE MEMBERS SHALL BE COMPENSATED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. It is the intention of the Legislature that this act provide a mechanism for the systematic study of the organization of the executive branch's state agencies which will result in the creation of a structure of the executive branch's state agencies, which will promote economic and organizational efficiency in the operation and management of state agencies. The restructuring of state agencies will strengthen the executive's capacity for effective and efficient administration at all levels, which will improve the quality of functions performed and programs and services rendered by the state government to the citizens of Mississippi. The state of Mississippi owes an obligation to its citizens to conserve and enhance economic, human and natural resources of the state. Restructuring state agencies will eliminate a duplication of efforts within the executive branch, which will allow more state funds to be allocated to meet the needs of the people.

SECTION 2. There is hereby created the "State Agency Reorganization Task Force." The task force shall be composed of the following individuals:

(1) Ten (10) appointees selected by the Governor;

(2) Two (2) appointees selected by the Lieutenant Governor;

(3) Two (2) appointees selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4) The Chairmen of the Senate Appropriations and the appropriate House Appropriations committee;

(5) The Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committee; and

(6) The Chairmen of the Senate Government Structures and House Government Affairs committees.

The task force shall conduct a comprehensive study of the organization structure of the executive branch of state government and shall issue a report making specific recommendations for the Legislature for the reorganization of the executive branch of government.

SECTION 3. The open meetings laws in Section 25-41-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, et seq., and the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, in Section 25-61-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, et seq., shall apply to the task force and its activities.

SECTION 4. The Governor may appoint advisory committees to assist the task force in its study. Each member of the advisory committee shall be an individual with special expertise corresponding to particular departmental or subject matter areas. Advisory committee members shall receive no compensation.

SECTION 5. The task force shall submit the final report and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by December 1, 2025, together with the appropriate legislation to enact into law those recommendations.

SECTION 6. As soon as practical after it is organized, the task force shall employ such research staff as deemed necessary and as approved by the Department of Finance and Administration.

SECTION 7. The task force members may be paid per diem for each day of actual attendance at meetings of the task force or at meetings of committees thereof. Task force members may be compensated for travel expenses. No task force member shall be paid per diem after the task force dissolves on December 31, 2025.

SECTION 8. When the report of the task force recommends the transfer of an office, agency, department, board or commission to another department, the recommendation shall propose the transfer or placement of such office, agency, department, board or commission in a particular manner and shall also include transfer mechanisms to establish the degree to which the agency whose transfer is proposed will continue to exercise its functions and the degree of independence with which these functions may be performed.

SECTION 9. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and shall stand repealed from and after December 31, 2025.