Senate Bill 2762

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-61-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING WITH THE 2011 REGULAR SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE, THE SECRETARY OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE AND THE CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL MAINTAIN RECORDS OF THE FLOOR DEBATE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE HOUSES AND MAKE SUCH RECORDS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UNDER THE OPEN RECORDS LAW; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 25-61-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-61-17. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as denying the Legislature the right to determine the rules of its own proceedings and to regulate public access to its records. Provided, however, that beginning with the 2011 Regular Session of the Legislature, the Secretary of the Mississippi Senate and the Clerk of the Mississippi House of Representatives shall maintain recordings or transcripts of floor debate in their respective houses in appropriate format and make such records available to the public under the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.