MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Cameron

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO AMEND JOINT RULE 38 OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE TO REQUIRE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF ANY LOCAL AND PRIVATE BILL WHICH AUTHORIZE THE IMPOSITION OF ANY TAX OR ANY INCREASE IN TAX SHALL NOT BE MADE EFFECTIVE EXCEPT AFTER APPROVAL BY A MAJORITY OF THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS VOTING IN AN ELECTION HELD FOR SUCH PURPOSE.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That Joint Rule 38 of the 1996-2000 Joint Rules of the Senate and the House is amended as follows:

"38. In addition to observing the injunctions and prohibitions set out in the Constitution of the State of Mississippi, the Senate and the House Committees on Local and Private Legislation shall observe and adhere to the following additional rules and requirements in the consideration of local and private Senate and House bills:

(a) Require that local and private bills, originating in either the Senate or the House, and granting power to any governing authority to perform any official act shall be accompanied by an order or resolution setting out the reasons therefor, duly certified as being a part of the official minutes of said authority. In the event more than one official authority is involved, such certified order or resolution shall be made for each of them.

(b) Require that any bill providing for the transfer of funds shall be accompanied by a certified order or resolution as provided in subsection (a) herein. Such order or resolution shall state whether or not funds proposed to be transferred are pledged for the payment of any outstanding bonds or notes for which there is not already a sufficient surplus accumulated.

(c) Require that any such bills providing for the payment of any claims shall be accompanied by a certified order or resolution as provided in subsection (a) herein, setting out the name of claimants, the nature, amount and reasons for justification of the claim and that with proper authority such claim would be paid.

(d) Require that there shall accompany any bill proposing the issuance of bonds, a certificate from the governing authorities stating that the issuance of such proposed bonds, when added to the present bonded indebtedness of such county, or subdivision thereof, municipality or district, will not exceed any limitation now imposed by law.

(e) Require that the provisions of any bill which authorize the imposition of any tax or any increase in tax shall not be made effective except after approval of a majority of the qualified electors voting in an election held for such purpose."