Senate Bill 2861

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-1-77, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO CONDUCT A COST ANALYSIS OF GAS-ELECTRIC HYBRID OR ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES, TO AUTHORIZE THE PURCHASE OF A CERTAIN NUMBER OF SUCH VEHICLES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 25-1-77, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-1-77. (1) No state department, institution or agency shall purchase any motor vehicle, regardless of the source of funds from which the motor vehicle is to be purchased, except under authority granted by the Department of Finance and Administration. The Department of Finance and Administration shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the purchase of any motor vehicle by a state department, institution or agency with regard to the appropriateness of the vehicle to its intended use. The Department of Finance and Administration shall not grant authority to purchase a motor vehicle which is not the most appropriate vehicle type for its intended use unless specifically approved by the Legislature.

(2) (a) It is not the intent of the Legislature for the Department of Finance and Administration to determine the sufficient number of motor vehicles needed by each state department, institution or agency, but to regulate the purchase so that the vehicle is the most appropriate type for its intended use. Further, it is the intent of the Legislature that any motor vehicle purchased shall be made with due concern for economical and efficient use, but shall also meet the needs of the department, institution or agency. The department, institution or agency shall maintain proper documentation signed by the executive director which provides the intended use of the vehicle and the basis for choosing the vehicle. Such documentation shall show that the department, institution or agency made reasonable efforts to purchase a vehicle that is economical and appropriate for its intended use. All such documentation shall be maintained and made available for review by the State Auditor and any other reviewing agency.

(b) The Department of Finance and Administration is directed to conduct a cost analysis study of gas-electric hybrids or alternative fuel vehicles taking into consideration vehicle cost, maintenance, operation, fuel efficiency, safety, availability and any other relevant factors.

(c) Without changing the total allocation of vehicles for any agency, the Department of Finance and Administration may select one or more agencies to participate in the cost analysis study and may authorized the purchase of no more than a total of ten (10) gas-electric hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles for purposes of conducting its study.

(d) The Department of Finance and Administration shall file a report of the cost analysis study with the Chairman of the Senate Environmental, Conservation and Water Resources Committee and the Chairman of the House Conservation and Water Resources Committee on or before January 2, 2003.

(3) The State Auditor shall make on-site visits and conduct audits necessary to ensure the intent of this section. On or before July 1 of each year, the State Auditor shall prepare and deliver to the Senate and House Fees, Salaries and Administration Committees and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee a report containing any irregularities that he finds concerning purchases of state-owned vehicles.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.