MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Finance
By: Senator(s) King, Carmichael, Albritton, Dawkins, Dearing, Fillingane, Gollott, Gordon, Hewes, Jackson (11th), Lee (47th), Mettetal, Posey, Robertson
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 79-11-505, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT POSTS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION AND POSTS OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES MAY UTILIZE NONMEMBERS TO ASSIST DESIGNATED SUPERVISORS IN THE CONDUCT OF BINGO UNDER THE CHARITABLE BINGO LAW AND BE EXEMPT FROM REQUIREMENTS OF SECTIONS 79-11-501 THROUGH 75-11-529, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REQUIRE REGISTRATION WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO SOLICIT CONTRIBUTIONS, IF THE ORGANIZATIONS OTHERWISE MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE EXEMPTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 79-11-505, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
79-11-505. (1) The provisions of Sections 79-11-501 through 79-11-529 shall not apply to the following organizations:
(a) All educational institutions that are recognized by the State Board of Education or that are accredited by a regional accrediting association or by an organization affiliated with the National Commission on Accrediting, any foundation having an established identity with any of the aforementioned educational institutions, any other educational institution which makes the solicitation of contributions solely by its student body, alumni, faculty and trustees and their families or a library established under the laws of this state.
(b) Fraternal, patriotic, social, educational, alumni organizations and historical societies when solicitation of contributions is made solely by their membership; however, posts of the American Legion and posts of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States may utilize nonmembers to assist designated supervisors in the conduct of bingo under the Charitable Bingo Law and qualify for this exemption. This exemption shall be extended to any subsidiary of a parent or superior organization if such solicitation is made solely by the membership of the subsidiary, parent or superior organization.
(c) Persons requesting any contributions for the relief or benefit of any individual, specified by name at the time of the solicitation, if the contributions collected are turned over to the named beneficiary, first deducting reasonable expenses for costs of banquets or social gatherings, if any, provided all fund-raising functions are carried on by persons who are unpaid, directly or indirectly, for such services.
(d) Any charitable organization which does not intend to solicit and receive and does not actually receive contributions in excess of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) during any twelve-month period ending June 30 of any year, provided all of its fund-raising functions are carried on by persons who are unpaid for such services. However, if the gross contributions received by such charitable organization during any twelve-month period ending June 30 of any year shall be in excess of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) it shall, within thirty (30) days after the date it shall have received total contributions in excess of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00), register with and report to the Secretary of State as required by this chapter.
(e) Any charitable organization receiving an allocation from an incorporated community chest or united fund, provided such chest or fund is complying with the provisions of Sections 79-11-501 through 79-11-529 relating to registration and filing of annual reports with the Secretary of State, and provided such organization does not actually receive, in addition to such allocation, contributions in excess of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) during any twelve-month period ending June 30 of any year, and provided further, that all the fund-raising functions of such organization are carried on by persons who are unpaid for such services. However, if the gross contributions other than such allocation received by such charitable organization during any twelve-month period ending June 30 of any year shall be in excess of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00), it shall, within thirty (30) days after the date it shall have received such contributions in excess of Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00), register with and report to the Secretary of State as required by this chapter.
(f) All volunteer fire departments or rescue units, rural or otherwise, chartered under the laws and statutes of the State of Mississippi as nonprofit corporations.
(g) Any humane society organized under the laws of Mississippi which contracts with counties or municipalities for the care and keeping of estrays.
(h) Any other organization which the Secretary of State by rule or order exempts from the registration requirements of this chapter upon finding that (i) such registration is neither necessary in the public interest nor for the protection of contributors, or (ii) such exemption shall further the objectives of compatibility with uniformity among the states.
(2) Prior to any solicitations for contributions, each charitable organization claiming to be exempt shall file a Notice of Exemption on the forms prescribed by the Secretary of State. In any proceeding under this chapter, the burden of proving an exemption, or an exception from a definition, is upon the person claiming it.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.