House Bill 1528

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 69-15-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF ANIMAL HEALTH TO DISTRIBUTE MONIES IN THE SPECIAL FUND KNOWN AS THE "ANIMAL CARE FUND" TO CERTAIN QUALIFIED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO RETAIN AND USE A PORTION OF THE FUND FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 69-15-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

69-15-19. (1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known and designated as the "Animal Care Fund," hereinafter referred to as "fund." There shall be deposited in the fund:

(a) The additional fees collected from the issuance of distinctive license tags under Section 27-19-56.18;

(b) Any gifts, grants, donations or matching money from federal, state or local governmental bodies and private persons, associations, groups or corporations making contributions to the fund; and

(2) The special fund created under subsection (1) of this section shall be administered by the Mississippi Board of Animal Health, hereinafter referred to as the "board." Monies in the special fund shall be allocated and distributed by the * * * board * * * to and among the boards of supervisors of each of the counties * * *, the governing authorities of municipalities in the state and qualified nonprofit organizations. For purposes of this section, the term "qualified nonprofit organization" means either an organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or an organization that does not operate for profit and is approved to be a qualified nonprofit organization by the board. Monies allocated, distributed and received by the boards of supervisors, governing authorities and qualified nonprofit organizations may:

(a) * * * Be expended for the operation and support of county or municipal agencies, boards or departments that provide food, shelter and care, and/or spaying and neutering of lost, abandoned or unwanted pets;

(b) * * * Be expended for the creation, development or expansion of such agencies, boards or departments; or

(c) * * * Be donated by the boards of supervisors and governing authorities to nonprofit groups, organizations and associations that operate similar programs. However, priority for expenditure of such monies shall be given to spaying and neutering programs. None of such monies may be expended for euthanasia.

(3) The * * * board * * * shall adopt rules and regulations governing the proper administration of the * * * fund, and establishing guidelines and criteria for the distribution and allocation of monies in the fund, including qualifications for those groups, organizations and associations qualified to accept monies or to which boards of supervisors and governing authorities may make donations. The board is authorized to use a portion of the fund, in an amount not to exceed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) per fiscal year, to pay for the administrative expenses of managing the fund.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.