MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Chaney

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND EXPENDITURE REVIEW (PEER) AND THE STATE AUDITOR TO JOINTLY CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1987 FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) shall conduct a follow-up of its 1993 review of the Department of Transportation's implementation of the 1987 Four-Lane Highway program. The review shall include an analysis of at least the following items:

(a) The current status of the program;

(b) The effectiveness of the department's methods for prioritizing and implementing the construction schedule of the program;

(c) The effectiveness of the department's methods for ensuring compliance with statutory deadlines for completion of the program;

(d) The sufficiency of revenues needed to complete the program; and

(e) Identification of any inefficiencies in program implementation affecting program cost.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That pursuant to Section 5-3-65, Mississippi Code of 1972, the PEER committee shall request that the State Auditor conduct an audit of actual 1987 Four-Lane Highway program revenues and expenditures through December 31, 1999. In addition, the State Auditor shall determine that the revenues dedicated to the program have been collected, remitted, and expended in compliance with law. The State Auditor's report shall be incorporated into and published as part of the PEER Committee's performance review.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State shall forward a certified copy of this resolution to the State Auditor and the Executive Director of the PEER Committee.