House Resolution 31

A RESOLUTION TO CREATE A HOUSE STUDY COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE NEED AND FEASIBILITY OF ADDRESSING PROBLEMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FIRE FIGHTERS RELATING TO LOSS OF INCOME FROM ON-THE-JOB RELATED INJURIES; TO DIRECT THE COMMITTEE TO MAKE A WRITTEN REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2003; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, the Legislature realizes that our state's law enforcement and fire fighter personnel are grossly underpaid; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature realizes that we ask these individuals to put themselves directly in harm's way on a daily basis, risking bodily injury and even death to protect our lives and property; and

WHEREAS, most law enforcement officers and fire fighters must work at least one other part-time job to support themselves and their families financially; and

WHEREAS, if a law enforcement officer or fire fighter is injured on duty, he or she may be on short-term disability, which proves to be an extreme financial hardship on the family:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That a House study committee is created to study the need and feasibility of addressing problems of law enforcement officers and fire fighters relating in loss of income from on-the-job related injuries. The House study committee shall be composed of nine (9) members of the House of Representatives, including the Chairman of Appropriations, the Chairman of Insurance and seven (7) members appointed by the Speaker of the House.

After the members are appointed, the membership shall meet on a date mutually agreed upon by a majority of the members for the purpose of organizing the committee and establishing rules for transacting its business and keeping records. A majority of members of the committee shall constitute a quorum at all committee meetings. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting shall be required in the adoption of rules, resolutions, reports and in any other actions taken by the committee. All members of the 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 committee shall hold a minimum of three (3) regular meetings.

The study committee shall make a written report of its findings and recommendations, and shall file its report with the Clerk of the House, no later than December 1, 2003. Upon filing of its report, the study committee shall be dissolved.

For attending the meetings of the committee, each member shall be paid, from the Contingent Expense Fund, 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 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.

All expenses incurred by and on behalf of the committee shall be paid from funds made available by the House Management Committee from the Contingent Expense Fund, 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 committee may utilize the services, facilities and personnel of all departments, agencies, offices and institutions of the state.