MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Constitution

By: Senator(s) Rayborn

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ADD A NEW SECTION TO THE MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890 TO PROVIDE THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHALL ENACT NO LEGISLATION WHICH WILL REQUIRE NEW EXPENDITURES BY COUNTIES OR MUNICIPALITIES UNLESS CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

Amend by adding the following new section:

Section __. The Legislature shall not enact legislation which will require new expenditures of county or municipal funds unless:

(a) (i) The Legislature finds and declares that the legislation fulfills an important state interest; and

(ii) The legislation is passed by a vote of at least three-fifths (3/5) of the members of each house present and voting; or

(b) Funds for the required new expenditures are provided by the state during the same legislative session at which the legislation is enacted.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this proposed 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, in the manner 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 constitutional amendment prohibits the Legislature from passing laws which require new expenditures by counties or municipalities unless the Legislature finds the law to be of an important state interest and passes the law by a three-fifths (3/5) majority in each house or unless the state provides funding for the required expenditures."