Senate Bill 2663

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI GLOBAL CLIMATE STUDY COMMISSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF STUDYING THE IMPACTS THAT GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE WILL HAVE ON THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECOMMENDING APPROPRIATE STATE RESPONSES TO ADDRESS GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROBLEMS LIKELY TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH IT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is hereby created the Mississippi Global Climate Study Commission consisting of the following eleven (11) members:

(a) Four (4) members appointed by the Governor as follows:

(i) One (1) member who has scientific expertise in the area of global climate change;

(ii) One (1) member who has scientific expertise in the areas of alternative and renewable energy;

(iii) One (1) member representing the energy production industry; and

(iv) One (1) member representing a statewide environmental advocacy organization.

(b) The Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, or his designee.

(d) Two (2) members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(e) Two (2) members of the Senate, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.

(2) All appointments to the commission shall be made not later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of this act. The commission shall elect one (1) of its members as chairperson and one (1) of its members as vice chairperson. Six (6) members of the commission shall constitute a quorum, and the affirmative vote of at least six (6) members shall be necessary for any action taken by the commission. A vacancy of an appointed member of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

All members shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their official duties as members of the commission.

(3) The commission shall conduct hearings and study the potential impacts that global climate change will have on Mississippi's economy, environment, natural resources, and people. Not later than December 31, 2007, the commission shall issue a preliminary report of its findings and include in the report recommendations regarding the most effective actions that Mississippi should undertake to mitigate negative impacts related to global climate change and regarding the appropriate structure for a permanent Office of Climate Change within state government. Copies of the preliminary report shall be distributed to each member of the Legislature and the Governor and shall be made available to the public.

After the issuance of the preliminary report, the commission shall continue to conduct hearings concerning the content of the report. Not later than December 31, 2008, the commission shall issue a final report. Copies of the final report shall be distributed to each member of the Legislature and the Governor and shall be made available to the public. The commission shall continue in existence for the purpose of providing assistance regarding the issue of global climate change to the Legislature until June 30, 2009. After June 30, 2009, the commission shall cease to exist.

(4) The Department of Environmental Quality shall provide staff support and other necessary services for the purpose of assisting the commission.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.