MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Michel, Chaney, King, White (29th), Hewes, Dickerson, Harvey, Scoper

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CREATING A JOINT STUDY COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE CURRENT TUITION ASSISTANCE AND FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS FOR MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND DETERMINING THE FEASIBILITY OF INSTITUTING A H.O.P.E.-TYPE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR MISSISSIPPI STUDENTS SIMILAR TO PROGRAMS IN OTHER SOUTHERN STATES AS PROPOSED BY THE ROTARY CLUBS INTERNATIONAL AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS THEREON; TO DIRECT THE JOINT COMMITTEE TO MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2000; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That a Special Joint Study Committee is created to Evaluate Current Tuition Assistance and Financial Aid Programs for Mississippi College and University Students and Determining the Feasibility of Instituting a H.O.P.E.-Type Scholarship Program for Mississippi Students Similar to Programs in other Southern States as Proposed by the Rotary Clubs International and make recommendations thereon. The joint committee shall be composed of eight (8) members as follows: the Chairmen of the Senate and House Universities and Colleges Committees, who shall serve as co-chairmen, the Vice Chairmen of the Senate and House Universities and Colleges Committees, two (2) Senators to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and two (2) Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

Within fifteen (15) days after sine die adjournment of the 2000 Regular Session of the Legislature, the Lieutenant Governor and Speaker shall make necessary appointments to the committee. After the members are appointed, the joint committee shall meet on a date designated by the co-chairmen in Jackson, Mississippi, to select a vice chairman who shall serve as secretary of the joint committee, to organize the committee and establish rules for transacting its business and keeping records. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members shall be required in the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports. All members of the joint committee shall be notified in writing of all regular and special meetings of the committee, which notices shall be mailed at least five (5) days before the dates of the meetings.

The joint committee may establish any subcommittees that it deems desirable to study and report to the committee with respect to any matter that is within the scope of this resolution.

The joint committee shall make a written report of its findings and recommendations, and shall mail copies of the report to each member of the Legislature not later than December 1, 2000.

In carrying out the provisions of this resolution, the joint committee may utilize the services, facilities and personnel of all departments, agencies, offices and institutions of the state, including the state universities and the community and junior colleges. In particular, the joint committee shall consult with the Commissioner of Higher Education and the Executive Director of the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges who shall cooperate with the committee and provide the committee with any information and other assistance requested by the committee. The joint committee may consult and seek advice from various groups in the state in order to understand the effect of any existing laws or any changes in law being considered by the committee.

For attending meetings of the joint committee, each legislative member shall be paid per diem compensation in the amount authorized by Section 25-3-69 and a mileage allowance and an expense allowance in the amount authorized by Section 5-1-47, to be paid from the contingent expense fund of the member's respective house. However, no per diem compensation, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid for attending meetings of the joint committee while the Legislature is in session, and no per diem compensation, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid without prior approval of the proper committee in the member's respective house.