House Concurrent Resolution 123

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CREATE A JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS THE STATE'S REVENUE SHORTFALL, TO STUDY THE STATE'S TAX STRUCTURE AND TO DEVELOP IDEAS FOR ADDITIONAL REVENUE; TO DIRECT THE JOINT COMMITTEE TO MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE JUNE 1, 2002; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi is currently experiencing a major revenue shortfall, causing many state agencies and departments to make drastic cuts in their budgets; and

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need for a joint legislative study committee to evaluate the state's tax structure and develop new ideas for additional sources of revenue:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That a joint legislative study committee is created to address the state's revenue shortfall by studying the state's tax structure and developing ideas for the purpose of finding additional sources of revenue for the state. The joint legislative study committee shall be composed of five (5) members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House and five (5) members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.

Within ten (10) days after the adoption of this resolution, the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor shall appoint the members of the joint committee. Within ten (10) days after the members are appointed, the membership shall meet on a date mutually agreed upon by a majority of the members from each house for the purpose of organizing the joint committee and establishing rules for transacting its business and keeping records. A majority of members of the joint committee from each house shall constitute a quorum at all committee meetings. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members from each house present and voting shall be required in the adoption of rules, resolutions, reports, and in any other actions taken by the joint committee. 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 date of the meetings. The joint committee shall hold a minimum of three (3) regular meetings.

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 no later than June 1, 2002.

For attending the meetings of the joint committee, each member shall be paid, from the Contingent Expense Fund of the member's respective house, per diem compensation in the amount authorized by Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, and a mileage allowance and an expense allowance in the amount authorized by Section 5-1-47, Mississippi Code of 1972. 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.

All expenses incurred by and on behalf of the joint committee shall be paid from funds made available by the House Management Committee and the Senate Rules Committee from the Contingent Expense Fund of each respective house, from any funds appropriated for the purpose of this resolution and from any grants or contributions made to the committee for its purpose.

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.