MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Economic Dev, Tourism and Parks; Universities and Colleges

By: Senator(s) Horhn

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 57-63-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MAKE THE VICE-PRESIDENT FOR AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND VETERINARY MEDICINE AT MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AT ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY MEMBERS OF THE SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING; TO REQUIRE THE HEADS OF THE STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO ASSIST THE SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANNING IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY AND TO MEET WITH THE TASK FORCE AT LEAST ONCE ANNUALLY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 57-63-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

57-63-11. (1) The Special Task Force for Economic Development Planning, to consist of not more than twenty-three (23) members, is hereby created. The task force shall be composed of:

(a) One (1) member from the state's public universities and one (1) member from the state's junior colleges. These members shall be selected by the Governor.

(b) One (1) member from the membership or staffs of each of the following organizations: Mississippi Association of Supervisors, Mississippi Municipal Association, Mississippi Association of Planning and Development Districts, and the Mississippi Industrial Development Council. These members will be appointed to the task force by the Governor from recommendations made to the board by the respective organizations.

(c) The President of the Mississippi Economic Council.

(d) The State Superintendent of Education.

(e) The State Treasurer.

(f) The Executive Officer of the State Board of Health.

(g) The Director of the State Highway Department.

(h) The Governor's Special Assistant for Economic Development.

(i) The Executive Director of the Department of Economic Development or his designee.

(j) The Vice-President for Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University.

(k) The Chairman of the Department of Agriculture at Alcorn State University.

(l) Two (2) members from federal agencies to be appointed by the Governor.

(m) Eight (8) members to be selected by the Governor as follows: Six (6) members shall be representatives of business and/or professional enterprises in Mississippi; two (2) of the eight (8) members may be representative of business or professional enterprises residing outside Mississippi and may include foreign nationals.

(2) The heads of the state institutions of higher learning shall assist the task force in an advisory capacity and shall meet with the task force at least once annually.

(3) It is the intent of the Legislature that the task force will be organized, selected and constituted in such a way that it represents the most talented individuals that could possibly be assembled to address the economic development concerns and issues of this state. Task Force members shall be appointed by July 1, 1987, and the Task Force shall have its organizational meeting no later than August 1, 1987. The Governor shall designate from the task force membership a task force chairman. Terms of service of task force members shall coincide with the remaining term of the Governor who makes the appointment.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.