House Bill 102

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 19-3-69, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO RESTRICT THE LIST OF PROFESSIONALS WITH WHOM A COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MAY CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 19-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

19-3-69. (1) The board of supervisors of each county may, in its discretion, contract with certain professionals when the board determines that such professional services are necessary and in the best interest of the county.

The board of supervisors shall spread upon its minutes its finding that the professional services are necessary and in the best interest of the county. The contract for professional services shall be approved by the attorney for the board of supervisors and made a part of the minutes.

A professional within the meaning of this section shall be limited to:

(a) Attorneys at law, admitted to practice law in this state by the State Board of Bar Admissions;

(b) Accountants, certified by the State Board of Public Accountancy;

(d) Engineers, registered by the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers;

(e) Physicians, licensed by the State Board of Medical Licensure;

(f) Appraisers, licensed by the Mississippi Real Estate Commission or as otherwise provided by law;

(g) Real estate brokers, licensed by the Mississippi Real Estate Commission;

(h) In the sale of personal property pursuant to the provisions of Section 19-7-5, auctioneers who meet standards established by the State Department of Audit.

(2) The list of professionals with whom a county board of supervisors may contract under subsection (1) of this section is exclusive, and a board of supervisors may not contract with any professional except a professional listed in subsection (1) of this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.