Senate Bill 2596

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A COMMISSION TO CONDUCT A STUDY REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MISSISSIPPI CIVIL RIGHTS MUSEUM AND NATIONAL BLACK SPORTS HALL OF FAME IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI; TO REQUIRE THE COOPERATION OF STATE AGENCIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby created a commission to conduct a study regarding the development of a Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and National Black Sports Hall of Fame in Jackson, Mississippi, comprised of nine (9) members. Of the nine (9) members, three (3) shall be appointed by the Governor, three (3) by the Lieutenant Governor, and three (3) by the Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives.

(2) The Governor shall appoint a member from the body to serve as chairperson.

(3) The members of the commission must be broadly representative of various racial, gender, religious, ethnic, socioeconomic, political and professional or trade groups within the state; and at least one (1) member of the commission shall be sixty (60) years of age or older.

(4) The appointing authority shall make appointments to the commission no later than July 1, 2006, and the commission shall meet upon call of the chairman no later than September 1, 2006.

(5) The commission shall conduct a preliminary study regarding the development of a Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and National Black Sports Hall of Fame in the City of Jackson. Creation of this museum would create a repository for the historical documentation and accurate portrayal of contributions made by the State of Mississippi in the area of civil rights and provide an avenue for educational research and economic growth for Mississippi. The report shall be presented to the 2007 Regular Session of the Legislature, and upon the presentation of its report the commission shall be dissolved.

(6) Five (5) members shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business, however, the commission may establish subcommittees of not less than three (3) of its members to exercise its powers subject to such procedures and limitations as the commission may provide by rule.

(7) The members of the commission shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, and shall receive a per diem as authorized by Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, for attending official meetings of the commission.

(8) The commission created by this act is assigned to the Office of the Governor for budgetary administrative purposes. The commission may apply for grants or funding from any source to carry out its functions.

(9) All departments, commissions, boards, agencies and officers of the state are authorized and directed to cooperate with the commission in implementing the provisions of this act.

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