House Bill 331

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 21-3-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ADVANCE NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF A MUNICIPALITY SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED FOR SPECIAL MEETINGS CALLED DURING CONDITIONS OF EMERGENCY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 21-3-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

21-3-21. (1) The mayor or any two (2) aldermen may, by written notice, call a special meeting of the mayor and board of aldermen for the transaction of important business. The notice must state the time of meeting and distinctly specify the subject matters of business to be acted upon and be signed by the officer or officers calling the meeting. Notice of the meeting shall be given to the members of the board, including the mayor, who have not signed it and who can be found, at least three (3) hours before the time fixed for the meeting. The method of notice shall be entered on the minutes of the special meeting, and business not specified therein shall not be transacted at the meeting. A member of the board shall not receive pay for attending a special meeting.

(2) Prior notice of a special meeting of the mayor and board of aldermen as required under subsection (1) of this section shall not be applicable to special meetings called during conditions of emergency as defined under Section 33-15-5(h); however, notice of any such meeting shall be posted within one (1) hour after such meeting is called in a prominent place available to examination and inspection by the general public and a copy of the notice, along with a specific explanation of the emergency that necessitated the meeting, must be made a part of the minutes or other permanent official records of the governing authorities.

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