MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Fees, Salaries and Administration

By: Senator(s) Chaney, Burton, Smith

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE STATE AGENCIES TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS, CHARGE CARDS, DEBIT CARDS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFERS FOR PAYMENT OF GOVERNMENT FEES, COSTS AND DEBTS PURSUANT TO POLICIES ADOPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION; TO AUTHORIZE COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS, CHARGE CARDS, DEBIT CARDS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFERS FOR PAYMENT OF GOVERNMENT FEES, COSTS AND DEBTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH POLICIES ADOPTED BY THE STATE AUDITOR; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY FEES OR CHARGES ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF SUCH ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS SHALL BE ASSESSED TO THE USER OF THE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT AS AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE FOR PROCESSING THE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT; TO AUTHORIZE MEMBERS OF COUNTY BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO USE CREDIT CARDS TO PAY TRAVEL EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The State Department of Finance and Administration shall establish policies that allow the payment of various fees and other accounts receivable to state agencies by credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and other forms of electronic payment in the discretion of the department. Any fees or charges associated with the use of such electronic payments shall be assessed to the user of the electronic payment as an additional charge for processing the electronic payment, so that the user will pay the full cost of using the electronic payment.

SECTION 2. The board of supervisors of any county and the governing authorities of any municipality may allow the payment of various taxes, fees and other accounts receivable to the county or municipality by credit cards, charge cards, debit cards and other forms of electronic payment, in accordance with policies established by the State Auditor. Any fees or charges associated with the use of such electronic payments shall be assessed to the user of the electronic payment as an additional charge for processing the electronic payment, so that the user will pay the full cost of using the electronic payment.

SECTION 3. The board of supervisors of any county may acquire one or more credit cards which may be used by members of the board of supervisors and county employees to pay expenses incurred by them when traveling in or out of the state in the performance of their official duties. The chancery clerk or county purchase clerk shall maintain complete records of all credit card numbers and all receipts and other documents relating to the use of such credit cards. The supervisors and county employees shall furnish receipts for the use of such credit cards each month to the chancery clerk or purchase clerk who shall submit a written report monthly to the board of supervisors. The report shall include an itemized list of all expenditures and use of the credit cards for the month, and such expenditures may be allowed for payment by the county in the same manner as other items on the claims docket. The issuance of a credit card to a supervisor or county employee under the provisions of this section does not authorize the supervisor or county employee to use the credit card to make any expenditure that is not otherwise authorized by law. Any supervisor or county employee who uses the credit card to make an expenditure that is not approved for payment by the board shall be personally liable for the expenditure and shall reimburse the county.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.