Senate Bill 3054

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION OF SPECIAL FUNDS TO DEFRAY THE EXPENSES OF THE MISSISSIPPI WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012.

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

SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission, for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred by said commission for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011, and ending June 30, 2012.. $ 5,807,295.00.

SECTION 2. With the funds appropriated herein, the following positions are authorized:

AUTHORIZED POSITIONS:

Permanent: Full Time........... 65

Part Time........... 0

Time-Limited: Full Time........... 0

Part Time........... 0

With the funds herein appropriated, it is the intention of the Legislature that it shall be the agency's responsibility to make certain that funds required to be appropriated for "Personal Services" for Fiscal Year 2013 do not exceed Fiscal Year 2012 funds appropriated for that purpose, unless programs or positions are added to the agency's Fiscal Year 2012 budget by the Mississippi Legislature. Based on data provided by the Legislative Budget Office, the State Personnel Board shall determine and publish the projected annual cost to fully fund all appropriated positions in compliance with the provisions of this act. It shall be the responsibility of the agency head to ensure that no single personnel action increases this projected annual cost and/or the Fiscal Year 2012 appropriations for "Personal Services" when annualized, with the exception of escalated funds. If, at the time the agency takes any action to change "Personal Services," the State Personnel Board determines that the agency has taken an action which would cause the agency to exceed this projected annual cost or the Fiscal Year 2012 "Personal Services" appropriated level, when annualized, then only those actions which reduce the projected annual cost and/or the appropriation requirement will be processed by the State Personnel Board until such time as the requirements of this provision are met.

Any transfers or escalations shall be made in accordance with the terms, conditions and procedures established by law or allowable under the terms set forth within this act. The State Personnel Board shall not escalate positions without written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration. The Department of Finance and Administration shall not provide written approval to escalate any funds for salaries and/or positions without proof of availability of new or additional funds above the appropriated level.

No general funds authorized to be expended herein shall be used to replace federal funds and/or other special funds which are being used for salaries authorized under the provisions of this act and which are withdrawn and no longer available.

SECTION 3. It is the intention of the Legislature that with the funds appropriated in Section 1, the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission shall enter into a contract with the industrial private sector for the purpose of implementing a safety education and training program.

SECTION 4. With the funds provided herein, it is the intent of the Legislature that the Workers' Compensation Commission may transfer a sum or sums not to exceed Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) from the Administrative Expense Fund to the Second Injury Fund.

SECTION 5. With the funds provided herein, it is the intent of the Legislature that the Workers' Compensation Commission may transfer a sum or sums not to exceed One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) from the Administrative Expense Fund to the Insurance Integrity Enforcement Bureau within the Office of the Attorney General.

SECTION 6. It is the intention of the Legislature that whenever two (2) or more bids are received by this agency for the purchase of commodities or equipment, and whenever all things stated in such received bids are equal with respect to price, quality and service, the Mississippi Industries for the Blind shall be given preference. A similar preference shall be given to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind whenever purchases are made without competitive bids.

SECTION 7. It is the intention of the Legislature that the salary of the Workers' Compensation Commission members shall be equal and the salary of the Commission Chairman shall exceed these salaries as approved by the State Personnel Board.

SECTION 8. It is the intention of the Legislature that the agency shall compile cell phone usage records of any cellular phone (wireless communication device) that is assigned, issued or made available to any officer or employee in accordance with Section 25-53-191, Mississippi Code of 1972, and these records shall be made publicly available at the expense of the agency.

SECTION 9. It is legislative intent to ensure beneficial information reaches as many Mississippians as possible. Further, it is legislative intent that the expenditure of public funds for this purpose be accomplished in an efficient and effective manner.

Therefore, state agencies as standard procedure will observe the following criteria:

(a) Develop goals and desired result for a campaign.

(b) Evaluate effectiveness through respected advertising standards, including market reach and cost effectiveness.

(d) Itemize and justify professional assistance and related expenses for creative and production costs outside of the actual media expenditures.

(e) Utilize Mississippi-owned media companies when feasible.

SECTION 10. Of the funds provided within this act, no former employee who is receiving State of Mississippi retirement benefits shall be hired under contract for an amount exceeding Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) a year without prior approval by an agency's proper governing board or authority. Upon approval of such contracts a written report shall be submitted detailing the cost and need of contract services to the Chairmen and members of the Senate and House Appropriation Committees.

SECTION 11. The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the proper fund or funds as set forth in this act, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law.

SECTION 12. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2011.