MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Agriculture

By: Representative Maples, Hamilton, Pierce

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 75-33-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE SHALL PAY THE FULL COSTS FOR INSPECTION SERVICES OF QUAIL AND RABBIT PROCESSING PLANTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 75-33-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

75-33-33. Any person desiring inspection service over and above the inspection service normally provided by the commissioner for sanitary purposes, and any person desiring a grading service as authorized by this article, shall pay the commissioner for such services. The person requesting such services shall pay the commissioner a sum sufficient to cover the salary or wages of the inspector, or the grader, plus necessary travel and other authorized expenses, and a reasonable sum for administration expenses. All expenses to be paid hereunder shall be that sum agreed upon with the commissioner.

The commissioner is hereby authorized and empowered to recognize and accept any bona fide agreements and arrangements now in existence, or that may hereafter be made, between any person carrying on any business covered by this article and the proper officials of any county and/or municipality wherein local inspection service is to be provided by the county or the municipality as a condition or covenant to the establishing or operating of such business. The commissioner may, in his discretion, enter into an agreement with the appropriate agency of the United States Department of Agriculture to receive financial assistance therefrom in helping carry out the purpose of this article, and to pay a reasonable state-matching contribution as may be required.

The commissioner shall inspect for wholesomeness all plants in operation which are not under federal inspection. Except as otherwise provided herein, the state shall pay the full costs for such inspection after September 1, 1968. After July 1, 2001, the state shall pay the full costs for such inspection services of quail and rabbit processing plants. Provided that so long as funds are available which have been appropriated by the Legislature for product inspection, the commissioner may employ and train inspection personnel and assign such personnel to plants for inspection for wholesomeness. No state funds shall be used for payment of overtime or for grading. Except as otherwise provided herein for inspection services of quail and rabbits, plant management shall reimburse the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce for inspection services of * * * ratites and other exotic animals that are not regulated by mandate under the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Federal Poultry Products Inspection Act. Plants requesting such services must make application for voluntary inspection services and obtain an establishment "V" number.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.