MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Gordon, Thames, Gollott, Carlton, Farris, Frazier, Harden, Jackson, Walden

Senate Bill 2970

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF SPECIAL FUNDS TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSES OF THE MISSISSIPPI WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION FOR 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 Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission, for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred by said commission for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2004$     5,440,100.00.

     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$     3,781,930.00

Travel and Subsistence       165,000.00

Contractual Services       985,620.00

Commodities        78,300.00

     Capital Outlay:

Other Than Equipment         5,000.00

Equipment        69,250.00

Subsidies, Loans and Grants       355,000.00

Total$     5,440,100.00

   AUTHORIZED POSITIONS:

Permanent:          Full Time      75

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.  It is the intention of the Legislature that with the funds appropriated in Section 1 and authorized for expenditure in Section 2, the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission shall enter into a contract with the industrial private sector for the purpose of implementing a safety education and training program.

     SECTION 4.  With the funds provided herein, it is the intent of the Legislature that the Workers' Compensation Commission may transfer a sum or sums not to exceed Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) from the Administrative Expense Fund to the Second Injury Fund.

     SECTION 5.  With the funds provided herein, it is the intent of the Legislature that the Workers' Compensation Commission may transfer a sum or sums not to exceed One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) from the Administrative Expense Fund to the Insurance Integrity Enforcement Bureau within the Office of the Attorney General.

     SECTION 6.  Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 1 and allocated in Section 2, funds in the amount of One Hundred Fifty-three Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-five Dollars ($153,875.00) are provided to carry out the provisions of Senate Bill No. 2794, Regular Session of 2003.  In the event that Senate Bill No. 2794, Regular Session of 2003, is not enacted into law, it is the intention of the Legislature that the Workers' Compensation Commission should not expend One Hundred Fifty-three Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-five Dollars ($153,875.00) of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 1 and allocated in Section 2 of this Act.

     SECTION 7.  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 8.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.