House Bill 24

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES IN CERTAIN COUNTIES TO COMPENSATE OR GRANT LEAVE TO THEIR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE UNABLE TO WORK AS A RESULT OF DAMAGES CAUSED BY HURRICANE KATRINA; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) From and after August 28, 2005, through November 30, 2005, the board of supervisors of any county and the governing authority of any municipality located in counties eligible for Categories C through G under the Public Assistance Program for damages to public facilities as a result of Hurricane Katrina may pay the normal compensation or grant administrative or compensatory leave to their employees who are:

(a) Unable to work at their normal job with the public entity because of damage sustained to facilities of the public entity as a result of Hurricane Katrina; or

(b) Unable to travel to work at their job because of damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

(2) Local government entities who pay employees under this section shall document the payments and the specific reasons therefor in their official records.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.