House Bill 299

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-4-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE MEMBERS AND GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF ANY COUNTY, MUNICIPALITY OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE THAT ADMINISTERS OR EXPENDS PUBLIC FUNDS TO FILE STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC INTEREST WITH THE MISSISSIPPI ETHICS COMMISSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 25-4-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-4-25. Each of the following individuals shall file a statement of economic interest with the commission in accordance with the provisions of this chapter:

(a) Persons elected by popular vote, excluding United States Senators and United States Representatives, to any office, whether it be legislative, executive or judicial, and whether it be statewide, district, county, municipal or any other political subdivision, with the exception of members of boards of levee commissioners and election commissioners;

(b) Members and governing authorities of any county, municipality or other political subdivision of the state, including any board, agency, commission, district or other instrumentality thereof, that administers or expends public funds, regardless of whether such members are elected or appointed;

(c) Persons who are candidates for public office or who are appointed to fill a vacancy in an office who, if elected, would be required to file under paragraph (a) of this section;

(d) Executive directors or heads of state agencies, by whatever name they are designated, who are paid in part or in whole, directly or indirectly, from funds appropriated or authorized to be expended by the Legislature, and the presidents and trustees of all state-supported colleges, universities and junior colleges;

(e) Members of any state board, commission or agency, including the Mississippi Ethics Commission, charged with the administration or expenditure of public funds, with the exception of advisory boards or commissions; provided, however, in order to fulfill the legislative purposes of this chapter, the commission may require, upon a majority vote, the filing of a statement of economic interest by members of an advisory board or commission.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.