MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Gollott

A RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO RULE 65A OF THE RULES OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO PROVIDE THAT THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE SHALL BE A VOTING MEMBER OF THE SENATE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE SHALL SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI,

That Senate Rule 65A is amended to read as follows:

65A. (1) There is hereby created the Senate Management Committee (hereinafter Management Committee) to be composed of the President (who shall be a non-voting member); the President Pro Tempore; * * * and five (5) Senators, each having served at least three (3) years in the Senate, one (1) from each congressional district of the state as constituted on January 1, 1996, to be elected by caucus of the Senators from each such district. The voting precinct of a Senator shall determine the congressional district caucus in which the Senator shall participate and for which the Senator may hold membership on the Management Committee. The President shall name a chairman and a vice-chairman of the committee from among the elected members of the committee. The Secretary of the Senate shall serve as the secretary of the committee.

The members of the Management Committee elected in the year 1996 shall be elected within ten (10) calendar days following the adoption of this rule. The members of the Management Committee thereafter shall be elected during the first calendar week of the first regular session following the statewide general election at which members of the Legislature are chosen. Members of the Management Committee shall serve for a term commensurate with the term for which they were elected to the Senate.

(2) The Management Committee shall meet at such times as are necessary for the proper exercise of its functions and may adopt rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the rules of the Senate, as it deems necessary for the efficient operation of the committee.

(3) Action by a majority vote of the Management Committee shall be conclusive on any matter properly within the jurisdiction of the committee.

(4) The committee shall function on a year-round basis; and, when the Legislature is not in session, members of the committee shall be compensated as provided in Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, for each day spent in actual discharge of their duties and shall receive the expense allowance and mileage reimbursement provided in Section 5-1-47, Mississippi Code of 1972. No committee member may incur per diem, travel or expense allowance unless authorized by vote at a meeting of the committee, which action shall be recorded in the official minutes of the committee.

(5) The committee may designate the Secretary of the Senate to be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the duties assigned to the committee and for implementing the policies of the committee adopted pursuant to this rule.

(6) The Management Committee shall, in addition to any other responsibilities assigned by the Senate, perform the following duties:

(a) Conduct the business affairs of the Senate;

(b) Pursuant to authority granted in Section 29-5-2, Mississippi Code of 1972, assign such space in the Capitol or in such other buildings or parts thereof as may be reserved for the Senate and have complete control, authority and jurisdiction over such rooms, chambers, offices and other areas. Any assignment of space shall be subject to change by the Management Committee. No other branch of the government, or a department or agency thereof, shall use any such room, chamber, office or other area without specific written authorization from the Management Committee. The Management Committee may delegate its powers with regard to any such room, chamber, office or other area in connection with the use, maintenance, repairing, construction, reconstruction and refurbishing thereof in such a manner as it deems advisable;

(c) Assign staff for interim and special committees;

(d) Assign staff for standing committees;

(e) Continually assess ways and means to improve the organization, procedures, facilities and working conditions of the Senate;

(f) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (7) for the staffing of the office of the President and the office of the President Pro Tempore, have the authority to employ all personnel necessary to execute the duties and responsibilities of the Senate. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the Management Committee shall have full and exclusive authority over the Secretary, other officials and employees of the Senate; and all such officials and personnel shall serve at the pleasure of the Management Committee. Complaints with respect to any misconduct, inefficiency or omission by the Secretary, officials or employees of the Senate shall be heard by the Management Committee which may discharge the Secretary, officials or employees therefor;

(g) Fix the salaries of the Senate officials and employees;

(h) Assign news, radio and television reporters wishing to take down or broadcast the debates and proceedings of the Senate, places in the Senate so as not to interfere with the convenience of the Senate;

(i) Authorize the reimbursement of Senators and Senate officials and employees who are required to travel in the performance of their official duties. The Management Committee may establish regulations governing such travel which include the prior approval of such travel by the Management Committee. Senators attending out-of-state conventions or conferences at state expense shall make a report to the Senate, including the purpose, work and recommendations resulting from the out-of-state meeting attended. If more than one Senator attends such convention or conference, one (1) report may be made as the report of the delegation; and

(j) Upon request of the chairman of any standing or select committee of the Senate, authorize expenses, to include per diem, mileage, meals and lodging, to be paid for members attending the meeting of any such committee or subcommittee thereof during the period in which the Legislature is not in session. The Management Committee may adopt rules and regulations concerning time, places and number of meetings that may be held for which members will be compensated, such rules and regulations to require prior approval of meetings in order for members to be compensated.

(7)(a) In providing for the staffing of the President's office, the Management Committee shall fill up to four (4) positions when requested by the President, and the persons employed for such positions shall be hired with the approval of the President. The President shall recommend the compensation to be paid to the President's staff, and the Management Committee may pay the compensation so established.

(b) In providing for the staffing of the President Pro Tempore's office, the Management Committee shall fill one (1) staff position as requested by the President Pro Tempore, and the person employed for such position shall be hired with the approval of the President Pro Tempore. The President Pro Tempore shall recommend the compensation to be paid to the person so employed, and the Management Committee may pay the compensation so established.

(c) Persons employed under this subsection to staff the President's office shall serve at the will and pleasure of the President; persons employed to staff the President Pro Tempore's office shall serve at the will and pleasure of the President Pro Tempore.

(8) In providing for the staffing of committees, the Management Committee shall have the responsibility for determining the necessity of any staff positions requested by the chairman of a committee.

(9) The Management Committee shall cooperate with the House Management Committee in maintaining a Joint Legislative Printing Office and a reference library which shall contain, but shall not be limited to, study reports and information gathered by the departments and the various committees of the Legislature so as to provide a continuity of information from year to year.

(10) The Management Committee shall have the responsibility for the proper operation of the Senate Legislative Services Office.

(11) The Management Committee shall have jurisdiction over any questions concerning improper or unethical conduct by members of the Senate.

(12) The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this rule shall be paid from the Senate Contingent Fund.

(13) The Management Committee may meet jointly with the House Management Committee when necessary to more effectively carry out the provisions of this rule.