Senate Bill 2861

AN ACT TO REQUIRE ANY MOTOR VEHICLE PURCHASED OR LEASED BY ANY STATE DEPARTMENT, INSTITUTION OR AGENCY TO CONTAIN A HYBRID GAS-ELECTRIC MOTOR OR A MOTOR EQUIPPED FOR USING ALTERNATIVE FUELS; TO REQUIRE ALL STATE DEPARTMENTS, INSTITUTIONS, OR AGENCIES TO ACHIEVE A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF SUCH VEHICLES IN THEIR FLEET BY THE SCHEDULED TIME SPECIFIED IN THIS ACT; TO REQUIRE THE STATE AUDITOR TO REPORT THE PROGRESS OF ACHIEVING THE PERCENTAGE REQUIREMENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Beginning July 1, 2002, any motor vehicle purchased or leased by any state department, institution or agency shall contain a hybrid motor powered by a combination of gasoline and electricity, or a motor equipped for using an alternative fuel. For purposes of this section, the term "alternative fuel" means compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, reformulated gasoline, methanol, ethanol, electricity, and any other fuel which meet or exceed federal Clean Air Act standards.

(2) All state departments, institutions or agencies shall achieve the following percentages of vehicles containing a hybrid motor powered by a combination of gasoline and electricity, or a motor equipped for using alternative fuels, by the times specified:

(a) The percentage shall be equal to or greater than thirty percent (30%) of the number of the department's, institution's or agency's fleet vehicles operated by January 1, 2005;

(b) The percentage shall be equal to or greater than fifty percent (50%) of the number of the department's, institution's or agency's fleet vehicles operated by January 1, 2007;

(c) The percentage shall be equal to or greater than seventy-five percent (75%) of the number of the department's, institution's or agency's fleet vehicles operated by January 1, 2009;

(3) The State Auditor in its annual report to the Senate and House Fees, Salaries and Administration Committees and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee shall show the progress in achieving the percentage requirements prescribed in subsection (2).

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