MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2006 Regular Session
To: Rules; Appropriations
By: Representative Carlton
AN ACT TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STATE'S CIVIL DEFENSE COMMUNICATION IMPLEMENTED IN TIMES OF PENDING NATURAL AND CATASTROPHIC DISASTER AND DECLARED STATES OF EMERGENCY AND TO MAKE A REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS THEREON TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created a task force to study the effectiveness of the state's civil defense communication used before, during and after Hurricane Katrina, as well as communication to be implemented in times of impending natural and catastrophic disaster and declared states of emergency. The task force shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Mississippi State Legislature by September 1, 2006, including any recommended legislation.
(2) The task force shall be composed of the following ten (10) members:
(a) Three (3) members of the Mississippi House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives;
(b) Three (3) members of the Mississippi Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of the State of Mississippi;
(c) Three (3) members appointed by the Governor of the State of Mississippi; and
(d) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
(3) Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act, and, within fifteen (15) days thereafter on a day to be designated jointly by the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor, the task force shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a chairman and a vice chairman. The vice chairman shall also serve as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping all records of the task force. A majority of the members of the task force shall constitute a quorum. In the selection of its officers and the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the task force shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, such notices to be mailed at least fifteen (15) days before the date on which a meeting is to be held.
(4) The task force shall study and make recommendations regarding potential legalization addressing the effectiveness of the communication for civil defense operations used before, during and after Hurricane Katrina, as well as communication to be implemented in times of impending natural and catastrophic disaster and declared states of emergency. The task force, in coordination with various state agencies, including the Department of Human Services, the State Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Department of Insurance, the Mississippi Military Department, the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, shall establish working relationships with nongovernment organizations, private relief organizations and civil defense organizations to better effectuate the study and to recommend viable solutions for more effective communication mechanisms.
(5) Members of the task force who are not legislators, state officials or state employees shall be compensated at the per diem rate authorized by Section 25-3-69 and shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 25-3-41 for mileage and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Legislative members of the task force shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same manner as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session. However, no per diem or expense for attending meetings of the task force will be paid to legislative members of the task force while the Legislature is in session. No task force member may incur per diem, travel or other expenses unless previously authorized by vote, at a meeting of the task force, which action shall be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting. Nonlegislative members shall be paid from any funds made available to the task force for that purpose.
(6) The task force shall use any staff assistance made available to it. To effectuate the purposes of this section, any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state or of any political subdivision thereof shall, at the request of the chairman of the task force, provide to the task force such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the task force properly to carry out its task.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.