MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2007 Regular Session
To: Appropriations
By: Senator(s) Dawkins
AN ACT TO CREATE THE HURRICANE KATRINA MEMORIAL COMMISSION TO DETERMINE THE TYPE AND SITE OF AN APPROPRIATE STATE MEMORIAL FOR THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN MISSISSIPPI AS A RESULT OF HURRICANE KATRINA; TO PROVIDE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES; TO PROVIDE FOR A COMMISSION REPORT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) (a) The Legislature of Mississippi hereby recognizes that the events of August 29, 2005, and the days following, when Hurricane Katrina struck Mississippi a deadly blow and so many in Mississippi lost their lives, are among the most historic in the entire history of Mississippi.
(b) The Legislature further recognizes that it is appropriate for the state to commemorate this tragic event and to memorialize the hundreds of citizens who lost their lives.
(c) The Legislature declares, therefore, that it is the purpose of this act to create the Hurricane Katrina Memorial Commission to make recommendations for an appropriate memorial to commemorate those who lost their lives in Mississippi in Hurricane Katrina.
(2) The Hurricane Katrina Memorial Commission, hereafter referred to as the "commission," is hereby created and established in the Office of the Governor.
(3) The commission shall consist of sixteen (16) members appointed as follows to serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority:
(a) Four (4) members appointed by the Governor.
(b) Three (3) members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.
(c) Three (3) members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(d) One (1) member appointed by the Hancock County Board of Supervisors.
(e) One (1) member appointed by the Harrison County Board of Supervisors.
(f) One (1) member appointed by the Jackson County Board of Supervisors.
(g) One (1) member appointed by the City of Biloxi Board of Aldermen/City Council.
(h) One (1) member appointed by the City of Gulfport Board of Aldermen/City Council.
(i) One (1) member appointed by the City of Pascagoula Board of Aldermen/City Council.
(j) One (1) member appointed by the City of Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen/City Council.
(k) One (1) member appointed by the City of Long Beach Board of Aldermen/City Council.
(l) One (1) member appointed by the City of Pass Christian Board of Aldermen/City Council.
(m) One (1) member appointed by the City of Bay St. Louis Board of Aldermen/City Council.
(n) One (1) member appointed by the City of Waveland Board of Aldermen/City Council.
(o) One (1) member appointed by the City of Gautier Board of Aldermen/City Council.
(4) The members of the commission shall elect a chairman, vice chairman and other officers as they deem necessary for the efficient operation of the business of the commission.
(5) The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but they shall be reimbursed on a vouchered basis for actual expenses, including travel expenses, to the extent that funds are made available for such purpose.
(6) A vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
(7) The commission shall meet at such times and places as it may designate. All meetings shall be held at the call of the chairman or at the call of a quorum of members upon not less than seven (7) days written notice, unless notice is waived. A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any and all business at any regular or special meeting. The first meeting of the commission shall be held within ninety (90) days after the effective date of this act on call of the Governor.
(8) The commission shall:
(a) Determine the general type and nature of an appropriate state memorial for those who lost their lives in Mississippi as a result of Hurricane Katrina.
(b) Identify an appropriate site or sites for such a memorial.
(9) The commission may seek cooperation, advice and assistance from both private and governmental agencies and organizations, including local governments, learned societies, academic institutions, and historical, patriotic, philanthropic, civic, and professional groups and associations in carrying out its purpose.
(10) The commission may solicit, accept, use and dispose of any private or public funds in the form of donations of money, grants, property or personal services from individuals, corporations and governments for purposes of the memorial. However, the commission shall first adopt rules and regulations under which it may accept such donations or grants of money, property or personal services, including the procedure for determining the value of the donation.
(11) The commission shall submit a report, not later than December 1, 2007, to the Governor and the Legislature. The report shall include recommendations for the type and nature of the memorial and a site or sites for such memorial.
(12) All departments, commissions, boards, agencies, officers and institutions of the state and all subdivisions thereof shall cooperate with the commission in carrying out the powers and purposes of this act.
(13) The commission shall be dissolved on December 31, 2008.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.