MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Constitution

By: Senator(s) Hall

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 69, MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO REQUIRE A BALANCED BUDGET.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the following amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 is proposed to the qualified electors of the state:

Amend Section 69, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to read as follows:

Section 69. General appropriation bills shall contain only the appropriations to defray the ordinary expenses of the executive, legislative and judicial departments of the government; to pay interest on state bonds; and to support the common schools. All other appropriations shall be made by separate bills, each embracing but one (1) subject. Legislation shall not be engrafted on the appropriation bills, but the same may prescribe the conditions on which the money may be drawn, and for what purposes paid.

Total expenditures for any fiscal year shall not exceed total receipts for that fiscal year unless two-thirds (2/3) of all members elected to each house of the Legislature shall vote for a specific excess of expenditures over receipts.

Prior to each regular legislative session, the Governor and the Legislative Budget Office shall transmit to the Legislature a proposed budget in which total expenditures do not exceed total receipts.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this amendment shall be submitted to the qualified electors at an election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 1999, as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution and by law.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of the amendment for the ballot shall read as follows: "This proposed amendment requires a balanced budget each year and also requires the Governor and the Legislative Budget Office to submit a proposed balanced budget to the Legislature."