House Bill 1321

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 913, LOCAL AND PRIVATE LAWS OF 2008, TO EXTEND THE DATE OF REPEAL ON THE PROVISION OF LAW THAT CREATES THE MONROE COUNTY BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION AND PRESCRIBES ITS MEMBERSHIP AND AUTHORIZES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF MONROE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, TO MAKE A CERTAIN APPROPRIATION TO THE COMMISSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 913, Local and Private Laws of 2008, is amended as follows:

Section 1. For purposes of this act, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Board of supervisors" and "board" means the Board of Supervisors of Monroe County, Mississippi;

(b) "Commission" means the Monroe County Beautification Commission authorized in Section 2 of this act;

Section 2. The board of supervisors may create and establish a county beautification commission. The commission shall be composed of five (5) commissioners to be appointed by a majority vote of the board of supervisors to serve a term that is concurrent with the board's term. Each commissioner shall be a qualified elector of the county. There shall be one (1) member appointed from each of the five (5) supervisors districts of the county. A commissioner who fails to attend six (6) meetings of the commission within one (1) calendar year, or who changes his or her primary residence from within Monroe County to outside the county, may be considered for removal from the commission by a majority vote of the board. Any vacancy in the office of a commissioner shall be filled by the board of supervisors in the same manner as the original appointment, and the appointee shall serve until the expiration of the term of his immediate predecessor.

Section 3. (1) The board of supervisors, in its discretion, may contribute an amount not to exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) annually, from any available funds of the county, to the commission for the operation of the commission, including, but not limited to, the hiring of necessary personnel, spending of monies for education, advertising and other expenses incidental to the commission. Employees of the commission shall be under the direct control and supervision of the commission. No expenditures shall be made by the commission except in accordance with a budget approved by the board of supervisors.

(2) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the board of supervisors, in its discretion, may appropriate an amount not to exceed Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) annually, from the Road and Bridge Fund of Monroe County, when necessary for an expenditure by the commission for any beautification project of the commission related to county roads.

(3) The board of supervisors, in its discretion, may accept grants, gifts and donations from any source for the use and support of the commission.

Section 4. The board of supervisors, in its discretion, may adopt rules and regulations as it may deem necessary for the economic and efficient management of the commission.

Section 5. The provisions of Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall be repealed on July 1, 2014.

Section 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

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