House Bill 1554

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING SALARIES AND TRAVEL EXPENSES OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OF THE STATE AND PAYING OFFICE EXPENSES OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2007.

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 General Fund not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of paying salaries and travel expenses of district attorneys and assistant district attorneys of the state and paying office expenses of district attorneys for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006, and ending June 30, 2007 $ 15,612,928.00.

SECTION 2. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the State Prosecutor Compensation Fund, referred to in Section 99-19-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the purpose of paying salaries of assistant district attorneys of the state as authorized in Section 25-31-5(1) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2006 and ending June 30, 2007$ 546,750.00.

SECTION 3. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 1, not more than the amounts set forth below shall be expended for the respective purposes:

(a) Salaries and travel expenses of district attorneys, assistant district attorneys and criminal investigators of the state:

Salaries............................... $14,967,099.00

Travel Expenses........................ 377,505.00

Tort Claims Assessment................. $ 47,074.00

None of the funds authorized in this section shall be used to reimburse district attorneys or their staff for taxable meals incurred within their geographical district.

(b) Office expenses of district attorneys as authorized by Section 25-31-8, Mississippi Code of 1972.......................................

................................................ $ 768,000.00.

SECTION 4. Of the funds appropriated in Section 1, office expenses and such funds for salaries shall be provided as authorized in Section 25-3-35(6), Mississippi Code of 1972, to fund the salary for one (1) full-time legal assistant in the Sixth Circuit Court District as authorized in Section 25-31-5(2)(f), Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 5. 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 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.