MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Dawkins

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-3-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE AUTHORITY OF TAX COMMISSION TO HIRE ATTORNEYS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL PROVIDE LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE COMMISSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 27-3-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-3-13. (1) The chairman of the commission is hereby empowered to employ a secretary to the commission, and such accountants, appraisers, inspectors, timber estimators, engineers, valuation experts, clerical help, stenographers, and such other assistants * * * as he may deem necessary to the proper discharge of the duties of the State Tax Commission, to prescribe their duties and to fix the compensation of each employee. Such employees may be used interchangeably in the administration of the various duties imposed by law upon the commission in its several departments. Further, the chairman may designate any ten (10) employees of the commission to be law enforcement officers, as defined in Section 45-6-3, with police powers to enforce any laws administered by the commission. Temporary employees of the classes enumerated above may be employed as hereinabove, when in the opinion of the chairman a seasonal press of business requires, except that such temporary employees shall be retained no longer than is necessary to the discharge of the duties imposed by law upon the commission.

(2) The Attorney General shall be counsel and attorney for the commission and shall provide legal services as may be requested. The Attorney General shall be counsel and attorney for the commission in all actions, proceedings and hearings.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.