MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representative Read, Eakes, Broomfield, Brown, Coleman (29th), Denny, Ellzey, Flaggs, Gadd, Martinson, Mitchell

House Bill 1527

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FROM SPECIAL FUNDS IN THE STATE TREASURY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES STAFF FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2004.

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

SECTION 1.  The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the Public Utilities Staff Regulation Fund, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Public Utilities Staff for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2004........................ $     2,088,188.00.

     SECTION 2.  Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 1, not more than the amounts set forth below shall be expended for the respective major objects or purposes of expenditure:

  MAJOR OBJECTS OF EXPENDITURE:

     Personal Services:

Salaries, Wages and Fringe Benefits$     1,715,458.00

Travel and Subsistence..............         85,000.00

Contractual Services.....................        251,730.00

Commodities..............................         26,000.00

     Capital Outlay:

Other Than Equipment................              0.00

Equipment...........................         10,000.00

Subsidies, Loans and Grants..............              0.00

Total.............................. $     2,088,188.00

   AUTHORIZED POSITIONS:

Permanent:    Full Time...........       30

Part Time...........        0

Time-Limited:Full Time...........        0

Part Time...........        0

     With the funds herein appropriated, it is the intention of the Legislature that it shall be the agency's responsibility to make certain that funds required to be appropriated for "Personal Services" for Fiscal Year 2005 do not exceed Fiscal Year 2004 funds appropriated for that purpose, unless programs or positions are added to the agency's Fiscal Year 2005 budget by the Mississippi Legislature.  Based on data provided by the Legislative Budget Office, the State Personnel Board shall determine and publish the projected annual cost to fully fund all appropriated positions in compliance with the provisions of this act.  It shall be the responsibility of the agency head to insure that no single personnel action increases this projected annual cost and/or the Fiscal Year 2004 appropriation for "Personal Services" when annualized.  If, at the end of any calendar month, the State Personnel Board determines that the agency has taken action(s) which would cause the agency to exceed this projected annual cost or the Fiscal Year 2004 "Personal Services" appropriated level, when annualized, then only those actions which reduce the projected annual cost and/or the appropriation requirement will be processed by the State Personnel Board until such time as the requirements of this provision are met.

     Any transfers or escalations shall be made in accordance with the terms, conditions and procedures established by law.

     No general funds authorized to be expended herein shall be used to replace federal funds and/or other special funds which are being used for salaries authorized under the provisions of this act and which are withdrawn and no longer available.

     SECTION 3.  Of the funds provided under the provisions of this act, Seventeen Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-eight Dollars ($17,968.00) may be used to reallocate or reclassify existing positions of this agency.

     SECTION 4.  Funds are provided herein to adjust the Variable Compensation Plan to ensure that the PS-Director of Electric Gas and Communications shall receive, beginning on July 1, 2003, a pay increase of Seven Thousand Three Hundred Twenty Dollars ($7,320.00).

     SECTION 5.  The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the proper fund or funds as set forth in this act, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers in the manner provided by law.

     SECTION 6.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.