MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B
By: Representatives Reynolds, Perkins, Gardner, Scott, Clark
AN ACT TO CREATE THE LEGAL AID FOR ECONOMICALLY DEPRIVED MISSISSIPPIANS STUDY PANEL; TO PROVIDE MEMBERSHIP FOR THE PANEL; TO REQUIRE THE PANEL TO STUDY INCENTIVES FOR LAW STUDENTS WHO AGREE TO PROVIDE NONPROFIT LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO MISSISSIPPIANS WHO ARE ECONOMICALLY DEPRIVED UPON THEIR GRADUATION FROM LAW SCHOOL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Legal Aid for Economically Deprived Mississippians Study Panel to study viable funding sources to provide financial incentives for attorneys or law students who would agree to provide legal aid on a nonprofit basis for economically deprived Mississippians.
(2) The panel shall be composed of the following members:
(a) The Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of the House of Representatives Judiciary A and B Committees and the Senate Judiciary Division A and Division B Committees;
(b) Two (2) members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(c) Two (2) members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;
(d) One (1) Mississippi Supreme Court Justice;
(e) One (1) chancery court judge;
(f) One (1) member appointed by the Attorney General;
(g) One (1) circuit court judge; and
(h) Three (3) members who serve as directors of different branches of Mississippi Legal Services.
(3) The panel shall choose by majority vote a chairman of the committee at its first meeting. The vice chairman shall also be chosen by majority vote of its membership. The vice chairman shall also serve as secretary of the panel and shall be responsible for keeping all records of the panel. A majority of the members of the panel shall constitute a quorum.
(4) The panel shall examine options to encourage law students and attorneys to provide legal aid to economically deprived Mississippians. The panel shall file a report with the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate and the Governor containing its findings and recommendations regarding Mississippi election laws by not later than January 15, 2011.
(5) The panel shall be dissolved on January 15, 2011.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.