MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2015 Regular Session

To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

By: Representatives Turner, Arnold, Bell, Carpenter, DeBar, McLeod, Monsour, Patterson, Pigott, Rogers (61st), Staples, Taylor, Weathersby

House Bill 825

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-9-120, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE COMPOSITION OF THE PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT REVIEW BOARD; TO PROVIDE FOR THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT AND THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT REVIEW BOARD; TO AUTHORIZE MEMBERS OF THE PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT REVIEW BOARD TO RECEIVE PER DIEM AND TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT; TO REMOVE ALL EXEMPTIONS OF PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS FROM REVIEW BY THE PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT REVIEW BOARD EXCEPT FOR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO FOR COMPUTER OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY-RELATED SERVICES BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES; TO AUTHORIZE AGENCIES TO PETITION FOR RELIEF FROM COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS; TO RESTRICT AGENCY AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT REVIEW BOARD; TO PROVIDE A PUBLICATION PROCEDURE AND APPEAL PROCESS FOR ANY AGENCY THAT SEEKS TO CONTRACT FOR A PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE THROUGH A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT; TO PROVIDE A TIMELINE FOR AGENCIES TO SUBMIT A CONTRACT FOR A PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE THROUGH A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT TO THE PROCUREMENT PORTAL WEBSITE; TO AUTHORIZE AGENCIES TO SEEK ARBITRATION IF THEY DISAGREE WITH A DECISION DENYING THEIR CONTRACT BY THE PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT REVIEW BOARD; TO DECREASE THE EXPENDITURE AMOUNT OF CONTRACTS THAT REQUIRE APPROVAL BY THE PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACT REVIEW BOARD; TO IMPLEMENT THE CHANGES IN THIS ACT IN TWO SEPARATE PHASES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-104-155 AND 27-104-161, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS SHALL BE INCLUDED ON THE MISSISSIPPI TRANSPARENCY WEBSITE; TO AMEND SECTION 27-104-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF ATTORNEYS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE PERSONNEL BOARD; TO AMEND SECTIONS 5-8-3 AND 5-8-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT PERFORMS BOTH CONSULTING AND LOBBYING SERVICES FOR A PUBLIC ENTITY SHALL BE CONSIDERED A LOBBYIST AND SHALL NOT BE EXEMPT FROM ANY LOBBYING LAW; TO AMEND SECTIONS 25-9-107, 47-5-357, 49-27-71, 65-43-3, 73-33-5, 75-76-21, 77-3-16, 77-5-735, 77-9-531, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 5-8-5, 5-8-9 THROUGH 5-8-23, 7-7-203, 7-7-211, 7-7-216, 7-7-225, 11-15-101, 25-9-115, 25-9-119, 25-9-121, 25-9-123, 25-9-135, 25-9-143, 25-9-171, 25-11-15, 25-11-143, 25-15-5, 25-53-3, 25-53-5, 25-53-21, 25-53-25, 25-53-29, 25-53-101, 25-53-105, 25-53-107, 25-53-109, 25-53-111, 25-53-119, 25-53-121, 25-53-123, 25-53-125, 25-53-151, 25-53-171, 25-53-191, 27-3-13, 29-5-2, 31-1-1, 31-7-1, 31-7-105, 31-7-119, 31-11-3, 31-25-19, 31-31-7, 33-15-17, 35-7-7, 37-33-157, 37-33-163, 37-37-3, 37-101-43, 37-115-25, 37-138-9, 41-3-15, 41-21-141, 41-23-43, 41-73-5, 41-73-19, 41-73-27, 41-85-3, 41-95-5, 43-1-2, 43-3-9, 43-13-117, 43-13-121, 43-19-47, 43-33-717, 43-47-9, 47-5-5, 47-5-35, 47-5-37, 49-2-9, 51-39-5, 51-41-17, 55-3-33, 55-7-25, 55-23-43, 57-1-221, 57-1-355, 57-26-1, 57-28-1, 57-32-5, 57-34-7, 57-67-11, 57-75-9, 57-75-11, 57-85-5, 57-115-3, 59-5-15, 61-3-63, 61-4-11, 65-1-9, 65-1-85, 65-1-141, 65-1-173, 65-7-107, 65-19-77, 65-23-209, 65-25-101, 65-31-1, 69-1-14, 69-15-7, 69-15-11, 69-15-101, 69-15-201, 71-5-121, 73-1-1, 73-1-3, 73-2-16, 73-13-3, 73-13-15, 73-13-41, 73-33-1, 73-33-16, 73-43-11, 73-53-8, 73-63-17, 75-63-81, 75-72-103, 77-3-105, 77-5-741, 77-6-33, 79-10-5, 79-29-902, 81-27-8.115, 83-5-211, 83-24-41, 83-30-43, 83-34-3, 83-51-31, 93-21-33, 99-18-7 AND 99-39-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO BRING FORWARD FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 25-9-120, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

Until July 1, 2016, this section shall read as follows:

25-9-120. (1) Contract personnel, whether classified as contract workers or independent contractors shall not be deemed state service or nonstate service employees of the State of Mississippi, and shall not be eligible to participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System, or the state employee health plan, nor be allowed credit for personal and sick leave and other leave benefits as employees of the State of Mississippi, notwithstanding Sections 25-3-91 through 25-3-101; 25-9-101 through 25-9-151; 25-11-1 through 25-11-126; 25-11-128 through 25-11-131; 25-15-1 through 25-15-23 and for the purpose set forth herein. Contract workers, i.e., contract personnel who do not meet the criteria of independent contractors, shall be subject to the provisions of Section 25-11-127.

(2) (a) There is * * * ~~hereby~~created the Personal Service Contract Review Board, which shall be composed of the following members:

(i) The State Personnel Director * * *, ;

(ii) Four (4) individuals appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate;

(iii) One (1) individual appointed by the Secretary of State with the advice and consent of the Senate;

(iv) One (1) individual appointed by the Attorney General with the advice and consent of the Senate; and

(v) One (1) individual appointed by the Lieutenant Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

The initial members appointed to the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall serve for terms that end on January 1, 2020. From and after January 1, 2020, all appointed members of the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing officer.

All appointed members of the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall have at least five (5) years of management experience in general business, health care, or finance for an organization, corporation, or other public or private entity. Additionally, the Personal Service Contract Review Board at all times shall have at least one (1) appointed member who has at least five (5) years of experience in a position the duties of which specifically required him or her to carry out responsibilities in each of the following: purchasing, bidding, auditing, and contract review. At least two (2) members appointed by the Governor shall have experience in managing a state agency. No appointed member shall be an officer or employee of the State of Mississippi while serving on the Personal Service Contract Review Board.

A person, or an employee or owner of a company, that receives any grants, procurements or contracts that are subject to approval under this section shall not be appointed to the Personal Service Contract Review Board.

A person, or an employee or owner of a company, who is a principal of the source providing the personal or professional service shall not be appointed to the Personal Service Contract Review Board if the principal owns or controls a greater than five percent (5%) interest or has an ownership value of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) in the source's business, whichever is smaller.

(b) Members of the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall be entitled to per diem as authorized by Section 25-3-69 and travel reimbursement as authorized by Section 25-3-41.

(c) The State Personnel Director shall be chairman and shall preside over the meetings of the * * * ~~board~~Personal Service Contract Review Board. The * * * ~~board~~Personal Service Contract Review Board shall annually elect a vice chairman, who shall serve in the absence of the chairman. No business shall be transacted, including adoption of rules of procedure, without the presence of a quorum of the * * * ~~board~~Personal Service Contract Review Board. * * * ~~Three (3)~~Five (5) members shall be a quorum. No action shall be valid unless approved by the chairman and * * * ~~two (2)~~four (4) other of those members present and voting, entered upon the minutes of the * * * ~~board~~Personal Service Contract Review Board and signed by the chairman. Minutes shall be kept of the proceedings of each meeting, copies of which shall be filed on a monthly basis with the Legislative Budget Office.

(d) Necessary clerical and administrative support for the * * * ~~board~~Personal Service Contract Review Board shall be provided by the State Personnel Board. * * * The Department of Finance and Administration and the Attorney General shall provide such support as may be required by the Personal Service Contract Review Board.

(3) The Personal Service Contract Review Board shall have the following powers and responsibilities:

(a) Promulgate rules and regulations governing the solicitation and selection of contractual services personnel including personal and professional services contracts for any form of consulting, policy analysis, public relations, marketing, public affairs, legislative advocacy services or any other contract that the * * * ~~board~~Personal Service Contract Review Board deems appropriate for oversight, with the exception of any personal or professional services * * *~~contracts~~ contract entered into for computer or information technology-related services governed by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, any personal or professional services * * *~~contracts~~ contract entered into by the Mississippi Department of Transportation, and any contract for attorney, accountant, auditor, physician, dentist, architect, engineer, veterinarian and utility rate expert services. Any such rules and regulations shall provide for maintaining continuous internal audit covering the activities of such agency affecting its revenue and expenditures as required under Section 7-7-3(6)(d) * * *~~, Mississippi Code of 1972 * * *.;~~. Any rules and regulations related to personal and professional services contracts, and adopted by the Personal Service Contract Review Board as it existed before the effective date of this act, may not be revised until on or after July 1, 2016, except where revisions are necessary to implement statutory changes contained in House Bill No._____, 2015 Regular Session. Revisions to any such rules and regulations that may be proposed by the Personal Service Contract Review Board for adoption on or after July 1, 2016, shall be submitted to the Committees on Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency of the Mississippi House of Representatives and of the Mississippi State Senate not later than December 31, 2015. Further, any personal or professional services contract executed on or after July 1, 2015, may not contain an expiration date that extends beyond July 1, 2016;

(b) Approve all personal and professional services contracts involving the expenditures of funds in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00);

(c) Develop standards with respect to contractual services personnel which require invitations for public bid, requests for proposals, record keeping and financial responsibility of contractors. The Personal Service Contract Review Board may, in its discretion, require the agency involved to advertise such contract for public bid, and may reserve the right to reject any or all bids;

(d) Prescribe certain circumstances * * * ~~whereby~~under which agency heads may enter into contracts for personal and professional services without receiving prior approval from the Personal Service Contract Review Board. The Personal Service Contract Review Board may establish a preapproved list of providers of various personal and professional services for set prices with which state agencies may contract without bidding or prior approval from the board * * *.;

(e) * * * ToProvide standards for the issuance of requests for proposals, the evaluation of proposals received, consideration of costs and quality of services proposed, contract negotiations, the administrative monitoring of contract performance by the agency and successful steps in terminating a contract;

(f) * * * ToPresent recommendations for governmental privatization and to evaluate privatization proposals submitted by any state agency;

(g) * * * ToAuthorize personal and professional services contracts to be effective for more than one (1) year provided a funding condition is included in any such multiple year contract, except the State Board of Education, which shall have the authority to enter into contractual agreements for student assessment for a period up to ten (10) years. The State Board of Education shall procure these services in accordance with the Personal Service Contract Review Board procurement regulations;

(h) * * * ToRequest the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit on any personal or professional services contract;

(i) Prepare an annual report to the Legislature concerning the issuance of personal and professional services contracts during the previous year, collecting any necessary information from state agencies in making such report.

(j) Develop policies and procedures that will be required to review and approve the contracts for personal or professional services to be submitted to the Personal Service Contract Review Board on and after July 1, 2016. The policies and procedures developed shall include the following:

(i) Any additional positions the Personal Service Contract Review Board will need to review the contracts as provided in this paragraph (j) and the necessary funding that will be required for these positions. Any legislation that may be needed to fund the review of personal and professional contracts by the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall also be recommended;

(ii) Any expenses that will be necessary to support any additional positions that may be added by the Personal Service Contract Review Board;

All of the policies and procedures developed under this paragraph (j) shall be prepared for review by the Legislature and the affected agencies not later than January 1, 2016.

(4) No member of the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall use his official authority or influence to coerce, by threat of discharge from employment, or otherwise, the purchase of commodities or the contracting for personal or professional services under this section.

From and after July 1, 2016, until July 1, 2017, this section shall read as follows:

(2) (a) There is * * * ~~hereby~~created the Personal Service Contract Review Board, which shall be composed of the following members:

(i) The State Personnel Director * * *, ;

* * *

(ii) Four (4) individuals appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate;

(iii) One (1) individual appointed by the Secretary of State with the advice and consent of the Senate;

(iv) One (1) individual appointed by the Attorney General with the advice and consent of the Senate; and

(v) One (1) individual appointed by the Lieutenant Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

A person, or an employee or owner of a company, that receives any grants or procurements or contracts that are subject to approval under this section shall not be appointed to the Personal Service Contract Review Board.

A person, or an employee or owner of a company, who is a principal of the source providing the personal or professional service if the principal owns or controls a greater than five percent (5%) interest or has an ownership value of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) in the source's business, whichever is smaller, shall not be appointed to the Personal Service Contract Review Board.

(b) Members of the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall be entitled to per diem as authorized by Section 25-3-69 and travel reimbursement as authorized by Section 25-3-41.

(3) The Personal Service Contract Review Board shall have the following powers and responsibilities:

(a) Promulgate rules and regulations governing the solicitation and selection of contractual services personnel including personal and professional services contracts for any form of consulting, policy analysis, public relations, marketing, public affairs, legislative advocacy services or any other contract that the * * * ~~board~~Personal Service Contract Review Board deems appropriate for oversight, with the exception of any personal or professional services contracts entered into for computer or information technology-related services governed by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services * * *. Any such rules and regulations shall provide for maintaining continuous internal audit covering the activities of such agency affecting its revenue and expenditures as required under Section 7-7-3(6)(d) * * *~~, Mississippi Code of 1972;~~. Any rules and regulations related to personal and professional services contracts, and adopted by the Personal Service Contract Review Board as it existed before the effective date of this act, may not be revised until on or after July 1, 2017, except where revisions are necessary to implement statutory changes contained in House Bill No. ____, 2015 Regular Session. Revisions to any such rules and regulations that may be proposed by the Personal Service Contract Review Board for adoption on or after July 1, 2017, shall be submitted to the Committees on Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency of the Mississippi House of Representatives and of the Mississippi State Senate not later than December 31, 2016. Further, any personal or professional services contract executed on or after July 1, 2016, may not contain an expiration date that extends beyond July 1, 2017;

(b) Approve all personal and professional services contracts involving the expenditures of funds in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00);

(c) Develop mandatory standards with respect to contractual services personnel which require invitations for public bid, requests for proposals, record keeping and financial responsibility of contractors. The Personal Service Contract Review Board * * * ~~may, in its discretion,~~shall, unless exempted under this paragraph (c) or under paragraph (d) or (k) of this subsection (3), require the agency involved to advertise such contract for public bid, and may reserve the right to reject any or all bids * * *;.

(i) Any agency that seeks to procure personal or professional service contracts that are required to be approved by the Personal Service Contract Review Board may petition for relief from any requirement that the agency use competitive bidding as a procurement method. The agency shall be required to show to the Personal Service Contract Review Board's satisfaction one (1) of the following:

1. Federal law has established limitations on the use of competitive bidding for the personal or professional contracts the agency is seeking to procure; or

2. The agency is required to hire professionals whose members are prohibited from bidding by the rules of professional conduct promulgated by the regulating agency or agencies for that professional; or

3. The agency can establish that the use of competitive bidding will be counterproductive to the business of the agency.

(ii) If the Personal Service Contract Review Board determines that competitive bidding shall not be required for the particular personal or professional service the agency seeks to procure, then the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall direct the agency to establish a competitive procurement procedure for selecting the personal or professional service contract that ensures open, transparent procedures for making a selection. The Personal Service Contract Review Board shall also have the authority to audit the records of any agency to ensure it has used competitive procedures to contract for the personal or professional service.

(d) Prescribe certain circumstances * * * ~~whereby~~under which agency heads may enter into contracts for personal and professional services without receiving prior approval from the Personal Service Contract Review Board. * * * The circumstances allowing such an exemption from prior approval shall be limited to the following:

(i) Emergency procurements of personal and professional services as approved by the Governor or his designee;

(ii) Selections from a pre-approved list of providers of various personal and professional services for set prices that state agencies may contract without bidding or prior approval from the Personal Service Contract Review Board;

(f) * * * ToPresent recommendations for governmental privatization and to evaluate privatization proposals submitted by any state agency;

(h) * * * ToRequest the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit on any personal or professional services contract;

(ii) Any expenses that will be necessary to support any additional positions that may be added by the Personal Service Contract Review Board;

All of the policies and procedures developed under this paragraph (j) shall be prepared for review by the Legislature and the affected agencies not later than January 1, 2016.

(k) Develop and implement the following standards and procedures for the approval of any sole source contract for personal and professional services regardless of the value of the procurement:

(i) For the purposes of this paragraph (k), the term "sole source" means only one (1) source is available that can provide the required personal or professional service.

(ii) An agency that has been issued, before July 1, 2016, a binding, valid court order mandating that a particular source or provider must be used for the required service must include a copy of the applicable court order in all future sole source contract reviews for the particular personal or professional service referenced in the court order.

(iii) From and after January 1, 2016, any agency alleging to have a sole source for any personal or professional service shall have published on the procurement portal website established by Sections 25-53-151 and 27-104-165, for at least thirty (30) days, the terms of the proposed contract for those services. In addition, the publication shall include, but is not limited to, the following information:

1. The personal or professional service offered in the contract;

2. An explanation of why the personal or professional service is the only one that can meet the needs of the agency;

3. An explanation of why the source is the only person or entity that can provide the required personal or professional service;

4. An explanation of why the amount to be expended for the personal or professional service is reasonable; and

5. The efforts that the agency went through to obtain the best possible price for the personal or professional service.

(iv) If any person or entity objects and proposes that the personal or professional service published under subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph (k) is not a sole source service and can be provided by another person or entity, then the objecting person or entity shall notify the Personal Service Contract Review Board and the agency that published the proposed sole source contract with a detailed explanation of why the personal or professional service is not a sole source service.

(v) 1. If the agency determines after review that the personal or professional service in the proposed sole source contract can be provided by another person or entity, then the agency must withdraw the sole source contract publication from the procurement portal website and submit the procurement of the personal or professional service to an advertised competitive bid process.

2. If the agency determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required personal or professional service, then the agency may appeal to the Personal Service Contract Review Board. The agency has the burden of proving that the personal or professional service is only provided by one (1) source.

3. If the Personal Service Contract Review Board has any reasonable doubt as to whether the personal or professional service can only be provided by one (1) source, then the agency must submit the procurement of the personal or professional service to an advertised competitive bid process. No action taken by the Personal Service Contract Review Board in this appeal process shall be valid unless approved by the chairman and four (4) other members of the Personal Service Contract Review Board present and voting.

(vi) The Personal Service Contract Review Board shall require an agency that seeks to contract for a personal or professional service through a sole source contract to publish the proposed contract on the procurement portal website as required in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph (k) not less than one hundred ninety (190) days, depending on the nature of the contract, before the date that the personal or professional service is needed in order to allow time for the submission of the procurement of the personal or professional service to an advertised competitive bid process if the sole source contract for the personal or professional service is denied by the Personal Service Contract Review Board. The Personal Service Contract Review Board shall require an agency that seeks to contract for a personal or professional service through a sole source contract that requires approval by a regulatory board or has other similar requirements to publish the proposed contract on the procurement portal website as required in paragraph (k) subparagraph (iii) more than one hundred ninety (190) days before the date that the service is needed. The requirements of this subparagraph (vi) do not apply to emergency contracts.

(4) * * * Any contract submitted to the Personal Service Contract Review Board for review and approval shall be presumed to be approved if the Personal Service Contract Review Board does not object to the contract within thirty (30) days of the agency's submission of the contract. All submissions shall be made thirty (30) days before the meeting of the Personal Service Contract Review Board where action is to be taken on the contract.

If the Personal Service Contract Review Board rejects any contract submitted for review or approval, the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall clearly set out the reasons for its action, including, but not limited to, the policy that the agency has violated in its submitted contract and any corrective actions that the agency may take to amend the contract to comply with the rules and regulations of the Personal Service Contract Review Board.

(5) Any agency that disagrees with a decision made by the Personal Service Contract Review Board denying approval of that agency's personal or professional service contract may, within thirty (30) days of the date the decision was made, seek arbitration of the decision to deny approval of the contract. The agency shall select one (1) person to represent it in the arbitration, and the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall select one (1) person to represent it in the arbitration. The two (2) representatives selected by the agency and the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall select the third representative. The three (3) representatives shall be selected from the American Arbitration Association and shall be the arbitration panel members. The arbitration panel members shall consider the issues the Personal Service Contract Review Board had with the contract that required them to deny the contract and the reasons that the agency disagrees with the decision of the Personal Service Contract Review Board denying the approval of the agency's contract. Based on these considerations, the arbitration panel members shall arrive at a decision that will ensure the competitive selection of a personal or professional service contract. Two (2) of the arbitration panel members shall be required to reach a decision. Any decision made by the arbitration panel members shall be binding upon the agency and the Personal Service Contract Review Board regarding that contract for a personal or professional service submitted by the agency.

(6) No member of the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall use his official authority or influence to coerce, by threat of discharge from employment, or otherwise, the purchase of commodities or the contracting for personal or professional services under this section.

From and after July 1, 2017, this section shall read as follows:

(2) (a) There is * * * ~~hereby~~ created the Personal Service Contract Review Board, which shall be composed of the following members:

(i) The State Personnel Director * * *,;

(ii) Four (4) individuals appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate;

(iii) One (1) individual appointed by the Secretary of State with the advice and consent of the Senate;

(iv) One (1) individual appointed by the Attorney General with the advice and consent of the Senate; and

(v) One (1) individual appointed by the Lieutenant Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(b) Members of the Personal Service Contract Review Board shall be entitled to per diem as authorized by Section 25-3-69 and travel reimbursement as authorized by Section 25-3-41.

(3) The Personal Service Contract Review Board shall have the following powers and responsibilities:

(a) Promulgate rules and regulations governing the solicitation and selection of contractual services personnel including personal and professional services contracts for any form of consulting, policy analysis, public relations, marketing, public affairs, legislative advocacy services or any other contract that the * * * ~~board~~Personal Service Contract Review Board deems appropriate for oversight, with the exception of any personal or professional services * * *~~contracts~~ contract entered into for computer or information technology-related services governed by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services * * *. Any such rules and regulations shall provide for maintaining continuous internal audit covering the activities of such agency affecting its revenue and expenditures as required under Section 7-7-3(6)(d) * * *~~, Mississippi Code of 1972~~. Any rules and regulations related to personal and professional services contracts, and adopted by the Personal Service Contract Review Board as it existed before the effective date of this act, may not be revised until on or after July 1, 2018, except where revisions are necessary to implement statutory changes contained in House Bill No._____, 2015 Regular Session. Revisions to any such rules and regulations that may be proposed by the Personal Service Contract Review Board for adoption on or after July 1, 2018, shall be submitted to the Committees on Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency of the Mississippi House of Representatives and of the Mississippi State Senate not later than December 31, 2017. Further, any personal or professional services contract executed on or after July 1, 2017, may not contain an expiration date that extends beyond July 1, 2018;

(b) Approve all personal and professional services contracts involving the expenditures of funds in excess of * * * Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00);

(c) Develop mandatory standards with respect to contractual services personnel which require invitations for public bid, requests for proposals, record keeping and financial responsibility of contractors. The Personal Service Contract Review Board * * * ~~may, in its discretion,~~ shall, unless exempted under this paragraph (c) or under paragraph (d) or (k) of this subsection (3), require the agency involved to advertise such contract for public bid, and may reserve the right to reject any or all bids;

1. Federal law has established limitations on the use of competitive bidding for the personal or professional contracts the agency is seeking to procure; or

3. The agency can establish that the use of competitive bidding will be counterproductive to the business of the agency.

(d) Prescribe certain circumstances * * * ~~whereby~~under which agency heads may enter into contracts for personal and professional services without receiving prior approval from the Personal Service Contract Review Board. * * * The circumstances allowing such an exemption from prior approval shall be limited to the following:

(i) Emergency procurements of personal and professional services as approved by the Governor or his designee;

(e) * * * ~~To p~~Provide standards for the issuance of requests for proposals, the evaluation of proposals received, consideration of costs and quality of services proposed, contract negotiations, the administrative monitoring of contract performance by the agency and successful steps in terminating a contract;

(f) * * * ~~To p~~Present recommendations for governmental privatization and to evaluate privatization proposals submitted by any state agency;

(g) * * * ~~To a~~Authorize personal and professional services contracts to be effective for more than one (1) year provided a funding condition is included in any such multiple year contract, except the State Board of Education, which shall have the authority to enter into contractual agreements for student assessment for a period up to ten (10) years. The State Board of Education shall procure these services in accordance with the Personal Service Contract Review Board procurement regulations;

(h) * * * ~~To r~~Request the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit on any personal or professional services contract;

(ii) Any expenses that will be necessary to support any additional positions that may be added by the Personal Service Contract Review Board;

All of the policies and procedures developed under this paragraph (j) shall be prepared for review by the Legislature and the affected agencies not later than January 1, 2016;

(k) Develop and implement the following standards and procedures for the approval of any sole source contract for personal and professional services regardless of the value of the procurement:

(i) For the purposes of this paragraph (k), the term "sole source" means only one (1) source is available that can provide the required personal or professional service.

(ii) An agency that has been issued, before January 1, 2016, a binding, valid court order mandating that a particular source or provider must be used for the required service must include a copy of the applicable court order in all future sole source contract reviews for the particular personal or professional service referenced in the court order.

1. The personal or professional service offered in the contract;

2. An explanation of why the personal or professional service is the only one that can meet the needs of the agency;

3. An explanation of why the source is the only person or entity that can provide the required personal or professional service;

4. An explanation of why the amount to be expended for the personal or professional service is reasonable; and

5. The efforts that the agency went through to obtain the best possible price for the personal or professional service.

(vi) The Personal Service Contract Review Board shall require an agency that seeks to contract for a personal or professional service through a sole source contract to publish the proposed contract on the procurement portal website as required in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph (k) not less than one hundred ninety (190) days, depending on the nature of the contract, before the date that the personal or professional service is needed in order to allow time for the submission of the procurement of the personal or professional service to an advertised competitive bid process if the sole source contract for the personal or professional service is denied by the Personal Service Contract Review Board. The Personal Service Contract Review Board shall require an agency that seeks to contract for a personal or professional service through a sole source contract that requires approval by a regulatory board or has other similar requirements to publish the proposed contract on the procurement portal website as required in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph (k) more than one hundred ninety (190) days before the date that the service is needed. The requirements of this subparagraph (vi) do not apply to emergency contracts.

SECTION 2. Section 27-104-155, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-104-155. (1) The Department of Finance and Administration shall develop and operate a searchable website that includes information on expenditures of state funds from all funding sources. The website shall have a unique and simplified website address, and the department shall require each agency that maintains a generally accessible Internet site or for which a generally accessible Internet site is maintained to include a link on the front page of the agency's Internet site to the searchable website required under this section.

(a) With regard to disbursement of funds, the website shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) The name and principal location of the entity or recipients of the funds, excluding release of information relating to an individual's place of residence, the identity of recipients of state or federal assistance payments, and any other information deemed confidential by state or federal law relating to privacy rights;

(ii) The amount of state funds expended;

(iii) A descriptive purpose of the funding action or expenditure;

(iv) The funding source of the expenditure;

(v) The budget program or activity of the expenditure;

(vi) The specific source of authority and descriptive purpose of the expenditure, to include a link to the funding authorization document(s) in a searchable PDF form;

(vii) The specific source of authority for the expenditure including, but not limited to, a grant, subgrant, contract, or the general discretion of the agency director, provided that if the authority is a grant, subgrant or contract, the website entry shall include a grant, subgrant or contract number or similar information that clearly identifies the specific source of authority. The information required under this paragraph includes data relative to tax exemptions and credits;

(viii) The expending agency;

(ix) The type of transaction;

(x) The expected performance outcomes achieved for the funding action or expenditure;

(xi) Links to any state audit or report relating to the entity or recipient of funds or the budget program or activity or agency; and

(xii) Any other information deemed relevant by the Department of Finance and Administration.

(b) When the expenditure of state funds involves the expenditure of bond proceeds, the searchable website must include a clear, detailed description of the purpose of the bonds, a current status report on the project or projects being financed by the bonds, and a current status report on the payment of the principal and interest on the bonds.

(c) The searchable website must include access to an electronic summary of each grant, including amendments; subgrant, including amendments; contract, including amendments; and payment voucher that includes, wherever possible, a hyperlink to the actual document in a searchable PDF format, subject to the restrictions in paragraph (d) of this section. The Department of Finance and Administration may cooperate with other agencies to accomplish the requirements of this paragraph.

(d) Nothing in Sections 27-104-151 through 27-104-159 shall permit or require the disclosure of trade secrets or other proprietary information, including confidential vendor information, or any other information that is required to be confidential by state or federal law.

(e) The information available from the searchable website must be updated no later than fourteen (14) days after the receipt of data from an agency, and the Department of Finance and Administration shall require each agency to provide to the department access to all data that is required to be accessible from the searchable website within fourteen (14) days of each expenditure, grant award, including amendments; subgrant, including amendments; or contract, including amendments; executed by the agency.

(f) The searchable website must include all information required by this section for all transactions that are initiated in fiscal year 2015 or later. In addition, all information that is included on the searchable website from the date of the inception of the website until July 1, 2014, must be maintained on the website according to the requirements of this section before July 1, 2014, and remain accessible for ten (10) years from the date it was originally made available. All data on the searchable website must remain accessible to the public for a minimum of ten (10) years.

(g) For the purposes of this subsection (1), the term "contract" includes, but is not limited to, personal and professional services contracts.

(2) The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall create the IHL Accountability and Transparency website to include its executive office and the institutions of higher learning no later than July 1, 2012. This website shall:

(a) Provide access to existing financial reports, financial audits, budgets and other financial documents that are used to allocate, appropriate, spend and account for appropriated funds;

(b) Have a unique and simplified website address;

(c) Be directly accessible via a link from the main page of the Department of Finance and Administration website, as well as the IHL website and the main page of the website of each institution of higher learning;

(d) Include other links, features or functionality that will assist the public in obtaining and reviewing public financial information;

(e) Report expenditure information currently available within these enterprise resource planning (ERP) computer systems; and

(f) Design the reporting format using the existing capabilities of these ERP computer systems.

(3) The Mississippi Community College Board shall create the Community and Junior Colleges Accountability and Transparency website to include its executive office and the community and junior colleges no later than July 1, 2012. This website shall:

(a) Provide access to existing financial reports, financial audits, budgets and other financial documents that are used to allocate, appropriate, spend and account for appropriated funds;

(b) Have a unique and simplified website address;

(c) Be directly accessible via a link from the main page of the Department of Finance and Administration website, as well as the Mississippi Community College Board website and the main page of the website of each community and junior college;

(d) Include other links, features or functionality that will assist the public in obtaining and reviewing public financial information;

(e) Report expenditure information currently available within the computer system of each community and junior college; and

(f) Design the reporting format using the existing capabilities of the computer system of each community and junior college.

SECTION 3. Section 27-104-161, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-104-161. No provision of Sections 27-104-151 through 27-104-159 shall be construed as conferring upon the Department of Finance and Administration any authority to review, approve or deny any expenditures or contracts entered into by the Legislature or any of its committees, or to impose any requirement on the Legislature or any of its committees to take any action other than to disclose expenditures and contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2011. For the purposes of this section, the term "contract" includes, but is not limited to, personal and professional services contracts.

SECTION 4. Section 27-104-105, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-104-105. The Department of Finance and Administration shall not process any warrant requested by any state agency for payment for legal services without first determining that the services and contract were approved either by the Attorney General * * *~~and the State Personnel Board~~, or as authorized under Section 7-5-39(3) * * *~~; contracts for legal services performed for the State Highway Department in eminent domain cases shall not require approval by the State Personnel Board~~. The State Auditor shall test for compliance with this section.

SECTION 5. Section 5-8-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

5-8-3. The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) (i) "Anything of value" means:

1. A pecuniary item, including money, or a bank bill or note;

2. A promissory note, bill of exchange, order, draft, warrant, check or bond given for the payment of money;

3. A contract, agreement, promise or other obligation for an advance, conveyance, forgiveness of indebtedness, deposit, distribution, loan, payment, gift, pledge or transfer of money;

4. A stock, bond, note or other investment interest in an entity;

5. A receipt given for the payment of money or other property;

6. A right in action;

7. A gift, tangible good, chattel or an interest in a gift, tangible good or chattel;

8. A loan or forgiveness of indebtedness;

9. A work of art, antique or collectible;

10. An automobile or other means of personal transportation;

11. Real property or an interest in real property, including title to realty, a fee simple or partial interest, present or future, contingent or vested within realty, a leasehold interest, or other beneficial interest in realty;

12. An honorarium or compensation for services;

13. A rebate or discount in the price of anything of value, unless the rebate or discount is made in the ordinary course of business to a member of the public without regard to that person's status as an executive, legislative or public official or public employee, or the sale or trade of something for reasonable compensation that would ordinarily not be available to a member of the public;

14. A promise or offer of employment;

15. Any other thing of value that is pecuniary or compensatory in value to a person, except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph; or

16. A payment that directly benefits an executive, legislative or public official or public employee or a member of that person's immediate family.

(ii) "Anything of value" does not mean:

1. Informational material such as books, reports, pamphlets, calendars or periodicals informing an executive, legislative or public official or public employee of her or his official duties;

2. A certificate, plaque or other commemorative item which has little pecuniary value;

3. Food and beverages for immediate consumption provided by a lobbyist up to a value of Ten Dollars ($10.00) in the aggregate during any calendar year;

4. Campaign contributions reported in accordance with Section 23-15-801 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972.

(b) "Commission" means the Mississippi Ethics Commission, when used in the context of Section 5-8-19.

(i) An advance, conveyance, forgiveness of indebtedness, deposit, distribution, loan, payment, gift, pledge or transfer of money or anything of value, including reimbursement of travel, food or lodging costs; or

(ii) A contract, agreement, promise or other obligation for an advance, conveyance, forgiveness of indebtedness, deposit, distribution, loan, payment, gift, pledge or transfer of money or anything of value, including reimbursement of travel, food or lodging costs, for services rendered or to be rendered.

(d) "Executive action" means the proposal, drafting, development, consideration, amendment, adoption, approval, promulgation, issuance, modification, rejection or postponement by a state or local governmental entity of a rule, regulation, order, decision, determination or other quasi-legislative action or proceeding.

(e) "Executive agency" means:

(i) An agency, board, commission, governing authority or other body in the executive branch of state or local government; or

(ii) An independent body of state or local government that is not a part of the legislative or judicial branch, but which shall include county boards of supervisors.

(f) "Executive official" means:

(i) A member or employee of a state agency, board, commission, governing authority or other body in the executive branch of state or local government; or

(ii) A public official or public employee, or any employee of such person, of state or local government who takes an executive action.

(g) "Expenditure" means:

(i) A purchase, payment, distribution, loan, forgiveness of a loan or payment of a loan by a third party, advance, deposit, transfer of funds, a promise to make a payment, or a gift of money or anything of value for any purpose;

(ii) A payment to a lobbyist for salary, fee, commission, compensation for expenses, or other purpose by a person employing, retaining or contracting for the services of the lobbyist separately or jointly with other persons;

(iii) A payment in support of or assistance to a lobbyist or the lobbyist's activities, including the direct payment of expenses incurred at the request or suggestion of the lobbyist;

(iv) A payment that directly benefits an executive, legislative or public official or a member of the official's immediate family;

(v) A payment, including compensation, payment or reimbursement for the services, time or expenses of an employee for or in connection with direct communication with an executive, legislative or public official made at the direction of the employee's employer;

(vi) A payment for or in connection with soliciting or urging other persons to enter into direct communication with an executive, legislative or public official; or

(vii) A payment or reimbursement for food, beverages, travel, lodging, entertainment or sporting activities.

(h) "Gift" means anything of value to the extent that consideration of equal or greater value is not received, including a rebate or discount in the price of anything of value unless the rebate or discount is made in the ordinary course of business to a member of the public without regard to that person's status as an executive, legislative or public official.

(i) "Legislative action" means:

(i) Preparation, research, drafting, introduction, consideration, modification, amendment, approval, passage, enactment, tabling, postponement, defeat or rejection of a bill, resolution, amendment, motion, report, nomination, appointment or other matter by the Mississippi State Legislature or a member or employee of the Legislature acting or purporting to act in an official capacity;

(ii) Action by the Governor in approving or vetoing a bill or other action of the Legislature;

(iii) Action by the Legislature in:

1. Overriding or sustaining a veto by the Governor; or

2. Considering, confirming or rejecting an executive appointment of the Governor.

(j) "Legislative official" means:

(i) A member, member-elect or presiding officer of the Legislature;

(ii) A member of a commission or other entity established by and responsible to either or both houses of the Legislature;

(iii) A staff member, officer or employee to a member or member-elect of the Legislature, to a member of a commission or other entity established by and responsible to either or both houses of the Legislature, or to the Legislature or any house, committee or office thereof.

(k) "Lobbying" means:

(i) Influencing or attempting to influence legislative or executive action through oral or written communication; or

(ii) Solicitation of others to influence legislative or executive action; or

(iii) Paying or promising to pay anything of value directly or indirectly related to legislative or executive action.

(l) "Lobbyist" means:

(i) An individual who is employed and receives payments, or who contracts for economic consideration, including reimbursement for reasonable travel and living expenses, for the purpose of lobbying;

(ii) An individual who represents a legislative or public official or public employee, or who represents a person, organization, association or other group, for the purpose of lobbying; or

(iii) A sole proprietor, owner, part owner or shareholder in a business who has a pecuniary interest in legislative or executive action, who engages in lobbying activities * * *.; or

(iv) Any individual described in subparagraphs (i) through (iii) of this paragraph (l) who is employed by or has contracted with any agency, legislative or public official or public employee, or any other public entity for the purpose of providing any type of consulting or other similar service but also engages in any type of lobbying activities. Such individual does not qualify for any exemption under Section 5-8-7.

(m) "Lobbyist's client" means the person in whose behalf the lobbyist influences or attempts to influence legislative or executive action.

(n) "Local" means all entities of government at the county, county-district, multicounty district, municipal or school district level.

(o) "Person" means an individual, proprietorship, firm, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, syndicate, business trust, estate, company, corporation, association, club, committee, organization or group of persons acting in concert.

(p) "Public employee" means an individual appointed to a position, including a position created by statute, whether compensated or not, in state or local government and includes any employee of the public employee. The term includes a member of the board of trustees, chancellor, vice-chancellor or the equivalent thereof in the state university system or the state community and junior college system, and a president of a state college or university.

(q) "Public official" means an individual elected to a state or local office, or an individual who is appointed to fill a vacancy in the office.

(r) "Value" means the retail cost or fair market worth of an item or items, whichever is greater.

SECTION 6. Section 5-8-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

5-8-7. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, except as otherwise provided in Section 5-8-3(l)(iv), the following person shall not be included within the definition of "lobbyist" or "lobbyist's client" under this chapter, and accordingly the registration and reporting provisions, including the payment of related fees, of this chapter do not apply to:

(a) A legislative or public official acting in an official capacity.

(b) An individual who:

(i) Represents or purports to represent only the individual;

(ii) Receives no compensation or anything of value for lobbying; and

(iii) Has no pecuniary interest in the legislative or executive action.

(c) An individual lobbying in his or her own interest, his or her own business interest, who pays, or promises to pay, offers to pay or causes to be paid to public officials, legislative officials or public employees any thing or things of value aggregating in value to less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) in any calendar year.

(d) An individual lobbying on behalf of his or her employer's business interest where such lobbying is not a primary or regular function of his employment position if such individual pays, promises to pay, offers to pay, or causes to be paid individually or on the employer's behalf to public officials, legislative officials, or public employees any thing or things of value aggregating in value to less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) in any calendar year.

(e) An individual lobbying on behalf of an association of which he or she is a member, where such lobbying is not a primary or regular function of his or her position in the association, if such individual pays, promises to pay, offers to pay, or causes to be paid individually or on the association's behalf to public officials, legislative officials or public employees any thing or things of value aggregating in value to less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) in any calendar year.

(f) An individual who is a shareholder, owner or part owner of a business who lobbies on behalf of such business, where such individual is not an employee of the business, if such individual pays, promises to pay, offers to pay, or causes to be paid individually or on behalf of the business to public officials, legislative officials or public employees any thing or things of value aggregating in value to less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) in any calendar year.

(g) An individual who:

(i) Limits lobbying solely to formal testimony before a public meeting of a legislative body or an executive agency, or a committee, division or department thereof; and

(ii) Registers the appearance in the records of the public body, if such records are kept.

(h) An individual who is a licensed attorney representing a client by:

(i) Drafting bills, preparing arguments thereon, and advising the client or rendering opinions as to the construction and effect of proposed or pending legislation, where such services are usual and customary professional legal services which are not otherwise connected with legislative action; or

(ii) Providing information, on behalf of the client, to an executive or public official, a public employee, or an agency, board, commission, governing authority or other body of state or local government where such services are usual and customary professional legal services including or related to a particular nonlegislative matter, case or controversy.

(i) News media and employees of the news media whose activity is limited solely to the publication or broadcast of news, editorial comments, or paid advertisements that attempt to influence legislative or executive action. For the purposes of this section, "news media" shall be construed to be bona fide radio and television stations, newspapers, journals or magazines, or bona fide news bureaus or associations which in turn furnish information solely to bona fide radio or television stations, newspapers, journals or magazines.

(j) An individual who engages in lobbying activities exclusively on behalf of a religious organization which qualifies as a tax-exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code.

(k) An individual who is a nonattorney professional and who receives professional fees and expenses to represent clients on executive agency matters, except that if anything of value shall be paid or promised to be paid directly or indirectly on behalf of a client for the personal use or benefit of an executive or public official or public employee, then expenditures and actions of the individual are reportable under this chapter, and the individual must register as a lobbyist.

SECTION 7. Section 25-9-107, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-9-107. The following terms, when used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, shall have the following meanings:

(a) "Board" means the State Personnel Board created under the provisions of this chapter.

(b) "State service" means all employees of state departments, agencies and institutions as defined herein, except those officers and employees excluded by this chapter.

(c) "Nonstate service" means the following officers and employees excluded from the state service by this chapter. The following are excluded from the state service:

(i) Members of the State Legislature, their staff and other employees of the legislative branch;

(ii) The Governor and staff members of the immediate Office of the Governor;

(iii) Justices and judges of the judicial branch or members of appeals boards on a per diem basis;

(iv) The Lieutenant Governor, staff members of the immediate Office of the Lieutenant Governor and officers and employees directly appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(v) Officers and officials elected by popular vote and persons appointed to fill vacancies in elective offices;

(vi) Members of boards and commissioners appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor or the State Legislature;

(vii) All academic officials, members of the teaching staffs and employees of the state institutions of higher learning, the Mississippi Community College Board, and community and junior colleges;

(viii) Officers and enlisted members of the National Guard of the state;

(ix) Prisoners, inmates, student or patient help working in or about institutions;

(x) Contract personnel; provided, that any agency which employs state service employees may enter into contracts for personal and professional services only if such contracts are approved in compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the State Personal Service Contract Review Board under Section 25-9-120(3). Before paying any warrant for such contractual services in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or as otherwise provided in Section 25-9-120, the Auditor of Public Accounts, or the successor to those duties, shall determine whether the contract involved was for personal or professional services, and, if so, was approved by the State Personal Service Contract Review Board;

(xi) Part-time employees; provided, however, part-time employees shall only be hired into authorized employment positions classified by the board, shall meet minimum qualifications as set by the board, and shall be paid in accordance with the Variable Compensation Plan as certified by the board;

(xii) Persons appointed on an emergency basis for the duration of the emergency; the effective date of the emergency appointments shall not be earlier than the date approved by the State Personnel Director, and shall be limited to thirty (30) working days. Emergency appointments may be extended to sixty (60) working days by the State Personnel Board;

(xiii) Physicians, dentists, veterinarians, nurse practitioners and attorneys, while serving in their professional capacities in authorized employment positions who are required by statute to be licensed, registered or otherwise certified as such, provided that the State Personnel Director shall verify that the statutory qualifications are met prior to issuance of a payroll warrant by the Auditor;

(xiv) Personnel who are employed and paid from funds received from a federal grant program which has been approved by the Legislature or the Department of Finance and Administration whose length of employment has been determined to be time-limited in nature. This subparagraph shall apply to personnel employed under the provisions of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973, as amended, and other special federal grant programs which are not a part of regular federally funded programs wherein appropriations and employment positions are appropriated by the Legislature. Such employees shall be paid in accordance with the Variable Compensation Plan and shall meet all qualifications required by federal statutes or by the Mississippi Classification Plan;

(xv) The administrative head who is in charge of any state department, agency, institution, board or commission, wherein the statute specifically authorizes the Governor, board, commission or other authority to appoint said administrative head; provided, however, that the salary of such administrative head shall be determined by the State Personnel Board in accordance with the Variable Compensation Plan unless otherwise fixed by statute;

(xvi) The State Personnel Board shall exclude top-level positions if the incumbents determine and publicly advocate substantive program policy and report directly to the agency head, or the incumbents are required to maintain a direct confidential working relationship with a key excluded official. Provided further, a written job classification shall be approved by the board for each such position, and positions so excluded shall be paid in conformity with the Variable Compensation Plan;

(xvii) Employees whose employment is solely in connection with an agency's contract to produce, store or transport goods, and whose compensation is derived therefrom;

(xviii) Repealed;

(xix) The associate director, deputy directors and bureau directors within the Department of Agriculture and Commerce;

(xx) Personnel employed by the Mississippi Industries for the Blind; provided, that any agency may enter into contracts for the personal services of MIB employees without the prior approval of the State Personnel Board or the State Personal Service Contract Review Board; however, any agency contracting for the personal services of an MIB employee shall provide the MIB employee with not less than the entry-level compensation and benefits that the agency would provide to a full-time employee of the agency who performs the same services;

(xxi) Personnel employed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources as law enforcement trainees (cadets); such personnel shall be paid in accordance with the Colonel Guy Groff State Variable Compensation Plan.

(d) "Agency" means any state board, commission, committee, council, department or unit thereof created by the Constitution or statutes if such board, commission, committee, council, department, unit or the head thereof, is authorized to appoint subordinate staff by the Constitution or statute, except a legislative or judicial board, commission, committee, council, department or unit thereof.

SECTION 8. Section 47-5-357, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

47-5-357. (1) Due to the unique and time sensitive requirements of growing and harvesting products produced by the prison agricultural enterprises, the Department of Finance and Administration and the department shall establish a prudent purchasing policy which may exempt from bid requirements those commodities, items or services which are needed for the efficient and effective management of the prison agricultural enterprises. The purchasing policy shall be established in compliance with the provisions for bid requirements set forth in Section 25-9-120.

(2) The Department of Finance and Administration shall, by order entered on its minutes, list those commodities, items and services exempted from bid requirements as provided in Section 31-7-12, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 9. Section 49-27-71, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-27-71. (1) (a) The department may remove from the coastal wetlands, as defined in Section 49-27-5(a), Mississippi Code of 1972, or from any private or man-made canal with a navigable connection to coastal wetlands, any vessel which is derelict, or has been determined by the department to be a public safety or environmental hazard, having been relinquished, deserted or left by the owner with the intention of abandoning the vessel. Any vessel submerged in or on the coastal wetlands or submerged in any private or man-made canal, with a navigable connection to coastal wetlands, in excess of thirty (30) days is declared abandoned and a derelict vessel. For the purposes of this section, no vessel submerged more than one hundred (100) years will be considered derelict.

(b) Any owner or operator of a derelict vessel shall be liable to the State of Mississippi for the restoration of all affected coastal wetlands and all costs associated with the removal of the vessel.

(2) (a) If the last known owner or operator of a derelict vessel is ascertainable, the owner or operator shall be notified by certified mail to remove the derelict vessel and restore the affected coastal wetlands within thirty (30) days of the date of the notice. Failure to remove the vessel may result in the imposition of the damages provided in subsection (3).

(b) When the owner or operator of the derelict vessel is unknown or cannot be located after diligent search and inquiry, notice shall be given by publishing in a newspaper having general circulation in the county where the derelict vessel is located the intent to remove and dispose of the derelict vessel. The notice shall be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks. The derelict vessel may be removed ten (10) days after the last date of publication.

(c) The municipality or county where the vessel is located may remove the derelict vessel or request the department to contract for the removal of the derelict vessel. The cost of the removal of the derelict vessel shall be paid by the municipality or the county where the vessel is located. If the county or municipality cannot pay the cost of removal, the department may pay the cost of removal, if funds are available.

(d) Any derelict vessel salvaged may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of without additional notice to the owner or operator and the value thereof, if any, applied as an offset to the cost of the removal of the derelict vessel and restoration of the affected coastal wetlands.

(e) If an owner or operator is subsequently identified, the owner or operator shall be liable for double the cost of the removal of the derelict vessel and the restoration of the affected coastal wetlands, attorneys' fees and all costs of court. Upon recovery of these damages, the county, municipality or department, as the case may be, shall be reimbursed the costs of the removal of the derelict vessel and restoration of the coastal wetlands.

(f) In addition to providing notice by publication or to the known owner or operator, notice shall be sent by mail to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for a determination as to whether the vessel to be removed is of archaeological, historical or architectural significance under the state antiquities law. The Department of Archives and History shall respond within thirty (30) days to the notice and advise whether or not the vessel should be preserved.

(3) The chancery court of the county where the vessel is located shall have jurisdiction and by writ of mandatory injunction, order the removal of the vessel by the owner or operator. The chancery court shall allow a reasonable time for completion of the restoration of the coastal wetlands and removal of the vessel. The chancery court may, in its discretion, order as damages a sum not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for each day such violation has existed. The chancery court may further order as damages a sum not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for each day that the violation exists beyond the date set by the court in its injunction for the removal of the vessel and the restoration of the coastal wetlands. Additionally, the owner or operator shall be liable for reasonable attorneys' fees and all costs of court.

(4) Any reimbursed cost of removal and any fines and damages collected in excess of the cost of the removal of the vessel and the restoration of the affected coastal wetlands shall be deposited in a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the "Derelict Vessel Fund." The fund shall be administered by the department. Any funds deposited in the fund shall be used to cover the administrative costs and removal costs incurred by the department for the removal of vessels. Any remaining funds shall be used as a match for municipal and county funds to cover the costs of removing additional vessels.

(5) Any sunken or submerged vessel in or on the coastal wetlands within any designated navigation channel or within one hundred (100) yards of the boundaries of any state, county or municipal port may be declared a hazard to navigation and subject to immediate removal and disposal by the department. Any sunken or submerged vessel in or on the coastal wetlands that is leaking any hazardous substances, chemicals or fuels may be declared an environmental hazard and subject to immediate removal and disposal by the department. The owners of a vessel removed in accordance with this subsection shall be liable for the costs associated with the salvage and disposal of the vessel and any damages to the flora and fauna within the coastal wetlands.

(6) The department is authorized to enter into contracts with individuals, firms and corporations for the removal of vessels. The salvage value, if any, of the vessel may be used to offset the cost of the removal of the vessel and the restoration of the coastal wetlands. The department may enter into noncompetitive contracts or agreements with any state or federal entity for the removal of vessels, except as otherwise provided in Section 25-9-120.

(7) The commission shall adopt rules and regulations necessary and appropriate to carry out this section. The commission may also enter into interstate or intrastate efforts toward this end, and may seek and utilize aid from all federal, state and local sources in this endeavor.

(8) The State of Mississippi, the commission, the department and their employees and representatives shall not be liable for any damage resulting from the removal, sale or disposal of any vessel declared a derelict or hazardous vessel pursuant to this section.

SECTION 10. Section 65-43-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

65-43-3. (1) (a) In addition to and as an alternative to any other authority granted by law, including, but not limited to, Section 65-43-1, any governmental entities, as defined in Section 65-43-1, in their discretion, may contract, individually or jointly with other governmental entities, with any persons, corporations, partnerships or other businesses licensed to do business in the State of Mississippi (hereinafter referred to as "companies" or "company") for the purpose of designing, financing, constructing, operating and maintaining one or more new toll roads or toll bridges in the state for motor vehicle traffic, including tollbooths and related facilities, at those locations where an alternate untolled route exists. Such contracts may provide that the governmental entities may grant certain rights (including, but not limited to, the right to exclusively operate and maintain) in land held by the governmental entities, whether in fee simple, as an easement or other interest, to a company for design, construction, operation and/or maintenance of roadways, highways or bridges for motor vehicle traffic, tollbooths and related facilities. All such highways, pavement, bridges, drainage-related structures and other infrastructure comprising the projects shall be built and maintained in accordance with not less than the minimum highway design, construction and maintenance standards established by the contracting governmental entity for such highways, infrastructure and facilities. The contracting governmental entity shall conduct periodic inspections of any such project throughout the term of the contract to ensure compliance by the company. Failure of a company to comply with minimum standards established for the project by the contracting governmental entity shall constitute a breach and shall subject the company to liability on its bond or security or to rescission of the contract in accordance with the terms and provisions of the contract.

(b) A governmental entity may not enter into a contract under this section with (i) any company designated as a foreign terrorist organization pursuant to Presidential Executive Order 13224 or Section 302 of the federal Antiterrorism or Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, (ii) any company under the control of a so-designated foreign terrorist organization, or (iii) any company controlled by a foreign person if to do so would violate any order of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States under the Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007, H.R. 566, 110th Cong. (2007), Public Law 110-49, 121 Stat. 246. These requirements also shall apply to any proposed transfer or assignment of any contract entered into under this section.

(2) (a) Every contract entered into by a governmental entity under this section (except for contracts entered into with another governmental entity or following termination of a predecessor contract entered into under this section), at a minimum, must provide for the design and construction of a new toll road or toll bridge project and may also provide for the financing, acquisition, lease, maintenance, and/or operation of a new toll road or toll bridge project.

(b) If a governmental entity enters into a contract with a company as authorized by this section, such governmental entity shall use a competitive procurement process that provides the best value for the governmental entity. The governmental entity may accept unsolicited proposals for a proposed new toll road or solicit proposals in accordance with this section.

(c) A governmental entity shall publish a request for competing proposals and qualifications in a newspaper having a general circulation within such governmental entity or, if the governmental entity is the Mississippi Transportation Commission, shall publish the request in a newspaper having a general circulation at the seat of government and, if the governmental entity has a website, shall post the request on such website. Such request shall include the criteria used to evaluate the proposals, the relative weight given to the criteria and a deadline by which proposals must be received. At a minimum, a proposal submitted in response to such request must contain:

(i) Information regarding the proposed project location, scope and limits;

(ii) Information regarding the company's qualifications, experience, technical competence, and capability to develop the project; and

(iii) A proposed financial plan for the proposed project that includes, at a minimum, the projected project costs, projected revenues and proposed sources of funds.

A governmental entity may interview a company submitting a solicited or unsolicited proposal. In evaluating such proposals, a governmental entity may solicit input from other sources regarding such proposals.

(d) The governmental entity shall rank each proposal based on the criteria described in the request for proposals and select the company whose proposal offers the best value to the governmental entity. The governmental entity may enter into discussions with the company whose proposal offers the best value. If at any point during the discussions it appears to the governmental entity that the highest ranking proposal will not provide the governmental entity with the overall best value, the governmental entity may enter into discussions with the company submitting the next highest ranking proposal.

(e) The governmental entity may withdraw a request for competing proposals and qualifications at any time and for any reason and may reject any one (1) or all proposals. In either case, the governmental entity may then publish a new request for competing proposals and qualifications. A governmental entity shall not be required to pay any company for the costs of preparing or submitting proposals.

(f) The governmental entity shall prescribe the general form of a contract authorized by this section and may include any matter the governmental entity considers advantageous to it. The governmental entity and the company shall negotiate the specific terms of the contract.

(g) Except as provided under this subsection (2), no such contract entered into hereunder shall be subject to the provisions of Section 65-1-8, Section 31-7-13 or any other public bid or public procurement laws of this state. However, any contract for any personal or professional service shall be subject to the requirements of Section 25-9-120.

(h) The Transportation Commission shall evaluate each proposal based on the criteria established by the commission. The Transportation Commission shall approve or disapprove a proposal within ninety (90) days after receipt of the proposal. If the Transportation Commission needs additional information, it may delay approval for an additional sixty (60) days.

(i) Any right or interest arising under or as a result of any contract entered into under this section by a governmental entity with a company involving a franchise, license agreement, concession agreement, operating agreement, construction agreement, design agreement and/or any other similar contractual arrangement in connection with the financing, design, construction, acquisition, maintenance and/or operation of a toll road or toll bridge project shall not constitute any right, title or interest in land or other real property or real estate or in personal property within the meaning of Article 1, Chapter 35, Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972, in the toll road or toll bridge project, including tollbooths and related toll facilities (including, but not limited to, land, pavement, drainage-related structures, and other infrastructure and property related thereto) in which a governmental entity is the title owner of such property and/or holder of easements, rights-of-way and/or other interests for such toll road or toll bridge project.

(3) Every contract entered into by a governmental entity under this section shall require a company to enter into bond and provide such security as the governmental entity determines may be necessary or advisable to ensure timely completion and proper execution and performance of the contract. The term of the contract shall not exceed fifty (50) years and shall not be extended or renewed. The governmental entities are authorized to acquire such property or interests in property as may be necessary, by gift, purchase or eminent domain, for construction and maintenance of the highways or bridges built pursuant to contracts entered into under this section. Upon expiration, termination or rescission of the contract, any and all rights and/or interests that the company may have in the land, infrastructure, facilities or other improvements to the property subject to contract shall terminate and automatically, by operation of law, be returned or conveyed to and vested in the State of Mississippi or the contracting governmental entity. Upon termination, expiration or rescission of the contract, the collection of tolls shall cease.

(4) The governmental entity having jurisdiction over the toll highway or bridge may, after notice and public hearing, establish, charge and collect motor vehicle operator tolls for use of the highway or bridge and its facilities. Alternatively, during the term of any contract entered into under this section, the company may establish, charge and collect motor vehicle operators tolls for use of the highway or bridge and its facilities. The amount of such tolls, and any modification thereto, shall be subject to approval by the contracting governmental entity after notice and public hearing. All such contracts entered into with the Mississippi Transportation Commission may require a company to pay a percentage or other specified portion of all tolls collected to the Mississippi Department of Transportation. If bonds are issued pursuant to Section 65-43-13, then all such tolls paid to the department shall be deposited into the special bond sinking fund under Section 65-43-11, and may be expended only as authorized by the Legislature. If bonds are not issued pursuant to Section 65-43-13, then all such tolls paid to the department shall be deposited into the department's highway fund to be used by the department for the construction and maintenance of highways.

(5) If a toll road is a designated evacuation route and a declaration of a state of emergency is issued by the President of the United States or by the Governor, the collection of tolls shall cease until the termination of the state of emergency.

(6) All statutes of this state relating to vehicle and traffic regulation and control shall be applicable to motor vehicles operated upon highways and bridges constructed under this section and shall be enforceable by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol or any other law enforcement agency having jurisdiction over such highways and bridges.

(7) The State of Mississippi, the Mississippi Transportation Commission, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, counties, municipalities or any other agency or political subdivision, or any officer or employee thereof, shall not be liable for any tortious act or omission arising out of the construction, maintenance or operation of any highway or bridge project under the provisions of this section where the act or omission occurs during the term of any such contract entered into by the Mississippi Transportation Commission or other governmental entity and a company.

SECTION 11. Section 73-33-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-33-5. The Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy is hereby authorized with the following powers and duties:

(a) To adopt a seal;

(b) To govern its proceedings;

(c) To set the fees and to regulate the time, manner and place of conducting examinations to be held under this chapter. Beginning February 1, 1995, a total of one hundred fifty (150) collegiate-level semester hours of education including a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent at a college or university acceptable to the board shall be required in order to sit for the examination by candidates who have not previously sat for the examination. The education program shall include an accounting concentration or the equivalent as determined by the board to be appropriate by rules and regulations. The examination shall cover branches of knowledge pertaining to accountancy as the board may deem proper;

(d) To initiate investigations of certified public accountant and certified public accountant firm practices;

(e) To notify applicants who have failed an examination of such failure and in what branch or branches deficiency was found;

(f) To adopt and enforce such rules and regulations concerning certified public accountant examinee and licensee qualifications and practices and certified public accountant firm permits and practices as the board considers necessary to maintain the highest standard of proficiency in the profession of certified public accounting and for the protection of the public interest. The standards of practice by certified public accountants and certified public accountant firms shall include generally accepted auditing and accounting standards as recognized by the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy;

(g) To issue certified public accountant licenses under the signature and the official seal of the board as provided in this chapter; and to issue permits to practice public accounting to certified public accountant firms pursuant to such rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the board;

(h) To employ personnel;

(i) To contract for services in compliance with Section 25-9-120 and rent; and

(j) To adopt and enforce all such rules and regulations as shall be necessary for the administration of this chapter; provided, however, no adoption or modification of any rules or regulations of the board shall become effective unless any final action of the board approving such adoption or modification shall occur at a time and place which is open to the public and for which notice by mail of such time and place and the rules and regulations proposed to be adopted or modified has been given at least thirty (30) days prior thereto to every person who is licensed and registered with the board.

Each application or filing made under this section shall include the social security number(s) of the applicant in accordance with Section 93-11-64, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 12. Section 75-76-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

75-76-21. (1) The executive director in pursuit of the attainment of the objectives and the purposes of this chapter may:

(a) Sue and be sued on behalf of the commission;

(b) Acquire real property in accordance with statutory procedure and make improvements thereon on behalf of the commission;

(c) Make, execute and effectuate any and all agreements or contracts, including contracts for the purchase of goods and services as are necessary;

(d) Employ the services of such persons as he considers necessary for the purposes of consultation or investigation and fix the salaries of or contract for the services of such legal, professional, technical and operational personnel and consultants, subject to applicable provisions of the State Personnel Board and the Personal Service Contract Review Board under Section 25-9-120. For the purpose of implementing the provisions of this chapter, additional legal assistance may be retained only with the approval of the Attorney General;

(e) Acquire such furnishings, equipment, supplies, stationery, books, and all other things as he may deem necessary or desirable in carrying out his functions; and

(f) Perform such other duties which he may deem necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all costs of administration incurred by the executive director and his employees shall be paid out on claims from the State Treasury in the same manner as other claims against the state are paid.

(3) [Repealed]

SECTION 13. Section 77-9-531, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

77-9-531. The Governor, on behalf of this state, is hereby authorized and directed to execute a compact, in substantially the following form, with the State of Alabama; and the Legislature hereby signifies in advance its approval and ratification of such compact, which compact is as follows:

MISSISSIPPI-ALABAMA RAILROAD AUTHORITY COMPACT

The contracting states solemnly agree:

ARTICLE I.

The purpose of this compact is to promote and develop trade, commerce, industry and employment opportunities for the public good and welfare in Mississippi and Alabama through the establishment of a joint interstate authority to acquire certain railroad properties and facilities which the operator thereof has notified the Interstate Commerce Commission of an intention to abandon and which are located in Mississippi or Alabama.

ARTICLE II.

For the purposes of this compact the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership or any other entity.

(b) "Railroad" means a common carried by railroad as defined in Section 1(3) of Part I of the Interstate Commerce Act (codified as 49 U.S.C.S. Section 1(3)).

(c) "Railroad properties and facilities" means any real or personal property or interest in such property which is owned, leased or otherwise controlled by a railroad or other person, including the authority, and which is used or is useful in rail transportation service, including the foregoing:

(i) Track, roadbed and related structures, including rail, ties, ballast, other track materials, grading, tunnels, bridges, trestles, culverts, elevated structures, station, office buildings used for operating purposes only, repair shops, engine houses and public improvements used or useful in providing rail transportation service;

(ii) Communication and power transmission systems for use by railroads;

(iii) Signals and interlockers;

(iv) Terminal or yard facilities and services to express companies, railroads and their shippers, including ferries, tugs, car floats and related shoreside facilities designed for the transportation of equipment by water; and

(v) Shop or repair facilities or any other property used or capable of being used in providing rail transportation service or in connection with such service or for originating, terminating, improving and expediting the movement of equipment or goods.

(d) "Rail transportation service" means freight and/or passenger rail service.

ARTICLE III.

The states which are parties to this compact (hereinafter referred to as the "party states") do hereby establish and create a joint interstate authority which shall be known as the "Mississippi-Alabama Railroad Authority" (hereinafter referred to as the "authority"). The authority shall be governed and all powers thereof exercised by a board of directors (hereinafter referred as the "board"). The membership of the board shall consist of the Mayor of the Town of Belmont, Mississippi; two (2) other citizens of the State of Mississippi to be appointed by the governing authorities of the Town of Belmont, Mississippi; the Mayor of the City of Red Bay, Alabama, and two (2) other citizens of the State of Alabama to be appointed by the governing authorities of the City of Red Bay, Alabama. Each of the appointive members of the board shall be a qualified elector in a state named in Article I and shall serve for a term of four (4) years. Directors shall be eligible for reelection. If any director should die, resign or become incapable or ineligible to act as a director, a successor thereto for the remaining portion of the unexpired term shall be appointed by the governing body which appointed the director whose unexpired term is to be filled. The board shall hold such regular and special meetings as its business may require and as the board may determine. Any meeting of the board may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the members present. A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business. No vacancy in the membership of the board shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all powers and duties of the authority. Members of the board shall receive no compensation for their services as directors; however, each member may be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the performance of his duties as provided by law. The authority shall adopt rules and regulations for the transaction of its business and the secretary shall keep a record of all its business and furnish copies thereof to each member of the board. The meetings and records of the board and of the authority shall be open to the public. The board shall establish the location of the principal office of the authority, which shall be in one (1) of the states named in Article I. The officers of the authority shall consist of a chairman, a vice chairman, a secretary, a treasurer and such other officers as the board shall deem necessary. The chairman and vice chairman shall be elected by the board from its membership and the chairmanship shall rotate each year among the party states in order of their acceptance of this compact. Neither the secretary nor the treasurer nor any other officer of the authority need be a member of the board. Each officer shall be elected by the board for a term of one (1) year. Officers shall be eligible for reelection. The duties of the officers of the authority shall be such as are customarily performed by such officers and as may be prescribed by the board.

ARTICLE IV.

(1) Subject to the provisions hereof, the authority shall have and may exercise all powers as may be necessary or appropriate to enable it to carry out the purposes of this compact, including the following powers:

(a) To have succession by its corporate name;

(b) To sue and be sued in its own name in civil suit and actions;

(d) To adopt and alter bylaws for the regulation and conduct of its affairs and business;

(e) To acquire, receive, take and hold, whether by purchase, gift, lease, devise, or otherwise, property of every description, whether real, personal or mixed, wherever located in any party state, and to manage such property, and to develop any undeveloped property owned, leased or controlled by it in a manner necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this compact;

(f) To make, enter into, execute and deliver such contracts, agreements, leases, applications, permits, notifications, security documents and other instruments and documents as may be necessary, proper, convenient or incidental to accomplish any purpose for which the authority was created or to carry out the purposes of this compact or to exercise any power granted hereunder, including contracts, agreements and other documents and instruments containing such covenants, terms and conditions as in the judgment of the board may be necessary, proper or advisable for the purpose of obtaining grants, loans or other financial assistance from any federal or state government or any department, branch or agency thereof for or in the aid of the acquisition or improvement of railroad properties and facilities and any and all licenses, leases, mortgages and deeds of trust and other agreements relating to the railroad properties and facilities and the construction, operation, maintenance, repair and improvement thereof, and to carry out and perform the covenants, terms and conditions of all such contracts, agreements and other documents or instruments;

(g) To plan, establish, acquire (by purchase, gift, lease or devise), construct, enlarge, reconstruct, improve, operate, maintain, replace, repair, extend, improve, regulate and protect railroad properties and facilities (whether or not then existing) wherever located or to be located within the boundaries of either or both of the party states;

(h) To make the use and services of its railroad properties and facilities available to others in furtherance of the purposes of this compact and upon such terms and conditions as the board shall deem proper, and to lease such railroad properties and facilities to others upon such terms and conditions as the board may determine;

(i) To establish schedules of tolls, fees, rates, charges and rentals for the use of its railroad properties and facilities and to charge, alter and collect such tolls, fees, rates, charges and rentals in carrying out the provisions of this compact;

(j) To issue revenue bonds and notes at any time and from time to time, for any corporate purpose or purposes or in aid of any power under this compact, payable from the limited sources hereinafter referenced and to pledge for payment of such bonds and notes any revenues and funds from which such bonds and notes are made payable;

(k) To exercise, with respect to property located in Mississippi in the manner provided by the laws of Mississippi and with respect to property located in Alabama in the manner provided by the laws of Alabama, the power of eminent domain with respect to any property, real, personal or mixed; provided, the authority may not acquire by eminent domain any real property or rights owned or held by railroads, transportation companies or utilities, either public or private;

(l) To appoint, employ, contract with and provide for compensation of such officers, employees and agents, including engineers, attorneys, consultants, fiscal advisers and such other employees as the business of the authority may require, including the power to fix working conditions by general rule and other conditions of employment, and at its option to provide a system of disability pay, retirement compensation and pensions, or any of them, and to hire and fire servants, agents, employees and officers at will;

(m) To provide for such insurance, including use and occupancy insurance, as the authority may deem advisable;

(n) To invest any funds of the authority that the board may determine are not presently needed for its corporate purposes in any obligations which are direct general obligations of the United States of America or which are unconditionally guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States of America, or in interest-bearing time deposits of any bank or savings and loan association organized under the laws of any party state or of the United States of America;

(o) To cooperate with any party state and any county, city, town, public corporation, agency, department or political subdivision of any party state and to make such contracts with them or any of them as the board may deem advisable to accomplish the purposes for which the authority was established;

(p) To sell and convey any of its properties that may have become obsolete or worn out or that may no longer be needed or useful;

(q) To accept, receive, receipt for, disburse and expend moneys or other financial assistance from the United States of America or any department or agency thereof, and from any party state or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof, and to receive and accept money, property, labor or other thing of value, from any source whatever, public or private, to be used for or in aid of the acquisition, construction, extension, improvement, maintenance and operation of railroad properties and facilities or to be used in furtherance or to accomplish (in whole or in part) any of the purposes of this compact. All federal moneys shall be accepted and expended by the authority upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by the United States of America and as are not inconsistent with the laws of any party state, and all state moneys shall be accepted and expended by the authority upon such terms and conditions as are prescribed by the laws of the state making the same available;

(r) To purchase equipment and supplies necessary or convenient for the exercise of any power of the authority; and

(s) To take such action and do all things as may be necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this compact or the exercise of any power hereunder.

(2) Nothing contained in this compact shall operate or be construed to (a) permit or require any person to avoid or refuse compliance with any law, rule, regulation, order or other controlling directive or administrative guidance, now or hereafter existing or in force, of any federal or state government, department, branch, agency or other instrumentality or (b) impair, limit, diminish or otherwise affect any right, power or jurisdiction of the United States of America or any department, branch, agency, court, bureau or other instrumentality thereof with respect to any matter including commerce between the states, or (c) grant or confer any right or power to the authority or any officer, member of the board, or other representative thereof to regulate commerce between the states. The authority shall be subject to and shall comply with all applicable laws, regulations, rules, rulings, orders, decrees, judgments, decisions or other guidelines of the United States of America or any branch, agency, department, court or other instrumentality having jurisdiction over the authority or any of its activities or properties or of any person acting for the authority and all rights and powers provided by this compact may be exercised only to the extent the exercise thereof does not violate any of the foregoing. The provisions of this compact are subject to all provisions of federal law and other controlling federal directives applicable in the premises and to be limited to the extent necessary to comply therewith.

ARTICLE V.

For the purpose of aiding and cooperating with the authority in the planning, development, undertaking, construction, extension, improvement or operation of railroad properties and facilities, any county, city, town or other political subdivision, public corporation, agency or instrumentality of a party state may, upon such terms and with or without consideration, as it may determine:

(a) Lend or donate money to the authority;

(b) Cause water, sewer or drainage facilities, or any other facilities which it is empowered to provide, to be furnished adjacent to or in connection with such railroad properties and facilities;

(c) Donate, sell, convey, transfer or lease to the authority any land, property, franchise, grant, easement, license or lease, which it may own;

(d) Donate, transfer, assign, sell or convey to the authority any right, title or interest which it may have in any lease, contract, agreement, license or property;

(e) Furnish, dedicate, close, pave, repair, install, grade, regrade, plan or replan streets, roads, roadways and walks from established streets or roads to railroad properties and facilities of the authority; and

(f) Do any and all things whether or not specifically authorized in this compact and not otherwise prohibited by law in the applicable party state that are necessary or convenient to aid and cooperate with the authority in the planning, undertaking, construction, reconstruction, acquisition or operation of railroad properties and facilities.

ARTICLE VI.

No action or suit shall be brought or maintained against any administrator, executive, manager, officer or member of the board or the authority for or on account of the negligence of the authority or of any such person or its or his agents, servants or employees, in or about the construction, maintenance, operation, superintendence or management of any railroad properties and facilities or other property owned or controlled by the authority.

ARTICLE VII.

(1) All bonds issued by the authority shall be payable solely from, and may be secured by a pledge of, the revenues derived by the authority from the operation, leasing or sale of any or all of its railroad properties and facilities and other property, and/or from any other funds made available or to be made available to the authority if so permitted by the terms under which such funds are so made available to the authority. No bonds or notes issued or contracts entered into by the authority shall ever constitute or create an obligation or debt of any party state, or of any county, city or town within any party state or a charge against the credit or taxing powers of any party state or of any county, city or town within any party state.

(2) Bonds of the authority may be issued at any time and from time to time, may be in such form, either in bearer form with appurtenant coupons (and subject to registration as to principal or interest, or both, all as the board may determine) or in fully registered form without coupons, and in such denominations, may be of such tenor, may be payable in such installments and at such time or times not exceeding forty (40) years from their date, may be payable at such place or places whether within or without any party state, may bear interest at such rate or rates (which may be fixed or which may float or vary based on some index or other standard deemed appropriate by the board), and shall be payable and evidenced in such manner, all as shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this compact and as may be provided in the proceedings of the board wherein the bonds shall be authorized to be issued. Any bond may be made subject to redemption at the option of the authority at such time or times and at such price or prices and upon such notice or notices and on such terms and in such manner as may be provided in the proceedings of the board wherein the bonds shall be authorized to be issued. Bonds of the authority may be sold at public or private sale in such manner and from time to time as may be determined by the board. The authority may pay all reasonable expenses, premiums, fees and commissions that the board may deem necessary or advantageous in connection with the authorization, sale and issuance of its bonds. All bonds shall contain a recital that they are issued pursuant to the provisions of this compact, which recital shall be conclusive that they have been duly authorized pursuant to the provisions of this compact. Neither a public hearing nor the consent of any agency of any party state or any political subdivision thereof shall be prerequisite to the issuance of bonds by the authority. All bonds issued under the provisions of this compact are hereby made and shall be deemed negotiable instruments.

(3) All bonds shall be signed (either manually or by facsimile) by the chairman or the vice chairman and the secretary or the treasurer of the authority and the seal of the authority shall be affixed (either manually or by facsimile) thereto. Delivery of bonds so executed shall be valid notwithstanding any changes in said officers or in the seal of the authority after the signing and sealing of the bonds.

(4) Any bonds may be issued under and secured by an indenture between the authority and a trustee. Such trustee may be a private person or corporation, including any trust company or bank having trust powers, whether such bank or trust company is located within or without any party state. In such indenture or resolution providing for the issuance of bonds, the authority may pledge, for payment of the principal of and the interest on such bonds, any of its revenues to which its right then exists or may thereafter come into existence and may assign, as security for such payment, any of its leases, franchises, permits and contracts; and in any such indenture, the authority may mortgage or grant security interests in any of its properties, including any that may be thereafter acquired by it. Any such pledge of revenues shall be valid and binding from the time it is made and the revenues so pledged and thereafter received by the authority shall immediately become subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act. The lien of such pledge shall be valid and binding against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against the authority, irrespective of whether the parties have actual notice thereof, from the time a statement is filed for record in each county in which is located any part of the property the revenues from which are so pledged. Such notice need state only the date on which the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds was adopted by the board, the principal amount of bonds issued, a brief description of the revenues so pledged and a brief description of any property the revenues from which are so pledged.

(5) In any indenture or resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds and pledging for the benefit thereof revenues from any of its railroad properties and facilities, the authority shall have the power to include provisions customarily contained in instruments securing evidence of indebtedness, including provisions respecting the collection, segregation and application of any rental or other revenue due to or to become due to the authority, the terms to be incorporated in any lease agreement respecting any property of the authority, the maintenance and insurance of any building or structure owned by the authority, the creation and maintenance of special funds from any revenue of the authority and the rights and remedies available in the event of default to the holders of the bonds or the trustee under the indenture, all as the board shall deem advisable. If there be any default by the authority in payment of the principal of or the interest on the bonds or in any of the agreements on the part of the authority that may properly be included in any indenture securing the bonds, any holder of bonds, or the trustee under any indenture if so authorized in such indenture, in addition to any other remedies herein provided or otherwise available, may either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceedings, enforce payment of such principal or interest and compel performance of all duties of the board and officers of the authority, and shall be entitled as a matter of right, and regardless of the sufficiency of any such security, to the appointment of a receiver in equity with all the powers of such receiver for the operation and maintenance of the property of the authority covered by such indenture and the collection, segregation and application of revenues therefrom. The indenture may also contain provisions restricting the individual rights of action of the holders of the bonds.

(6) The proceeds derived from the sale of any bonds other than refunding bonds may be used only to pay the costs of acquiring, constructing, improving, enlarging, equipping and operating the railroad properties and facilities, or other property with respect to which such bonds were issued, as may be specified in the proceedings in which the bonds are authorized to be issued. Such costs shall be deemed to include the following: the costs of any land or easements forming a part of such railroad properties and facilities or other property; the cost of labor, material and supplies used in any such construction, improvement or enlargement, including architects' and engineers' fees, and the cost of preparing contract documents and advertising for bids; the purchase price of and the cost of installing equipment for use in connection with such railroad properties and facilities or other property; the cost of constructing and installing roads, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, utilities and parking places in connection with such railroad properties and facilities or other property; the amounts of any debt service, maintenance and capital improvement and other similar reserves deemed advisable; legal, fiscal, credit enhancement or insurance, and recording fees, premiums and expenses incurred in connection with the authorization, sale and issuance of the bonds issued in connection with such railroad properties and facilities or other property; and interest on said bonds for a reasonable period prior to and during the time required for such construction, improvement, enlargement and equipment and not to exceed eighteen (18) months after completion thereof. If any of the proceeds derived from the sale of said bonds remains undisbursed after completion of such work and payment of all of the said costs and expenses, such balance shall be used for retirement of the principal of the bonds of the same issue.

(7) The authority may at any time and from time to time issue refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding the principal of and the interest on any bonds of the authority theretofore issued hereunder and then outstanding, whether or not such principal and interest shall have matured at the time of such refunding, and for the payment of any expenses incurred in connection with such refunding and any premium necessary to be paid in order to redeem, retire or purchase for retirement the bonds to be refunded. The proceeds derived from the sale of any refunding bonds shall be used only for the purposes for which the refunding bonds were authorized to be issued. Any such refunding may be effected either by sale of the refunding bonds and the application of the proceeds thereof, or by exchange of the refunding bonds for the bonds to be refunded thereby. All provisions of this compact pertaining to bonds of the authority that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this subsection shall, to the extent applicable, also apply to refunding bonds issued by the authority. The authority may at any time and from time to time issue bonds for the purpose of so refunding the principal of and the interest on any of its bonds and for any other purpose for which it is authorized to issue bonds, in which event the provisions hereof respecting refunding bonds shall apply only to that portion of such combined issue authorized for refunding purposes and the provisions hereof respecting other financing shall apply to the remaining portion of such combined issue.

(8) The authority may, in addition to the other powers granted herein, borrow money for use for any corporate purpose described herein and, in evidence of such borrowing, issue from time to time revenue notes maturing not later than eighteen (18) months from the date of issuance and bearing such rate or rates of interest as the board may provide in the proceedings when the same are authorized to be issued. Such notes may be payable from the principal proceeds from the sale of bonds and/or, to the extent necessary, from any revenues of the authority which may be pledged to the payment of its bonds and such notes may be secured by a pledge of so much as may be necessary therefor of such revenues. Any such notes may be refunded or renewed or extended for additional periods of not more than eighteen (18) months each from the date of maturity of such notes being refunded or renewed or extended, but otherwise pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. Any such notes may be sold either at public or private sale as the board may determine. All provisions of this compact pertaining to bonds of the authority that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this subsection shall, to the extent applicable, also apply to notes issued by the authority.

(9) The governing body of any county, city or town within any party state is authorized in its discretion to invest in bonds of the authority any money held in its treasury. Bonds issued under the provisions of this compact are hereby made legal investments for executors, administrators, trustees and other fiduciaries, unless otherwise directed by the court having jurisdiction of the fiduciary relation or by the document that is the source of the fiduciary's authority. Such bonds shall be legal investments for savings banks and insurance companies organized under the laws of any party state.

(10) The directors and officers of the authority shall not be subject to any personal liability by reason of the issuance of any bonds or notes of the authority.

ARTICLE VIII.

The authority and all contracts made by it shall be exempt, except as otherwise provided in Section 25-9-120, from (a) all laws (i) relating to the advertising and award of construction contracts and purchase contracts and (ii) limiting the duration of or requiring competitive bids in connection with any contract to be entered into by any municipality, county, public corporation or other instrumentality, and (b) from all laws relating to or governing usury or prescribing or limiting interest rates. The authority and its contracts and properties shall be exempt from all jurisdiction of and all regulation and supervision by the Public Service Commission or other successor or similar agency of any party state. All bonds or notes issued by the authority, the transfer thereof and the income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation by each party state and any political subdivision thereof. The authority and all property and income of the authority shall be exempt from all state, county, municipal and other local taxation and from any assessment for public improvements; provided, however, that this exemption shall not be construed to exempt concessionaires, licensees, tenants, operators or lessees of the authority from the payment of any taxes, including licenses or privilege taxes levied by any party state or any county or any municipality in any party state. All documents or instruments of whatever nature or content to which the authority is a party shall be filed for record in any county in any party state without the payment of any tax or fee other than such fee as may be authorized by law for the recording of such documents and instruments. The authority shall be exempt from all income, privilege, license or excise taxes levied by any party state or any county, city, town or other political subdivision thereof in respect to the income, revenue or profits of the authority or the privilege of engaging in any of the activities or powers in which the authority may engage or which the authority may exercise. The authority shall be exempt from all privilege, license or excise taxes levied by any party state or any county, city, town or other political subdivision thereof with respect to tangible personal property purchased or used by the authority.

ARTICLE IX.

Nothing in this compact shall be construed so as to conflict with any existing statute, or to limit the powers of any party state, or to repeal or prevent legislation, or to authorize or permit curtailment or diminution of any other railroad project, or to affect any existing or future cooperative arrangement or relationship between any federal agency and a party state.

ARTICLE X.

This compact shall continue in full force and remain binding upon each party state. At any time when the authority does not have any bonds, notes or other obligations outstanding, including any leases under which the authority is either lessor or lessee, the Legislature of each or either party state may take action to withdraw from this compact; provided, that such withdrawal shall not become effective until six (6) months after the date of the action taken by the Legislature. Notice of such action shall be given to the other party state and the authority by the Secretary of State of the party state which takes such action. Upon withdrawal of a party state from this compact becoming effective as to such party state, the authority shall cease to exist and all rights, title and interest of the authority in property located in the State of Mississippi shall be vested in the Town of Belmont, Mississippi, and all rights, title and interest of the authority in property located in the State of Alabama shall be vested in the City of Red Bay, Alabama.

ARTICLE XI.

The authority shall be a nonprofit corporation and no part of its net earnings remaining after payment of its expenses shall inure to the benefit of any person, except that in the event the board shall determine that sufficient provision has been made for the full payment of the expenses, bonds, notes and other obligations of authority, then any net earnings of the authority thereafter accruing shall be equally divided between the Town of Belmont, Mississippi, and the City of Red Bay, Alabama. The authority shall not be appropriated any monies nor shall the authority expend any monies from the State General Fund of Mississippi.

ARTICLE XII.

There is hereby granted to the Governor, to the members of the board of the authority for Mississippi and to any executives or administrators of this compact all the powers provided for in such compact. All officers of the State of Mississippi are hereby authorized and directed to do all things falling within their respective jurisdictions which are necessary or incidental to carrying out the purposes of such compact.

ARTICLE XIII.

The provisions of this compact are severable. If any part of this compact is declared invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the remaining parts thereof.

SECTION 14. Section 5-8-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

5-8-5. (1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5-8-7 of this chapter and in addition to reports required by Sections 5-8-9 and 5-8-11 of this chapter, every lobbyist and every lobbyist's client shall file a registration statement with the Secretary of State within five (5) calendar days after becoming a lobbyist, becoming a lobbyist's client or beginning to lobby for a new client. The filing of every registration statement shall be accompanied by the payment of a registration fee of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) to the Secretary of State. The lobbyist shall file the registration statement and pay the fees to the Secretary of State for each lobbyist's client whom the lobbyist represents.

(2) The registration statement shall include the following:

(a) The name, address, occupation and telephone number of the lobbyist;

(b) The name, address, telephone number and principal place of business of the lobbyist's client;

(d) The full name of the person or persons who control the lobbyist's client, the partners, if any, and officers of the lobbyist's client;

(e) The full name, address and telephone number of each lobbyist employed by or representing the lobbyist's client; and

(f) A statement or statements by the lobbyist and lobbyist's client indicating the specific nature of the issues being advocated for or against on behalf of the lobbyist's client, with sufficient detail so that the precise nature of the lobbyist's advocacy is evident from the statement itself.

(3) Registration shall be valid for one (1) calendar year, commencing January 1 and ending December 31 of each year. If the lobbyist or lobbyist's client shall register after January 1, the registration shall be effective upon actual receipt by the Secretary of State and shall cease on December 31 of each year.

(4) A lobbyist or lobbyist's client may terminate his registration by filing an expenditure report required under this chapter. Such report shall include information through the last day of lobbying activity. The termination report must indicate that the lobbyist intends to use the report as the final accounting of lobbying activity.

(5) The Secretary of State shall prescribe and make available to every lobbyist and lobbyist's client appropriate forms for filing registration statements as required by Sections 5-8-1 through 5-8-19 of this chapter.

SECTION 15. Section 5-8-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

5-8-9. (1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5-8-7 of this chapter and in subsection (7) of this section, no later than January 30 of each year, a lobbyist's client shall file a report of expenditures with the Secretary of State. The report must contain information on all expenditures paid by the lobbyist's client during the preceding twelve (12) calendar months.

(2) The report must list expenditures for the purpose of lobbying according to the following categories:

(a) A payment to a lobbyist for salary, fee, compensation for expenses, or other purpose by a person employing, retaining or contracting for the services of the lobbyist separately or jointly with other persons;

(b) A payment for those portions of office rent, utilities, supplies and compensation of support personnel attributable to lobbying activities;

(c) A payment in support of or assistance to a lobbyist or the lobbyist's activities, including the direct payment of expenses incurred at the request or suggestion of the lobbyist;

(d) A payment, including compensation, payment or reimbursement for the services, time or expenses of an employee for or in connection with direct communication with an executive, legislative or public official or public employee, where such communication is made at the request, suggestion or direction of the lobbyist's client;

(e) A payment for or in connection with soliciting or urging other persons to enter into direct communication with an executive, legislative or public official or public employee, where such communication is made at the request, suggestion or direction of the lobbyist's client;

(f) A payment or reimbursement for food, beverages, travel, lodging, entertainment or sporting activities; or

(g) A purchase, payment, distribution, loan, forgiveness of a loan or payment of a loan by a third party, advance, deposit, transfer of funds, a promise to make a payment, or a gift of money or anything of value for any purpose.

(3) For each executive, legislative or public official or public employee who was paid, given or promised to be paid anything of value in full or in part from the lobbyist's client, the report must also include:

(a) The name of the executive, legislative or public official or public employee who was paid, given or promised anything of value;

(b) A description and the monetary value of anything of value paid, given or promised to such official or employee, with sufficient detail so that the nature of the transfer is clear;

(d) The name of the person who paid, gave or promised to pay anything of value.

(4) Each expenditure for the purpose of lobbying must be reported in accordance with the category of the expenditure required in this section and with any additional categories as may be required by rule or regulation of the Secretary of State.

(5) The report due January 30 shall include a cumulative total for the calendar year for all reportable categories.

(6) A lobbyist's client shall maintain contemporaneous records of all expenditures reportable under Sections 5-8-1 through 5-8-19 of this chapter and shall retain such records for a period of two (2) years.

(7) If the State of Mississippi is a lobbyist's client, the State of Mississippi shall be exempt from filing an annual report.

(8) (a) If the entire Legislature and all statewide elected officials are individually invited to a single function, which is sponsored by a lobbyist's client, or a lobbyist on behalf of such client, and is to begin and end within one (1) day, then it shall not be necessary to report the costs related to food and beverages offered for immediate consumption required in subsection (3) of this section, so long as food and beverages provided at such functions are offered equally to all invitees; however, in all such cases, the amount expended for such functions shall be reported in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

(b) The report of the expenditure connected with a single function as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be made by the lobbyist's client and shall include the following:

(i) The total amount of money expended for the function;

(ii) The estimated total number of persons in attendance at the function;

(iii) The estimated total number of public officials in attendance at the function.

SECTION 16. Section 5-8-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

5-8-11. (1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 5-8-7 of this chapter, a lobbyist shall file with the Secretary of State a separate report for each lobbyist's client. The report shall specifically list all payments received from the lobbyist's client and all expenditures that were initiated or paid by the lobbyist on behalf of each lobbyist's client during each reporting period required herein.

(2) The report must list expenditures for the purpose of lobbying according to the following categories:

(a) A payment to the lobbyist for salary, fee, compensation for expenses, or other purpose by the person employing, retaining or contracting for the services of the lobbyist separately or jointly with other persons;

(b) A payment for those portions of office rent, utilities, supplies and compensation of support personnel attributable to lobbying activities;

(c) A payment in support of or assistance to a lobbyist or the lobbyist's activities, including the direct payment of expenses incurred at the request or suggestion of the lobbyist;

(f) A payment or reimbursement for food, beverages, travel, lodging, entertainment or sporting activities;

(g) A purchase, payment, distribution, loan, or forgiveness of a loan or payment of a loan by a third party, advance, deposit, transfer of funds, a promise to make a payment, or a gift of money or anything of value for any purpose.

(3) For each executive, legislative or public official or public employee who was paid, given or promised to be paid anything of value in full or in part from the lobbyist, the report must also include:

(a) The name of the executive, legislative or public official or employee who was paid, given or promised anything of value;

(b) A description and the monetary value of anything of value paid, given or promised to such official or employee, with sufficient detail so that the nature of the transfer is clear;

(d) The name of the person who paid, gave or promised to pay anything of value.

(5) A report of expenditures must be filed with the Secretary of State no later than January 30 of each year. The report shall contain information on all expenditures paid or initiated by the lobbyist on behalf of each lobbyist's client during the preceding twelve (12) calendar months, and it shall include a cumulative total for the calendar year of all reportable categories.

(6) In addition to the annual report required above, a lobbyist shall file two (2) reports during regular sessions of the Legislature with the Secretary of State on February 25 and within ten (10) days after the Legislature's adjournment sine die. Such additional report shall include the name of the executive, legislative, or public official or public employee who receives anything of value from the lobbyist or from the lobbyist on behalf of the lobbyist's client, the name of the person receiving the payment, the name of the person making the payment, the amount of the payment and the date of the payment. However, any lobbyist who lobbies local government exclusively shall be exempt from the requirement of filing the reports required by this paragraph.

(7) (a) If the entire Legislature and all statewide elected officials are individually invited to a single function which is sponsored by a lobbyist on behalf of one or more lobbyist's clients and is to begin and end within one (1) day, then it shall not be necessary to report the costs related to food and beverages offered for immediate consumption as required in subsection (3) of this section, so long as food and beverages provided at such functions are offered equally to all invitees; however, in all such cases, the amount expended for such functions shall be reported in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

(b) The report of the expenditure connected with a single function as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be made by the lobbyist and shall include the following:

(i) The total amount of money expended for the function, reception or meal;

(ii) The total number of persons in attendance at the function, reception or meal;

(iii) The total number of legislators in attendance at the function, reception or meal.

(8) A lobbyist shall maintain contemporaneous records of all expenditures reportable under Sections 5-8-1 through 5-8-19 of this chapter, and shall retain such records for a period of two (2) years.

SECTION 17. Section 5-8-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

5-8-13. (1) A lobbyist shall not contract to receive or accept compensation dependent upon the success or failure of a legislative or executive action.

(2) A lobbyist or lobbyist's client shall not knowingly or willfully make or cause to be made a false statement or misrepresentation of facts to an executive, legislative or public official or public employee, or to the public in general with the intent to affect the outcome of a legislative or executive action.

(3) A lobbyist or lobbyist's client shall not cause a legislative or executive action for the purpose of obtaining employment to lobby in support of or in opposition to the legislative or executive action.

(4) An executive, legislative or public official or public employee shall not be a lobbyist, except that he may act as a lobbyist when acting in his official capacity.

(5) A lobbyist must disclose anything of value given in whole or in part to any executive, legislative or public official or public employee.

SECTION 18. Section 5-8-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

5-8-17. (1) In addition to any other penalty permitted by law, the Secretary of State shall require any person who fails to file a report as required under Sections 5-8-1 through 5-8-19 of this chapter, or who shall file a report which fails to comply with the material particulars of Sections 5-8-1 through 5-8-19 of this chapter or any rules, regulations or procedures implemented pursuant to Sections 5-8-1 through 5-8-19 of this chapter, to be assessed a civil penalty as follows:

(a) Within five (5) calendar days after any deadline for filing a report pursuant to Sections 5-8-1 through 5-8-19 of this chapter, the Secretary of State shall compile a list of those lobbyists and lobbyists' clients who have failed to file a required report. The Secretary of State shall provide each lobbyist or lobbyist's client who has failed to file such a report notice of such failure by certified mail.

(b) Beginning with the tenth calendar day after which any report shall be due, the Secretary of State shall assess the delinquent lobbyist and delinquent lobbyist's client a civil penalty of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per day and part of any day until a valid report is delivered to the Secretary of State, up to a maximum of ten (10) days. However, in the discretion of the Secretary of State, the assessing of such fine may be waived if the Secretary of State shall determine that unforeseeable mitigating circumstances, such as the health of the lobbyist, shall interfere with timely filing of a required report.

(c) Filing of the required report and payment of the fine within ten (10) calendar days of notice by the Secretary of State that a required statement has not been filed constitutes compliance with Sections 5-8-1 through 5-8-19 of this chapter.

(d) Payment of the fine without filing the required report does not in any way excuse or exempt any person required to file from the filing requirements of Sections 5-8-1 through 5-8-19 of this chapter.

(2) (a) Upon the sworn application of a lobbyist or lobbyist's client against whom a civil penalty has been assessed pursuant to subsection (1), the Secretary of State shall forward the application to the Mississippi Ethics Commission. The commission shall fix a time and place for a hearing and shall cause a written notice specifying the civil penalties that have been assessed against the lobbyist or lobbyist's client and notice of the time and place of the hearing to be served upon the lobbyist or lobbyist's client at least twenty (20) calendar days prior to the hearing date. Such notice may be served by mailing a copy thereof by certified mail, postage prepaid, to the last known business address of the lobbyist or lobbyist's client.

(b) The commission is authorized to issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers at such hearing. Process issued by the commission shall extend to all parts of the state and shall be served by any person designated by the commission for such service.

(c) The lobbyist or lobbyist's client shall have the right to appear either personally or by counsel, or both, to produce witnesses or evidence in his behalf, to cross-examine witnesses and to have subpoenas issued by the commission.

(d) A hearing officer shall be appointed by the commission to conduct the hearing. At the hearing, the hearing officer shall administer oaths as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the hearing. All hearings shall be conducted by the commission, who shall not be bound by strict rules of procedure or by the laws of evidence in the conduct of the proceedings, but the determination shall be based upon sufficient evidence to sustain it.

(e) Where, in any proceeding before the commission, any witness fails or refuses to attend upon a subpoena issued by the commission, refuses to testify, or refuses to produce any books and papers the production of which is called for by a subpoena, the attendance of such witness, the giving of his testimony or the production of the books and papers shall be enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction of this state in the manner provided for the enforcement of attendance and testimony of witnesses in civil cases in the courts of this state.

(f) Within fifteen (15) calendar days after conclusion of the hearing, the commission shall reduce its decision to writing and forward an attested true copy thereof to the last known business address of the lobbyist or lobbyist's client by way of United States first-class, certified mail, postage prepaid.

(3) (a) The right to appeal from the decision of the commission in an administrative hearing concerning the assessment of civil penalties authorized pursuant to this section is hereby granted. Such appeal shall be to the Circuit Court of Hinds County and shall include a verbatim transcript of the testimony at the hearing. The appeal shall be taken within thirty (30) calendar days after notice of the decision of the commission following an administrative hearing. The appeal shall be perfected upon filing notice of the appeal and by the prepayment of all costs, including the cost of the preparation of the record of the proceedings by the commission, and the filing of a bond in the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), conditioned that if the decision of the commission be affirmed by the court, the lobbyist or lobbyist's client will pay the costs of the appeal and the action in court. If the decision is reversed by the court, the Secretary of State will pay the costs of the appeal and the action in court.

(b) If there is an appeal, such appeal shall act as a supersedeas. The court shall dispose of the appeal and enter its decision promptly. The hearing on the appeal may be tried in vacation, in the court's discretion. The scope of review of the court shall be limited to a review of the record made before the commission to determine if the action of the commission is unlawful for the reason that it was (i) not supported by substantial evidence, (ii) arbitrary or capricious, (iii) beyond the power of the commission to make, or (iv) in violation of some statutory or constitutional right of the appellant. The decision of the court may be appealed to the Supreme Court in the manner provided by law.

(4) If, after forty-five (45) calendar days of the date of the administrative hearing procedure set forth in subsection (2), the lobbyist or lobbyist's client shall not file a valid report as required by law, the commission shall notify the Attorney General of the delinquency. The Attorney General shall investigate said offense in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 19. Section 5-8-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

5-8-19. The Secretary of State shall:

(a) Provide forms for registration and for statements required by Sections 5-8-1 through 5-8-19 of this chapter to all persons required to file.

(b) Issue a certificate of registration to a lobbyist registered under the provisions of Sections 5-8-1 through 5-8-19 of this chapter.

(c) Make all statements and reports filed available for public inspection and copying, at a reasonable cost, during regular office hours.

(d) Publish an annual report summarizing the financial activities of lobbyists and lobbyists' clients, and such annual report shall not include amounts reported pursuant to Sections 5-8-9(8) and 5-8-11(7) for single functions in the calculation of the cumulative total amount of money expended for lobbying purposes.

SECTION 20. Section 5-8-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

5-8-21. Any person who, with intent, violates any of the provisions of this chapter whether acting either individually or as an officer, agent, employee, or counsel of a person, firm, corporation or association, or any person whether acting individually or as the officer, employee, agent or counsel of a firm, corporation or association, who, with intent, causes or participates, either directly or indirectly, in any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall upon conviction for the first offense be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned in the county jail not more than six (6) months or both and upon conviction for a second or any subsequent offense be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or imprisoned in the Penitentiary not more than three (3) years or both. Any association or corporation which, with intent, violates, or causes or participates, either directly or indirectly, in any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall, for each offense, upon conviction, be fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). The prosecution or conviction of one or more of the officers or employees of such corporation or association shall not be a bar to the prosecution and conviction of the corporation or association for such offense.

SECTION 21. Section 5-8-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

5-8-23. If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or any part of this chapter passed hereafter is declared to be unconstitutional or void, or if for any reason is declared to be invalid or of no effect, the remaining sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases or parts thereof shall be in no manner affected thereby but shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 22. Section 7-7-203, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

7-7-203. The State Auditor shall appoint a director for the financial and compliance division and a director for the investigations division of the department. The director of the financial and compliance division shall be a certified public accountant of recognized executive ability and thoroughly familiar with the laws of the state in relation to the financial administration of the public offices thereof. The director of the investigations division shall be a certified law enforcement officer of recognized executive ability and shall be thoroughly familiar with the laws of the state in relation to the financial administration of the public offices thereof.

The State Auditor may appoint deputy auditors; employ attorneys, certified public accountants and other assistants; or contract for any services necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.

SECTION 23. Section 7-7-211, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

7-7-211. The department shall have the power and it shall be its duty:

(a) To identify and define for all public offices of the state and its subdivisions generally accepted accounting principles or other accounting principles as promulgated by nationally recognized professional organizations and to consult with the State Fiscal Officer in the prescription and implementation of accounting rules and regulations;

(b) To provide best practices, for all public offices of regional and local subdivisions of the state, systems of accounting, budgeting and reporting financial facts relating to said offices in conformity with legal requirements and with generally accepted accounting principles or other accounting principles as promulgated by nationally recognized professional organizations; to assist such subdivisions in need of assistance in the installation of such systems; to revise such systems when deemed necessary, and to report to the Legislature at periodic times the extent to which each office is maintaining such systems, along with such recommendations to the Legislature for improvement as seem desirable;

(c) To study and analyze existing managerial policies, methods, procedures, duties and services of the various state departments and institutions upon written request of the Governor, the Legislature or any committee or other body empowered by the Legislature to make such request to determine whether and where operations can be eliminated, combined, simplified and improved;

(d) To postaudit each year and, when deemed necessary, preaudit and investigate the financial affairs of the departments, institutions, boards, commissions, or other agencies of state government, as part of the publication of a comprehensive annual financial report for the State of Mississippi, or as deemed necessary by the State Auditor. In complying with the requirements of this paragraph, the department shall have the authority to conduct all necessary audit procedures on an interim and year-end basis;

(e) To postaudit and, when deemed necessary, preaudit and investigate separately the financial affairs of (i) the offices, boards and commissions of county governments and any departments and institutions thereof and therein; (ii) public school districts, departments of education and junior college districts; and (iii) any other local offices or agencies which share revenues derived from taxes or fees imposed by the State Legislature or receive grants from revenues collected by governmental divisions of the state; the cost of such audits, investigations or other services to be paid as follows: Such part shall be paid by the state from appropriations made by the Legislature for the operation of the State Department of Audit as may exceed the sum of Thirty-five Dollars ($35.00) per man-hour for the services of each staff person engaged in performing the audit or other service plus the actual cost of any independent specialist firm contracted by the State Auditor to assist in the performance of the audit, which sum shall be paid by the county, district, department, institution or other agency audited out of its general fund or any other available funds from which such payment is not prohibited by law. Costs paid for independent specialists or firms contracted by the State Auditor shall be paid by the audited entity through the State Auditor to the specialist or firm conducting the postaudit.

Each school district in the state shall have its financial records audited annually, at the end of each fiscal year, either by the State Auditor or by a certified public accountant approved by the State Auditor. Beginning with the audits of fiscal year 2010 activity, no certified public accountant shall be selected to perform the annual audit of a school district who has audited that district for three (3) or more consecutive years previously. Certified public accountants shall be selected in a manner determined by the State Auditor. The school district shall have the responsibility to pay for the audit, including the review by the State Auditor of audits performed by certified public accountants;

(f) To postaudit and, when deemed necessary, preaudit and investigate the financial affairs of the levee boards; agencies created by the Legislature or by executive order of the Governor; profit or nonprofit business entities administering programs financed by funds flowing through the State Treasury or through any of the agencies of the state, or its subdivisions; and all other public bodies supported by funds derived in part or wholly from public funds, except municipalities which annually submit an audit prepared by a qualified certified public accountant using methods and procedures prescribed by the department;

(g) To make written demand, when necessary, for the recovery of any amounts representing public funds improperly withheld, misappropriated and/or otherwise illegally expended by an officer, employee or administrative body of any state, county or other public office, and/or for the recovery of the value of any public property disposed of in an unlawful manner by a public officer, employee or administrative body, such demands to be made (i) upon the person or persons liable for such amounts and upon the surety on official bond thereof, and/or (ii) upon any individual, partnership, corporation or association to whom the illegal expenditure was made or with whom the unlawful disposition of public property was made, if such individual, partnership, corporation or association knew or had reason to know through the exercising of reasonable diligence that the expenditure was illegal or the disposition unlawful. Such demand shall be premised on competent evidence, which shall include at least one (1) of the following: (i) sworn statements, (ii) written documentation, (iii) physical evidence, or (iv) reports and findings of government or other law enforcement agencies. Other provisions notwithstanding, a demand letter issued pursuant to this paragraph shall remain confidential by the State Auditor until the individual against whom the demand letter is being filed has been served with a copy of such demand letter. If, however, such individual cannot be notified within fifteen (15) days using reasonable means and due diligence, such notification shall be made to the individual's bonding company, if he or she is bonded. Each such demand shall be paid into the proper treasury of the state, county or other public body through the office of the department in the amount demanded within thirty (30) days from the date thereof, together with interest thereon in the sum of one percent (1%) per month from the date such amount or amounts were improperly withheld, misappropriated and/or otherwise illegally expended. In the event, however, such person or persons or such surety shall refuse, neglect or otherwise fail to pay the amount demanded and the interest due thereon within the allotted thirty (30) days, the State Auditor shall have the authority and it shall be his duty to institute suit, and the Attorney General shall prosecute the same in any court of the state to the end that there shall be recovered the total of such amounts from the person or persons and surety on official bond named therein; and the amounts so recovered shall be paid into the proper treasury of the state, county or other public body through the State Auditor. In any case where written demand is issued to a surety on the official bond of such person or persons and the surety refuses, neglects or otherwise fails within one hundred twenty (120) days to either pay the amount demanded and the interest due thereon or to give the State Auditor a written response with specific reasons for nonpayment, then the surety shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount of twelve percent (12%) of the bond, not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), to be deposited into the State General Fund;

(h) To investigate any alleged or suspected violation of the laws of the state by any officer or employee of the state, county or other public office in the purchase, sale or the use of any supplies, services, equipment or other property belonging thereto; and in such investigation to do any and all things necessary to procure evidence sufficient either to prove or disprove the existence of such alleged or suspected violations. The Department of Investigation of the State Department of Audit may investigate, for the purpose of prosecution, any suspected criminal violation of the provisions of this chapter. For the purpose of administration and enforcement of this chapter, the enforcement employees of the Department of Investigation of the State Department of Audit have the powers of a law enforcement officer of this state, and shall be empowered to make arrests and to serve and execute search warrants and other valid legal process anywhere within the State of Mississippi. All enforcement employees of the Department of Investigation of the State Department of Audit hired on or after July 1, 1993, shall be required to complete the Law Enforcement Officers Training Program and shall meet the standards of the program;

(i) To issue subpoenas, with the approval of, and returnable to, a judge of a chancery or circuit court, in termtime or in vacation, to examine the records, documents or other evidence of persons, firms, corporations or any other entities insofar as such records, documents or other evidence relate to dealings with any state, county or other public entity. The circuit or chancery judge must serve the county in which the records, documents or other evidence is located; or where all or part of the transaction or transactions occurred which are the subject of the subpoena;

(j) In any instances in which the State Auditor is or shall be authorized or required to examine or audit, whether preaudit or postaudit, any books, ledgers, accounts or other records of the affairs of any public hospital owned or owned and operated by one or more political subdivisions or parts thereof or any combination thereof, or any school district, including activity funds thereof, it shall be sufficient compliance therewith, in the discretion of the State Auditor, that such examination or audit be made from the report of any audit or other examination certified by a certified public accountant and prepared by or under the supervision of such certified public accountant. Such audits shall be made in accordance with generally accepted standards of auditing, with the use of an audit program prepared by the State Auditor, and final reports of such audits shall conform to the format prescribed by the State Auditor. All files, working papers, notes, correspondence and all other data compiled during the course of the audit shall be available, without cost, to the State Auditor for examination and abstracting during the normal business hours of any business day. The expense of such certified reports shall be borne by the respective hospital, or any available school district funds other than minimum program funds, subject to examination or audit. The State Auditor shall not be bound by such certified reports and may, in his or their discretion, conduct such examination or audit from the books, ledgers, accounts or other records involved as may be appropriate and authorized by law;

(k) The State Auditor shall have the authority to contract with qualified public accounting firms to perform selected audits required in paragraphs (d), (e), (f) and (j) of this section, if funds are made available for such contracts by the Legislature, or if funds are available from the governmental entity covered by paragraphs (d), (e), (f) and (j). Such audits shall be made in accordance with generally accepted standards of auditing. All files, working papers, notes, correspondence and all other data compiled during the course of the audit shall be available, without cost, to the State Auditor for examination and abstracting during the normal business hours of any business day;

(l) The State Auditor shall have the authority to establish training courses and programs for the personnel of the various state and local governmental entities under the jurisdiction of the Office of the State Auditor. The training courses and programs shall include, but not be limited to, topics on internal control of funds, property and equipment control and inventory, governmental accounting and financial reporting, and internal auditing. The State Auditor is authorized to charge a fee from the participants of these courses and programs, which fee shall be deposited into the Department of Audit Special Fund. State and local governmental entities are authorized to pay such fee and any travel expenses out of their general funds or any other available funds from which such payment is not prohibited by law;

(m) Upon written request by the Governor or any member of the State Legislature, the State Auditor may audit any state funds and/or state and federal funds received by any nonprofit corporation incorporated under the laws of this state;

(n) To conduct performance audits of personal or professional service contracts by state agencies on a random sampling basis, or upon request of the State Personal Service Contract Review Board under Section 25-9-120(3); and

(o) At the discretion of the State Auditor, the Auditor may conduct risk assessments, as well as performance and compliance audits based on Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) of any state-funded economic development program authorized under Title 57, Mississippi Code of 1972. After risk assessments or program audits, the State Auditor may conduct audits of those projects deemed high-risk, specifically as they identify any potential wrongdoing or noncompliance based on objectives of the economic development program. The Auditor is granted authority to gather, audit and review data and information from the Mississippi Development Authority or any of its agents, the Department of Revenue, and when necessary under this paragraph, the recipient business or businesses or any other private, public or nonprofit entity with information relevant to the audit project. The maximum amount the State Auditor may bill the oversight agency under this paragraph in any fiscal year is One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), based on reasonable and necessary expenses.

SECTION 24. Section 7-7-216, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

7-7-216. No less than once during each four-year term of the State Auditor, the Legislature shall receive bids from an independent, certified public accounting firm for an opinion and a legal compliance audit of the Office of the State Auditor. Such firm, so selected, shall report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor. The cost of this audit shall be paid from funds appropriated for this purpose by the Legislature.

SECTION 25. Section 7-7-225, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

7-7-225. The State Auditor, when conducting agency audits, shall test to determine whether or not the state institutions of higher learning and any state agency which does not draw warrants on the Treasury have either received approval of the Attorney General or complied with the provisions of Section 7-5-39, with regard to any contract for legal services.

SECTION 26. Section 11-15-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

11-15-101. (1) Sections 11-15-101 through 11-15-143 apply only to agreements and provisions for arbitration made subsequent to July 1, 1981.

(2) Sections 11-15-101 through 11-15-143 shall apply to any agreement for the planning, design, engineering, construction, erection, repair or alteration of any building, structure, fixture, road, highway, utility or any part thereof, and to any purchase by, or supply to, any contractor or subcontractor qualified to do business in this state of any materials to be used in the planning, design, engineering, construction, erection, repair or alteration of any building, structure, fixture, road, highway, utility or any part thereof; provided, however, that nothing contained in Sections 11-15-101 through 11-15-143 shall be construed as amending or otherwise affecting the provisions of Sections 65-2-1 through 65-2-17, Section 65-1-89, Section 65-1-91, and Section 77-9-387, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(3) Sections 11-15-101 through 11-15-143 shall also apply to any agreement for architectural, engineering, surveying, planning and related professional services performed in connection with any of the agreements enumerated in subsection (2) of this section.

(4) Sections 11-15-101 through 11-15-143 shall have no effect on the establishment or enforcement of any lien provided for in Title 85, Chapter 7, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 27. Section 25-9-115, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-9-115. From and after November 1, 2017, and every four (4) years thereafter, the State Personnel Board shall prepare a written report to the Legislature that examines, evaluates and recommends an adequate level of compensation for the justices of the Supreme Court, the judges of the Court of Appeals, the judges of the chancery and circuit courts, the judges of the county courts, judicial staff attorneys, and law clerks. In preparing the report, the board shall consider all appropriate factors including, but not limited to, comparative judicial, judicial staff attorney, and law clerk salaries in neighboring states and in the Southeast as a whole; comparative judicial, judicial staff attorney, and law clerk salaries in the federal judiciary; salaries of comparable professionals in government, academia, private law practice and the corporate sector; changes in public sector spending; rates of inflation; and the overall economic climate.

SECTION 28. Section 25-9-119, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-9-119. (1) There is created the position of the State Personnel Director who shall be selected by the State Personnel Board, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The director shall have at least a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school or a master's degree in business administration, personnel management or the equivalent and shall have not less than five (5) years' experience therein. His salary shall be in accordance with the Mississippi Compensation Plan. The State Personnel Director shall serve at the will and pleasure of the State Personnel Board.

(2) The duties and responsibilities of the director shall be:

(a) To serve as executive secretary to the board, to attend meetings as directed by the board and to provide such professional, technical and other supportive assistance as may be required by the board in the performance of its duties;

(b) Consistent with board policy, to administer the operations of the State Personnel System and to otherwise act in the capacity of Chief Executive Officer to the State Personnel Board;

(c) To submit for board approval proposed rules and regulations which shall require a uniform system of personnel administration within all agencies included in this chapter. Such rules and regulations, when approved by the board, shall be binding upon the state departments, agencies and institutions covered by this chapter and shall include provisions for the establishment and maintenance of classification and compensation plans, the conduct of examinations, employee recruiting, employee selection, the certification of eligible persons, appointments, promotions, transfers, demotions, separations, reinstatement, appeals, reports of performance, payroll certification, employee training, vacation and sick leave, compensatory leave, administrative leave, standardized recordkeeping forms and procedures for leave earned, accrued and used, and all other phases of personnel administration. Such rules and regulations shall not be applicable to the emergency hiring of employees by the Public Employees' Retirement System pursuant to Section 25-11-15(7). Copies of the rules and regulations, or modifications thereto, as are approved by the State Personnel Board, shall be provided to the Chairmen of the Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committee of the Senate and the Fees and Salaries of Public Officers Committee of the House of Representatives, the Lieutenant Governor and the Governor at least sixty (60) days before their effective date. The respective parties may submit comments to the board regarding such rules and regulations before their effective date;

(i) Compensation plans and modifications thereto promulgated under rules and regulations shall become effective as adopted, upon appropriation therefor by the State Legislature;

(ii) The director and the board shall provide for:

(A) Cost-of-living adjustments;

(B) Salary increases for outstanding performance based upon documented employee productivity and exceptional performance in assigned duties; and

(C) Plans to compensate employees for suggestions which result in improved management in technical or administrative procedures and result in documented cost savings for the state. In certifying promotions, the director shall ensure that an employee's anniversary date remains the same regardless of the date of his promotion;

(d) To submit to the board any proposed legislation as may be necessary to bring existing statutes relating to the administration of public employees into uniformity;

(e) To administer the rules and regulations and all other operational aspects of the State Personnel System and to assure compliance therewith in all the departments, agencies and institutions covered by the State Personnel System;

(f) To appoint and prescribe the duties of the State Personnel System staff, all positions of which shall be included in the state service;

(g) To prepare an annual budget for the board covering all the costs of operating the State Personnel System, including the State Personnel Board, and the costs of administering such federal laws relating to personnel administration as the board may direct, including the Intergovernmental Personnel Act of 1970;

(h) To assist state agencies, departments and institutions in complying with all applicable state and federal statutes and regulations concerning discrimination in employment, personnel administration and related matters;

(i) To recommend procedures for the establishment and abolishment of employment positions within those departments, agencies and institutions not excluded from this chapter; and

(j) To cooperate with appointing authorities in the administration of this chapter in order to promote public service and establish conditions of service which will attract and retain employees of character and capacity and to increase efficiency and economy in governmental departments by the improvement of methods of personnel administration with full recognition of the requirements and needs of management.

SECTION 29. Section 25-9-121, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-9-121. The state service, as defined by Section 25-9-107, shall consist of all positions now existing in the state departments, agencies and institutions or hereafter established, except those included in the nonstate service by this chapter. Such positions shall be covered by the state personnel system. Any officer or employee who has acquired a valid permanent status under the Mississippi Coordinated Merit System Council existing on February 1, 1981, shall continue in such status and shall not be required to take further or new examinations in order to retain such status. Any officer or employee who has been certified by the Mississippi Classification Commission and appointed by a state agency head as of February 1, 1981, shall continue in such status and shall not be required to take further or new examinations in order to retain such status.

SECTION 30. Section 25-9-123, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-9-123. The nonstate service, as defined by Section 25-9-107, shall consist of all positions in the departments, agencies and institutions of state government not included in the state service under this chapter and shall not be subject to the rules and regulations of the state personnel system. No position existing on February 1, 1981, which is covered by the Mississippi Coordinated Merit System Council shall be excluded from the state service, unless such position is specifically excluded by this chapter.

SECTION 31. Section 25-9-135, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-9-135. (1) The State Personnel Director shall review the payroll of each department, agency and institution for conformity with state personnel system rules and regulations and determine whether the payroll conforms to the said rules and regulations and is in compliance with legislatively authorized employment positions. The board shall implement a central personnel record system which shall be used as a basis for payment of salaries of state employees.

(2) In order to furnish the Governor, the State Legislature and the general public with statistical information which can be used in planning departmental programs and budgeting, each department, agency and institution whose employees are in the state and nonstate service shall submit such payroll and other essential personnel and organizational data as may be prescribed and approved by the board to the State Personnel Director, who shall compile and consolidate reports pertaining to the number of personnel, salaries, length of service, type of work, distribution of employees by departments, agencies and institutions, and other personnel information as may be deemed necessary by the board.

(3) If the personnel director shall determine that any agency as defined by this chapter shall have violated any provision of this chapter, he shall prepare a written report of findings to be certified by the State Personnel Board and furnish the report to the State Auditor of Public Accounts. The State Auditor of Public Accounts shall withhold issuance of any payroll warrant determined in violation of this chapter as certified by the board and shall take such action as required by law to initiate an immediate audit of any agency found in violation for the purpose of civil recovery of funds misspent.

SECTION 32. Section 25-9-143, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-9-143. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, each personnel system officer or employee in a merit position affected by this chapter shall be entitled to all rights which he possessed under the Mississippi Classification Law and under the Mississippi Coordinated Merit System Council in a merit position before February 1, 1981. All previously exempt employment positions created by separate laws are hereby included in the provisions of this chapter, except as excluded in Section 25-9-107.

SECTION 33. Section 25-9-171, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-9-171. For purposes of Sections 25-9-171 through

25-9-177, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them herein:

(a) "Abuse" means acting in an arbitrary and capricious manner that adversely affects the accomplishment of a function of any governmental entity.

(b) "Governmental entity" means a board, commission, department, office or other agency of the state or a political subdivision of the state.

(d) "Improper governmental action" means any action by an employee which is undertaken in the performance of the employee's official duties, whether or not the action is within the scope of the employee's employment:

(i) Which is in violation of any federal or state law or regulation, is an abuse of authority, results in substantial abuse, misuse, destruction, waste, or loss of public funds or public resources; or

(ii) Which is of substantial and specific danger to the public health or safety; or

(iii) Which is discrimination based on race or gender.

"Improper governmental action" does not include personnel actions for which other remedies exist, including, but not limited to, employee grievances, complaints, appointments, promotions, transfers, assignments, reassignments, reinstatements, restorations, reemployments, performance evaluations, reductions in pay, dismissals, suspensions, demotions, violations of the state personnel system or local personnel policies, alleged labor agreement violations, reprimands, claims of discriminatory treatment, or any personnel action which may be taken under federal or state law.

(e) "Misuse" means an illegal or unauthorized use.

(f) "Personnel action" means an action that affects an employee's promotion, demotion, transfer, work assignment or performance evaluation.

(g) "State investigative body" shall mean the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi, the State Auditor, the Mississippi Ethics Commission, the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review or any other standing committee of the Legislature, or any district attorney of the State of Mississippi.

(h) "Use of official authority or influence" includes taking, directing others to take, recommending, processing or approving any personnel action such as an appointment, promotion, transfer, assignment, reassignment, reinstatement, restoration, reemployment, performance evaluation or other disciplinary action.

(i) "Waste" means an unnecessary or unreasonable expenditure or use.

(j) "Whistleblower" means an employee who in good faith reports an alleged improper governmental action to a state investigative body, initiating an investigation. For purposes of the provisions of Sections 25-9-171 through 25-7-177, the term "whistleblower" also means an employee who in good faith provides information to a state investigative body, or an employee who is believed to have reported alleged improper governmental action to a state investigative body or to have provided information to a state investigative body but who, in fact, has not reported such action or provided such information.

SECTION 34. Section 25-11-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-11-15. (1) Board of trustees: The general administration and responsibility for the proper operation of the Public Employees' Retirement System and the federal-state agreement and for making effective the provisions of Articles 1 and 3 are vested in a board of trustees.

(2) The board shall consist of ten (10) trustees, as follows:

(a) The State Treasurer;

(b) One (1) member who shall be appointed by the Governor for a term of four (4) years, who shall be a member of the system;

(c) Two (2) members of the system having at least ten (10) years of creditable service who are state employees who are not employees of the state institutions of higher learning, who shall be elected by members of the system who are employees of state agencies and by members of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Retirement System, but not by employees of the state institutions of higher learning;

(d) Two (2) members of the system having at least ten (10) years of creditable service who do not hold office in the legislative or judicial departments of municipal or county government, one (1) of whom shall be an employee of a municipality, instrumentality or juristic entity thereof, who shall be elected by members of the system who are employees of the municipalities, instrumentalities or juristic entities thereof and by members of the municipal systems and the firemen's and policemen's disability and relief funds administered by the board of trustees, and one (1) of whom shall be an employee of a county, instrumentality or juristic entity thereof, who shall be elected by members of the system who are employees of the counties, instrumentalities or juristic entities thereof;

(e) One (1) member of the system having at least ten (10) years of creditable service who is an employee of a state institution of higher learning, who shall be elected by members of the system who are employees of the state institutions of higher learning as included in Section 37-101-1. Any member of the board on July 1, 1984, who is an employee of an institution of higher learning shall serve as the member trustee representing the institutions of higher learning until the end of the term for which he or she was elected;

(f) Two (2) retired members who are receiving a retirement allowance from the system, who shall be elected by the retired members or beneficiaries receiving a retirement allowance from the system and by the retired members or beneficiaries of the municipal systems, the firemen's and policemen's disability and relief funds and the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol Retirement System administered by the board of trustees, to serve for a term of six (6) years under rules and regulations adopted by the board to govern that election; however, any retired member of the board in office on April 19, 1993, shall serve as a retired trustee until the end of the term for which he or she was elected;

(g) One (1) member of the system having at least ten (10) years of creditable service who is an employee of any public school district or junior college or community college district that participates in the system, who shall be elected by the members of the system who are employees of any public school district or junior college or community college district; however, any member of the board on June 30, 1989, who is a certified classroom teacher shall serve as the member representing a classroom teacher until the end of the term for which the member was appointed;

(h) In the first election to be held for trustees one (1) member shall be elected for a term of two (2) years, and one (1) member for a term of four (4) years, and one (1) member for a term of six (6) years. Thereafter, their successors shall be elected for terms of six (6) years. All elections shall be held in accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the board to govern those elections and the board shall be the sole judge of all questions arising incident to or connected with the elections.

(i) Any person eligible to vote for the election of a member of the board of trustees and who meets the qualifications for the office may seek election to the office and serve if elected. For purposes of determining eligibility to seek office as a member of the board of trustees, the required creditable service in "the system" shall include each system administered by the board of trustees in which the person is a member.

The members described above and serving on the board on June 30, 1989, shall continue to serve on the board until the expiration of their terms.

(3) If a vacancy occurs in the office of a trustee, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the office was previously filled. However, if the unexpired term is six (6) months or less, an election shall be held to fill the office vacated for the next succeeding full term of office, and the person so elected to fill the next full term shall be appointed by the board to fill the remainder of the unexpired term. Whenever any member who is elected to a position to represent a class of members ceases to be a member of that class, that board member is no longer eligible for membership on the board. The position shall be declared vacant, and the unexpired term shall be filled in the same manner as the office was previously filled.

(4) Each trustee shall, within ten (10) days after his or her appointment or election, take an oath of office as provided by law and, in addition, shall take an oath that he or she will diligently and honestly administer the affairs of the board, and that he or she will not knowingly violate or willingly permit to be violated any of the provisions of law applicable to Articles 1 and 3. The oath shall be signed by the member making it, certified by the officer before whom it is taken, and immediately filed in the office of the Secretary of State.

(5) Each trustee shall be entitled to one (1) vote. Six (6) members shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the board, and a majority of those present shall be necessary for a decision.

(6) Subject to the limitations of Articles 1 and 3, the board shall establish rules and regulations for the administration of the system created by those articles and for the transaction of its business, and to give force and effect to the provisions of those articles wherever necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of the Legislature. The cited articles are remedial law and shall be liberally construed to accomplish their purposes.

(7) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, in the event of a natural disaster or other occurrence that results in the failure of the retirement system's computer system or a significant disruption of the normal activities of the retirement system, the executive director of the board, or his or her deputy, shall be authorized to contract with another entity, governmental or private, during the period of the failure or disruption, for services, commodities, work space and supplies as necessary to carry out the administration of all systems and programs administered by the board. The board shall be authorized to pay the reasonable cost of those services, commodities, work space and supplies. At the meeting of the board next following the execution of a contract authorized under this subsection, documentation of the contract, including a description of the services, commodities, work space or supplies, the price thereof and the nature of the disaster or occurrence, shall be presented to the board and placed on the minutes of the board. Because of their emergency nature, purchases made under this subsection shall not be required to comply with the provisions of Section 31-7-13 or any other law governing public purchases.

(8) The computer equipment and software owned by the Public Employees' Retirement System are assets of the Trust Fund by virtue of the Constitution, Section 272-A and acquisition and operation thereof shall be under the jurisdiction of the Public Employees' Retirement System.

(9) The board shall elect a chairman and shall by a majority vote of all of its members appoint a secretary whose title shall be executive director, who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the board, who shall not be a member of the board of trustees, who shall be entitled to membership in the system, and who shall act as secretary of the board. The board of trustees shall employ such actuarial, clerical and other employees as are required to transact the business of the system, and shall fix the compensation of all employees, subject to the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board.

(10) Each member of the board shall receive as compensation for his or her services Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per month. All members of the board shall be reimbursed for their necessary traveling expenses, which shall be paid in accordance with the requirements of Section 25-3-41 or other applicable statutes with respect to traveling expenses of state officials and employees on official business. All members of the board shall be entitled to be members of the system and shall be entitled to creditable service for all time served as a member of the board, except for the retired members, who shall not be entitled to be a member of the system and who shall be eligible to receive the retirement allowance and compensation for services from the system while serving as a member of the board. Members of the board who are employed in state service (as defined in Section 25-11-103) shall not be required to take annual leave from their state service employment while performing his or her official duties as a member of the board.

(11) All expenses of the board incurred in the administration of Articles 1 and 3 shall be paid from such funds as may be appropriated by the Legislature for that purpose or from administrative fees collected from political subdivisions or juristic entities of the state. Each political subdivision of the state and each instrumentality of the state or of a political subdivision or subdivisions that submit a plan for approval by the board as provided in Section 25-11-11 shall reimburse the board, for coverage into the administrative expense fund, its pro rata share of the total expense of administering Articles 1 and 3 as provided by regulations of the board.

(12) The Lieutenant Governor may designate two (2) Senators and the Speaker of the House of Representatives may designate two (2) Representatives to attend any meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System. The appointing authorities may designate alternate members from their respective houses to serve when the regular designees are unable to attend the meetings of the board. The legislative designees shall have no jurisdiction or vote on any matter within the jurisdiction of the board. For attending meetings of the board, the legislators shall receive per diem and expenses, which shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem and expenses for attending meetings of the board will be paid while the Legislature is in session. No per diem and expenses will be paid except for attending meetings of the board without prior approval of the proper committee in their respective houses.

SECTION 35. Section 25-11-143, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-11-143. (1) The provisions of this section shall become effective from and after July 1 of the year following the year in which the board determines and the board's actuary certifies that the employer's contribution rate to the Public Employees' Retirement System can be reduced by one percent (1%) without causing the unfunded accrued actuarial liability amortization period for the retirement system to exceed twenty (20) years.

(2) As used in this section, the term "retiree" means any person receiving a service or disability retirement benefit from any system administered by the board; however, in the case of persons participating in the optional retirement plan established in Section 25-11-401 et seq., the term "retiree" includes only those persons who would be entitled to receive a retirement allowance under the provisions of Section 25-11-111 if they were not members of the optional retirement plan.

(3) The board shall design a plan of health insurance for all current and future retirees that will take effect from and after January 1 following the year in which this section becomes effective as provided in subsection (1) of this section. The plan may include coverage for the spouse, surviving beneficiary and dependent children of retirees and other such sponsored dependents as the board considers appropriate; however, the subsidy provided for in this section shall apply only to the cost of providing coverage to retirees. Initially, the plan shall have benefits equivalent to those in the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan established in Section 25-15-9; however, the board may modify the plan as necessary to meet the needs of the members of the plan and to maintain the fiscal soundness of the plan. The board may offer an optional plan to retirees who are eligible for Medicare, and any additional cost of that plan shall be paid by the retiree electing that optional coverage.

(4) (a) Retirees may decline coverage in the plan established by this section, but they may be included in the plan later if they apply for coverage during any open enrollment periods that may be established by the board and can show, by evidence considered sufficient to the board, that they were covered by health insurance during the period of time that they were not covered by the plan established by this section. The board may adjust the amount of the subsidy for those persons and may limit the number of times retirees who decline coverage who may be later included in the plan.

(b) The board shall determine the manner in which persons who elect continuation coverage under the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (COBRA) will be treated regarding their eligibility for coverage under the plan established under this section and the amount of the subsidy for those persons.

(5) From and after January 1 following the year in which this section becomes effective as provided in subsection (1) of this section, the board shall subsidize a portion of the cost of providing the plan of health insurance to retirees. The amount of the subsidy provided for each retiree shall be equal to a percentage of the annual cost of providing coverage under the plan to the retiree as determined by the board. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the percentage amount of the subsidy shall be two percent (2%) for each year of creditable service, less any fronted service for age-limited disability benefits of the retiree up to a maximum of sixty percent (60%). Once the percentage amount of the subsidy has been determined under this subsection, it may not be changed unless the retiree returns to membership service and earns additional years of creditable service or elects not to be enrolled in the plan for a period of time.

(6) The amount of the subsidy for each disability retiree shall be calculated in the same manner as other retirees. For purposes of determining the amount that a disability retiree must pay above the subsidy for coverage under the plan, the cost of coverage for disability retirees shall be deemed to be the average cost of providing coverage for other retirees as determined by the board.

(7) Each retiree participating in the plan, by written authorization, shall instruct the board to deduct from the retirement allowance the portion of the premium that is not subsidized. The amounts so deducted shall be handled by the board in the manner provided for in subsection (9) of this section.

(8) From and after July 1 of the year in which this section becomes effective as provided in subsection (1) of this section, each employer shall pay monthly to the board an amount equal to two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the total payroll of the employer on which retirement contributions are made under retirement plans administered by the Public Employees' Retirement System.

(9) The board may establish and enforce late charges and interest penalties or other penalties for the purpose of requiring the prompt payment of all contributions required under this section. After appropriation for administration expenses of the program, all funds received by the board under this section shall be held in a fund in the custody of the board. All those funds held by the board shall be utilized for the purpose of subsidizing the health insurance plan required to be established by this section, and shall be invested as provided in Section 25-11-145.

(10) The board:

(a) Shall administer the plan;

(b) Shall have the sole authority to promulgate rules and regulations governing the plan, and shall be vested with all legal authority necessary and proper to perform this function including, but not limited to, defining the benefits provided by the plan, requesting and accepting bids for services, establishing premium rates and receiving premium payments;

(c) May enter into contracts with accountants, actuaries and other persons whose skills are necessary to carry out the provisions of this section; and

(d) Is authorized to procure legal services if it deems these services necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this section.

SECTION 36. Section 25-15-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-15-5. (1) The board shall administer the plan and is authorized to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for its administration, subject to the terms and limitations contained in this article.

(2) The board shall develop a five-year strategic plan for the insurance plan established by Section 25-15-3 et seq. The strategic plan shall address, but not be limited to:

(a) Changing trends in the health care industry, and how they effect delivery of services to members of the plan.

(b) Alternative service delivery systems.

(c) Any foreseeable problems with the present system of delivering and administering health care benefits in Mississippi.

(d) The development of options and recommendations for changes in the plan.

(3) To carry out the requirements of subsection (2) of this section, the board may conduct formal research, including questionnaires and attitudinal surveys of members' needs and preferences with respect to service delivery.

(4) After the board has complied with all provisions of Section 25-15-9 regarding the establishment of the plan, it shall be responsible for fully disclosing to plan members the provisions of the plan. Such disclosure shall consist of the dissemination of educational material on the plan and any proposed changes thereto. The board shall provide members with complete educational materials at least thirty (30) days before the date upon which the plan's members must select a plan option for health care services. The board shall further use the resources of the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television or other state agency, university or college to provide information on proposed changes. The board may also use other state-owned media, as well as public service announcements on private media to disseminate information regarding proposed changes in the plan.

(5) The board shall develop and make available for public review at its offices a comprehensive plan document which documents all benefits for which members of the plan created by Section 25-15-3 et seq. are eligible. This document shall be typed and maintained also at the offices of any administrator contracted with in accordance with Section 25-15-301.

(6) (a) The board may enter into contracts with accountants, actuaries and other persons from the private sector whose skills are necessary to carry out the purposes of Section 25-15-3 et seq.

(b) Before the board enters into any contract for services as provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the board shall first determine that the services are required, and that the staff of the board and personnel of other state agencies are not sufficiently experienced to provide the services.

(c) If the service is to be rendered for a period of in excess of six (6) months, the board shall seek and obtain bids for the service in a manner identical to that provided for in Section 25-15-301, subsection (1)(a) and (b) except for those provisions which specifically state criteria which are applicable only to third-party administrators contracted with in accordance with Section 25-15-3 et seq.

(d) The board is also authorized to procure legal services if it deems these services to be necessary to carry out its responsibilities under Section 25-15-3 et seq.

SECTION 37. Section 25-53-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-3. (1) Whenever the term "Central Data Processing Authority" or the term "authority," when referring to the Central Data Processing Authority, is used in any law, rule, regulation, document or elsewhere, it shall be construed to mean the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.

(2) For the purposes of this chapter the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Central Data Processing Authority" and "CDPA" mean "Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS)" and the term "authority" means "board of the MDITS."

(b) "Bureau of Systems Policy and Planning," "Bureau of Telecommunications," "Bureau of Central Data Processing" and "bureau" mean "Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services."

(c) "Computer equipment or services" means any information technology, computer or computer related telecommunications equipment, electronic word processing and office systems, or services utilized in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, all phases of computer software and consulting services, and insurance on all state-owned computer equipment.

(d) "Acquisition" of computer or telecommunications equipment or services means the purchase, lease, rental, or acquisition in any other manner of any such computer or telecommunications equipment or services.

(e) "Agency" means and includes all the various state agencies, officers, departments, boards, commissions, offices and institutions of the state.

(f) "Governing authority" means boards of supervisors, governing boards of all school districts, all boards of directors of public water supply districts, boards of directors of master public water supply districts, municipal public utility commissions, governing authorities of all municipalities, port authorities, commissioners and boards of trustees of any public hospitals and any political subdivision of the state supported, wholly or in part, by public funds of the state or political subdivisions thereof.

(g) "Bid" means any of the valid source selection techniques and competitive procurement methods appropriate to information technology procurement in the public sector, including, but not limited to, competitive sealed bidding, competitive sealed proposals, simplified small purchase procedures, sole source procurements, and emergency procurements.

(h) "Telecommunications transmission facility" means any transmission medium, switch, instrument, inside wiring system or other facility which is used, in whole or part, to provide any transmission.

(i) "Equipment support contract" means a contract which covers a single, specific class or classes of telecommunications equipment or service and all features associated with that class, through which state agencies may purchase or lease the item of equipment or service specified by issuing a purchase order under the terms of the contract without the necessity of further competitive bidding.

(j) "Inside wiring system" means any wiring which:

(i) Directly or indirectly, interconnects any terminal equipment with any other terminal equipment or with any regulated facility or common carrier services; and

(ii) Is located at the premises of the customer and is not inside any terminal equipment.

(k) "Procurement" means the selling, buying, purchasing, renting, leasing or otherwise obtaining telecommunications equipment, system or related services, as well as activities engaged in, resulting in or expected to result in selling, buying, purchasing, renting, leasing or otherwise obtaining telecommunications equipment.

(l) "Telecommunications equipment, systems, related services" are limited to the equipment and means to provide:

(i) Telecommunications transmission facilities.

(ii) Telephone systems, including voice processing systems.

(iii) Facsimile systems.

(iv) Radio paging services.

(v) Mobile telephone services, including cellular mobile telephone service.

(vi) Intercom and paging systems.

(vii) Video teleconferencing systems.

(viii) Personal communications networks and services.

(ix) Any and all systems based on emerging and future telecommunications technologies relative to (i) through (viii) above.

(m) "Telecommunications system lease contract" means a contract between a supplier of telecommunications systems, including equipment and related services, and the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services through which telecommunications systems, including equipment and related services, may be leased for a term which shall not exceed sixty (60) months for a system lease valued less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) and shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) months for a system lease valued One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) or more.

(n) "Tariffed or regulated service" means telecommunications service offered by common carriers and subject to control by the Mississippi Public Service Commission or the Federal Communications Commission.

(o) "State Data Center" means one or more facilities operated by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services to provide information technology resources requiring enterprise computing resources or any other centrally managed information resources.

SECTION 38. Section 25-53-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-5. The authority shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities:

(a) The authority shall provide for the development of plans for the efficient acquisition and utilization of computer equipment and services by all agencies of state government, and provide for their implementation. In so doing, the authority may use the MDITS' staff, at the discretion of the executive director of the authority, or the authority may contract for the services of qualified consulting firms in the field of information technology and utilize the service of such consultants as may be necessary for such purposes.

(b) The authority shall immediately institute procedures for carrying out the purposes of this chapter and supervise the efficient execution of the powers and duties of the office of executive director of the authority. In the execution of its functions under this chapter, the authority shall maintain as a paramount consideration the successful internal organization and operation of the several agencies so that efficiency existing therein shall not be adversely affected or impaired. In executing its functions in relation to the institutions of higher learning and junior colleges in the state, the authority shall take into consideration the special needs of such institutions in relation to the fields of teaching and scientific research.

(c) Title of whatever nature of all computer equipment now vested in any agency of the State of Mississippi is hereby vested in the authority, and no such equipment shall be disposed of in any manner except in accordance with the direction of the authority or under the provisions of such rules and regulations as may hereafter be adopted by the authority in relation thereto.

(d) The authority shall adopt rules, regulations, and procedures governing the acquisition of computer and telecommunications equipment and services which shall, to the fullest extent practicable, insure the maximum of competition between all manufacturers of supplies or equipment or services. In the writing of specifications, in the making of contracts relating to the acquisition of such equipment and services, and in the performance of its other duties the authority shall provide for the maximum compatibility of all information systems hereafter installed or utilized by all state agencies and may require the use of common computer languages where necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. The authority may establish by regulation and charge reasonable fees on a nondiscriminatory basis for the furnishing to bidders of copies of bid specifications and other documents issued by the authority.

(e) The authority shall adopt rules and regulations governing the sharing with, or the sale or lease of information technology services to any nonstate agency or person. Such regulations shall provide that any such sharing, sale or lease shall be restricted in that same shall be accomplished only where such services are not readily available otherwise within the state, and then only at a charge to the user not less than the prevailing rate of charge for similar services by private enterprise within this state.

(f) The authority may, in its discretion, establish a special technical advisory committee or committees to study and make recommendations on technology matters within the competence of the authority as the authority may see fit. Persons serving on the Information Resource Council, its task forces, or any such technical advisory committees shall be entitled to receive their actual and necessary expenses actually incurred in the performance of such duties, together with mileage as provided by law for state employees, provided the same has been authorized by a resolution duly adopted by the authority and entered on its minutes prior to the performance of such duties.

(g) The authority may provide for the development and require the adoption of standardized computer programs and may provide for the dissemination of information to and the establishment of training programs for the personnel of the various information technology centers of state agencies and personnel of the agencies utilizing the services thereof.

(h) The authority shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations requiring the reporting to the authority through the office of executive director of such information as may be required for carrying out the purposes of this chapter and may also establish such reasonable procedures to be followed in the presentation of bills for payment under the terms of all contracts for the acquisition of computer equipment and services now or hereafter in force as may be required by the authority or by the executive director in the execution of their powers and duties.

(i) The authority shall require such adequate documentation of information technology procedures utilized by the various state agencies and may require the establishment of such organizational structures within state agencies relating to information technology operations as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

(j) The authority may adopt such further reasonable rules and regulations as may be necessary to fully implement the purposes of this chapter. All rules and regulations adopted by the authority shall be published and disseminated in readily accessible form to all affected state agencies, and to all current suppliers of computer equipment and services to the state, and to all prospective suppliers requesting the same. Such rules and regulations shall be kept current, be periodically revised, and copies thereof shall be available at all times for inspection by the public at reasonable hours in the offices of the authority. Whenever possible no rule, regulation or any proposed amendment to such rules and regulations shall be finally adopted or enforced until copies of said proposed rules and regulations have been furnished to all interested parties for their comment and suggestions.

(k) The authority shall establish rules and regulations which shall provide for the submission of all contracts proposed to be executed by the executive director for computer equipment or services to the authority for approval before final execution, and the authority may provide that such contracts involving the expenditure of less than such specified amount as may be established by the authority may be finally executed by the executive director without first obtaining such approval by the authority.

(l) The authority is authorized to purchase, lease, or rent computer equipment or services and to operate said equipment and utilize said services in providing services to one or more state agencies when in its opinion such operation will provide maximum efficiency and economy in the functions of any such agency or agencies.

(m) Upon the request of the governing body of a political subdivision or instrumentality, the authority shall assist the political subdivision or instrumentality in its development of plans for the efficient acquisition and utilization of computer equipment and services. An appropriate fee shall be charged the political subdivision by the authority for such assistance.

(n) The authority shall adopt rules and regulations governing the protest procedures to be followed by any actual or prospective bidder, offerer or contractor who is aggrieved in connection with the solicitation or award of a contract for the acquisition of computer equipment or services. Such rules and regulations shall prescribe the manner, time and procedure for making protests and may provide that a protest not timely filed shall be summarily denied. The authority may require the protesting party, at the time of filing the protest, to post a bond, payable to the state, in an amount that the authority determines sufficient to cover any expense or loss incurred by the state, the authority or any state agency as a result of the protest if the protest subsequently is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been filed without any substantial basis or reasonable expectation to believe that the protest was meritorious; however, in no event may the amount of the bond required exceed a reasonable estimate of the total project cost. The authority, in its discretion, also may prohibit any prospective bidder, offerer or contractor who is a party to any litigation involving any such contract with the state, the authority or any agency of the state to participate in any other such bid, offer or contract, or to be awarded any such contract, during the pendency of the litigation.

(o) The authority shall make a report in writing to the Legislature each year in the month of January. Such report shall contain a full and detailed account of the work of the authority for the preceding year as specified in Section 25-53-29(3).

All acquisitions of computer equipment and services involving the expenditure of funds in excess of the dollar amount established in Section 31-7-13(c), or rentals or leases in excess of the dollar amount established in Section 31-7-13(c) for the term of the contract, shall be based upon competitive and open specifications, and contracts therefor shall be entered into only after advertisements for bids are published in one or more daily newspapers having a general circulation in the state not less than fourteen (14) days prior to receiving sealed bids therefor. The authority may reserve the right to reject any or all bids, and if all bids are rejected, the authority may negotiate a contract within the limitations of the specifications so long as the terms of any such negotiated contract are equal to or better than the comparable terms submitted by the lowest and best bidder, and so long as the total cost to the State of Mississippi does not exceed the lowest bid. If the authority accepts one (1) of such bids, it shall be that which is the lowest and best.

(p) When applicable, the authority may procure equipment, systems and related services in accordance with the law or regulations, or both, which govern the Bureau of Purchasing of the Office of General Services or which govern the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services procurement of telecommunications equipment, software and services.

(q) The authority is authorized to purchase, lease, or rent information technology and services for the purpose of establishing pilot projects to investigate emerging technologies. These acquisitions shall be limited to new technologies and shall be limited to an amount set by annual appropriation of the Legislature. These acquisitions shall be exempt from the advertising and bidding requirement.

(r) All fees collected by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall be deposited into the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services Revolving Fund unless otherwise specified by the Legislature.

(s) The authority shall work closely with the council to bring about effective coordination of policies, standards and procedures relating to procurement of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) resources. In addition, the authority is responsible for development, operation and maintenance of a delivery system infrastructure for geographic information systems data. The authority shall provide a warehouse for Mississippi's geographic information systems data.

(t) The authority shall manage one or more State Data Centers, to provide information technology services on a cost-sharing basis. In determining the appropriate services to be provided through the State Data Center, the authority should consider those services that:

(i) Result in savings to the state as a whole;

(ii) Improve and enhance the security and reliability of the state's information and business systems; and

(iii) Optimize the efficient use of the state's information technology assets, including, but not limited to, promoting partnerships with the state institutions of higher learning and community colleges to capitalize on advanced information technology resources.

(u) The authority shall increase federal participation in the cost of the State Data Center to the extent provided by law and its shared technology infrastructure through providing such shared services to agencies that receive federal funds. With regard to state institutions of higher learning and community colleges, the authority may provide shared services when mutually agreeable, following a determination by both the authority and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board, as the case may be, that the sharing of services is mutually beneficial.

(v) The authority, in its discretion, may require new or replacement agency business applications to be hosted at the State Data Center. With regard to state institutions of higher learning and community colleges, the authority and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board, as the case may be, may agree that institutions of higher learning or community colleges may utilize business applications that are hosted at the State Data Center, following a determination by both the authority and the applicable board that the hosting of those applications is mutually beneficial. In addition, the authority may establish partnerships to capitalize on the advanced technology resources of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the Mississippi Community College Board, following a determination by both the authority and the applicable board that such a partnership is mutually beneficial.

(w) The authority shall provide a periodic update regarding reform-based information technology initiatives to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committees.

SECTION 39. Section 25-53-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-21. The executive director shall have the following duties, responsibilities and authority:

(a) He shall conduct continuing studies of all information technology activities carried out by all agencies of the state and shall develop a long-range plan for the efficient and economical performance of such activities in state government. Such plan shall be submitted to the authority for its approval and, having been approved by the authority, shall be implemented by the executive director and all state agencies. Such plan shall be continuously reviewed and modifications thereof shall be proposed to the authority by the executive director as developments in information technology techniques and changes in the structure, activities, and functions of state government may require.

(b) He shall review the purchasing practices of all state agencies in the area of the purchasing of supplies for information technology and make recommendations to the authority and to the Public Procurement Review Board for the institution of purchasing procedures which will insure the most economical procurement of such supplies commensurate with the efficient operation of all departments and agencies of state government.

(c) He shall see that all reports required of all agencies are promptly and accurately made in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the authority. Either in person or through his authorized agents, he shall make such inspections of information technology operations being conducted by any of the agencies of the state as may be necessary for the performance of his duties.

(d) He shall suggest and cause to be brought about cooperation between the several state agencies in order to provide efficiency in information technology operation. He shall, together with the heads of the agencies involved, reduce to writing and execute cooperative plans for the acquisition and operation of information technology equipment, and any such plan so adopted shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of such plan unless the same shall be amended by the joint action of the executive director and the heads of agencies involved. The executive director shall report to the authority the details of any plan so adopted and all amendments or modifications thereof, and shall otherwise report to the authority and to the Public Procurement Review Board any failure on the part of any agency to carry out the provisions of such plan. In the event the head of any agency involved or the executive director shall propose amendments to a plan so adopted and such amendment is disapproved by the head of another agency involved or the executive director, an appeal may be taken to the authority which may, after full consideration thereof, order the adoption of the proposed amendment or any modification thereof. The executive director shall make decisions on all questions of the division of the cost of information technology operations among the several agencies, but his findings shall be subject to the approval or modification by the authority on appeal to it.

(e) He shall review all contracts for acquisition of computer equipment or services now or hereafter in force and may require the renegotiation, termination, amendment or execution of any such contracts in proper form and in accordance with the policies and rules and regulations and subject to the direction of the authority. In the negotiation and execution of such contracts, the executive director may negotiate a limitation on the liability to the state of prospective contractors provided such limitation affords the state reasonable protection.

(f) He shall act as the purchasing and contracting agent for the State of Mississippi in the negotiation and execution of all contracts for the acquisition of computer equipment or services. He shall receive, review, and promptly approve or disapprove all requests of agencies of the state for the acquisition of computer equipment or services, which are submitted in accordance with rules and regulations of the authority. In the event that any such request is disapproved, he shall immediately notify the requesting agency and the members of the authority in writing of such disapproval, stating his reasons therefor. The disapproval of any request by the executive director of the authority may be appealed to the authority or to the Public Procurement Review Board, respectively, in such manner as may be authorized by such reasonable rules and regulations hereby authorized to be adopted by the authority and by the Public Procurement Review Board to govern the same. The executive director shall report the approval of all such requests to the authority in such manner as may be directed by the authority, and shall execute any such contracts only after complying with rules and regulations which may be adopted by the authority in relation thereto. Any contracts for personal or professional services entered into by the executive director shall be exempted from the requirements of Section 25-9-120(3) relating to submission of such contract to the State Personal Service Contract Review Board.

(g) He shall suggest and cause to be brought about cooperation between the several state agencies, departments and institutions in order that work may be done by one agency for another agency, and equipment in one agency may be made available to another agency, and suggest and cause to be brought about such improvements as may be necessary in joint or cooperative information technology operations.

(h) He shall be designated as the "Chief Information Confidentiality Officer" after being duly sworn to the oath of this office by the chairman of the authority and shall be responsible for administering the oath to other qualified officers he may designate.

(i) He shall appoint employees of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, or at his discretion, employees of other state agencies and institutions that are responsible for handling or processing data for any agency or institution other than that for which they are employed, to a position of information custodial care that shall be known as "Information Confidentiality Officer." The selection and swearing of all officers shall be reported to the authority at the next regular meeting and names, affirmation dates and employment dates shall be recorded in the permanent minutes of the authority.

SECTION 40. Section 25-53-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-25. (1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to imply exemption from the public purchases law, being Section 31-7-1 et seq.

(2) The authority may establish policies and procedures for the purpose of delegating the bidding and contracting responsibilities related to the procurement of computer equipment or services to the purchasing agency. Such policies and procedures must address the following issues:

(a) Establish categories of equipment or services affected;

(b) Establish maximum unit and/or ceiling prices of such procurements;

(d) Establish other such rules and regulations as necessary to fully implement the purposes of this section. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to imply exemption from the public purchases law, being Section 31-7-1 et seq.

(3) Acquisitions of computer equipment and services by institutions of higher learning or junior colleges wholly with federal funds and not with state general funds shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter; however, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to imply an exemption of such acquisitions from the public purchases law, being Section 31-7-1 et seq.

(4) [Repealed]

SECTION 41. Section 25-53-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-29. (1) For the purposes of this section the term "bureau" shall mean the "Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services." The authority shall have the following powers and responsibilities to carry out the establishment of policy and provide for long-range planning and consulting:

(a) Provide a high level of technical expertise for agencies, institutions, political subdivisions and other governmental entities as follows: planning; consulting; project management; systems and performance review; system definition; design; application programming; training; development and documentation; implementation; maintenance; and other tasks as may be required, within the resources available to the bureau.

(b) Publish written planning guides, policies and procedures for use by agencies and institutions in planning future electronic information service systems. The bureau may require agencies and institutions to submit data, including periodic electronic equipment inventory listings, information on agency staffing, systems under study, planned applications for the future, and other information needed for the purposes of preparing the state master plan. The bureau may require agencies and institutions to submit any additional data required for purposes of preparing the state master plan.

(c) Inspect agency facilities and equipment, interview agency employees and review records at any time deemed necessary by the bureau for the purpose of identifying cost-effective applications of electronic information technology. Upon conclusion of any inspection, the bureau shall issue a management letter containing cost estimates and recommendations to the agency head and governing board concerning applications identified that would result in staff reductions, other monetary savings and improved delivery of public services.

(d) Conduct classroom and on-site training for end users for applications and systems developed by the bureau.

(e) Provide consulting services to agencies and institutions or Mississippi governmental subdivisions requesting technical assistance in electronic information services technology applications and systems. The bureau may submit proposals and enter into contracts to provide services to agencies and institutions or governmental subdivisions for such purposes.

(2) The bureau shall annually issue a three-year master plan in writing to the Governor, available on request to any member of the Legislature, including recommended statewide strategies and goals for the effective and efficient use of information technology and services in state government. The report shall also include recommended information policy actions and other recommendations for consideration by the Governor and members of the Legislature.

(3) The bureau shall make an annual report in writing to the Governor, available on request to any member of the Legislature, to include a full and detailed account of the work of the authority for the preceding year. The report shall contain recommendations to agencies and institutions resulting from inspections or consulting contracts. The report shall also contain a summary of the master plan, progress made, and legislative and policy recommendations for consideration by the Governor and members of the Legislature.

(4) The bureau may charge fees to agencies and institutions for services rendered to them. The bureau may charge fees to vendors to recover the cost of providing procurement services and the delivery of procurement awards to public bodies. The amounts of such fees shall be set by the authority upon recommendation of the Executive Director of the MDITS, and all such fees collected shall be paid into the fund established for carrying out the purposes of this section.

(5) It is the intention of the Legislature that the employees of the bureau performing services defined by this section be staffed by highly qualified persons possessing technical, consulting and programming expertise. Such employees shall be considered nonstate service employees as defined in Section 25-9-107(c)(x) and may be compensated at a rate comparable to the prevailing rate of individuals in qualified professional consulting firms in the private sector. Such compensation rates shall be determined by the State Personnel Director. The number of such positions shall be set by annual appropriation of the Legislature. Qualifications and compensation of the bureau employees shall be set by the State Personnel Board upon recommendation of the Executive Director of the MDITS. The total number of positions and classification of positions may be increased or decreased during a fiscal year depending upon work load and availability of funds.

(6) The bureau may, from time to time, at the discretion of the Executive Director of the MDITS, contract with firms or qualified individuals to be used to augment the bureau's professional staff in order to assure timely completion and implementation of assigned tasks, provided that funds are available in the fund established for carrying out the purposes of this section. Such individuals may be employees of any agency, bureau or institution provided that these individuals or firms meet the requirements of other individuals or firms doing business with the state through the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services. Individuals who are employees of an agency or institution may contract with the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services only with the concurrence of the agency or institution for whom they are employed.

SECTION 42. Section 25-53-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-101. The Legislature hereby declares it essential to the creation and maintenance of an efficient, modern, economically feasible, telecommunications system that there should be full cooperation and cohesive planning and effort by and between the several state agencies and that it is the responsibility of the said Legislature to provide statutory authority therefor. The Legislature, therefore, declares and determines that the responsibility for these and other related purposes shall be vested in the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.

SECTION 43. Section 25-53-105, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-105. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall administer the provisions of Sections 25-53-109 through 25-53-125. The purposes and aims of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services in carrying out said provisions shall be to coordinate and promote efficiency in the acquisition, operation and maintenance of all telecommunications systems and networks being used by agencies of the state and further to coordinate the compatibility of systems and networks to the state with those of governing authorities so as to promote a uniform, compatible telecommunications system for agencies and governing authorities.

SECTION 44. Section 25-53-107, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-107. (1) The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the manner in which the authority and duties prescribed by Sections 25-53-101 through 25-53-125 shall be carried out. It shall employ competent personnel necessary to carry out its purposes, under rules promulgated by the State Personnel Board.

(2) The bureau, during a fiscal year, may utilize time-limited escalated positions in order to implement telecommunications enterprise decisions that yield cost avoidance, cost reductions or revenue increases and so long as the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services can provide the necessary funds without such action causing a telephone service rate increase to agency customers. Such employees of the bureau shall be considered nonstate service employees, shall be highly qualified telecommunications professionals and may be compensated at a rate comparable to the prevailing rate of telecommunications personnel in the private sector. Such compensation rates shall be determined by the State Personnel Director. The number of such positions shall be set by annual appropriation legislation. The compensation and classification of such positions and qualifications of employees shall be set by the State Personnel Board upon recommendation by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services. Nonstate service positions can be recommended for conversion to permanent state service on a case by case basis if the supported function appears long-term in duration, if accomplished in accordance with State Personnel Board procedures, and if properly identified in the state budgetary process.

SECTION 45. Section 25-53-109, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-109. The bureau is hereby authorized and empowered to exercise such duties and powers necessary to effectuate the purposes of Sections 25-53-101 through 25-53-125 including the following:

(a) Form an advisory council made up of persons with expertise, and experience in the field of telecommunications for the purpose of setting goals, establishing long-range plans and policies and to oversee and assist in the procurement activities regarding telecommunications equipment and services;

(b) Provide more effective management of state telecommunications resources and implement long-range plans and procurement;

(c) Manage, plan and coordinate all telecommunications systems under the jurisdiction of the state. This centralized management function would be provided throughout the following activities:

(i) Administration of existing systems including coordination of activities, vendors, service orders and billing/record-keeping functions;

(ii) Planning of new systems or services;

(iii) Design of replacement systems;

(iv) Project management during specification writing, bid letting, proposal evaluation and contract negotiations;

(v) Implementation supervision of new systems and ongoing support;

(vi) Implementation of long-term state plans; and

(vii) Management of intra-LATA and inter-LATA networks.

SECTION 46. Section 25-53-111, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-111. The bureau shall have the following additional duties:

(a) To establish and coordinate through either state ownership or commercial leasing, all telecommunications systems and services affecting the management and operations of the state.

(b) To act as the sole centralized customer for the acquisition, billing and record keeping of all telecommunications systems or services provided to state agencies whether obtained through lease or purchase.

(c) To charge respective user agencies for their proportionate cost of the installation, maintenance and operation of the telecommunications systems and services, including the operation of the bureau.

(d) To offer or provide transmission, switch and network services on a reimbursable basis to agencies financed entirely by federal funds, to governing authorities and to other governmental agencies.

(e) To approve or provide state telephone services on a reimbursable basis to full-time students at state institutions of higher learning and junior colleges, including where such services are provided by the state or the institution.

(f) To develop coordinated telecommunications systems or services within and among all state agencies and require, where appropriate, cooperative utilization of telecommunications equipment and services by aggregating users. Where such cooperative utilization of telecommunications system or service would affect an agency authorized to receive information from the National Crime Information Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, such plans for cooperative utilization shall first be approved by the National Crime Information Center before implementation of such telecommunications systems or service can proceed.

(g) To review, coordinate, approve or disapprove all requests by state agencies for the procurement, through purchase or contract for lease of telecommunications systems or services including telecommunication proposals, studies and consultation contracts and intra-LATA and inter-LATA transmission channels.

(h) To establish and define telecommunications systems and services specifications and designs so as to assure compatibility of telecommunications systems and services within state government and governing authorities.

(i) To provide a continuous, comprehensive analysis and inventory of telecommunications costs, facilities and systems within state government.

(j) To promote, coordinate or assist in the design and engineering of emergency telecommunications systems, including but not limited to "911" service, emergency medical services and other emergency telecommunications services.

(k) To advise and provide consultation to agencies and governing authorities with respect to telecommunications management planning and related matters and to provide training to users within state government in telecommunications technology and system use.

(l) To develop policies, procedures and long-range plans, consistent with the protection of citizens' rights to privacy and access to information, for the acquisition and use of telecommunications systems, and to base such policies on current information about state telecommunications activities in relation to the full range of emerging technologies.

Any state agency requesting an increase in expenditure of funds for new telecommunications equipment systems or services shall submit to the Legislative Budget Office with its budget request preceding the fiscal year for which funding is requested detailed justification for such request. The justification shall be provided on forms developed by the bureau in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. In addition, all state agencies shall submit to the bureau, when requested, a long-range plan for use of telecommunications equipment, systems and services.

SECTION 47. Section 25-53-119, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-119. The bureau shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 25-53-101 through 25-53-125, have sole authority and responsibility for defining the specific telecommunications equipment, systems and related services to which the provisions of Sections 25-53-101 through 25-53-125 shall be applicable. However, the provisions of Sections 25-53-101 through 25-53-125 shall not be applicable with respect to computer and telecommunications equipment, systems and related services that are only available from a sole source.

SECTION 48. Section 25-53-121, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-121. (1) The types of contracts permitted in the procurement of telecommunications equipment, systems and related services are defined herein, and the provisions in Sections

25-53-101 through 25-53-125 supplement the provisions of Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services may, on behalf of any state agency, enter into an equipment support contract with a vendor of telecommunications equipment or services for the purchase or lease of such equipment or services in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) Specifications for equipment support contracts shall be developed in advance and shall conform to the following requirements:

(i) Specifications for equipment support contracts shall cover a specific class or classes of equipment and service and may include all features associated with that class or classes.

(ii) Specifications in the request for proposals for equipment support contracts shall be developed by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.

(iii) Specifications shall be based on the projected needs of user agencies.

(iv) Specifications for equipment support contracts for purchase or lease of telecommunications equipment may include specifications for the maintenance of the equipment desired.

(b) The initial procurement of an equipment support contract, and procurement of equipment and services to be utilized by agencies under an equipment support contract, shall be as follows:

(i) Equipment support contracts shall be awarded by competitive sealed bidding.

(ii) A using agency may procure required telecommunications equipment and service available under an equipment support contract through release of a purchase order for the required equipment and service to the vendor holding an equipment support contract. However, such procurement by purchase order shall be accomplished in accordance with the procedures and regulations prescribed by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, and shall be subject to all other statutory requirements including approval by the bureau.

(c) The final authority for entering into equipment support contracts shall rest with the bureau, and such contracts shall be executed by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services in accordance with the procedures and regulations defined by said authority.

(d) Equipment support contracts shall include the following terms and conditions:

(i) Equipment support contracts shall be valid for not more than one (1) fiscal year with the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services having an option to renew for two (2) additional fiscal years. The vendor may vary lease or purchase prices for the optional renewal period(s) by an amount equal to the lesser of the lease or purchase price permitted by that vendor's contract with the General Services Administration of the United States government for such equipment and services, or any variance in that vendor's published list prices for such equipment and services during that fiscal year, provided that any increase may not exceed five percent (5%) and the variance must have been authorized by the initial equipment and service order contract.

(ii) The prices stated in such contract shall not change for the period of the contract.

(iii) Individual items of telecommunications equipment and service which may be included under an equipment support contract may not have a purchase price greater than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) or a monthly lease price greater than Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00). Such price shall not include costs of maintenance, taxes or transportation.

(iv) Equipment support contracts shall include the following annual appropriation dependency clause:

"The continuation of this contract is contingent upon the appropriation of funds to fulfill the requirements of the contract by the Legislature. If the Legislature fails to appropriate sufficient monies to provide for the continuance of the contract, the contract shall terminate on the date of the beginning of the first fiscal year for which funds are not appropriated."

(3) The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services may on behalf of any state agency enter into contracts for the lease or purchase of telecommunications equipment systems or services in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) The bureau may directly contract for or approve contracts for regulated or tariffed telecommunications services upon determination by the bureau that the application of such service is in the best interests of the State of Mississippi.

(b) All other contracts of this type shall be entered into through request for proposals as defined in Sections

25-53-101 through 25-53-125.

(c) The justification of such contracts must be presented to the bureau prior to issuance of a request for proposals. Such justification shall identify and consider all cost factors relevant to that contract.

(d) The term of a lease contract shall not exceed sixty (60) months for a system lease valued less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) and shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) months for a system lease valued One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) or more.

(e) All lease contracts must contain the following annual appropriation dependency clause:

"The continuation of this contract is contingent upon the appropriation of funds to fulfill the requirements of the contract by the Legislature. If the Legislature fails to appropriate sufficient monies to provide for the continuation of a contract, the contract shall terminate on the date of the beginning of the first fiscal year for which funds are not appropriated."

(f) The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall maintain a list of all such contracts. This list shall show as a minimum the name of the vendor, the annual cost of each contract and the term of the contract or the purchase cost.

(g) Upon the advance written approval of the bureau, state agencies may extend contracts for the lease of telecommunications equipment, systems and related services on a month-to-month basis for a period not to extend more than one (1) calendar year for the stated lease prices.

SECTION 49. Section 25-53-123, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-123. (1) The only method of procurement permitted for the acquisition of nonregulated telecommunications systems, including equipment and related services, shall be in conformity with the following requirements: All acquisitions of telecommunications equipment, systems and related services involving the expenditures of funds in excess of the dollar amount established in Section 31-7-13(c), or rentals or leases in excess of the dollar amount established in Section 31-7-13(c), for the term of the contract, shall be based upon competitive and open specifications, and contracts therefor shall be entered into only after advertisements for bids are published in one or more daily newspapers having a general circulation in the state not less than fourteen (14) days prior to receiving sealed bids therefor. The authority may reserve the right to reject any or all bids, and if all bids are rejected, the authority may negotiate a contract within the limitations of the specifications so long as the terms of any such negotiated contract are equal to or better than the comparable terms submitted by the lowest and best bidder, and so long as the total cost to the State of Mississippi does not exceed the lowest bid. If the authority accepts one (1) of such bids, it shall be that which is the lowest and best.

(2) When applicable, the bureau may procure equipment, systems and related services in accordance with the law or regulations, or both, which govern the Bureau of Purchasing of the Governor's Office of General Services or which govern the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services procurement of computer equipment, software and services.

SECTION 50. Section 25-53-125, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-125. The following general provisions shall apply to all procurements under Sections 25-53-101 through 25-53-125:

(a) No contracts entered into hereunder shall have an initial effective date earlier than the date on which such contract receives approval as required herein.

(b) All changes, modifications and amendments to any contract hereunder shall be approved in advance by the bureau, in addition to any other approvals required by law.

(c) The bureau shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Section 25-43-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, for the establishment of contract format.

(d) Where written proposals or bids are submitted by vendors, the proposal or bid of the successful vendor shall be incorporated into the final contract consummated with that vendor.

(e) The provisions of Sections 25-53-101 through 25-53-125 shall, with respect to the procurement of telecommunications equipment, systems or related services, supersede specifications of any contradictory or conflicting provisions of Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972, and other laws with respect to awarding public contracts.

SECTION 51. Section 25-53-151, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-151. (1) There is established in the State Treasury the "Electronic Government Services Fund," into which shall be deposited specific funds appropriated by the Legislature for developing and providing electronic government services within the State of Mississippi. Any funds in the Electronic Government Services Fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, but shall be available for expenditure in the subsequent fiscal year. The funds in the Electronic Government Fund shall be available for expenditure pursuant to specific appropriation by the Legislature beginning in fiscal year 2002, to the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.

(2) There is hereby established an Electronic Government Oversight Committee to oversee the implementation of E-Government and related technology initiatives. Duties of this committee would include: (a) prioritize and make recommendations for all electronic government services, in order to cut across state and local governmental organizational structures; (b) address policy issues such as privacy, security, transaction fees and accessibility; (c) review ongoing fiscal and operational management and support of portal; (d) provide a mechanism for gathering input from citizens, businesses and government entities; (e) encourage self-service models for citizens through state websites and other electronic services; and (f) promote economic development and efficient delivery of government services by encouraging governmental and private sector entities to conduct their business and transactions using electronic media. The Electronic Government Oversight Committee shall be composed of the following: (a) the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, or his designee;

(b) the State Auditor, or his designee; (c) the State Treasurer, or his designee; (d) the Secretary of State, or his designee; (e) the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee; (f) the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his designee; (g) the Commissioner of Revenue, or his designee. The committee shall annually elect one (1) member to serve as chairman and one (1) member to serve as vice chairman, who shall act as chairman in the absence of the chairman. The committee shall meet monthly or upon the call of the chairman, and shall make necessary reports and recommendations to the Legislature and the appropriate agencies of state government. All agencies of state government shall cooperate with the committee in providing requested information, shall work closely with and provide information to the committee and shall report to the committee at its request. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall provide administrative support for the committee. Nonlegislative members of the committee shall serve without compensation.

(3) The Electronic Government Oversight Committee shall advise and provide direction to the Department of Finance and Administration to develop a procurement portal that will enable potential vendors of goods and services to access relevant and necessary information related to the sale of the following types of goods and services to the State of Mississippi and its agencies:

(a) Commodities, as defined by Section 31-7-1;

(b) Contract personnel, as defined by Sections 25-9-107 and 25-9-120; and

(4) The procurement portal provided for in subsection (3) must provide potential vendors with the following:

(a) A searchable database of business procurement opportunities with the state which includes a breakdown by product or service and by the organization seeking the product or service;

(b) Listings of the published date and closing date for each business procurement opportunity;

(d) A breakdown of "Frequently Asked Questions" regarding the selection process with the respective agencies;

(e) An open-air forum for questions and answers relating to the procurement process, in general, as well as specifically relating to a single contract; and

(f) Links to individual agency websites and contacts to enable potential vendors to obtain more specific information, if necessary.

(5) The procurement portal must be linked to the Transparency Mississippi website established in accordance with Sections 27-104-151 through 27-104-163. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall develop and maintain a link to the procurement portal from the state website.

SECTION 52. Section 25-53-171, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-171. (1) There is hereby created the Wireless Communication Commission, which shall be responsible for promoting the efficient use of public resources to ensure that law enforcement personnel and essential public health and safety personnel have effective communications services available in emergency situations, and to ensure the rapid restoration of such communications services in the event of disruption caused by natural disaster, terrorist attack or other public emergency.

(2) The Wireless Communication Commission, hereafter referred to as the "commission," shall consist of the following:

(a) The Executive Director of the Department of Transportation or his designee;

(b) The Commissioner of Public Safety or his designee;

(d) The Executive Director of the Department of Information Technology Services or his designee;

(e) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency or his designee;

(f) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security or his designee;

(g) The President of the Mississippi Sheriff's Association or his designee;

(h) The President of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors or his designee;

(i) The President of the Mississippi Municipal Association or his designee;

(j) The President of the Mississippi Association of Fire Chiefs or his designee;

(k) The President of the Mississippi Association of Police Chiefs or his designee;

(l) The Chief of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol or his designee;

(m) The Commissioner of the Department of Corrections or his designee;

(n) The Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard or his designee;

(o) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality or his designee; and

(p) The Executive Director of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks or his designee.

All members of the commission shall serve a term of not less than four (4) years.

(3) Within forty-five (45) days from April 21, 2005, the Executive Director of the Department of Information Technology Services shall call a meeting of the commission in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and organize by electing a chairman and other officers from its membership. The commission shall adopt rules which govern the time and place for meetings and governing the manner of conducting its business. The commission shall meet at least monthly and maintain minutes of such meetings. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the membership of the commission.

(4) The commission, in conjunction with the Department of Information Technology Services, shall have the sole authority to promulgate rules and regulations governing the operations of the wireless communications system described in paragraph (a) and shall be vested with all legal authority necessary and proper to perform this function including, but not limited to:

(a) Purchasing, leasing, acquiring and otherwise implementing a statewide wireless communications system to serve wireless users in state and local governments and those private entities that enter into a partnership with the commission. All purchases shall be made in accordance with public purchasing laws and, if required, shall be approved by the Department of Information Technology Services. This system shall enable interoperability between various wireless communications technologies.

(b) Ensuring that federal/state communications requirements are followed with respect to such wireless communications systems.

(d) Assisting with establishment of state and local wireless communications.

(e) In consultation with the Department of Information Technology Services, having the authority to permit state and local agencies use of the communications system under the terms and conditions established by the commission.

(f) Providing technical support to users and bearing the overall responsibility for the design, engineering, acquisition and implementation of the statewide communications system and for ensuring the proper operation and maintenance of all equipment common to the system.

(g) Seeking proposals for services through competitive processes where required by law and selecting service providers under procedures provided for by law.

(h) Establishing, in conjunction with the Department of Information Technology Services, policies, procedures and standards which shall be incorporated into a comprehensive management plan for the operation of the statewide communications system.

(i) Having sign-off approval on all wireless communications systems within the state which are owned or operated by any state or local governmental entity, agency or department.

(j) Creating a standard user agreement.

(5) The commission, in conjunction with the Department of Information Technology Services, shall exercise its powers and duties pursuant to this section to plan, manage and administer the wireless communications system. The commission may:

(a) In consultation with the advisory board and the Department of Information Technology Services, establish policies, procedures and standards to incorporate into a comprehensive management plan for use and operation of the communications system.

(b) Enter into mutual aid agreements among federal, state and local agencies for the use of the communications system.

(c) Establish the cost of maintenance and operation of the system and charge subscribers for access and use of the system.

(d) Assess charges for use of the system.

(e) Obtain space through rent or lease of space on any tower under state control. The commission may also rent, lease or sublease ground space as necessary to locate equipment to support antennae on the towers. The costs for use of such space shall be established by the owner/agent for each site when it is determined to be practicable and feasible to make space available.

(f) Provide space through rent or lease of space on any tower under the commission's control. The commission may also rent, lease or sublease ground space as necessary to locate equipment to support antennae on the towers. The costs for use of such space shall be established by the commission when it is determined to be practicable and feasible to make space available.

(g) Refuse to lease space on any tower at any site. All monies collected by the commission for such rents, leases or subleases shall be deposited directly into a special fund hereby created and known as the "Integrated Public Safety Communications Fund." This fund shall be administered by the Department of Information Technology Services and may be used by the commission to construct, maintain and operate the system.

(h) Rent, lease or sublease ground space on lands acquired by the commission for the construction of privately owned or publicly owned towers. The commission, as part of such rental, lease or sublease agreement, may require space on such towers for antennae as may be necessary for the construction and operation of the wireless communications system.

(i) Enter into and perform use and occupancy agreements concerning the system.

(j) Exercise any power necessary to carry out the intent of this law.

(6) The Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Safety and other commission members may provide to the commission, on a full-time or part-time basis, personnel and technical support necessary and sufficient to effectively and efficiently carry out the requirements of this section.

(7) (a) Expenditures from the Integrated Public Safety Communications Fund shall be administered by the Department of Information Technology Services with expenditures approved jointly by the commission and the Department of Information Technology Services.

(b) The Integrated Public Safety Communications Fund may consist of the following:

(i) Appropriations from the Legislature;

(ii) Gifts;

(iii) Federal grants;

(iv) Fees and contributions from user agencies that the commission considers necessary to maintain and operate the system; and

(v) Monies from any other source permitted by law.

(c) Any monies remaining in the Integrated Public Safety Communications Fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the State General Fund, but shall remain in the Integrated Public Safety Communications Fund.

(8) Members of the commission shall not receive any compensation or per diem, but may receive travel reimbursement provided for under Section 25-3-41.

(9) There is hereby created the Wireless Communication Advisory Board for the purpose of advising the Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission in performance of its duties. The advisory board shall be composed of the following:

(a) The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Public Utilities Committee or their designees;

(b) The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Utilities Committee or their designees;

(d) The Chairman of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee or his designee;

(e) The Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee or his designee; and

(f) The Chairman of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee or his designee.

Members of the advisory board shall receive per diem and expenses which shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem and expenses for attending meetings of the advisory board shall be paid to legislative members while the Legislature is in session.

(10) It is the intent of the Legislature that all state and local government entities make available for purposes of this section all publicly owned wireless communications infrastructure, including, but not limited to, communications towers, transmission equipment, transmission frequencies and other related properties and facilities.

(11) Nothing in this section shall be construed or interpreted to provide for the regulation or oversight of commercial mobile radio services.

(12) Nothing in this section shall be construed to supercede the authority of the Department of Information Technology Services provided in Section 25-53-1 et seq.

SECTION 53. Section 25-53-191, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-53-191. (1) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section unless the context otherwise clearly requires:

(a) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Information Technology.

(b) "State agency" means any agency, department, commission, board, bureau, institution or other instrumentality of the state.

(c) "Wireless communication device" means a cellular telephone, pager or a personal digital assistant device having wireless communication capability.

(2) Before a wireless communication device may be assigned, issued or made available to an agency officer or employee, the agency head, or his designee, shall sign a statement certifying the need or reason for issuing the device. No officer or employee of any state agency, except for an officer or employee of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, shall be assigned or issued more than one (1) such wireless communication device. No officer or employee of any state agency to whom has been assigned, issued or made available the use of a wireless communication device, the cost of which is paid through the use of public funds, shall use such device for personal use.

(3) A state agency shall not reimburse any officer or employee for use of his or her personal wireless communication device.

(4) Every state agency that, at the expense of the state agency, assigns, issues or makes available to any of its officers or employees a wireless communication device shall obtain and maintain detailed billing for every wireless communication device account. A list of approved vendors for the procurement of wireless communication devices and the delivery of wireless communication device services shall be developed for all state agencies by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services in conjunction with the Wireless Communication Commission created in Section 25-53-171. The department, in conjunction with the Wireless Communication Commission, shall exercise the option of selecting one (1) vendor from which to procure wireless communication devices and to provide wireless communication device services, or if it deems such to be most advantageous to the state agencies, it may select multiple vendors. The department, in conjunction with the Wireless Communication Commission, shall select a vendor or vendors on the basis of lowest and best bid proposals. A state agency may not procure a wireless communication device from any vendor or contract for wireless communication device services with any vendor unless the vendor appears on the list approved by the department, in conjunction with the Wireless Communication Commission. A contract entered into in violation of this section shall be void and unenforceable.

(5) The department shall promulgate a model acceptable use policy defining the appropriate use of all wireless communication devices. The acceptable use policy should specify that these resources, including both devices and services, are provided at the state agency's expense as tools for accomplishing the business missions of the state agency; that all those resources are for business use; and that more than incidental personal use of those resources is prohibited. The acceptable use policy should require that each official and employee issued one (1) of the above devices or authorized to access one (1) of the above services sign the policy and that the signed copy be placed in the personnel file of the official or employee. The acceptable use policy should also require that the use of these resources be tracked, verified and signed by the official or employee and the supervisor of the official or employee at each billing cycle or other appropriate interval. All state agencies shall adopt the model policy or adopt a policy that is, at minimum, as stringent as the model policy and shall provide a copy of the policy to the department.

(6) All state agencies shall purchase or acquire only the lowest cost cellular telephone, pager or personal digital assistance device which will carry out its intended use.

(7) The University of Mississippi Medical Center and its employees, the Mississippi State University Extension Service and its agents and faculty members, the Mississippi State University Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station and its faculty members, the Mississippi State University Forestry and Wildlife Research Center and its faculty members, and the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine and its faculty members shall be exempt from the application of this section.

(8) The State Auditor shall conduct necessary audits to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section.

SECTION 54. Section 27-3-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

27-3-13. The Commissioner of Revenue is empowered to employ such accountants, appraisers, information systems programmers, information systems technicians, information systems managers, clerical help, stenographers, and such other assistants and/or attorneys as he may deem necessary to the proper discharge of the duties of the Department of Revenue, to prescribe their duties and to fix the compensation of each employee within the rules, regulations and guidelines of the State Personnel Board. Such employees may be used interchangeably in the administration of the various duties imposed by law upon the commissioner in the several offices of the Department of Revenue. Further, the Commissioner of Revenue may designate any ten (10) employees of the commission to be law enforcement officers, as defined in Section 45-6-3, with police powers to enforce any laws administered by the Department of Revenue. Temporary employees may be employed as hereinabove, when in the opinion of the commissioner a seasonal press of business requires, except that such temporary employees shall be retained no longer than is necessary to the discharge of the duties imposed by law upon the department.

SECTION 55. Section 29-5-2, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

29-5-2. The duties of the Department of Finance and Administration shall be as follows:

(a) (i) To exercise general supervision and care over and keep in good condition the following state property located in the City of Jackson: the New State Capitol Building, the Woolfolk State Office Building, the Carroll Gartin Justice Building, the Walter Sillers Office Building, the War Veterans' Memorial Building, the Charlotte Capers Building, the William F. Winter Archives and History Building, the Ike Sanford Veterans Affairs Building, the Old State Capitol Building, the Governor's Mansion, the Heber Ladner Building, the Burroughs Building, the Robert E. Lee Office Building, the Robert E. Lee Parking Garage, the Manship House Restoration and Visitor Center, the State Records Center, the Robert G. Clark, Jr. Building, the Mississippi State Fairgrounds Complex, and all other properties acquired in the same transaction at the time of the purchase of the Robert E. Lee Hotel property from the First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Jackson, Mississippi, which properties are more particularly described in a warranty deed heretofore executed and delivered on April 22, 1969, and filed for record in the Office of the Chancery Clerk of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, located in Jackson, Mississippi, on April 25, 1969, at 9:00 a.m., and recorded in Deed Book No. 1822, Page 136 et seq., the Central High Building, 101 Capitol Centre and the properties described in Section 1 of Chapter 542, Laws of 2009.

(ii) To exercise general supervision and care over and keep in good condition the Dr. Eldon Langston Bolton Building located in Biloxi, Mississippi.

(iii) To exercise general supervision and care over and keep in good condition the State Service Center, located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 49 and John Merl Tatum Industrial Drive in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

(iv) To exercise general supervision and care over and keep in good condition any property purchased, constructed or otherwise acquired by the State of Mississippi for conducting state business and not specifically under the supervision and care by any other state entity, but which is reasonably assumed the department would be responsible for such, as approved by the Public Procurement Review Board.

(b) To assign suitable office space for the various state departments, officers and employees who are provided with an office in any of the buildings under the jurisdiction or control of the Department of Finance and Administration. However, the assignment of space in the New Capitol Building shall be designated by duly passed resolution of the combined Senate Rules Committee and the House Management Committee, meeting as a joint committee, approved by the Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House of Representatives. A majority vote of the members of the Senate Rules Committee and a majority vote of the members of the House Management Committee shall be required on all actions taken, resolutions or reports adopted, and all other matters considered by the full combined committee on occasions when the Senate Rules Committee and the House Management Committee shall meet as a full combined committee.

(c) To approve or disapprove with the concurrence of the Public Procurement Review Board, any lease or rental agreements by any state agency or department, including any state agency financed entirely by federal and special funds, for space outside the buildings under the jurisdiction of the Department of Finance and Administration, including space necessary for parking to be used by state employees who work in the Woolfolk Building, the Carroll Gartin Justice Building or the Walter Sillers Office Building. In no event shall any employee, officer, department, federally funded agency or bureau of the state be authorized to enter into a lease or rental agreement without prior approval of the Department of Finance and Administration and the Public Procurement Review Board.

The Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to use architects, engineers, building inspectors and other personnel for the purpose of making inspections as may be deemed necessary in carrying out its duties and maintaining the facilities.

(d) To acquire by lease, lease-purchase agreement, or otherwise, as provided in Section 27-104-107, and to assign through the Office of General Services, by lease or sublease agreement from the office, and with the concurrence of the Public Procurement Review Board, to any state agency or department, including any state agency financed entirely by federal and special funds, appropriate office space in the buildings acquired.

(e) To approve or disapprove, after consultation with the Chairmen of the Senate and House Public Property Committees and with the concurrence of the Public Procurement Review Board, any lease or rental agreement for up to two thousand (2,000) square feet of space in the Robert G. Clark, Jr. Building with a private entity who will provide healthcare and wellness services to state employees. The department must select the entity using the request for proposal process. In addition to satisfying any other requirement for the Public Procurement Review Board's approval, the department must demonstrate that any agreement entered into under this paragraph will not impair or impede the function of state agencies in this location. This subsection shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2016.

SECTION 56. Section 31-1-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

31-1-1. The responsibility for the making of contracts for printing, binding, engraving and lithographing is hereby vested in each state agency or office which requires such printing, binding, engraving and lithographing, including but not restricted to the Secretary of State, State Department of Education, State Tax Commission, Supreme Court, Department of Insurance, State Auditor, Public Service Commission, State Treasurer, State Fiscal Management Board, State Veterans Affairs Board, Attorney General, Department of Agriculture and Commerce, State Board of Pharmacy, State Board of Dental Examiners, State Law Library, State Board of Health, Mississippi Department of Corrections, State Educational Finance Commission, Department of Archives and History, Mississippi State Hospital and Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

All contracts referred to herein shall be submitted to and approved by the State Fiscal Management Board prior to their execution, except that those contracts under the jurisdiction of the Legislature shall be submitted to and approved by the Legislative Budget Office.

All state agencies shall purchase all commodities required for their operation or for the proper fulfillment of their duties and functions in accordance with Chapter 7 of this title in order to coordinate and promote efficiency and economy in the purchase of such commodities for the state.

SECTION 57. Section 31-7-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

31-7-1. The following terms are defined for the purposes of this chapter to have the following meanings:

(a) "Agency" means any state board, commission, committee, council, university, department or unit thereof created by the Constitution or statutes if such board, commission, committee, council, university, department, unit or the head thereof is authorized to appoint subordinate staff by the Constitution or statute, except a legislative or judicial board, commission, committee, council, department or unit thereof; except a charter school authorized by the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board; and except the Mississippi State Port Authority.

(b) "Governing authority" means boards of supervisors, governing boards of all school districts, all boards of directors of public water supply districts, boards of directors of master public water supply districts, municipal public utility commissions, governing authorities of all municipalities, port authorities, Mississippi State Port Authority, commissioners and boards of trustees of any public hospitals, boards of trustees of public library systems, district attorneys, school attendance officers and any political subdivision of the state supported wholly or in part by public funds of the state or political subdivisions thereof, including commissions, boards and agencies created or operated under the authority of any county or municipality of this state. The term "governing authority" shall not include economic development authorities supported in part by private funds, or commissions appointed to hold title to and oversee the development and management of lands and buildings which are donated by private individuals to the public for the use and benefit of the community and which are supported in part by private funds. The term "governing authority" also shall not include the governing board of a charter school.

(c) "Purchasing agent" means any administrator, superintendent, purchase clerk or other chief officer so designated having general or special authority to negotiate for and make private contract for or purchase for any governing authority or agency.

(d) "Public funds" means and includes any appropriated funds, special funds, fees or any other emoluments received by an agency or governing authority.

(e) "Commodities" means and includes the various commodities, goods, merchandise, furniture, equipment, automotive equipment of every kind, and other personal property purchased by the agencies of the state and governing authorities, but not commodities purchased for resale or raw materials converted into products for resale.

(i) "Equipment" shall be construed to include: automobiles, trucks, tractors, office appliances and all other equipment of every kind and description.

(ii) "Furniture" shall be construed to include: desks, chairs, tables, seats, filing cabinets, bookcases and all other items of a similar nature as well as dormitory furniture, appliances, carpets and all other items of personal property generally referred to as home, office or school furniture.

(f) "Emergency" means any circumstances caused by fire, flood, explosion, storm, earthquake, epidemic, riot, insurrection or caused by any inherent defect due to defective construction, or when the immediate preservation of order or of public health is necessary by reason of unforeseen emergency, or when the immediate restoration of a condition of usefulness of any public building, equipment, road or bridge appears advisable, or in the case of a public utility when there is a failure of any machine or other thing used and useful in the generation, production or distribution of electricity, water or natural gas, or in the transportation or treatment of sewage; or when the delay incident to obtaining competitive bids could cause adverse impact upon the governing authorities or agency, its employees or its citizens; or in the case of a public airport, when the delay incident to publishing an advertisement for competitive bids would endanger public safety in a specific (not general) manner, result in or perpetuate a specific breach of airport security, or prevent the airport from providing specific air transportation services.

(g) "Construction" means the process of building, altering, improving, renovating or demolishing a public structure, public building, or other public real property. It does not include routine operation, routine repair or regularly scheduled maintenance of existing public structures, public buildings or other public real property.

(h) "Purchase" means buying, renting, leasing or otherwise acquiring.

(i) "Certified purchasing office" means any purchasing office in which fifty percent (50%) or more of the purchasing agents hold a certification from the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council or other nationally recognized purchasing certification, and in which, in the case of a state agency purchasing office, in addition to the national certification, one hundred percent (100%) of the purchasing officials hold a certification from the State of Mississippi's Basic or Advanced Purchasing Certification Program.

(j) "Certified Mississippi Purchasing Agent" means a state agency purchasing official who holds a certification from the Mississippi Basic Purchasing Certification Program as established by the Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management.

(k) "Certified Mississippi Procurement Manager" means a state agency purchasing official who holds a certification from the Mississippi Advanced Purchasing Certification Program as established by the Office of Purchasing, Travel and Fleet Management.

SECTION 58. Section 31-7-105, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

31-7-105. Upon acceptance of any bid by the board of supervisors, as provided in Section 31-7-13, the clerk of the board of supervisors, shall forthwith deliver to the purchase clerk a certified copy of such accepted bid. The accepted bid or offer to furnish equipment, heavy equipment, machinery, supplies, commodities, materials or services shall constitute the sole source for such purchase, unless such purchase is otherwise authorized by law. The term "lowest and best bid" shall not include any person, firm, partnership or corporation other than the person, firm, partnership or corporation actually submitting the bid determined to be the lowest and best bid.

SECTION 59. Section 31-7-119, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

31-7-119. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, neither the board of supervisors nor any member thereof shall individually purchase, order or receive any equipment, heavy equipment, machinery, supplies, commodities, materials or services for the use or benefit of the county.

(2) In any county in which the board of supervisors is not required to operate on a countywide system of road administration, the prohibition as provided in subsection (1) of this section shall not apply (a) to purchases of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) in the aggregate; or (b) to the purchase of parts or repair services in emergency situations, which purchases are exempt from bid requirements pursuant to Section 31-7-13(m)(ii) and (iii), Mississippi Code of 1972. Any supervisor who purchases any item or services in accordance with this subsection (2) shall sign the invoice or receipt and forward it to the purchase clerk in the manner provided by Section 31-7-103. No claim based on any such purchase shall be approved unless the purchase was made in compliance with the provisions of this subsection.

SECTION 60. Section 31-11-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

31-11-3. (1) The Department of Finance and Administration, for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this chapter, in addition to all other rights and powers granted by law, shall have full power and authority to employ and compensate architects or other employees necessary for the purpose of making inspections, preparing plans and specifications, supervising the erection of any buildings, and making any repairs or additions as may be determined by the Department of Finance and Administration to be necessary, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board. The department shall have entire control and supervision of, and determine what, if any, buildings, additions, repairs, demolitions or improvements are to be made under the provisions of this chapter, subject to the regulations adopted by the Public Procurement Review Board.

(2) The department shall have full power to erect buildings, make repairs, additions or improvements, demolitions, to grant or acquire easements or rights-of-way, and to buy materials, supplies and equipment for any of the institutions or departments of the state subject to the regulations adopted by the Public Procurement Review Board. In addition to other powers conferred, the department shall have full power and authority as directed by the Legislature, or when funds have been appropriated for its use for these purposes, to:

(a) Build a state office building;

(b) Build suitable plants or buildings for the use and housing of any state schools or institutions, including the building of plants or buildings for new state schools or institutions, as provided for by the Legislature;

(d) Promote and develop the training of returned veterans of the United States in all sorts of educational and vocational learning to be supplied by the proper educational institution of the State of Mississippi, and in so doing allocate monies appropriated to it for these purposes to the Governor for use by him in setting up, maintaining and operating an office and employing a state director of on-the-job training for veterans and the personnel necessary in carrying out Public Law No. 346 of the United States;

(e) Build and equip a hospital and administration building at the Mississippi State Penitentiary;

(f) Build and equip additional buildings and wards at the Boswell Retardation Center;

(g) Construct a sewage disposal and treatment plant at the Mississippi State Hospital, and in so doing acquire additional land as may be necessary, and to exercise the right of eminent domain in the acquisition of this land;

(h) Build and equip the Mississippi central market and purchase or acquire by eminent domain, if necessary, any lands needed for this purpose;

(i) Build and equip suitable facilities for a training and employing center for the blind;

(j) Build and equip a gymnasium at Columbia Training School;

(k) Approve or disapprove the expenditure of any money appropriated by the Legislature when authorized by the bill making the appropriation;

(l) Expend monies appropriated to it in paying the state's part of the cost of any street paving;

(m) Sell and convey state lands when authorized by the Legislature, cause said lands to be properly surveyed and platted, execute all deeds or other legal instruments, and do any and all other things required to effectively carry out the purpose and intent of the Legislature. Any transaction which involves state lands under the provisions of this paragraph shall be done in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 29-1-1;

(n) Collect and receive from educational institutions of the State of Mississippi monies required to be paid by these institutions to the state in carrying out any veterans' educational programs;

(o) Purchase lands for building sites, or as additions to building sites, for the erection of buildings and other facilities which the department is authorized to erect, and demolish and dispose of old buildings, when necessary for the proper construction of new buildings. Any transaction which involves state lands under the provisions of this paragraph shall be done in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 29-1-1;

(p) Obtain business property insurance with a deductible of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) on state-owned buildings under the management and control of the department; and

(q) In consultation with and approval by the Chairmen of the Public Property Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives, enter into contracts for the purpose of providing parking spaces for state employees who work in the Woolfolk Building, the Carroll Gartin Justice Building or the Walter Sillers Office Building.

(3) The department shall survey state-owned and state-utilized buildings to establish an estimate of the costs of architectural alterations, pursuant to the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 USCS, Section 12111 et seq. The department shall establish priorities for making the identified architectural alterations and shall make known to the Legislative Budget Office and to the Legislature the required cost to effectuate such alterations. To meet the requirements of this section, the department shall use standards of accessibility that are at least as stringent as any applicable federal requirements and may consider:

(a) Federal minimum guidelines and requirements issued by the United States Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board and standards issued by other federal agencies;

(b) The criteria contained in the American Standard Specifications for Making Buildings Accessible and Usable by the Physically Handicapped and any amendments thereto as approved by the American Standards Association, Incorporated (ANSI Standards);

(d) Applicable federal guidelines;

(e) Current literature in the field;

(f) Applicable safety standards; and

(g) Any applicable environmental impact statements.

(4) The department shall observe the provisions of Section 31-5-23, in letting contracts and shall use Mississippi products, including paint, varnish and lacquer which contain as vehicles tung oil and either ester gum or modified resin (with rosin as the principal base of constituents), and turpentine shall be used as a solvent or thinner, where these products are available at a cost not to exceed the cost of products grown, produced, prepared, made or manufactured outside of the State of Mississippi.

(5) The department shall have authority to accept grants, loans or donations from the United States government or from any other sources for the purpose of matching funds in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

(6) The department shall build a wheelchair ramp at the War Memorial Building which complies with all applicable federal laws, regulations and specifications regarding wheelchair ramps.

(7) The department shall review and preapprove all architectural or engineering service contracts entered into by any state agency, institution, commission, board or authority regardless of the source of funding used to defray the costs of the construction or renovation project for which services are to be obtained. The provisions of this subsection (7) shall not apply to any architectural or engineering contract paid for by self-generated funds of any of the state institutions of higher learning, nor shall they apply to community college projects that are funded from local funds or other nonstate sources which are outside the Department of Finance and Administration's appropriations or as directed by the Legislature. The provisions of this subsection (7) shall not apply to any construction or design projects of the State Military Department that are funded from federal funds or other nonstate sources.

(8) The department shall have the authority to obtain annually from the state institutions of higher learning information on all building, construction and renovation projects including duties, responsibilities and costs of any architect or engineer hired by any such institutions.

(9) As an alternative to other methods of awarding contracts as prescribed by law, the department may elect to use the method of contracting for construction projects set out in Sections 31-7-13.1 and 31-7-13.2; however, the dual-phase design-build method of construction contracting authorized under Section 31-7-13.1 may be used only when the Legislature has specifically required or authorized the use of this method in the legislation authorizing a project.

(10) The department shall have the authority, for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this chapter, and in addition to all other rights and powers granted by law, to create and maintain a list of suspended and debarred contractors and subcontractors. Consistent with this authority, the department may adopt regulations governing the suspension or debarment of contractors and subcontractors, which regulations shall be subject to the approval of the Public Procurement Review Board. A suspended or debarred contractor or subcontractor shall be disqualified from consideration for contracts with the department during the suspension or debarment period in accordance with the department's regulations.

(11) This section shall not apply to the Mississippi State Port Authority.

SECTION 61. Section 31-25-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

31-25-19. (1) In addition to the other powers granted to the bank under this act, the bank shall have the power:

(a) To sue and be sued in its own name;

(b) To have an official seal and to alter the same at pleasure;

(c) To maintain an office at such place or places within this state as it may designate, by lease without the approval of any other state agency or department;

(d) To adopt and, from time to time, to amend and repeal bylaws and rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this act, to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the bank and governing the conduct of its affairs and business and the use of its services and facilities;

(e) To make, enter into and enforce all contracts or agreements necessary, convenient or desirable for the purposes of the bank or pertaining to any loan to a local governmental unit made by the purchase of municipal securities or to the performance of its duties and execution or carrying out of any of its other powers under this act;

(f) To acquire, hold, use and dispose of its income, revenues, funds and monies;

(g) To the extent that it will facilitate the conduct of its operations and thereby further the purposes of this act, to acquire real or other personal property, or any interest therein, on either a temporary or long-term basis in the name of the bank by gift, purchase, transfer, foreclosure, lease or otherwise, including rights or easements, hold, sell, assign, lease, encumber mortgage or otherwise dispose of any real or other personal property, or any interest therein or mortgage interest owned by it or under its control, custody or in its possession and release or relinquish any right, title, claim, lien, interest, easement or demand however acquired, including any equity or right of redemption in property foreclosed by it and to do any of the foregoing by public or private sale; and, to the same extent, to lease or rent any lands, buildings, structures, facilities or equipment from private parties;

(h) To enter into agreements or other transactions with and accept the cooperation of the United States or any agency thereof or of the state or any agency or governmental subdivision thereof (including any local governmental unit whether or not such local governmental unit is selling or has sold its bonds to the bank) in furtherance of the purposes of this act and the corporate purposes of the bank, and to do any and all things necessary in order to avail itself of such cooperation;

(i) To receive and accept grants, aid or contributions, including loan guarantees, from any source of money, materials, property, labor, supplies, services, program or other things of value, to be held, used and applied to carry out the purposes of this act subject to such conditions upon which such grants and contributions, including loan guarantees, may be made, including, but not limited to, gifts or grants, including loan guarantees, from any department or agency of the United States or of this state or of any governmental subdivision of this state (including any local governmental unit whether or not such local governmental unit is selling or has sold its bonds to the bank) for any purpose consistent with this act, and to do any and all things necessary, useful, desirable or convenient in connection with the procurement acceptance or disposition of such gifts or grants, including loan guarantees;

(j) To procure insurance against any loss in connection with its property and other assets in such amounts and from insurers as it deems desirable, and to obtain from any department or agency of the United States of America or nongovernmental insurer any insurance or guaranty, to the extent now or hereafter available, as to, or of or for the payment or repayment of interest, principal or redemption price, if any, or all or any part thereof, on any bonds issued by the bank, or on any municipal securities of local governmental units purchased or held by the bank pursuant to this act; and notwithstanding any other provisions of this act to the contrary, to enter into any agreement or contract whatsoever with respect to any such insurance or guaranty, except to the extent that the same would in any way impair or interfere with the ability of the bank to perform and fulfill the terms of any agreement made with the holders of the bonds of the bank;

(k) To employ administrative and clerical staff, managing agents, architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, and financial advisors and experts and such other advisors, consultants, agents and employees as may be necessary in its judgment and to fix their compensation, and to perform its powers or functions through its officers, agents and employees or by contracts with any firm, person or corporation;

(l) To the extent permitted under its contract with the holders of bonds of the bank, to consent to any modification of the rate of interest, time and payment of any installment of principal or interest, security or any other term of such bond, contract or agreement of any kind to which the bank is a party;

(m) To purchase, hold or dispose of any of its bonds;

(n) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, to invest any funds or monies of the bank or proceeds of any securities or certificates of participation in such manner as shall be deemed by the bank to be prudent except as otherwise permitted or provided by this act;

(o) To conduct examinations and hearings and to hear testimony and take proof, under oath or affirmation, at public or private hearings, on any matter material for its information and necessary to carry out this act;

(p) To loan money to local governmental units by the purchase of municipal securities, subject to the provisions of this act;

(q) To borrow money for any of its corporate purposes and to issue bonds therefor, subject to the provisions of this act;

(r) To exercise any and all of the powers granted to the bank by any other section of this act and to do any act necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers herein granted or reasonably implied therefrom;

(s) To loan money to any local governmental unit under any loan guaranty program of any department or agency of the United States, including the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Utility Services Water and Waste Disposal Guaranteed Loan Program and Community Programs Guaranteed Loan Program or any such successor guaranty programs; and

(t) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, to contract with any local governmental unit for the exercise by the bank of any and all of the bank's powers as set out in this act, with respect to proceeds of such local governmental unit's securities or certificates of participation issued by such local governmental unit pursuant to any state law authorizing the issuance of local governmental unit debt.

(2) Paragraphs (s) and (t) of subsection (1) of this section shall be deemed to provide all necessary authority for the doing of the things authorized thereby and shall be liberally construed to accomplish the purposes and the authorizations therein stated.

SECTION 62. Section 31-31-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

31-31-7. The commission shall have the following powers:

(a) To sue and be sued in its own name;

(b) To maintain offices at such places as it may designate;

(c) To establish, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate and regulate the facility and other property incidental thereto, including any additional property or facilities considered by the commission to promote the business, usage or economic viability of the facility;

(d) To grant to others the privilege to operate for profit concessions, leases and franchises, including but not limited to, the furnishing of food and banquet services, management services, and other services necessary to the operation of the facility and such concessions, leases and franchises shall be exclusive or limited;

(e) To determine fees, rates and charges for the use of its facilities;

(f) To apply for and accept gifts, or grants of money or gifts, grants or loans of other property or other financial assistance from any source;

(g) To borrow funds needed to carry out the purposes of this chapter; provided, however, that such debt may be secured only by the revenues generated by the facility, funds generated by the tax levied pursuant to Section 31-31-11 and the proceeds of any bonds issued pursuant to this chapter;

(h) To appoint, employ or engage such officers, employees, architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, investment bankers and other advisors, consultants, and agents as may be necessary or appropriate;

(i) To make, assume and enter into all contracts, leases and arrangements necessary or incidental to the exercise for its powers, including contracts for management, operation or marketing of all or any part of its facilities;

(j) To adopt, amend and repeal rules and regulations for the use, maintenance and operation of its facilities and governing the conduct of persons and organizations using its facilities and to enforce such rules and regulations; and

(k) To do all things necessary or convenient to the purposes of this chapter.

SECTION 63. Section 33-15-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

33-15-17. (a) Each county and municipality, or counties and the municipalities therein acting jointly, or two (2) or more counties acting jointly, of this state are hereby authorized and directed to establish a local organization for emergency management in accordance with the state emergency management plan and program, if required and authorized so to do by such state emergency management plan. Each local organization for emergency management shall have a director who shall be appointed by the governing body of the political subdivision, or political subdivisions acting jointly, and who shall have direct responsibility for the organization, administration and operation of such local organization for emergency management, subject to the direction and control of such governing body. Each local organization for emergency management shall perform emergency management functions within the territorial limits of the political subdivision within which it is organized, and, in addition, shall conduct such functions outside of such territorial limits as may be required pursuant to the provisions of the state emergency management plan. Each county shall develop an emergency management plan and program that is coordinated and consistent with the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and program. Counties that are part of an interjurisdictional emergency management agreement entered into pursuant to this section shall cooperatively develop an emergency management plan and program that is coordinated and consistent with the state emergency management plan and program.

(b) In carrying out the provisions of this article each county and municipality, or the two (2) acting jointly, or two (2) or more counties acting jointly, where there is joint organization, in which any disaster as described in Section 33-15-5 occurs, shall have the power to enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to combat such disaster, protecting the health and safety of persons and property, and providing emergency assistance to the victims of such disaster. Each county and municipality is authorized to exercise the powers vested under this section in the light of the exigencies of the extreme emergency situation without regard to time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law pertaining to the performance of public work, entering into contracts, the incurring of obligations, the employment of temporary workers, the rental of equipment, the purchase of supplies and materials, the levying of taxes and the appropriation and expenditure of public funds.

(1) To appropriate and expend funds, make contracts, obtain and distribute equipment, materials, and supplies for emergency management purposes; provide for the health and safety of persons and property, including emergency assistance to the victims of any enemy attack or man-made, technological or natural disasters; and to direct and coordinate the development of emergency management plans and programs in accordance with the policies and plans set by the federal and state emergency management agencies;

(2) To appoint, employ, remove, or provide, with or without compensation, air raid wardens, rescue teams, auxiliary fire and police personnel, and other emergency management workers;

(3) To establish, as necessary, a primary and one or more secondary emergency operating centers to provide continuity of government, and direction and control of emergency operation during an emergency;

(4) To donate public funds, supplies, labor and equipment to assist any governmental entity in a county or municipality in which a disaster as described in Section 33-15-5 occurs;

(5) Subject to the order of the Governor, or the chief executive of the political subdivision, to assign and make available for duty, the employees, property or equipment of the subdivision relating to fire fighting, engineering, rescue, health, medical and related services, police, transportation, construction, and similar items or services for emergency management purposes either within or outside of the limits of the subdivision;

(6) Subject to the order of the chief executive of the county or municipality or the Governor to order the evacuation of any area subject to an impending or existing enemy attack or man-made, technological or natural disaster;

(7) Subject to the order of the chief executive of the county or municipality or the Governor, to control or restrict egress, ingress and movement within the disaster area to the degree necessary to facilitate the protection of life and property;

(8) To enter into mutual aid agreements in the manner authorized by Section 33-15-19.

(d) A local emergency as defined in Section 33-15-5 may be proclaimed by the mayor or governing body of a municipality or the governing body of a county. In the event a local emergency is proclaimed by the mayor of a municipality, the governing body of such municipality shall review and approve or disapprove the need for continuing the local emergency at its first regular meeting following such proclamation or at a special meeting legally called for such review. Thereafter, the governing body shall review the need for continuing the local emergency at least every thirty (30) days until such local emergency is terminated, and shall proclaim the termination of such local emergency at the earliest possible date that conditions warrant. During a local emergency, the governing body of a political subdivision may promulgate orders and regulations necessary to provide for the protection of life and property, including orders or regulations imposing a curfew within designated boundaries where necessary to preserve the public order and safety. Such orders and regulations and amendments and rescissions thereof shall be in writing and shall be given widespread notice and publicity. The authorization granted by this section to impose a curfew shall not be construed as restricting in any manner the existing authority to impose a curfew pursuant to police power for any other lawful purpose.

SECTION 64. Section 35-7-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

35-7-7. The administration of the provisions hereof is vested in a Veterans' Home Purchase Board consisting of six (6) members who shall be appointed, or reappointed, by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Members appointed to the board shall be veterans of either World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Southeast Asia Conflict, the Persian Gulf Conflict or have served in active duty for at least one hundred eighty (180) days during a time of war or a conflict in which a campaign ribbon or medal was issued and shall possess a background in business, banking, real estate or the legal profession which enables them to carry out the duties of the board. No state/department commander of any federally recognized veterans organization, no national officer of any federally recognized veterans organization and no member of the Mississippi Council of Veterans Organizations shall be eligible for appointment to the board until the expiration of a period of three (3) years after the termination of his service in such disqualifying positions. Appointments shall be staggered, with each Governor appointing or reappointing two (2) members in the first year of his administration; one (1) member in the second year, two (2) members in the third year, and one (1) member in the fourth year. Appointments for terms that expire in 1988 shall be made as follows: one (1) shall be made for a term ending on July 1, 1989; one (1) shall be made for a term ending on July 1, 1991; and two (2) shall be made for a term ending on July 1, 1992. Persons appointed to succeed the two (2) members whose terms expired in 1986, or any such member holding over after 1986 because no successor was appointed, shall serve until July 1, 1990. After the expiration of the foregoing terms, all appointments shall be for a term of four (4) years from the expiration date of the previous term. From and after July 1, 1988, one (1) appointee shall be selected from each of the five (5) congressional districts of this state as such districts are composed on May 1, 1987, and one (1) appointee shall be selected from the state at large. Any vacancy occurring during a term shall be filled by appointment of a member for the unexpired portion of the term.

The board is hereby authorized and empowered to make and promulgate such reasonable rules and regulations under this chapter as it shall deem to be necessary or advisable and to enforce the same. The board shall have authority to render the final decision on the purchase application process, approval of purchases, funding of purchase commitments, servicing loans and default, property security, management, resale, release from security, and all other matters relating to the purchases and loans made under this law. The board shall likewise, by an order spread on its minutes, elect a chairman and vice chairman to serve for one-year terms, and all such officers are eligible to succeed themselves in such offices. The chairman may appoint a three-member loan committee from the membership of the board and shall specify the conditions, responsibilities and authority of such committee.

Each member of the board and his successor shall be reimbursed all of his actual and necessary traveling and other expenses incurred in the attendance of the meetings of the board or in the performance of other duties in connection with the business of the board as provided for state officers and employees in Section 25-3-41, and shall be allowed a per diem as provided in Section 25-3-69 for such attendance; provided that the number of days per diem shall not exceed sixty-six (66) days for the chairman and fifty (50) days for other members of the board during any one (1) fiscal year. The above limitation of days per year shall not apply to board members appointed on a full-time basis to the loan committee.

The director, or other executive officer employed by the board, shall execute a surety bond in the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), conditioned upon the faithful performance of his duties and upon his accounting for all monies coming into his hands; and each employee handling funds shall execute a like bond in the sum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00), and the premiums thereon shall be paid from the funds provided for administering this chapter.

The board may designate one (1) of its employees as the acting director or executive officer by a vote of the majority of the members of the board, officially recorded in the minutes of a regular or special meeting, and such acting director shall be vested with all the authority conferred upon the director by the provisions of this chapter; but such acting director may not serve for a continuous period of time in excess of six (6) months, and the acting director, when so designated, will be required to furnish surety bond in the same amount and under the same conditions as the director. The purpose of this provision is to designate an executive officer during any temporary illness, absence or incapacity of the regularly designated director.

The board may designate one (1) of its employees by a vote of the majority of the members of the board, officially recorded in the minutes of a regular or special meeting, to be authorized to sign a Deed of Conveyance or other closing documents necessary as to not delay the closing or settlement of a home purchase during the absence or unavailability of the director.

The board may select and employ such expert, technical and clerical assistance as in its judgment may be necessary in the proper administration of said board and fix the salaries of such employees.

The board is empowered to employ auditors and accountants to examine the books, accounts and records of the board if it so desires, and the board is also authorized to employ legal counsel if it deems such a course necessary in the proper administration of its affairs.

SECTION 65. Section 37-33-157, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-33-157. The Department of Rehabilitation Services shall provide the rehabilitation services authorized by law and by the rules, regulations and policies of the board to every individual determined to be eligible therefor, and in carrying out the purposes of this chapter the department is authorized, when consistent with the rules, regulations and policies of the State Board of Rehabilitation Services:

(a) To expend funds received either by appropriation or directly from federal or private sources.

(b) To cooperate with other departments, agencies and institutions, both public and private, in providing the services authorized by this chapter to disabled individuals, in studying the problems involved therein, and in establishing, developing and providing in conformity with the purposes of this chapter, such programs, facilities and services as may be necessary or desirable.

(c) To enter into reciprocal agreements with other states to provide for the services authorized by this chapter to residents of the states concerned.

(d) To conduct research and compile statistics relating to the provision of services to or the need of services by disabled individuals.

(e) To enter into contractual arrangements with the federal government and with other authorized public agencies or persons for performance of services related to rehabilitation.

(f) To contract with schools, hospitals and other agencies, and with doctors, optometrists, nurses, technicians and other persons, for training, physical restoration, transportation and other rehabilitation services.

(g) To take such action as may be necessary to enable the department to apply for, accept and receive for the state and its residents the full benefits available under the federal Vocational Rehabilitation Act, and any amendments thereto, and under any other federal legislation or program having as its purpose the providing of, improvement or extension of, vocational rehabilitation services.

(h) To establish an Office on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to provide services and activities authorized under Section 37-33-171.

(i) To own in the name of the State of Mississippi certain real property described in Section 7 of Chapter 512, Laws of 2005, and to construct, renovate or repair under the supervision of the Department of Finance and Administration any buildings on such property.

(j) To borrow money from the Mississippi Development Bank or other financial institution for the purpose of construction, repair and renovation, furnishing or equipping facilities owned or under the supervision of the department; however, the department shall certify the following to the Mississippi Development Bank or other financial institution prior to entering into any loan:

(i) The available revenue that the department intends to utilize to repay the loan; and

(ii) That the department does not intend to request an additional appropriation from state source funding to pay debt service on any loan entered into under this paragraph.

(k) To fingerprint and perform a current criminal history record check, child abuse registry check, sex offender registry check, and vulnerable adult abuse or neglect check on any person performing services for or on behalf of the department including, but not limited to, every employee, volunteer, contractual worker, and independent contractor.

(l) To use the results of the fingerprinting and background checks performed under paragraph (k) for the purposes of employment decisions and/or actions and service provision to consumers of the department's services. The department and its agents, officers, employees, attorneys and representatives shall be exempt from liability for any findings, recommendations or actions taken under this paragraph.

SECTION 66. Section 37-33-163, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-33-163. The Office of Disability Determination Services established by Section 37-33-153 shall be administered by a director appointed by the Executive Director of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services. The director shall devote his full time to the proper administration of the office. In carrying out his duties under this chapter, the director:

(a) Shall enter into agreements on behalf of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services and the State of Mississippi with the federal Social Security Administration or its successor in order to implement the provisions of the federal Social Security Act relating to the determination of disabilities under Title II and Title XVI, and shall enter into contracts necessary to provide such disability determination functions as allowed under applicable federal regulation;

(b) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, make regulations governing Mississippi applications for disability benefits under Title II and Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act, and make such other regulations as are found necessary to implement the functions of the office prescribed under this chapter;

(c) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, establish appropriate subordinate administrative units within the office;

(d) Shall, with the approval of the executive director, be responsible for appointing supervisors, assistants, physicians, and other employees or entering into purchase of service contracts, as are necessary for the efficient performance of the functions of the office, subject to the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the State Personnel Board as created under Section 25-9-101 et seq.;

(e) Shall prepare and submit to the board through the executive director annual reports of activities and expenditures, and estimates of the amounts to be made available to the office from all sources; and

(f) Shall, with the approval of the executive director and the board, take such other action as he deems necessary or appropriate to implement the functions of the office.

SECTION 67. Section 37-37-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-37-3. In addition to all auditors and other employees now or hereafter provided by law, the State Auditor may appoint and employ examiners in the Department of Audit. The examiners shall make such audits as may be necessary to determine the correctness and accuracy of all reports made to the State Department of Education by any school district or school official concerning the number of educable students in any school district, the number of students enrolled in any school district, the number of students in average daily attendance in any school district, and the number of students being transported or entitled to transportation to any of the public schools of this state.

SECTION 68. Section 37-101-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-101-43. (a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 37-101-44, and subject to the provisions of Section 37-101-42, before entering into or awarding any such lease contract under the provisions of Section 37-101-41, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning shall cause the interested state-supported institution upon which a facility is proposed to be constructed or renovated to select and submit three (3) architects to the board. Thereupon, the board shall approve and employ an architect, who shall be paid by the interested institution from any funds available to the interested institution. The architect, under the direction of the interested institution, shall prepare complete plans and specifications for the facility or facilities desired to be constructed or renovated on the leased property.

Upon completion of the plans and specifications and the approval thereof by the board, and before entering into any lease contract, the board shall cause to be published once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks and not less than twenty-one (21) days in at least one (1) newspaper having a general circulation in the county in which the interested institution is located and in one (1) newspaper with a general statewide circulation, a notice inviting bids or proposals for the leasing, construction or renovation, including the furnishing, maintaining and equipping, if applicable, and leasing back, if applicable, of the land and constructed or renovated facility, including any applicable furnishings or equipment, of the facility to be constructed or renovated in accordance with the plans and specifications. The notice shall distinctly state the thing to be done, and invite sealed proposals, to be filed with the board, to do the thing to be done. The notice shall contain the following specific provisions, together with such others as the board in its discretion deems appropriate, to wit: bids shall be accompanied by a bid security evidenced by a certified or cashier's check or bid-bond payable to the board in a sum of not less than five percent (5%) of the gross construction cost of the facility to be constructed as estimated by the board and the bids shall contain proof satisfactory to the board of interim and permanent financing. The board shall state in the notice when construction shall commence. The bid shall contain the proposed contractor's certificate of responsibility number and bidder's license. In all cases, before the notice shall be published, the plans and specifications shall be filed with the board and also in the office of the president of the interested institution, there to remain.

The board shall award the lease contract to the lowest and best bidder, who will comply with the terms imposed by the contract documents. At the time of the awarding of the lease contract the successful bidder shall enter into bond with sufficient sureties, to be approved by the board, in such penalty as may be fixed by the board, but in no case to be less than the estimated gross construction or renovation cost of the facility to be constructed or renovated as estimated by the board, conditioned for the prompt, proper and efficient performance of the contract. The bond shall be made by an authorized corporate surety bonding company. The bid security herein provided for shall be forfeited if the successful bidder fails to enter into lease contract and commence construction or renovation within the time limitation set forth in the notice. At such time, and simultaneously with the signing of the contract, the successful bidder shall deposit a sum of money, in cash or certified or cashier's check, not less than the bid security previously deposited as bid security to reimburse the interested institution for all sums expended by it for architectural services and other expenditures of the board and interested institution connected with the bidded lease contract, of which such other anticipated expenditures notice is to be given to bidder in the notice. The bid security posted by an unsuccessful bidder shall be refunded to him.

(b) Under the authority granted under Section 37-101-44, the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section shall not apply to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning's power to grant to universities the authority to contract with a single entity for privately financed design and construction or renovation, and if applicable, the furnishing, maintaining and equipping of facilities on university campuses, and if applicable, the furnishing, maintenance and equipping of facilities on university campuses.

SECTION 69. Section 37-115-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-115-25. (1) There shall be built, equipped and operated as a part of the medical school, a teaching hospital of the size of not less than three-hundred-fifty-bed capacity, together with all ancillary buildings and physical facilities needful or proper for the establishment, operation and maintenance of such a hospital as a part of a fully accredited four-year medical school, including, clinical and outpatient services and all types of services deemed to be necessary or desirable as a part of the functioning of such a teaching hospital. Said teaching hospital shall be known as the University Hospital. There shall also be acquired and installed all needed equipment and supplies for the proper operation and maintenance of such medical school and hospital and other facilities for the purposes aforesaid. There shall be employed all needed personnel and services to operate said medical school and hospital and other facilities.

(2) As part of employing appropriate professional staff, the University Medical Center and University Hospital are authorized to enter into recruitment agreements to provide for needed faculty physicians and staff. Said agreements may include, but are not limited to, salary supplements, transfer and moving expenses and payment of medical school loans. Any amount so advanced shall be forgiven over not less than a three-year period of a year-for-year pro rata basis. In the event that the physician should leave University of Mississippi Medical Center employment, said physician shall repay any remaining sum(s) so advanced plus interest as negotiated in the agreement. Said amounts to be repaid over no more than a two-year period.

SECTION 70. Section 37-138-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-138-9. The commission shall administer and enforce this chapter and shall have the following powers and duties under this chapter:

(a) To adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate, after due notice and hearing, and where not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from, and to enforce rules and regulations implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the commission under this chapter, including but not limited to rules and regulations concerning the required accreditation training, the issuance and annual renewal of certificates, the assessment of annual fees and the assessment of penalties, reprimands, and the suspension and revocation of certificates, abatement emergencies and the exclusion of minor abatement and/or routine maintenance activities at commercial buildings, industrial facilities, public buildings and school buildings from any requirements of this chapter;

(b) To issue certificates for the positions of management planner, project designer, air monitor, contractor, supervisor, inspector and worker and to renew said certificates annually;

(d) To assess annual fees for the issuance and annual renewal of certificates;

(e) To approve the accreditation of training courses administered to applicants for issuance and annual renewal of certificates and to develop an examination and grading system for testing applicants, to be administered by the designated university;

(f) Administration and expenditure of funds deposited in and expended by legislative appropriation from the Asbestos Abatement Accreditation and Certification Fund;

(g) Reciprocal arrangements for accreditation and certification of management planners, project designers, air monitors, contractors, supervisors, inspectors and workers with other states that have established accreditation and certification programs that meet or exceed the accreditation and certification requirements of this chapter;

(h) To apply for, receive and expend any federal or state funds or contributions, gifts, devises, bequests or funds from any other source relating to this chapter;

(i) To commission or conduct studies relating to this chapter;

(j) To enter into, and to authorize the executive director to execute with the approval of the commission, contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the provisions of this chapter; but this authority under this chapter shall not include contracts, grants or cooperative agreements which do not develop data or information usable by the commission in connection with this chapter, or which provide goods, services or facilities to the commission or any of its bureaus, and shall exclude any monies for special interest groups for purposes of lobbying or otherwise promoting their special interests; and

(k) To discharge such other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 71. Section 41-3-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

41-3-15. (1) (a) There shall be a State Department of Health.

(b) The State Board of Health shall have the following powers and duties:

(i) To formulate the policy of the State Department of Health regarding public health matters within the jurisdiction of the department;

(ii) To adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate, after due notice and hearing, and enforce rules and regulations implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the department under any and all statutes within the department's jurisdiction, and as the board may deem necessary;

(iii) To apply for, receive, accept and expend any federal or state funds or contributions, gifts, trusts, devises, bequests, grants, endowments or funds from any other source or transfers of property of any kind;

(iv) To enter into, and to authorize the executive officer to execute contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the provisions of this chapter, if it finds those actions to be in the public interest and the contracts or agreements do not have a financial cost that exceeds the amounts appropriated for those purposes by the Legislature;

(v) To appoint, upon recommendation of the Executive Officer of the State Department of Health, a Director of Internal Audit who shall be either a Certified Public Accountant or Certified Internal Auditor, and whose employment shall be continued at the discretion of the board, and who shall report directly to the board, or its designee; and

(vi) To discharge such other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.

(i) To administer the policies of the State Board of Health within the authority granted by the board;

(ii) To supervise and direct all administrative and technical activities of the department, except that the department's internal auditor shall be subject to the sole supervision and direction of the board;

(iii) To organize the administrative units of the department in accordance with the plan adopted by the board and, with board approval, alter the organizational plan and reassign responsibilities as he or she may deem necessary to carry out the policies of the board;

(iv) To coordinate the activities of the various offices of the department;

(v) To employ, subject to regulations of the State Personnel Board, qualified professional personnel in the subject matter or fields of each office, and such other technical and clerical staff as may be required for the operation of the department. The executive officer shall be the appointing authority for the department, and shall have the power to delegate the authority to appoint or dismiss employees to appropriate subordinates, subject to the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board;

(vi) To recommend to the board such studies and investigations as he or she may deem appropriate, and to carry out the approved recommendations in conjunction with the various offices;

(vii) To prepare and deliver to the Legislature and the Governor on or before January 1 of each year, and at such other times as may be required by the Legislature or Governor, a full report of the work of the department and the offices thereof, including a detailed statement of expenditures of the department and any recommendations the board may have;

(viii) To prepare and deliver to the Chairmen of the Public Health and Welfare/Human Services Committees of the Senate and House on or before January 1 of each year, a plan for monitoring infant mortality in Mississippi and a full report of the work of the department on reducing Mississippi's infant mortality and morbidity rates and improving the status of maternal and infant health; and

(ix) To enter into contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the provisions of this chapter, if he or she finds those actions to be in the public interest and the contracts or agreements do not have a financial cost that exceeds the amounts appropriated for those purposes by the Legislature. Each contract or agreement entered into by the executive officer shall be submitted to the board before its next meeting.

(2) The State Board of Health shall have the authority to establish an Office of Rural Health within the department. The duties and responsibilities of this office shall include the following:

(a) To collect and evaluate data on rural health conditions and needs;

(b) To engage in policy analysis, policy development and economic impact studies with regard to rural health issues;

(c) To develop and implement plans and provide technical assistance to enable community health systems to respond to various changes in their circumstances;

(d) To plan and assist in professional recruitment and retention of medical professionals and assistants; and

(e) To establish information clearinghouses to improve access to and sharing of rural health care information.

(3) The State Board of Health shall have general supervision of the health interests of the people of the state and to exercise the rights, powers and duties of those acts which it is authorized by law to enforce.

(4) The State Board of Health shall have authority:

(a) To make investigations and inquiries with respect to the causes of disease and death, and to investigate the effect of environment, including conditions of employment and other conditions that may affect health, and to make such other investigations as it may deem necessary for the preservation and improvement of health.

(b) To make such sanitary investigations as it may, from time to time, deem necessary for the protection and improvement of health and to investigate nuisance questions that affect the security of life and health within the state.

(c) To direct and control sanitary and quarantine measures for dealing with all diseases within the state possible to suppress same and prevent their spread.

(d) To obtain, collect and preserve such information relative to mortality, morbidity, disease and health as may be useful in the discharge of its duties or may contribute to the prevention of disease or the promotion of health in this state.

(e) To charge and collect reasonable fees for health services, including immunizations, inspections and related activities, and the board shall charge fees for those services; provided, however, if it is determined that a person receiving services is unable to pay the total fee, the board shall collect any amount that the person is able to pay.

(f) (i) To establish standards for, issue permits and exercise control over, any cafes, restaurants, food or drink stands, sandwich manufacturing establishments, and all other establishments, other than churches, church-related and private schools, and other nonprofit or charitable organizations, where food or drink is regularly prepared, handled and served for pay; and

(ii) To require that a permit be obtained from the Department of Health before those persons begin operation. If any such person fails to obtain the permit required in this subparagraph (ii), the State Board of Health, after due notice and opportunity for a hearing, may impose a monetary penalty not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each violation. However, the department is not authorized to impose a monetary penalty against any person whose gross annual prepared food sales are less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). Money collected by the board under this subparagraph (ii) shall be deposited to the credit of the State General Fund of the State Treasury.

(g) To promulgate rules and regulations and exercise control over the production and sale of milk pursuant to the provisions of Sections 75-31-41 through 75-31-49.

(h) On presentation of proper authority, to enter into and inspect any public place or building where the State Health Officer or his representative deems it necessary and proper to enter for the discovery and suppression of disease and for the enforcement of any health or sanitary laws and regulations in the state.

(i) To conduct investigations, inquiries and hearings, and to issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and records at any hearing when authorized and required by statute to be conducted by the State Health Officer or the State Board of Health.

(j) To promulgate rules and regulations, and to collect data and information, on (i) the delivery of services through the practice of telemedicine; and (ii) the use of electronic records for the delivery of telemedicine services.

(k) To enforce and regulate domestic and imported fish as authorized under Section 69-7-601 et seq.

(5) (a) The State Board of Health shall have the authority, in its discretion, to establish programs to promote the public health, to be administered by the State Department of Health. Specifically, those programs may include, but shall not be limited to, programs in the following areas:

(i) Maternal and child health;

(ii) Family planning;

(iii) Pediatric services;

(iv) Services to crippled and disabled children;

(v) Control of communicable and noncommunicable disease;

(vi) Chronic disease;

(vii) Accidental deaths and injuries;

(viii) Child care licensure;

(ix) Radiological health;

(x) Dental health;

(xi) Milk sanitation;

(xii) Occupational safety and health;

(xiii) Food, vector control and general sanitation;

(xiv) Protection of drinking water;

(xv) Sanitation in food handling establishments open to the public;

(xvi) Registration of births and deaths and other vital events;

(xvii) Such public health programs and services as may be assigned to the State Board of Health by the Legislature or by executive order; and

(xviii) Regulation of domestic and imported fish for human consumption.

(b) The State Board of Health and State Department of Health shall not be authorized to sell, transfer, alienate or otherwise dispose of any of the home health agencies owned and operated by the department on January 1, 1995, and shall not be authorized to sell, transfer, assign, alienate or otherwise dispose of the license of any of those home health agencies, except upon the specific authorization of the Legislature by an amendment to this section. However, this paragraph (b) shall not prevent the board or the department from closing or terminating the operation of any home health agency owned and operated by the department, or closing or terminating any office, branch office or clinic of any such home health agency, or otherwise discontinuing the providing of home health services through any such home health agency, office, branch office or clinic, if the board first demonstrates that there are other providers of home health services in the area being served by the department's home health agency, office, branch office or clinic that will be able to provide adequate home health services to the residents of the area if the department's home health agency, office, branch office or clinic is closed or otherwise discontinues the providing of home health services. This demonstration by the board that there are other providers of adequate home health services in the area shall be spread at length upon the minutes of the board at a regular or special meeting of the board at least thirty (30) days before a home health agency, office, branch office or clinic is proposed to be closed or otherwise discontinue the providing of home health services.

(c) The State Department of Health may undertake such technical programs and activities as may be required for the support and operation of those programs, including maintaining physical, chemical, bacteriological and radiological laboratories, and may make such diagnostic tests for diseases and tests for the evaluation of health hazards as may be deemed necessary for the protection of the people of the state.

(6) (a) The State Board of Health shall administer the local governments and rural water systems improvements loan program in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-16.

(b) The State Board of Health shall have authority:

(i) To enter into capitalization grant agreements with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or any successor agency thereto;

(ii) To accept capitalization grant awards made under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended;

(iii) To provide annual reports and audits to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, as may be required by federal capitalization grant agreements; and

(iv) To establish and collect fees to defray the reasonable costs of administering the revolving fund or emergency fund if the State Board of Health determines that those costs will exceed the limitations established in the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended. The administration fees may be included in loan amounts to loan recipients for the purpose of facilitating payment to the board; however, those fees may not exceed five percent (5%) of the loan amount.

(7) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the State Department of Health shall have the following specific powers: The department shall issue a license to Alexander Milne Home for Women, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, for the construction, conversion, expansion and operation of not more than forty-five (45) beds for developmentally disabled adults who have been displaced from New Orleans, Louisiana, with the beds to be located in a certified ICF-MR facility in the City of Laurel, Mississippi. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program for the person receiving the license under this subsection (7). The license described in this subsection shall expire five (5) years from the date of its issue. The license authorized by this subsection shall be issued upon the initial payment by the licensee of an application fee of Sixty-seven Thousand Dollars ($67,000.00) and a monthly fee of Sixty-seven Thousand Dollars ($67,000.00) after the issuance of the license, to be paid as long as the licensee continues to operate. The initial and monthly licensing fees shall be deposited by the State Department of Health into the special fund created under Section 41-7-188.

(8) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the State Department of Health shall have the following specific powers: The State Department of Health is authorized to issue a license to an existing home health agency for the transfer of a county from that agency to another existing home health agency, and to charge a fee for reviewing and making a determination on the application for such transfer not to exceed one-half (1/2) of the authorized fee assessed for the original application for the home health agency, with the revenue to be deposited by the State Department of Health into the special fund created under Section 41-7-188.

(9) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the State Department of Health shall have the following specific powers: For the period beginning July 1, 2010, through July 1, 2017, the State Department of Health is authorized and empowered to assess a fee in addition to the fee prescribed in Section 41-7-188 for reviewing applications for certificates of need in an amount not to exceed twenty-five one-hundredths of one percent (.25 of 1%) of the amount of a proposed capital expenditure, but shall be not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) regardless of the amount of the proposed capital expenditure, and the maximum additional fee permitted shall not exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00). Provided that the total assessments of fees for certificate of need applications under Section 41-7-188 and this section shall not exceed the actual cost of operating the certificate of need program.

(10) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the State Department of Health shall have the following specific powers: The State Department of Health is authorized to extend and renew any certificate of need that has expired, and to charge a fee for reviewing and making a determination on the application for such action not to exceed one-half (1/2) of the authorized fee assessed for the original application for the certificate of need, with the revenue to be deposited by the State Department of Health into the special fund created under Section 41-7-188.

(11) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the State Department of Health shall have the following specific powers: The State Department of Health is authorized and empowered, to revoke, immediately, the license and require closure of any institution for the aged or infirm, including any other remedy less than closure to protect the health and safety of the residents of said institution or the health and safety of the general public.

(12) Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, the State Department of Health shall have the following specific powers: The State Department of Health is authorized and empowered, to require the temporary detainment of individuals for disease control purposes based upon violation of any order of the State Health Officer, as provided in Section 41-23-5. For the purpose of enforcing such orders of the State Health Officer, persons employed by the department as investigators shall have general arrest powers. All law enforcement officers are authorized and directed to assist in the enforcement of such orders of the State Health Officer.

SECTION 72. Section 41-21-141, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

41-21-141. (1) To implement a comprehensive psychiatric emergency service, a single point of entry must request licensure from the State Department of Health for the number of extended observation beds that are required to adequately serve the designated catchment area. A license for the requested beds must be obtained before beginning operation.

(2) If the State Department of Health determines that a comprehensive psychiatric emergency service can provide for the privacy and safety of all patients receiving services in the hospital, the department may approve the location of one or more of the extended observation beds within another area of the hospital rather than in proximity to the emergency department.

(3) Each comprehensive psychiatric emergency service shall provide or contract to provide qualified physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatric physician assistants and ancillary personnel necessary to provide services twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week.

(4) A comprehensive psychiatric emergency service shall have at least one (1) physician, psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatric physician assistant, who is a member of the staff of the hospital, on duty and available at all times. However, the medical director of the service may waive this requirement if provisions are made for a physician in the emergency department to assume responsibility and provide initial evaluation and treatment of a person in custody of a CIT officer or referred by the community mental health center and provisions are made for the physician, psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatric physician assistant on call for the comprehensive psychiatric emergency service to evaluate the person onsite within thirty (30) minutes of notification that the person has arrived.

(5) Any person admitted to a comprehensive psychiatric emergency service must have a final disposition within a maximum of seventy-two (72) hours. If a person cannot be stabilized within seventy-two (72) hours, that person shall be transferred from an extended observation bed to a more appropriate inpatient unit.

SECTION 73. Section 41-23-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

41-23-43. (1) As used in this section:

(a) "Department" means the Mississippi State Department of Health, Bioterrorism Division;

(b) "Director" means the Executive Director of the State Board of Health;

(c) "Bioterrorism" means the intentional use of any microorganism, virus, infectious substance or biological product that may be engineered as a result of biotechnology or any naturally occurring or bioengineered component of any microorganism, virus, infectious substance or biological product, to cause or attempt to cause death, disease or other biological malfunction in any living organism;

(d) "Disaster locations" means any geographical location where a bioterrorism attack, terrorist attack, catastrophic or natural disaster or emergency occurs;

(e) "First responders" means state and local law enforcement personnel, fire department personnel, emergency medical personnel, emergency management personnel and public works personnel who may be deployed to bioterrorism attacks, terrorist attacks, catastrophic or natural disasters and emergencies.

(2) The department shall offer a vaccination program for first responders who may be exposed to infectious diseases when deployed to disaster locations. The vaccinations shall include, but are not limited to, hepatitis A vaccination, hepatitis B vaccination, diphtheria-tetanus vaccination, influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination and other vaccinations when recommended by the United States Public Health Service and in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Directors Policy. Immune globulin will be made available when necessary.

(3) Participation in the vaccination program shall be voluntary by the first responders, except for first responders who are classified as having "occupational exposure" to blood borne pathogens as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Standard contained at 29 CFR 1910.10300 who shall be required to take the designated vaccinations or otherwise required by law.

(4) A first responder shall be exempt from vaccinations when a written statement from a licensed physician is presented indicating that a vaccine is medically contraindicated for that person or the first responder signs a written statement that the administration of a vaccination conflicts with their religious tenets.

(5) If there is a vaccine shortage, the director, in consultation with the Governor and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall give priority for vaccination to first responders.

(6) The department shall notify first responders to the availability of the vaccination program and shall provide educational materials on ways to prevent exposure to infectious diseases.

(7) The department may contract with county and local health departments, not-for-profit home health care agencies, hospitals and physicians to administer a vaccination program for first responders.

(8) This section shall be effective upon receipt of federal funding and/or federal grants for administering a first responders vaccination program. Upon receipt of that funding, the department shall make available the vaccines to first responders as provided in this section.

SECTION 74. Section 41-73-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

41-73-5. When used in this act, unless the context requires a different definition, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(a) "Act" means the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority Act.

(b) "Authority" means the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority created by this act and any successor to its functions.

(c) "Bonds" means bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the authority issued pursuant to this act, including refunding bonds.

(d) "Cost" as applied to hospital equipment means any and all costs of such hospital equipment and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include the following:

(i) All costs of the acquisition, repair, restoration, reconditioning, refinancing or installation of any such hospital equipment and all costs incident or related thereto;

(ii) The cost of any property interest in such hospital equipment including an option to purchase or leasehold interest;

(iii) The cost of architectural, engineering, legal and related services; the cost of the preparation of plans, specifications, studies, surveys and estimates of cost and of revenue; and all other expenses necessary or incident to planning, providing or determining the need for or the feasibility and practicability of such hospital equipment; and the cost of providing or establishing a reasonable reserve fund for the payment of principal and interest on bonds;

(iv) The cost of financing charges, including premiums or prepayment penalties, if any, and interest accrued prior to the acquisition and installation or refinancing of such hospital equipment and after such acquisition and installation or refinancing and start-up costs related to hospital equipment;

(v) Any and all costs paid or incurred in connection with the financing of such hospital equipment, including out-of-pocket expenses, the cost of financing, legal, accounting, financial advisory and consulting fees, expenses and disbursements; the cost of any policy of insurance; the cost of printing, engraving and reproduction services; and the cost of the initial or acceptance fee of any trustee or paying agent;

(vi) All direct or indirect costs of the authority incurred in connection with providing such hospital equipment, including, without limitation, reasonable sums to reimburse the authority for time spent by its agents or employees with respect to providing such hospital equipment and the financing thereof; and

(vii) Any and all costs paid or incurred for the administration of any program for the purchase or lease of or the making of loans for hospital equipment, by the authority and any program for the sale or lease of or the making of loans for such hospital equipment to any participating hospital institution.

(e) "Cost," as applied to hospital facilities, means any and all costs of such hospital facilities and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include the following:

(i) All costs of the establishment, demolition, site development of new and rehabilitated buildings, rehabilitation, reconstruction repair, erection, building, construction, remodeling, adding to and furnishing of any such hospital facilities and all costs incident or related thereto;

(ii) The cost of acquiring any property interest in such hospital facilities including the purchase thereof, the cost of an option to purchase or the cost of any leasehold interest;

(iii) The cost of architectural, engineering, legal and related services; the cost of the preparation of plans, specifications, studies, surveys and estimates of cost and of revenue; all other expenses necessary or incident to planning, providing or determining the need for or the feasibility and practicability of such hospital facilities or the acquisition thereof; and the cost of providing or establishing a reasonable reserve fund for the payment of principal of and interest on bonds;

(iv) The cost of financing charges, including premiums or prepayment penalties, if any, and interest accrued prior to the acquisition and completion or refinancing of such hospital facilities and after such acquisition and completion or refinancing and start-up costs related to hospital facilities;

(v) Any and all costs paid or incurred in connection with the financing of such hospital facilities, including out-of-pocket expenses, the cost of financing, legal, accounting, financial advisory and consulting fees, expenses and disbursement; the cost of any policy of insurance; the cost of printing, engraving and reproduction services; and the cost of the initial or acceptance fee of any trustee or paying agent;

(vi) All direct or indirect costs of the authority incurred in connection with providing such hospital facilities, including, without limitation, reasonable sums to reimburse the authority for time spent by its agents or employees with respect to providing such hospital facilities and the financing thereof;

(vii) Any and all costs paid or incurred for the administration of any program for the purchase or lease of or the making of loans for hospital facilities, by the authority and any program for the sale or lease of or the making of loans for such hospital facilities to any participating hospital institution; and

(viii) The cost of providing for the payment or the making provision for the payment of, by the appropriate escrowing of monies or securities, the principal of and interest on which when due will be adequate to make such payment, any indebtedness encumbering the revenues or property of a participating hospital institution, whether such payment is to be effected by redemption of such indebtedness prior to maturity or not.

(f) "Hospital equipment" means any personal property which is found and determined by the authority to be required or necessary or helpful for medical care, research, training or teaching, any one (1) or all, in hospital facilities located in the state, irrespective of whether such property is in existence at the time of, or is to be provided after the making of, such finding. Provided further, that major medical equipment as defined in Section 41-7-173(n), shall require a certificate of need prior to the approval of the authority to contract with said hospital.

(g) "Hospital facility" or "hospital facilities" means buildings and structures of any and all types used or useful, in the discretion of the authority, for providing any types of care to the sick, wounded, infirmed, needy, mentally incompetent or elderly and shall include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, out-patient clinics, laboratories, laundries, nurses', doctors' or interns' residences, administration buildings, office buildings, facilities for research directly involved with hospital care, maintenance, storage or utility facilities, parking lots, and garages and all necessary, useful, or related furnishings, and appurtenances and all lands necessary or convenient as a site for the foregoing.

(h) "Participating hospital institution" or "hospital institution" means a public or private corporation, association, foundation, trust, cooperative, agency, body politic, or other person or organization which provides or operates or proposes to provide or operate hospital facilities not for profit, and which, pursuant to the provisions of this act, contracts with the authority for the financing or refinancing of the lease or other acquisition of hospital equipment or hospital facilities, or both.

(i) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

The use of singular terms herein shall also include the plural of such term and the use of a plural term herein shall also include the singular of such term unless the context clearly requires a different connotation.

SECTION 75. Section 41-73-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

41-73-19. The authority may employ legal counsel, technical experts and such other officers, agents and employees, permanent or temporary, as it deems necessary to carry out the efficient operation of the authority, and shall determine their qualifications, duties, compensation and terms of office. The members may delegate to one or more agents or employees of the authority such administrative duties as they deem proper.

SECTION 76. Section 41-73-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

41-73-27. The authority is hereby granted all powers necessary or appropriate to carry out and effectuate its public and corporate purposes, including but not limited to the following:

(a) To have perpetual succession as a body politic and corporate and an independent instrumentality exercising essential public functions;

(b) To adopt, amend and repeal bylaws, rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this act, to regulate its affairs and to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the authority and conduct its business;

(d) To have an official seal and alter it at will;

(e) To maintain an office at such place or places within the state as it may designate;

(f) To monitor on a continuing basis the need for hospital equipment financing and hospital facilities financing at interest rates which are consistent with the needs of hospital institutions;

(g) To make and execute contracts and all other instruments necessary or convenient for the performance of its duties and the exercise of its powers and functions under this act;

(h) To employ architects, engineers, attorneys, inspectors, accountants and health care experts and financial advisors, and such other advisors, consultants and agents as may be necessary in its judgment, and to fix their compensation;

(i) To procure insurance against any loss in connection with its property and other assets, in such amounts and from such insurers as it may deem advisable, including the power to pay premiums on any such insurance;

(j) To procure insurance or guarantees from any public or private entities, including any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, to secure payment (i) on a loan, lease or purchase payment owed by a participating hospital institution to the authority and (ii) of any bonds issued by the authority, including the power to pay premiums on any such insurance or guarantee;

(k) To procure letters of credit from any national or state banking association or other entity authorized to issue a letter of credit to secure the payment of any bonds issued by the authority or to secure the payment of any loan, lease or purchase payment owed by a participating hospital institution to the authority, including the power to pay the cost of obtaining such letter of credit;

(l) To receive and accept from any source aid or contributions of money, property, labor or other things of value to be held, used and applied to carry out the purposes of this act subject to the conditions upon which the grants or contributions are made, including but not limited to gifts or grants from any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States of America for any purpose consistent with the provisions of this act;

(m) To provide, or cause to be provided by a participating hospital institution, by acquisition, lease, fabrication, repair, restoration, reconditioning, refinancing or installation, one or more hospital facilities located within the state or items of hospital equipment to be located within a hospital facility in the state;

(n) To lease as lessor any hospital facility or any item of hospital equipment for such rentals and upon such terms and conditions as the authority may deem advisable and as are not in conflict with the provisions of this act;

(o) To sell for installment payments or otherwise, to option or contract for such sale, and to convey all or any part of any hospital facility or any item of hospital equipment for such price and upon such terms and conditions as the authority may deem advisable and as are not in conflict with the provisions of this act;

(p) To make contracts and incur liabilities, borrow money at such rates of interest as the authority may determine, issue its bonds in accordance with the provisions of this act, and secure any of its bonds or obligations by mortgage or pledge of all or any of its property, franchises and income or as otherwise provided in this act;

(q) To make secured or unsecured loans for the purpose of providing temporary or permanent financing or refinancing for the cost of any hospital facility or item of hospital equipment, including the retiring of any outstanding obligations with respect to such hospital facility or hospital equipment, and the reimbursement for the cost of any hospital facility or hospital equipment, purchased within two (2) years immediately preceding the date of the bond issue, made or given by any participating hospital institution for the cost of any hospital facility, hospital equipment, and to charge and collect interest on such loans for such loan payments and upon such terms and conditions as the authority may deem advisable and as are not in conflict with the provisions of this act;

(r) To invest and reinvest its funds and to take and hold property as security for the investment of such funds as provided in this act;

(s) To purchase, receive, lease (as lessee or lessor), or otherwise acquire, own, hold, improve, use or otherwise deal in and with, hospital facilities and equipment, or any interest therein, wherever situated, as the purposes of the authority shall require;

(t) To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, assign, lease, exchange, transfer and otherwise dispose of all or any part of its property and assets;

(u) To the extent permitted under its contract with the holders of bonds of the authority, consent to any modification with respect to the rate of interest, time and payment of any installment of principal or interest, or any other term of any contract, loan, loan note, loan note commitment, contract, lease or agreement of any kind to which the authority is a party; and

(v) To assist participating hospital institutions to obtain funds for any purpose by utilizing the value of the receivables of such participating hospital institutions through the making of loans secured by such receivables, by purchasing such receivables, by utilizing such receivables to secure obligations of the authority, or through any combination of the foregoing.

SECTION 77. Section 41-85-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

41-85-3. When used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Autonomous" means a separate and distinct operational entity which functions under its own administration and bylaws, either within or independently of a parent organization.

(b) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Health.

(d) "Hospice" means an autonomous, centrally administered, nonprofit or profit, medically directed, nurse-coordinated program providing a continuum of home, outpatient and homelike inpatient care for not less than four (4) terminally ill patients and their families. It employs a hospice care team to assist in providing palliative and supportive care to meet the special needs arising out of the physical, emotional, spiritual, social and economic stresses which are experienced during the final stages of illness and during dying and bereavement. This care is available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, and is provided on the basis of need regardless of inability to pay.

(e) "Hospice care team" means an interdisciplinary team which is a working unit composed by the integration of the various helping professions and lay persons providing hospice care. Such team shall, as a minimum, consist of a licensed physician, a registered nurse, a social worker, a member of the clergy or a counselor and volunteers.

(f) "Hospice services" means items and services furnished to an individual by a hospice, or by others under arrangements with such a hospice program.

(g) "Medically directed" means that the delivery of medical care is directed by a licensed physician who is employed by the hospice for the purpose of providing ongoing palliative care as a participating care giver on the hospice care team.

(h) "Palliative care" means the reduction or abatement of pain and other troubling symptoms by appropriate coordination of all elements of the hospice care team needed to achieve needed relief of distress.

(i) "Patient" means the terminally ill individual receiving hospice services.

(j) "Person" means an individual, a trust or estate, partnership, corporation, association, the state, or a political subdivision or agency of the state.

(k) "Terminally ill" refers to a medical prognosis of limited expected survival, of six (6) months or less at the time of referral to a hospice, of an individual who is experiencing an illness for which therapeutic strategies directed toward cure and control of the disease alone outside the context of symptom control are no longer appropriate.

SECTION 78. Section 41-95-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

41-95-5. (1) The Mississippi Health Finance Authority is created. The authority shall be supervised and directed by the Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board.

(2) The Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board is created. The Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board shall consist of seven (7) members, one (1) from each of the five (5) congressional districts of Mississippi and two (2) from the state at large, who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. All members shall be qualified electors of the State of Mississippi who have no financial or other interest in any health care provider or insurer. It is the intent of the Legislature that the appointments to the board reflect the racial and sexual demographics of the entire state. The initial appointments to the Health Finance Authority Board shall be for staggered terms, to be designated by the Governor at the time of appointment as follows: two (2) members to serve for terms ending June 30, 1997; three (3) members to serve for terms ending June 30, 1996; and two (2) members to serve for terms ending June 30, 1995. Thereafter, Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years from the expiration date of the previous term. All vacancies occurring on the board shall be filled by the Governor in the same manner as original appointments are made within sixty (60) days after the vacancy occurs.

(3) The members of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board shall be paid a per diem as authorized by Section 25-3-69 and shall be reimbursed for necessary and ordinary expenses and mileage incurred while performing their duties as members of the board, at the rate authorized by Section 25-3-41.

(4) The members of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board shall take an oath to perform faithfully the duties of their office. The oath shall be administered by a person qualified by law to administer oaths. Within thirty (30) days after taking the oath of office, the first board appointed under this section shall meet for an organizational meeting on call by the Governor. At such meeting and at an organizational meeting in January every odd-numbered year thereafter, the board shall elect from its members a chairman, vice chairman and secretary-treasurer to serve for terms of two (2) years.

(5) The Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board shall adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with Sections 41-95-1 through 41-95-9, in compliance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, for the conduct of its business and the carrying out of its duties.

(6) The Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board shall hold at least two (2) regular meetings each year, and additional meetings may be held upon the call of the chairman or at the written request of any three (3) members.

(7) The members of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board are individually exempt from any civil liability as a result of any action taken by the board.

(8) There shall be a Joint Oversight Committee of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority composed of three (3) members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor to serve at the will and pleasure of the Lieutenant Governor, and three (3) members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve at the will and pleasure of the Speaker. The chairmanship of the committee shall alternate for twelve-month periods between the Senate members and the House members, with the first chairman appointed by the Lieutenant Governor from among the Senate membership. The committee shall meet once each month, or upon the call of the chairman at such times as he deems necessary or advisable, and may make recommendations to the Legislature pertaining to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority. The appointing authorities may designate an alternate member from their respective houses to serve when the regular designee is unable to attend such meetings of the oversight committee. For attending meetings of the oversight committee, such legislators shall receive per diem and expenses which shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem and expenses for attending meetings of the committee will be paid while the Legislature is in session. No per diem and expenses will be paid except for attending meetings of the oversight committee without prior approval of the proper committee in their respective houses.

(9) The Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board shall appoint the following five (5) advisory committees to assist in administering the provisions of Sections 41-95-1 through 41-95-9:

(a) The Benefits and Ethics Committee;

(b) The Provider and Standards Committee;

(d) The Data Committee; and

(e) The Health Finance Advisory Committee.

Each committee shall consist of at least five (5) and no more than seven (7) members. The qualifications of the committee members for the committees listed in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) shall be set forth by the board in its bylaws and regulations. It is the intent of the Legislature that the appointments to each of the committees listed in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) reflect the racial and sexual demographics of the entire state. The Health Finance Advisory Committee shall be composed of the chairman of the other committees and the Executive Director of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority. All such committee members shall be appointed by the Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board for a term of four (4) years. If a member is unable to complete his term, a successor shall be appointed to serve the unexpired term. No person may serve as a member of the committee for more than ten (10) years. The terms of the initial committees shall be staggered. Two (2) members shall be appointed to a term of two (2) years, two (2) members shall be appointed to a term of three (3) years, and three (3) members shall be appointed to a term of four (4) years, to be designated by the board at the time of appointment. Members shall receive no salary for services performed, but may be reimbursed for necessary and actual expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings or for authorized business from funds made available for such purpose. The committees shall meet at least once in each quarter of the year at a time and place fixed by the committees, and at such other times as requested by the board. The organization, meetings and management of the committees shall be established by regulations promulgated by the board. The board, in its discretion, may appoint additional committees as deemed necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

(10) The Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board shall elect a full-time director who holds a graduate degree in finance, economics, business, health policy or health finance, or the equivalent, and who has no financial or other interest in any health care provider or payor. The director shall have a minimum of five (5) years' appropriate experience to be certified by the State Personnel Board. The director shall serve at the will and pleasure of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board. The director shall be the chief administrative officer of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board, shall be the agent of the board for the purpose of receiving all services of process, summonses and notices directed to the board, shall direct the daily operations of the board, and shall perform such other duties as the board may delegate to him. The position of attorney for the Mississippi Health Finance Authority is authorized, who shall be a duly licensed attorney and whose salary and qualifications shall be fixed by the board. Such attorney shall be employed by the Mississippi Health Finance Authority Board. The Director of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority shall appoint heads of offices, who shall serve at the pleasure of the director, and shall appoint any necessary supervisors, assistants and employees. The salary and compensation of such employees shall be subject to the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the State Personnel Board created under Section 25-9-101 et seq. The director shall have the authority to organize offices as deemed appropriate to carry out the responsibilities of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority. All new positions, before staff is to be hired to fill them, must be authorized and approved by the board itself in accordance with the laws and regulations set forth by the State Personnel Board. The organizational structure of the staff shall provide for the performance of assigned functions and shall be subject to the approval of the board.

(11) The Director of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority is authorized:

(a) To enforce rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the board implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority under any and all statutes within the Mississippi Health Finance Authority's jurisdiction;

(b) To apply for, receive and expend any federal or state funds or contributions, gifts, devises, bequests or funds from any other source;

(c) To enter into and execute contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the programs of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority; and

(d) To discharge such other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement the programs of the Mississippi Health Finance Authority.

SECTION 79. Section 43-1-2, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

43-1-2. (1) There is created the Mississippi Department of Human Services, whose offices shall be located in Jackson, Mississippi, and which shall be under the policy direction of the Governor.

(2) The chief administrative officer of the department shall be the Executive Director of Human Services. The Governor shall appoint the Executive Director of Human Services with the advice and consent of the Senate, and he shall serve at the will and pleasure of the Governor, and until his successor is appointed and qualified. The Executive Director of Human Services shall possess the following qualifications:

(a) A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning and ten (10) years' experience in management, public administration, finance or accounting; or

(b) A master's or doctoral degree from an accredited institution of higher learning and five (5) years' experience in management, public administration, finance or accounting.

Those qualifications shall be certified by the State Personnel Board.

(3) There shall be a Joint Oversight Committee of the Department of Human Services composed of the respective Chairmen of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee, the House Public Health and Human Services Committee and the House Appropriations Committee, three (3) members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor to serve at the will and pleasure of the Lieutenant Governor, and three (3) members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve at the will and pleasure of the Speaker. The chairmanship of the committee shall alternate for twelve-month periods between the Senate members and the House members, on May 1 of each year, with the Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee serving as chairman beginning in even-numbered years, and the Chairman of the House Public Health and Human Services Committee serving as chairman beginning in odd-numbered years. The committee shall meet once each quarter, or upon the call of the chairman at such times as he deems necessary or advisable, and may make recommendations to the Legislature pertaining to any matter within the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The appointing authorities may designate an alternate member from their respective houses to serve when the regular designee is unable to attend such meetings of the oversight committee. For attending meetings of the oversight committee, such legislators shall receive per diem and expenses which shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem and expenses for attending meetings of the committee will be paid while the Legislature is in session. No per diem and expenses will be paid except for attending meetings of the oversight committee without prior approval of the proper committee in their respective houses.

(4) The Department of Human Services shall provide the services authorized by law to every individual determined to be eligible therefor, and in carrying out the purposes of the department, the executive director is authorized:

(a) To formulate the policy of the department regarding human services within the jurisdiction of the department;

(b) To adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate, after due notice and hearing, and where not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from, and to enforce rules and regulations implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the department under any and all statutes within the department's jurisdiction, all of which shall be binding upon the county departments of human services;

(c) To apply for, receive and expend any federal or state funds or contributions, gifts, devises, bequests or funds from any other source;

(d) Except as limited by Section 43-1-3, to enter into and execute contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the programs of the department; and

(e) To discharge such other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement the programs of the department.

(5) The executive director shall establish the organizational structure of the Mississippi Department of Human Services which shall include the creation of any units necessary to implement the duties assigned to the department and consistent with specific requirements of law, including, but not limited to:

(a) Office of Family Children's Services;

(b) Office of Youth Services;

(d) Office of Child Support Enforcement; or

(e) Office of Field Operations to administer any state or county level programs under the purview of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, with the exception of programs which fall under paragraphs (a) and (b) above.

(6) The Executive Director of Human Services shall appoint heads of offices, bureaus and divisions, as defined in Section 7-17-11, who shall serve at the pleasure of the executive director. The salary and compensation of such office, bureau and division heads shall be subject to the rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the State Personnel Board as created under Section 25-9-101 et seq. The executive director shall have the authority to organize offices as deemed appropriate to carry out the responsibilities of the department. The organization charts of the department shall be presented annually with the budget request of the Governor for review by the Legislature.

(7) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2015.

SECTION 80. Section 43-3-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

43-3-9. The directors, professors, physicians, and all other personnel employed at the University of Mississippi Medical School and Teaching Hospital shall offer full cooperation to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind of the State Department of Rehabilitation Services in carrying out the intent of Sections 43-3-1 through 43-3-15.

SECTION 81. Section 43-13-117, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

43-13-117. (A) Medicaid as authorized by this article shall include payment of part or all of the costs, at the discretion of the division, with approval of the Governor, of the following types of care and services rendered to eligible applicants who have been determined to be eligible for that care and services, within the limits of state appropriations and federal matching funds:

(1) Inpatient hospital services.

(a) The division shall allow thirty (30) days of inpatient hospital care annually for all Medicaid recipients. Medicaid recipients requiring transplants shall not have those days included in the transplant hospital stay count against the thirty-day limit for inpatient hospital care. Precertification of inpatient days must be obtained as required by the division.

(b) From and after July 1, 1994, the Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid shall amend the Mississippi Title XIX Inpatient Hospital Reimbursement Plan to remove the occupancy rate penalty from the calculation of the Medicaid Capital Cost Component utilized to determine total hospital costs allocated to the Medicaid program.

(c) Hospitals will receive an additional payment for the implantable programmable baclofen drug pump used to treat spasticity that is implanted on an inpatient basis. The payment pursuant to written invoice will be in addition to the facility's per diem reimbursement and will represent a reduction of costs on the facility's annual cost report, and shall not exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per year per recipient.

(d) The division is authorized to implement an All-Patient Refined-Diagnosis Related Groups (APR-DRG) reimbursement methodology for inpatient hospital services.

(e) No service benefits or reimbursement limitations in this section shall apply to payments under an APR-DRG or Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) model or a managed care program or similar model described in subsection (H) of this section.

(2) Outpatient hospital services.

(a) Emergency services.

(b) Other outpatient hospital services. The division shall allow benefits for other medically necessary outpatient hospital services (such as chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and therapy), including outpatient services in a clinic or other facility that is not located inside the hospital, but that has been designated as an outpatient facility by the hospital, and that was in operation or under construction on July 1, 2009, provided that the costs and charges associated with the operation of the hospital clinic are included in the hospital's cost report. In addition, the Medicare thirty-five-mile rule will apply to those hospital clinics not located inside the hospital that are constructed after July 1, 2009. Where the same services are reimbursed as clinic services, the division may revise the rate or methodology of outpatient reimbursement to maintain consistency, efficiency, economy and quality of care.

(c) The division is authorized to implement an Ambulatory Payment Classification (APC) methodology for outpatient hospital services.

(d) No service benefits or reimbursement limitations in this section shall apply to payments under an APR-DRG or APC model or a managed care program or similar model described in subsection (H) of this section.

(3) Laboratory and x-ray services.

(4) Nursing facility services.

(a) The division shall make full payment to nursing facilities for each day, not exceeding fifty-two (52) days per year, that a patient is absent from the facility on home leave. Payment may be made for the following home leave days in addition to the fifty-two-day limitation: Christmas, the day before Christmas, the day after Christmas, Thanksgiving, the day before Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving.

(b) From and after July 1, 1997, the division shall implement the integrated case-mix payment and quality monitoring system, which includes the fair rental system for property costs and in which recapture of depreciation is eliminated. The division may reduce the payment for hospital leave and therapeutic home leave days to the lower of the case-mix category as computed for the resident on leave using the assessment being utilized for payment at that point in time, or a case-mix score of 1.000 for nursing facilities, and shall compute case-mix scores of residents so that only services provided at the nursing facility are considered in calculating a facility's per diem.

(d) On or after January 1, 2015, the division shall update the case-mix payment system resource utilization grouper and classifications and fair rental reimbursement system. The division shall develop and implement a payment add-on to reimburse nursing facilities for ventilator dependent resident services.

(e) The division shall develop and implement, not later than January 1, 2001, a case-mix payment add-on determined by time studies and other valid statistical data that will reimburse a nursing facility for the additional cost of caring for a resident who has a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or other related dementia and exhibits symptoms that require special care. Any such case-mix add-on payment shall be supported by a determination of additional cost. The division shall also develop and implement as part of the fair rental reimbursement system for nursing facility beds, an Alzheimer's resident bed depreciation enhanced reimbursement system that will provide an incentive to encourage nursing facilities to convert or construct beds for residents with Alzheimer's or other related dementia.

(f) The division shall develop and implement an assessment process for long-term care services. The division may provide the assessment and related functions directly or through contract with the area agencies on aging.

The division shall apply for necessary federal waivers to assure that additional services providing alternatives to nursing facility care are made available to applicants for nursing facility care.

(5) Periodic screening and diagnostic services for individuals under age twenty-one (21) years as are needed to identify physical and mental defects and to provide health care treatment and other measures designed to correct or ameliorate defects and physical and mental illness and conditions discovered by the screening services, regardless of whether these services are included in the state plan. The division may include in its periodic screening and diagnostic program those discretionary services authorized under the federal regulations adopted to implement Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, as amended. The division, in obtaining physical therapy services, occupational therapy services, and services for individuals with speech, hearing and language disorders, may enter into a cooperative agreement with the State Department of Education for the provision of those services to handicapped students by public school districts using state funds that are provided from the appropriation to the Department of Education to obtain federal matching funds through the division. The division, in obtaining medical and mental health assessments, treatment, care and services for children who are in, or at risk of being put in, the custody of the Mississippi Department of Human Services may enter into a cooperative agreement with the Mississippi Department of Human Services for the provision of those services using state funds that are provided from the appropriation to the Department of Human Services to obtain federal matching funds through the division.

(6) Physician's services. The division shall allow twelve (12) physician visits annually. The division may develop and implement a different reimbursement model or schedule for physician's services provided by physicians based at an academic health care center and by physicians at rural health centers that are associated with an academic health care center. From and after January 1, 2010, all fees for physicians' services that are covered only by Medicaid shall be increased to ninety percent (90%) of the rate established on January 1, 2010, and as may be adjusted each July thereafter, under Medicare. The division may provide for a reimbursement rate for physician's services of up to one hundred percent (100%) of the rate established under Medicare for physician's services that are provided after the normal working hours of the physician, as determined in accordance with regulations of the division. The division may reimburse eligible providers as determined by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act for certain primary care services as defined by the act at one hundred percent (100%) of the rate established under Medicare.

(7) (a) Home health services for eligible persons, not to exceed in cost the prevailing cost of nursing facility services, not to exceed twenty-five (25) visits per year. All home health visits must be precertified as required by the division.

(b) [Repealed]

(8) Emergency medical transportation services. On January 1, 1994, emergency medical transportation services shall be reimbursed at seventy percent (70%) of the rate established under Medicare (Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act, as amended). "Emergency medical transportation services" shall mean, but shall not be limited to, the following services by a properly permitted ambulance operated by a properly licensed provider in accordance with the Emergency Medical Services Act of 1974 (Section 41-59-1 et seq.): (i) basic life support, (ii) advanced life support, (iii) mileage, (iv) oxygen, (v) intravenous fluids, (vi) disposable supplies, (vii) similar services.

(9) (a) Legend and other drugs as may be determined by the division.

The division shall establish a mandatory preferred drug list. Drugs not on the mandatory preferred drug list shall be made available by utilizing prior authorization procedures established by the division.

The division may seek to establish relationships with other states in order to lower acquisition costs of prescription drugs to include single source and innovator multiple source drugs or generic drugs. In addition, if allowed by federal law or regulation, the division may seek to establish relationships with and negotiate with other countries to facilitate the acquisition of prescription drugs to include single source and innovator multiple source drugs or generic drugs, if that will lower the acquisition costs of those prescription drugs.

The division shall allow for a combination of prescriptions for single source and innovator multiple source drugs and generic drugs to meet the needs of the beneficiaries, not to exceed five (5) prescriptions per month for each noninstitutionalized Medicaid beneficiary, with not more than two (2) of those prescriptions being for single source or innovator multiple source drugs unless the single source or innovator multiple source drug is less expensive than the generic equivalent.

The executive director may approve specific maintenance drugs for beneficiaries with certain medical conditions, which may be prescribed and dispensed in three-month supply increments.

Drugs prescribed for a resident of a psychiatric residential treatment facility must be provided in true unit doses when available. The division may require that drugs not covered by Medicare Part D for a resident of a long-term care facility be provided in true unit doses when available. Those drugs that were originally billed to the division but are not used by a resident in any of those facilities shall be returned to the billing pharmacy for credit to the division, in accordance with the guidelines of the State Board of Pharmacy and any requirements of federal law and regulation. Drugs shall be dispensed to a recipient and only one (1) dispensing fee per month may be charged. The division shall develop a methodology for reimbursing for restocked drugs, which shall include a restock fee as determined by the division not exceeding Seven Dollars and Eighty-two Cents ($7.82).

The voluntary preferred drug list shall be expanded to function in the interim in order to have a manageable prior authorization system, thereby minimizing disruption of service to beneficiaries.

Except for those specific maintenance drugs approved by the executive director, the division shall not reimburse for any portion of a prescription that exceeds a thirty-one-day supply of the drug based on the daily dosage.

The division shall develop and implement a program of payment for additional pharmacist services, with payment to be based on demonstrated savings, but in no case shall the total payment exceed twice the amount of the dispensing fee.

All claims for drugs for dually eligible Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries that are paid for by Medicare must be submitted to Medicare for payment before they may be processed by the division's online payment system.

The division shall develop a pharmacy policy in which drugs in tamper-resistant packaging that are prescribed for a resident of a nursing facility but are not dispensed to the resident shall be returned to the pharmacy and not billed to Medicaid, in accordance with guidelines of the State Board of Pharmacy.

The division shall develop and implement a method or methods by which the division will provide on a regular basis to Medicaid providers who are authorized to prescribe drugs, information about the costs to the Medicaid program of single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs, and information about other drugs that may be prescribed as alternatives to those single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs and the costs to the Medicaid program of those alternative drugs.

Notwithstanding any law or regulation, information obtained or maintained by the division regarding the prescription drug program, including trade secrets and manufacturer or labeler pricing, is confidential and not subject to disclosure except to other state agencies.

(b) Payment by the division for covered multisource drugs shall be limited to the lower of the upper limits established and published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) plus a dispensing fee, or the estimated acquisition cost (EAC) as determined by the division, plus a dispensing fee, or the providers' usual and customary charge to the general public.

Payment for other covered drugs, other than multisource drugs with CMS upper limits, shall not exceed the lower of the estimated acquisition cost as determined by the division, plus a dispensing fee or the providers' usual and customary charge to the general public.

Payment for nonlegend or over-the-counter drugs covered by the division shall be reimbursed at the lower of the division's estimated shelf price or the providers' usual and customary charge to the general public.

The dispensing fee for each new or refill prescription, including nonlegend or over-the-counter drugs covered by the division, shall be not less than Three Dollars and Ninety-one Cents ($3.91), as determined by the division.

The division shall not reimburse for single source or innovator multiple source drugs if there are equally effective generic equivalents available and if the generic equivalents are the least expensive.

It is the intent of the Legislature that the pharmacists providers be reimbursed for the reasonable costs of filling and dispensing prescriptions for Medicaid beneficiaries.

(10) (a) Dental care that is an adjunct to treatment of an acute medical or surgical condition; services of oral surgeons and dentists in connection with surgery related to the jaw or any structure contiguous to the jaw or the reduction of any fracture of the jaw or any facial bone; and emergency dental extractions and treatment related thereto. On July 1, 2007, fees for dental care and surgery under authority of this paragraph (10) shall be reimbursed as provided in subparagraph (b). It is the intent of the Legislature that this rate revision for dental services will be an incentive designed to increase the number of dentists who actively provide Medicaid services. This dental services rate revision shall be known as the "James Russell Dumas Medicaid Dental Incentive Program."

The division shall annually determine the effect of this incentive by evaluating the number of dentists who are Medicaid providers, the number who and the degree to which they are actively billing Medicaid, the geographic trends of where dentists are offering what types of Medicaid services and other statistics pertinent to the goals of this legislative intent. This data shall be presented to the Chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and the Chair of the House Medicaid Committee.

(b) The Division of Medicaid shall establish a fee schedule, to be effective from and after July 1, 2007, for dental services. The schedule shall provide for a fee for each dental service that is equal to a percentile of normal and customary private provider fees, as defined by the Ingenix Customized Fee Analyzer Report, which percentile shall be determined by the division. The schedule shall be reviewed annually by the division and dental fees shall be adjusted to reflect the percentile determined by the division.

(c) For fiscal year 2008, the amount of state funds appropriated for reimbursement for dental care and surgery shall be increased by ten percent (10%) of the amount of state fund expenditures for that purpose for fiscal year 2007. For each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010, the amount of state funds appropriated for reimbursement for dental care and surgery shall be increased by ten percent (10%) of the amount of state fund expenditures for that purpose for the preceding fiscal year.

(d) The division shall establish an annual benefit limit of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) in dental expenditures per Medicaid-eligible recipient; however, a recipient may exceed the annual limit on dental expenditures provided in this paragraph with prior approval of the division.

(e) The division shall include dental services as a necessary component of overall health services provided to children who are eligible for services.

(f) This paragraph (10) shall stand repealed on July 1, 2016.

(11) Eyeglasses for all Medicaid beneficiaries who have (a) had surgery on the eyeball or ocular muscle that results in a vision change for which eyeglasses or a change in eyeglasses is medically indicated within six (6) months of the surgery and is in accordance with policies established by the division, or (b) one (1) pair every five (5) years and in accordance with policies established by the division. In either instance, the eyeglasses must be prescribed by a physician skilled in diseases of the eye or an optometrist, whichever the beneficiary may select.

(12) Intermediate care facility services.

(a) The division shall make full payment to all intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities for each day, not exceeding eighty-four (84) days per year, that a patient is absent from the facility on home leave. Payment may be made for the following home leave days in addition to the eighty-four-day limitation: Christmas, the day before Christmas, the day after Christmas, Thanksgiving, the day before Thanksgiving and the day after Thanksgiving.

(b) All state-owned intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities shall be reimbursed on a full reasonable cost basis.

(c) Effective January 1, 2015, the division shall update the fair rental reimbursement system for intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

(13) Family planning services, including drugs, supplies and devices, when those services are under the supervision of a physician or nurse practitioner.

(14) Clinic services. Such diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, rehabilitative or palliative services furnished to an outpatient by or under the supervision of a physician or dentist in a facility that is not a part of a hospital but that is organized and operated to provide medical care to outpatients. Clinic services shall include any services reimbursed as outpatient hospital services that may be rendered in such a facility, including those that become so after July 1, 1991. On July 1, 1999, all fees for physicians' services reimbursed under authority of this paragraph (14) shall be reimbursed at ninety percent (90%) of the rate established on January 1, 1999, and as may be adjusted each July thereafter, under Medicare (Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act, as amended). The division may develop and implement a different reimbursement model or schedule for physician's services provided by physicians based at an academic health care center and by physicians at rural health centers that are associated with an academic health care center. The division may provide for a reimbursement rate for physician's clinic services of up to one hundred percent (100%) of the rate established under Medicare for physician's services that are provided after the normal working hours of the physician, as determined in accordance with regulations of the division.

(15) Home- and community-based services for the elderly and disabled, as provided under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, as amended, under waivers, subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.

(16) Mental health services. Approved therapeutic and case management services (a) provided by an approved regional mental health/intellectual disability center established under Sections 41-19-31 through 41-19-39, or by another community mental health service provider meeting the requirements of the Department of Mental Health to be an approved mental health/intellectual disability center if determined necessary by the Department of Mental Health, using state funds that are provided in the appropriation to the division to match federal funds, or (b) provided by a facility that is certified by the State Department of Mental Health to provide therapeutic and case management services, to be reimbursed on a fee for service basis, or (c) provided in the community by a facility or program operated by the Department of Mental Health. Any such services provided by a facility described in subparagraph (b) must have the prior approval of the division to be reimbursable under this section. After June 30, 1997, mental health services provided by regional mental health/intellectual disability centers established under Sections 41-19-31 through 41-19-39, or by hospitals as defined in Section 41-9-3(a) and/or their subsidiaries and divisions, or by psychiatric residential treatment facilities as defined in Section 43-11-1, or by another community mental health service provider meeting the requirements of the Department of Mental Health to be an approved mental health/intellectual disability center if determined necessary by the Department of Mental Health, shall not be included in or provided under any capitated managed care pilot program provided for under paragraph (24) of this section.

(17) Durable medical equipment services and medical supplies. Precertification of durable medical equipment and medical supplies must be obtained as required by the division. The Division of Medicaid may require durable medical equipment providers to obtain a surety bond in the amount and to the specifications as established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.

(18) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, as provided in the Medicaid state plan amendment or amendments as defined in Section 43-13-145(10), the division shall make additional reimbursement to hospitals that serve a disproportionate share of low-income patients and that meet the federal requirements for those payments as provided in Section 1923 of the federal Social Security Act and any applicable regulations. It is the intent of the Legislature that the division shall draw down all available federal funds allotted to the state for disproportionate share hospitals. However, from and after January 1, 1999, public hospitals participating in the Medicaid disproportionate share program may be required to participate in an intergovernmental transfer program as provided in Section 1903 of the federal Social Security Act and any applicable regulations.

(b) The division shall establish a Medicare Upper Payment Limits Program, as defined in Section 1902(a)(30) of the federal Social Security Act and any applicable federal regulations, for hospitals, and may establish a Medicare Upper Payment Limits Program for nursing facilities, and may establish a Medicare Upper Payment Limits Program for physicians employed or contracted by public hospitals. Upon successful implementation of a Medicare Upper Payment program for physicians employed by public hospitals, the division may develop a plan for implementing an Upper Payment Limit program for physicians employed by other classes of hospitals. The division shall assess each hospital and, if the program is established for nursing facilities, shall assess each nursing facility, for the sole purpose of financing the state portion of the Medicare Upper Payment Limits Program. The hospital assessment shall be as provided in Section 43-13-145(4)(a) and the nursing facility assessment, if established, shall be based on Medicaid utilization or other appropriate method consistent with federal regulations. The assessment will remain in effect as long as the state participates in the Medicare Upper Payment Limits Program. Public hospitals with physicians participating in the Medicare Upper Payment Limits Program shall be required to participate in an intergovernmental transfer program. As provided in the Medicaid state plan amendment or amendments as defined in Section 43-13-145(10), the division shall make additional reimbursement to hospitals and, if the program is established for nursing facilities, shall make additional reimbursement to nursing facilities, for the Medicare Upper Payment Limits, and, if the program is established for physicians, shall make additional reimbursement for physicians, as defined in Section 1902(a)(30) of the federal Social Security Act and any applicable federal regulations.

(19) (a) Perinatal risk management services. The division shall promulgate regulations to be effective from and after October 1, 1988, to establish a comprehensive perinatal system for risk assessment of all pregnant and infant Medicaid recipients and for management, education and follow-up for those who are determined to be at risk. Services to be performed include case management, nutrition assessment/counseling, psychosocial assessment/counseling and health education. The division shall contract with the State Department of Health to provide the services within this paragraph (Perinatal High Risk Management/Infant Services System (PHRM/ISS)). The State Department of Health as the agency for PHRM/ISS for the Division of Medicaid shall be reimbursed on a full reasonable cost basis.

(b) Early intervention system services. The division shall cooperate with the State Department of Health, acting as lead agency, in the development and implementation of a statewide system of delivery of early intervention services, under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The State Department of Health shall certify annually in writing to the executive director of the division the dollar amount of state early intervention funds available that will be utilized as a certified match for Medicaid matching funds. Those funds then shall be used to provide expanded targeted case management services for Medicaid eligible children with special needs who are eligible for the state's early intervention system. Qualifications for persons providing service coordination shall be determined by the State Department of Health and the Division of Medicaid.

(20) Home- and community-based services for physically disabled approved services as allowed by a waiver from the United States Department of Health and Human Services for home- and community-based services for physically disabled people using state funds that are provided from the appropriation to the State Department of Rehabilitation Services and used to match federal funds under a cooperative agreement between the division and the department, provided that funds for these services are specifically appropriated to the Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(21) Nurse practitioner services. Services furnished by a registered nurse who is licensed and certified by the Mississippi Board of Nursing as a nurse practitioner, including, but not limited to, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, family nurse practitioners, family planning nurse practitioners, pediatric nurse practitioners, obstetrics-gynecology nurse practitioners and neonatal nurse practitioners, under regulations adopted by the division. Reimbursement for those services shall not exceed ninety percent (90%) of the reimbursement rate for comparable services rendered by a physician. The division may provide for a reimbursement rate for nurse practitioner services of up to one hundred percent (100%) of the reimbursement rate for comparable services rendered by a physician for nurse practitioner services that are provided after the normal working hours of the nurse practitioner, as determined in accordance with regulations of the division.

(22) Ambulatory services delivered in federally qualified health centers, rural health centers and clinics of the local health departments of the State Department of Health for individuals eligible for Medicaid under this article based on reasonable costs as determined by the division.

(23) Inpatient psychiatric services. Inpatient psychiatric services to be determined by the division for recipients under age twenty-one (21) that are provided under the direction of a physician in an inpatient program in a licensed acute care psychiatric facility or in a licensed psychiatric residential treatment facility, before the recipient reaches age twenty-one (21) or, if the recipient was receiving the services immediately before he or she reached age twenty-one (21), before the earlier of the date he or she no longer requires the services or the date he or she reaches age twenty-two (22), as provided by federal regulations. From and after January 1, 2015, the division shall update the fair rental reimbursement system for psychiatric residential treatment facilities. Precertification of inpatient days and residential treatment days must be obtained as required by the division. From and after July 1, 2009, all state-owned and state-operated facilities that provide inpatient psychiatric services to persons under age twenty-one (21) who are eligible for Medicaid reimbursement shall be reimbursed for those services on a full reasonable cost basis.

(24) [Deleted]

(25) [Deleted]

(26) Hospice care. As used in this paragraph, the term "hospice care" means a coordinated program of active professional medical attention within the home and outpatient and inpatient care that treats the terminally ill patient and family as a unit, employing a medically directed interdisciplinary team. The program provides relief of severe pain or other physical symptoms and supportive care to meet the special needs arising out of physical, psychological, spiritual, social and economic stresses that are experienced during the final stages of illness and during dying and bereavement and meets the Medicare requirements for participation as a hospice as provided in federal regulations.

(27) Group health plan premiums and cost sharing if it is cost-effective as defined by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(28) Other health insurance premiums that are cost-effective as defined by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. Medicare eligible must have Medicare Part B before other insurance premiums can be paid.

(29) The Division of Medicaid may apply for a waiver from the United States Department of Health and Human Services for home- and community-based services for developmentally disabled people using state funds that are provided from the appropriation to the State Department of Mental Health and/or funds transferred to the department by a political subdivision or instrumentality of the state and used to match federal funds under a cooperative agreement between the division and the department, provided that funds for these services are specifically appropriated to the Department of Mental Health and/or transferred to the department by a political subdivision or instrumentality of the state.

(30) Pediatric skilled nursing services for eligible persons under twenty-one (21) years of age.

(31) Targeted case management services for children with special needs, under waivers from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, using state funds that are provided from the appropriation to the Mississippi Department of Human Services and used to match federal funds under a cooperative agreement between the division and the department.

(32) Care and services provided in Christian Science Sanatoria listed and certified by the Commission for Accreditation of Christian Science Nursing Organizations/Facilities, Inc., rendered in connection with treatment by prayer or spiritual means to the extent that those services are subject to reimbursement under Section 1903 of the federal Social Security Act.

(33) Podiatrist services.

(34) Assisted living services as provided through home- and community-based services under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, as amended, subject to the availability of funds specifically appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature.

(35) Services and activities authorized in Sections 43-27-101 and 43-27-103, using state funds that are provided from the appropriation to the Mississippi Department of Human Services and used to match federal funds under a cooperative agreement between the division and the department.

(36) Nonemergency transportation services for Medicaid-eligible persons, to be provided by the Division of Medicaid. The division may contract with additional entities to administer nonemergency transportation services as it deems necessary. All providers shall have a valid driver's license, vehicle inspection sticker, valid vehicle license tags and a standard liability insurance policy covering the vehicle. The division may pay providers a flat fee based on mileage tiers, or in the alternative, may reimburse on actual miles traveled. The division may apply to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a waiver to draw federal matching funds for nonemergency transportation services as a covered service instead of an administrative cost. The PEER Committee shall conduct a performance evaluation of the nonemergency transportation program to evaluate the administration of the program and the providers of transportation services to determine the most cost-effective ways of providing nonemergency transportation services to the patients served under the program. The performance evaluation shall be completed and provided to the members of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and the House Medicaid Committee not later than January 15, 2008.

(37) [Deleted]

(38) Chiropractic services. A chiropractor's manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation, if x-ray demonstrates that a subluxation exists and if the subluxation has resulted in a neuromusculoskeletal condition for which manipulation is appropriate treatment, and related spinal x-rays performed to document these conditions. Reimbursement for chiropractic services shall not exceed Seven Hundred Dollars ($700.00) per year per beneficiary.

(39) Dually eligible Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries. The division shall pay the Medicare deductible and coinsurance amounts for services available under Medicare, as determined by the division. From and after July 1, 2009, the division shall reimburse crossover claims for inpatient hospital services and crossover claims covered under Medicare Part B in the same manner that was in effect on January 1, 2008, unless specifically authorized by the Legislature to change this method.

(40) [Deleted]

(41) Services provided by the State Department of Rehabilitation Services for the care and rehabilitation of persons with spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries, as allowed under waivers from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, using up to seventy-five percent (75%) of the funds that are appropriated to the Department of Rehabilitation Services from the Spinal Cord and Head Injury Trust Fund established under Section 37-33-261 and used to match federal funds under a cooperative agreement between the division and the department.

(42) Notwithstanding any other provision in this article to the contrary, the division may develop a population health management program for women and children health services through the age of one (1) year. This program is primarily for obstetrical care associated with low birth weight and preterm babies. The division may apply to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a Section 1115 waiver or any other waivers that may enhance the program. In order to effect cost savings, the division may develop a revised payment methodology that may include at-risk capitated payments, and may require member participation in accordance with the terms and conditions of an approved federal waiver.

(43) The division shall provide reimbursement, according to a payment schedule developed by the division, for smoking cessation medications for pregnant women during their pregnancy and other Medicaid-eligible women who are of child-bearing age.

(44) Nursing facility services for the severely disabled.

(a) Severe disabilities include, but are not limited to, spinal cord injuries, closed-head injuries and ventilator dependent patients.

(b) Those services must be provided in a long-term care nursing facility dedicated to the care and treatment of persons with severe disabilities.

(45) Physician assistant services. Services furnished by a physician assistant who is licensed by the State Board of Medical Licensure and is practicing with physician supervision under regulations adopted by the board, under regulations adopted by the division. Reimbursement for those services shall not exceed ninety percent (90%) of the reimbursement rate for comparable services rendered by a physician. The division may provide for a reimbursement rate for physician assistant services of up to one hundred percent (100%) or the reimbursement rate for comparable services rendered by a physician for physician assistant services that are provided after the normal working hours of the physician assistant, as determined in accordance with regulations of the division.

(46) The division shall make application to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a waiver to develop and provide services for children with serious emotional disturbances as defined in Section 43-14-1(1), which may include home- and community-based services, case management services or managed care services through mental health providers certified by the Department of Mental Health. The division may implement and provide services under this waivered program only if funds for these services are specifically appropriated for this purpose by the Legislature, or if funds are voluntarily provided by affected agencies.

(47) (a) Notwithstanding any other provision in this article to the contrary, the division may develop and implement disease management programs for individuals with high-cost chronic diseases and conditions, including the use of grants, waivers, demonstrations or other projects as necessary.

(b) Participation in any disease management program implemented under this paragraph (47) is optional with the individual. An individual must affirmatively elect to participate in the disease management program in order to participate, and may elect to discontinue participation in the program at any time.

(48) Pediatric long-term acute care hospital services.

(a) Pediatric long-term acute care hospital services means services provided to eligible persons under twenty-one (21) years of age by a freestanding Medicare-certified hospital that has an average length of inpatient stay greater than twenty-five (25) days and that is primarily engaged in providing chronic or long-term medical care to persons under twenty-one (21) years of age.

(b) The services under this paragraph (48) shall be reimbursed as a separate category of hospital services.

(49) The division shall establish copayments and/or coinsurance for all Medicaid services for which copayments and/or coinsurance are allowable under federal law or regulation, and shall set the amount of the copayment and/or coinsurance for each of those services at the maximum amount allowable under federal law or regulation.

(50) Services provided by the State Department of Rehabilitation Services for the care and rehabilitation of persons who are deaf and blind, as allowed under waivers from the United States Department of Health and Human Services to provide home- and community-based services using state funds that are provided from the appropriation to the State Department of Rehabilitation Services or if funds are voluntarily provided by another agency.

(51) Upon determination of Medicaid eligibility and in association with annual redetermination of Medicaid eligibility, beneficiaries shall be encouraged to undertake a physical examination that will establish a base-line level of health and identification of a usual and customary source of care (a medical home) to aid utilization of disease management tools. This physical examination and utilization of these disease management tools shall be consistent with current United States Preventive Services Task Force or other recognized authority recommendations.

For persons who are determined ineligible for Medicaid, the division will provide information and direction for accessing medical care and services in the area of their residence.

(52) Notwithstanding any provisions of this article, the division may pay enhanced reimbursement fees related to trauma care, as determined by the division in conjunction with the State Department of Health, using funds appropriated to the State Department of Health for trauma care and services and used to match federal funds under a cooperative agreement between the division and the State Department of Health. The division, in conjunction with the State Department of Health, may use grants, waivers, demonstrations, or other projects as necessary in the development and implementation of this reimbursement program.

(53) Targeted case management services for high-cost beneficiaries shall be developed by the division for all services under this section.

(54) Adult foster care services pilot program. Social and protective services on a pilot program basis in an approved foster care facility for vulnerable adults who would otherwise need care in a long-term care facility, to be implemented in an area of the state with the greatest need for such program, under the Medicaid Waivers for the Elderly and Disabled program or an assisted living waiver. The division may use grants, waivers, demonstrations or other projects as necessary in the development and implementation of this adult foster care services pilot program.

(55) Therapy services. The plan of care for therapy services may be developed to cover a period of treatment for up to six (6) months, but in no event shall the plan of care exceed a six-month period of treatment. The projected period of treatment must be indicated on the initial plan of care and must be updated with each subsequent revised plan of care. Based on medical necessity, the division shall approve certification periods for less than or up to six (6) months, but in no event shall the certification period exceed the period of treatment indicated on the plan of care. The appeal process for any reduction in therapy services shall be consistent with the appeal process in federal regulations.

(56) Prescribed pediatric extended care centers services for medically dependent or technologically dependent children with complex medical conditions that require continual care as prescribed by the child's attending physician, as determined by the division.

(57) No Medicaid benefit shall restrict coverage for medically appropriate treatment prescribed by a physician and agreed to by a fully informed individual, or if the individual lacks legal capacity to consent by a person who has legal authority to consent on his or her behalf, based on an individual's diagnosis with a terminal condition. As used in this paragraph (57), "terminal condition" means any aggressive malignancy, chronic end-stage cardiovascular or cerebral vascular disease, or any other disease, illness or condition which a physician diagnoses as terminal.

(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, the division shall reduce the rate of reimbursement to providers for any service provided under this section by five percent (5%) of the allowed amount for that service. However, the reduction in the reimbursement rates required by this subsection (B) shall not apply to inpatient hospital services, nursing facility services, intermediate care facility services, psychiatric residential treatment facility services, pharmacy services provided under subsection (A)(9) of this section, or any service provided by the University of Mississippi Medical Center or a state agency, a state facility or a public agency that either provides its own state match through intergovernmental transfer or certification of funds to the division, or a service for which the federal government sets the reimbursement methodology and rate. From and after January 1, 2010, the reduction in the reimbursement rates required by this subsection (B) shall not apply to physicians' services. In addition, the reduction in the reimbursement rates required by this subsection (B) shall not apply to case management services and home-delivered meals provided under the home- and community-based services program for the elderly and disabled by a planning and development district (PDD). Planning and development districts participating in the home- and community-based services program for the elderly and disabled as case management providers shall be reimbursed for case management services at the maximum rate approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

(C) The division may pay to those providers who participate in and accept patient referrals from the division's emergency room redirection program a percentage, as determined by the division, of savings achieved according to the performance measures and reduction of costs required of that program. Federally qualified health centers may participate in the emergency room redirection program, and the division may pay those centers a percentage of any savings to the Medicaid program achieved by the centers' accepting patient referrals through the program, as provided in this subsection (C).

(D) Notwithstanding any provision of this article, except as authorized in the following subsection and in Section 43-13-139, neither (a) the limitations on quantity or frequency of use of or the fees or charges for any of the care or services available to recipients under this section, nor (b) the payments, payment methodology as provided below in this subsection (D), or rates of reimbursement to providers rendering care or services authorized under this section to recipients, may be increased, decreased or otherwise changed from the levels in effect on July 1, 1999, unless they are authorized by an amendment to this section by the Legislature. However, the restriction in this subsection shall not prevent the division from changing the payments, payment methodology as provided below in this subsection (D), or rates of reimbursement to providers without an amendment to this section whenever those changes are required by federal law or regulation, or whenever those changes are necessary to correct administrative errors or omissions in calculating those payments or rates of reimbursement. The prohibition on any changes in payment methodology provided in this subsection (D) shall apply only to payment methodologies used for determining the rates of reimbursement for inpatient hospital services, outpatient hospital services, nursing facility services, and/or pharmacy services, except as required by federal law, and the federally mandated rebasing of rates as required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) shall not be considered payment methodology for purposes of this subsection (D). No service benefits or reimbursement limitations in this section shall apply to payments under an APR-DRG or APC model or a managed care program or similar model described in subsection (H) of this section.

(E) Notwithstanding any provision of this article, no new groups or categories of recipients and new types of care and services may be added without enabling legislation from the Mississippi Legislature, except that the division may authorize those changes without enabling legislation when the addition of recipients or services is ordered by a court of proper authority.

(F) The executive director shall keep the Governor advised on a timely basis of the funds available for expenditure and the projected expenditures. If current or projected expenditures of the division are reasonably anticipated to exceed the amount of funds appropriated to the division for any fiscal year, the Governor, after consultation with the executive director, shall discontinue any or all of the payment of the types of care and services as provided in this section that are deemed to be optional services under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act, as amended, and when necessary, shall institute any other cost containment measures on any program or programs authorized under the article to the extent allowed under the federal law governing that program or programs. However, the Governor shall not be authorized to discontinue or eliminate any service under this section that is mandatory under federal law, or to discontinue or eliminate, or adjust income limits or resource limits for, any eligibility category or group under Section 43-13-115. Beginning in fiscal year 2010 and in fiscal years thereafter, when Medicaid expenditures are projected to exceed funds available for any quarter in the fiscal year, the division shall submit the expected shortfall information to the PEER Committee, which shall review the computations of the division and report its findings to the Legislative Budget Office within thirty (30) days of such notification by the division, and not later than January 7 in any year. If expenditure reductions or cost containments are implemented, the Governor may implement a maximum amount of state share expenditure reductions to providers, of which hospitals will be responsible for twenty-five percent (25%) of provider reductions as follows: in fiscal year 2010, the maximum amount shall be Twenty-four Million Dollars ($24,000,000.00); in fiscal year 2011, the maximum amount shall be Thirty-two Million Dollars ($32,000,000.00); and in fiscal year 2012 and thereafter, the maximum amount shall be Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00). However, instead of implementing cuts, the hospital share shall be in the form of an additional assessment not to exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) as provided in Section 43-13-145(4)(a)(ii). If Medicaid expenditures are projected to exceed the amount of funds appropriated to the division in any fiscal year in excess of the expenditure reductions to providers, then funds shall be transferred by the State Fiscal Officer from the Health Care Trust Fund into the Health Care Expendable Fund and to the Governor's Office, Division of Medicaid, from the Health Care Expendable Fund, in the amount and at such time as requested by the Governor to reconcile the deficit. If the cost containment measures described above have been implemented and there are insufficient funds in the Health Care Trust Fund to reconcile any remaining deficit in any fiscal year, the Governor shall institute any other additional cost containment measures on any program or programs authorized under this article to the extent allowed under federal law. Hospitals shall be responsible for twenty-five percent (25%) of any additional imposed provider cuts. However, instead of implementing hospital expenditure reductions, the hospital reductions shall be in the form of an additional assessment not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of provider expenditure reductions as provided in Section 43-13-145(4)(a)(ii). It is the intent of the Legislature that the expenditures of the division during any fiscal year shall not exceed the amounts appropriated to the division for that fiscal year.

(G) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, it shall be the duty of each nursing facility, intermediate care facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities, psychiatric residential treatment facility, and nursing facility for the severely disabled that is participating in the Medicaid program to keep and maintain books, documents and other records as prescribed by the Division of Medicaid in substantiation of its cost reports for a period of three (3) years after the date of submission to the Division of Medicaid of an original cost report, or three (3) years after the date of submission to the Division of Medicaid of an amended cost report.

(H) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, the division is authorized to implement (a) a managed care program, (b) a coordinated care program, (c) a coordinated care organization program, (d) a health maintenance organization program, (e) a patient-centered medical home program, (f) an accountable care organization program, or (g) any combination of the above programs. Managed care programs, coordinated care programs, coordinated care organization programs, health maintenance organization programs, patient-centered medical home programs, accountable care organization programs, or any combination of the above programs or other similar programs implemented by the division under this section shall be limited to the greater of (i) forty-five percent (45%) of the total enrollment of Medicaid beneficiaries, or (ii) the categories of beneficiaries participating in the program as of January 1, 2014, plus the categories of beneficiaries composed primarily of persons younger than nineteen (19) years of age, and the division is authorized to enroll categories of beneficiaries in such program(s) as long as the appropriate limitations are not exceeded in the aggregate. As a condition for the approval of any program under this paragraph (H)(1), the division shall require that no program may:

(a) Pay providers at a rate that is less than the Medicaid All-Patient Refined-Diagnosis Related Groups (APR-DRG) reimbursement rate;

(b) Override the medical decisions of hospital physicians or staff regarding patients admitted to a hospital. This restriction (b) does not prohibit prior authorization for nonemergency hospital visitation;

(c) Result in any reduction in Medicare Upper Payment Limits (UPL) payments to hospital providers in the aggregate because of the program;

(d) Pay providers at a rate that is less than the normal Medicaid reimbursement rate;

(e) Implement a prior authorization program for prescription drugs that is more stringent than the prior authorization processes used by the division in its administration of the Medicaid program;

(f) Implement a policy that does not comply with the prescription drugs payment requirements established in subsection (A)(9) of this section;

(g) Implement a preferred drug list that is more stringent than the mandatory preferred drug list established by the division under subsection (A)(9) of this section;

(h) Implement a policy which denies beneficiaries with hemophilia access to the federally funded hemophilia treatment centers as part of the Medicaid Managed Care network of providers. All Medicaid beneficiaries with hemophilia shall receive unrestricted access to anti-hemophilia factor products through noncapitated reimbursement programs.

(2) No later than December 31, 2015, the division shall develop and submit to the Senate Public Health Committee and the House Medicaid Committee a proposed plan outlining the advantages and disadvantages of inpatient hospital services being included in a managed care program, including any effect on UPL payments to hospitals and ways to offset any reductions that might occur as a result of changes to the program.

(3) Any contractors providing direct patient care under a managed care program established in this section shall provide to the Legislature and the division statistical data to be shared with provider groups in order to improve patient access, appropriate utilization, cost savings and health outcomes.

(4) All health maintenance organizations, coordinated care organizations or other organizations paid for services on a capitated basis by the division under any managed care program or coordinated care program implemented by the division under this section shall reimburse all providers in those organizations at rates no lower than those provided under this section for beneficiaries who are not participating in those programs.

(5) No health maintenance organization, coordinated care organization or other organization paid for services on a capitated basis by the division under any managed care program or coordinated care program implemented by the division under this section shall require its providers or beneficiaries to use any pharmacy that ships, mails or delivers prescription drugs or legend drugs or devices.

(I) [Deleted]

(J) There shall be no cuts in inpatient and outpatient hospital payments, or allowable days or volumes, as long as the hospital assessment provided in Section 43-13-145 is in effect. This subsection (J) shall not apply to decreases in payments that are a result of: reduced hospital admissions, audits or payments under the APR-DRG or APC models, or a managed care program or similar model described in subsection (G) of this section.

(K) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2016.

SECTION 82. Section 43-13-121, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

43-13-121. (1) The division shall administer the Medicaid program under the provisions of this article, and may do the following:

(a) Adopt and promulgate reasonable rules, regulations and standards, with approval of the Governor, and in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Law, Section 25-43-1 et seq.:

(i) Establishing methods and procedures as may be necessary for the proper and efficient administration of this article;

(ii) Providing Medicaid to all qualified recipients under the provisions of this article as the division may determine and within the limits of appropriated funds;

(iii) Establishing reasonable fees, charges and rates for medical services and drugs; in doing so, the division shall fix all of those fees, charges and rates at the minimum levels absolutely necessary to provide the medical assistance authorized by this article, and shall not change any of those fees, charges or rates except as may be authorized in Section 43-13-117;

(iv) Providing for fair and impartial hearings;

(v) Providing safeguards for preserving the confidentiality of records; and

(vi) For detecting and processing fraudulent practices and abuses of the program;

(b) Receive and expend state, federal and other funds in accordance with court judgments or settlements and agreements between the State of Mississippi and the federal government, the rules and regulations promulgated by the division, with the approval of the Governor, and within the limitations and restrictions of this article and within the limits of funds available for that purpose;

(c) Subject to the limits imposed by this article, to submit a Medicaid plan to the United States Department of Health and Human Services for approval under the provisions of the federal Social Security Act, to act for the state in making negotiations relative to the submission and approval of that plan, to make such arrangements, not inconsistent with the law, as may be required by or under federal law to obtain and retain that approval and to secure for the state the benefits of the provisions of that law.

No agreements, specifically including the general plan for the operation of the Medicaid program in this state, shall be made by and between the division and the United States Department of Health and Human Services unless the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi has reviewed the agreements, specifically including the operational plan, and has certified in writing to the Governor and to the executive director of the division that the agreements, including the plan of operation, have been drawn strictly in accordance with the terms and requirements of this article;

(d) In accordance with the purposes and intent of this article and in compliance with its provisions, provide for aged persons otherwise eligible for the benefits provided under Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act by expenditure of funds available for those purposes;

(e) To make reports to the United States Department of Health and Human Services as from time to time may be required by that federal department and to the Mississippi Legislature as provided in this section;

(f) Define and determine the scope, duration and amount of Medicaid that may be provided in accordance with this article and establish priorities therefor in conformity with this article;

(g) Cooperate and contract with other state agencies for the purpose of coordinating Medicaid provided under this article and eliminating duplication and inefficiency in the Medicaid program;

(h) Adopt and use an official seal of the division;

(i) Sue in its own name on behalf of the State of Mississippi and employ legal counsel on a contingency basis with the approval of the Attorney General;

(j) To recover any and all payments incorrectly made by the division to a recipient or provider from the recipient or provider receiving the payments. The division shall be authorized to collect any overpayments to providers thirty (30) days after the conclusion of any administrative appeal unless the matter is appealed to a court of proper jurisdiction and bond is posted. Any appeal filed after July 1, 2014, shall be to the Chancery Court of Hinds County, Mississippi. To recover those payments, the division may use the following methods, in addition to any other methods available to the division:

(i) The division shall report to the Department of Revenue the name of any current or former Medicaid recipient who has received medical services rendered during a period of established Medicaid ineligibility and who has not reimbursed the division for the related medical service payment(s). The Department of Revenue shall withhold from the state tax refund of the individual, and pay to the division, the amount of the payment(s) for medical services rendered to the ineligible individual that have not been reimbursed to the division for the related medical service payment(s).

(ii) The division shall report to the Department of Revenue the name of any Medicaid provider to whom payments were incorrectly made that the division has not been able to recover by other methods available to the division. The Department of Revenue shall withhold from the state tax refund of the provider, and pay to the division, the amount of the payments that were incorrectly made to the provider that have not been recovered by other available methods;

(k) To recover any and all payments by the division fraudulently obtained by a recipient or provider. Additionally, if recovery of any payments fraudulently obtained by a recipient or provider is made in any court, then, upon motion of the Governor, the judge of the court may award twice the payments recovered as damages;

(l) Have full, complete and plenary power and authority to conduct such investigations as it may deem necessary and requisite of alleged or suspected violations or abuses of the provisions of this article or of the regulations adopted under this article, including, but not limited to, fraudulent or unlawful act or deed by applicants for Medicaid or other benefits, or payments made to any person, firm or corporation under the terms, conditions and authority of this article, to suspend or disqualify any provider of services, applicant or recipient for gross abuse, fraudulent or unlawful acts for such periods, including permanently, and under such conditions as the division deems proper and just, including the imposition of a legal rate of interest on the amount improperly or incorrectly paid. Recipients who are found to have misused or abused Medicaid benefits may be locked into one (1) physician and/or one (1) pharmacy of the recipient's choice for a reasonable amount of time in order to educate and promote appropriate use of medical services, in accordance with federal regulations. If an administrative hearing becomes necessary, the division may, if the provider does not succeed in his or her defense, tax the costs of the administrative hearing, including the costs of the court reporter or stenographer and transcript, to the provider. The convictions of a recipient or a provider in a state or federal court for abuse, fraudulent or unlawful acts under this chapter shall constitute an automatic disqualification of the recipient or automatic disqualification of the provider from participation under the Medicaid program.

A conviction, for the purposes of this chapter, shall include a judgment entered on a plea of nolo contendere or a nonadjudicated guilty plea and shall have the same force as a judgment entered pursuant to a guilty plea or a conviction following trial. A certified copy of the judgment of the court of competent jurisdiction of the conviction shall constitute prima facie evidence of the conviction for disqualification purposes;

(m) Establish and provide such methods of administration as may be necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the Medicaid program, fully utilizing computer equipment as may be necessary to oversee and control all current expenditures for purposes of this article, and to closely monitor and supervise all recipient payments and vendors rendering services under this article. Notwithstanding any other provision of state law, the division is authorized to enter into a ten-year contract(s) with a vendor(s) to provide services described in this paragraph (m). Effective July 1, 2014, and notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the division is authorized to extend its Fiscal Agent and Eligibility Determination System contracts expiring on July 1, 2014, for a period not to exceed three (3) years without complying with the requirements provided in Section 25-9-120 and the Personal Service Contract Review Board procurement regulations;

(n) To cooperate and contract with the federal government for the purpose of providing Medicaid to Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees, under the provisions of Public Law 94-23 and Public Law 94-24, including any amendments to those laws, only to the extent that the Medicaid assistance and the administrative cost related thereto are one hundred percent (100%) reimbursable by the federal government. For the purposes of Section 43-13-117, persons receiving Medicaid under Public Law 94-23 and Public Law 94-24, including any amendments to those laws, shall not be considered a new group or category of recipient; and

(o) The division shall impose penalties upon Medicaid only, Title XIX participating long-term care facilities found to be in noncompliance with division and certification standards in accordance with federal and state regulations, including interest at the same rate calculated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and/or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under federal regulations.

(2) The division also shall exercise such additional powers and perform such other duties as may be conferred upon the division by act of the Legislature.

(3) The division, and the State Department of Health as the agency for licensure of health care facilities and certification and inspection for the Medicaid and/or Medicare programs, shall contract for or otherwise provide for the consolidation of on-site inspections of health care facilities that are necessitated by the respective programs and functions of the division and the department.

(4) The division and its hearing officers shall have power to preserve and enforce order during hearings; to issue subpoenas for, to administer oaths to and to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses, or the production of books, papers, documents and other evidence, or the taking of depositions before any designated individual competent to administer oaths; to examine witnesses; and to do all things conformable to law that may be necessary to enable them effectively to discharge the duties of their office. In compelling the attendance and testimony of witnesses, or the production of books, papers, documents and other evidence, or the taking of depositions, as authorized by this section, the division or its hearing officers may designate an individual employed by the division or some other suitable person to execute and return that process, whose action in executing and returning that process shall be as lawful as if done by the sheriff or some other proper officer authorized to execute and return process in the county where the witness may reside. In carrying out the investigatory powers under the provisions of this article, the executive director or other designated person or persons may examine, obtain, copy or reproduce the books, papers, documents, medical charts, prescriptions and other records relating to medical care and services furnished by the provider to a recipient or designated recipients of Medicaid services under investigation. In the absence of the voluntary submission of the books, papers, documents, medical charts, prescriptions and other records, the Governor, the executive director, or other designated person may issue and serve subpoenas instantly upon the provider, his or her agent, servant or employee for the production of the books, papers, documents, medical charts, prescriptions or other records during an audit or investigation of the provider. If any provider or his or her agent, servant or employee refuses to produce the records after being duly subpoenaed, the executive director may certify those facts and institute contempt proceedings in the manner, time and place as authorized by law for administrative proceedings. As an additional remedy, the division may recover all amounts paid to the provider covering the period of the audit or investigation, inclusive of a legal rate of interest and a reasonable attorney's fee and costs of court if suit becomes necessary. Division staff shall have immediate access to the provider's physical location, facilities, records, documents, books, and any other records relating to medical care and services rendered to recipients during regular business hours.

(5) If any person in proceedings before the division disobeys or resists any lawful order or process, or misbehaves during a hearing or so near the place thereof as to obstruct the hearing, or neglects to produce, after having been ordered to do so, any pertinent book, paper or document, or refuses to appear after having been subpoenaed, or upon appearing refuses to take the oath as a witness, or after having taken the oath refuses to be examined according to law, the executive director shall certify the facts to any court having jurisdiction in the place in which it is sitting, and the court shall thereupon, in a summary manner, hear the evidence as to the acts complained of, and if the evidence so warrants, punish that person in the same manner and to the same extent as for a contempt committed before the court, or commit that person upon the same condition as if the doing of the forbidden act had occurred with reference to the process of, or in the presence of, the court.

(6) In suspending or terminating any provider from participation in the Medicaid program, the division shall preclude the provider from submitting claims for payment, either personally or through any clinic, group, corporation or other association to the division or its fiscal agents for any services or supplies provided under the Medicaid program except for those services or supplies provided before the suspension or termination. No clinic, group, corporation or other association that is a provider of services shall submit claims for payment to the division or its fiscal agents for any services or supplies provided by a person within that organization who has been suspended or terminated from participation in the Medicaid program except for those services or supplies provided before the suspension or termination. When this provision is violated by a provider of services that is a clinic, group, corporation or other association, the division may suspend or terminate that organization from participation. Suspension may be applied by the division to all known affiliates of a provider, provided that each decision to include an affiliate is made on a case-by-case basis after giving due regard to all relevant facts and circumstances. The violation, failure or inadequacy of performance may be imputed to a person with whom the provider is affiliated where that conduct was accomplished within the course of his or her official duty or was effectuated by him or her with the knowledge or approval of that person.

(7) The division may deny or revoke enrollment in the Medicaid program to a provider if any of the following are found to be applicable to the provider, his or her agent, a managing employee or any person having an ownership interest equal to five percent (5%) or greater in the provider:

(a) Failure to truthfully or fully disclose any and all information required, or the concealment of any and all information required, on a claim, a provider application or a provider agreement, or the making of a false or misleading statement to the division relative to the Medicaid program.

(b) Previous or current exclusion, suspension, termination from or the involuntary withdrawing from participation in the Medicaid program, any other state's Medicaid program, Medicare or any other public or private health or health insurance program. If the division ascertains that a provider has been convicted of a felony under federal or state law for an offense that the division determines is detrimental to the best interest of the program or of Medicaid beneficiaries, the division may refuse to enter into an agreement with that provider, or may terminate or refuse to renew an existing agreement.

(c) Conviction under federal or state law of a criminal offense relating to the delivery of any goods, services or supplies, including the performance of management or administrative services relating to the delivery of the goods, services or supplies, under the Medicaid program, any other state's Medicaid program, Medicare or any other public or private health or health insurance program.

(d) Conviction under federal or state law of a criminal offense relating to the neglect or abuse of a patient in connection with the delivery of any goods, services or supplies.

(e) Conviction under federal or state law of a criminal offense relating to the unlawful manufacture, distribution, prescription or dispensing of a controlled substance.

(f) Conviction under federal or state law of a criminal offense relating to fraud, theft, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary responsibility or other financial misconduct.

(g) Conviction under federal or state law of a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment of a year or more that involves moral turpitude, or acts against the elderly, children or infirm.

(h) Conviction under federal or state law of a criminal offense in connection with the interference or obstruction of any investigation into any criminal offense listed in paragraphs (c) through (i) of this subsection.

(i) Sanction for a violation of federal or state laws or rules relative to the Medicaid program, any other state's Medicaid program, Medicare or any other public health care or health insurance program.

(j) Revocation of license or certification.

(k) Failure to pay recovery properly assessed or pursuant to an approved repayment schedule under the Medicaid program.

(l) Failure to meet any condition of enrollment.

SECTION 83. Section 43-19-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

43-19-47. (1) The Child Support Unit of the State Department of Human Services, in cooperation with the Attorney General, may appoint at least one (1) full-time staff attorney in or for each chancery court district for the purpose of initiating proceedings under the provisions of Sections 43-19-31 through 43-19-53 in securing child support and establishing paternity. The annual salary of each of the attorneys appointed by the Child Support Unit, in cooperation with the Attorney General's office under the provisions of Sections 43-19-31 through 43-19-53 shall be fixed at such sums as may be deemed proper in accordance with the salaries of other full-time employed state attorneys with the Attorney General's Office. Such salaries, inclusive of all reimbursable travel and other expenses, inclusive of financial arrangements perfected with the appropriate courts, the law enforcement officials and the district attorneys, shall be paid monthly from the funds appropriated to the Child Support Unit of the State Department of Human Services and from the special fund for the Division of Child Support in which the interest from its accounts and all attorney's fees and other fees is placed. The Mississippi Personnel Board shall survey the salaries of other Mississippi attorneys with the Attorney General's Office each year and shall raise the start step of the staff and senior attorneys accordingly and the minimum shall never go below Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000.00) for staff attorneys or Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) for senior attorneys.

(2) To assist in the implementation of the provisions of Sections 43-19-31 through 43-19-53, the Executive Director of the Department of Human Services is empowered to enter into cooperative agreements with district attorneys, county attorneys and attorneys employed by the county boards of supervisors, in conjunction with the Office of Attorney General. Said cooperative agreements shall be made in compliance with the regulations established by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, and may be funded either by funds appropriated to the Child Support Unit of the State Department of Human Services or funds appropriated by any county board of supervisors in this state for their respective county. Attorneys may be hired contractually to be paid in amounts commensurate with the department's staff attorneys.

SECTION 84. Section 43-33-717, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

43-33-717. (1) The corporation shall have all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this article, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power:

(a) To make and alter bylaws for its organization and internal management;

(b) To sue and be sued, have a seal and alter the same at pleasure, and maintain an office at such place or places in the state as it may determine;

(d) To acquire real or personal property, or any interest therein, by purchase, exchange, gift, assignment, transfer, foreclosure, lease, condemnation or otherwise, including rights or easements; to hold, manage, operate or improve real or personal property; to sell, assign, exchange, lease, encumber, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any real or personal property, or any interest therein, or deed of trust or mortgage lien interest owned by it or under its control, custody or in its possession and release or relinquish any right, title, claim, lien, interest, easement or demand however acquired, including any equity or right of redemption in property foreclosed by it and to do any of the foregoing by public sale;

(e) To make and execute agreements, contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers and functions of the corporation under this article;

(f) To employ or contract with architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, financial experts and other advisors as may be necessary in its judgment and to fix and pay their compensation;

(g) To make and execute contracts for the administration, servicing or collection of any mortgage loan and pay the reasonable value of services rendered to the corporation pursuant to such contracts;

(h) To contract for the employment of a financial advisor, underwriting attorneys, trustees, paying agents, depositories or any consultants retained in connection with the issuance of any bonds or notes including refunding bonds or notes or dealing with the disposition of any proceeds thereof;

(i) To issue negotiable bonds and notes and to provide for the rights of the holders thereof;

(j) Subject to any agreement with bondholders or noteholders, to sell any mortgage loans at public or private sale at the fair market value for such a mortgage; and

(k) Subject to any agreement with bondholders and noteholders, to make, alter or repeal such rules and regulations with respect to the operations, properties and facilities of the corporation as are necessary to carry out its functions and duties in the administration of this article.

(2) The corporation shall also have the power:

(a) To make loans to mortgage lenders for the purpose of:

(i) Making housing development mortgage loans to qualified sponsors for low and moderate income rental or residential housing;

(ii) Making loans to low and moderate income purchasers of residential housing with preference to those who are displaced from adequate housing as a result of a major disaster, whether it be a man-made, technological or natural disaster, upon a declaration by the Governor that a major disaster exists in the state;

(b) To purchase from mortgage lenders any of the loans enumerated in subparagraphs (i) and (ii);

(d) To make, in such amounts and upon such terms and conditions as the corporation shall approve, temporary loans, preconstruction loans, interim financing loans to any qualified sponsor and permanent financing to any qualified sponsor of multifamily housing.

(3) The corporation shall also have the power to make loans from funds not otherwise encumbered by pledge or indenture to low and moderate income persons for the following purposes:

(a) Purchasing, improving or rehabilitating existing residential housing and occupied by the owners;

(b) Making loans to qualified nonprofit sponsors, to local housing authorities and to owners of residential housing for the development, construction, purchase, rehabilitation, weatherization or maintenance of residential housing.

(4) Using funds not otherwise encumbered by pledge or indenture, the corporation may:

(a) Establish a rental assistance program;

(b) Provide such advisory consultation, training and educational services as will assist in the planning, construction, rehabilitation and operation of housing, including but not limited to, assistance in community development and organization, home management and advisory services for residents, and in promotion of community organizations and local governments to assist in developing housing;

(c) Encourage research and demonstration projects to develop new and better methods for increasing the supply, types and financing of housing and to receive and accept contributions, grants or aid from any source, public or private, including but not limited to the United States and this state, for carrying out this purpose;

(d) Encourage and stimulate cooperatives and other forms of housing with tenant participation;

(e) Promote innovative programs for home ownership, including but not limited to lease-purchase programs, employer-sponsored housing programs, tenant cooperatives and nonprofit associations;

(f) Design and support programs to address special needs groups including, but not limited to, handicapped, disabled, elderly, homeless, HIV/AIDS carriers and families with children;

(g) Develop a comprehensive plan for, and engage in a yearly planning process for, addressing the housing needs of low and moderate income persons in Mississippi.

(5) The corporation also has the power:

(a) To procure, or require the procurement of, insurance against any loss in connection with its operations, including without limitation the repayment of any mortgage loan or loans, in such amounts and from such insurers, including the federal government, as it may deem necessary or desirable, and to pay any premiums therefor;

(b) Subject to any agreement with bondholders or noteholders: (i) to renegotiate any loan in default; (ii) to waive any default or consent to the modification of the terms of any loan or agreement; (iii) to commence, prosecute and enforce a judgment in any action or proceeding, including without limitation a foreclosure proceeding, to protect or enforce any right conferred upon it by law, mortgage loan agreement, contract or other agreement; and (iv) in connection with any such proceeding, to bid for and purchase the property or acquire or take possession thereof and, in such event, complete, administer and pay the principal of and interest on any obligations incurred in connection with such property and dispose of and otherwise deal with such property in such manner as the corporation may deem advisable to protect its interest therein;

(c) To fix, revise, charge and collect fees and other charges in connection with the making of loans, the purchasing of mortgage loans, and any other services rendered by the corporation;

(d) To arrange for guarantees of its bonds, notes or other obligations by the federal government or by any private insurer and to pay any premiums therefor;

(e) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, but subject to any agreement with bondholders or noteholders, to invest money of the corporation not required for immediate use, including proceeds from the sale of any bonds or notes;

(i) In obligations of any municipality or the state or the United States of America;

(ii) In obligations the principal and interest of which are guaranteed by the state or the United States of America;

(iii) In obligations of any corporation wholly owned by the United States of America;

(iv) In obligations of any corporation sponsored by the United States of America which are, or may become, eligible as collateral for advances to member banks as determined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

(v) In obligations of insurance firms or other corporations whose investments are rated "A" or better by recognized rating companies;

(vi) In certificates of deposit or time deposits of qualified depositories of the state as approved by the State Depository Commission, secured in such manner, if any, as the corporation shall determine;

(vii) In contracts for the purchase and sale of obligations of the type specified in items (i) through (v) above;

(viii) In repurchase agreements secured by obligations specified in items (i) through (v) above;

(ix) In money market funds, the assets of which are required to be invested in obligations specified in items (i) through (vi) above;

(f) Subject to any agreement with bondholders or noteholders, to purchase, and to agree to purchase, bonds or notes of the corporation at a price not exceeding: (i) if the bonds or notes are then redeemable, the redemption price then applicable plus accrued interest to the date of purchase; or (ii) if the bonds or notes are not then redeemable, the redemption price applicable on the first date after such purchase upon which the notes or bonds become subject to redemption at the option of the corporation plus accrued interest to the date of purchase;

(g) Subject to the provisions of this article, to contract for and to accept any gifts, grants or loans of funds or property or financial or other aid in any form from federal, state or local governments, private or public entities, or individuals;

(h) To enter into agreements or other transactions with the federal or state government, any agency thereof or any municipality in furtherance of the purposes of this article; to operate and administer loan programs of the federal government, the State of Mississippi, or any governmental agency thereof; and to operate and administer any program of housing assistance for persons and families of low or moderate income, however funded;

(i) To establish a benevolent loan fund, housing development fund, or such additional and further funds as may be necessary and desirable to accomplish any corporate purpose or to comply with the provisions of any agreement made by the corporation or any resolution approved by the corporation. The resolution establishing such a fund shall specify the source of monies from which it shall be funded and the purposes for which monies held in the fund shall be disbursed;

(j) In carrying out the provisions of this article, the corporation shall cooperate with the housing authorities created under Sections 43-33-1 through 43-33-69 and Sections 43-33-101 through 43-33-137, Mississippi Code of 1972;

(k) To accept letters of credit and other credit facilities necessary to make loans authorized herein to repay bonds or notes issued by the corporation;

(l) To do any and all things necessary or convenient to carry out its purposes and exercise the powers given and granted in this article.

SECTION 85. Section 43-47-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

43-47-9. (1) Upon receipt of a report pursuant to Section 43-47-7 that a vulnerable person is in need of protective services, the department shall initiate an investigation and/or evaluation within forty-eight (48) hours if immediate attention is needed, or within seventy-two (72) hours if the vulnerable person is not in immediate danger, to determine whether the vulnerable person is in need of protective services and what services are needed. The evaluation shall include any necessary visits and interviews with the person, and if appropriate, with the alleged perpetrator of the vulnerable person abuse and with any person believed to have knowledge of the circumstances of the case. When a caretaker of a vulnerable person refuses to allow the department reasonable access to conduct an investigation to determine if the vulnerable person is in need of protective services, the department may petition the court for an order for injunctive relief enjoining the caretaker from interfering with the investigation.

(2) The staff and physicians of local health departments, mental health clinics and other public or private agencies, including law enforcement agencies, shall cooperate fully with the department in the performance of its duties. These duties include immediate, in-residence evaluations and medical examinations and treatment where the department deems it necessary. However, upon receipt of a report of abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable person confined in a licensed hospital or licensed nursing home facility in the state, the department shall immediately refer this report to the proper authority at the State Department of Health for investigation under Section 43-47-37.

Upon a showing of probable cause that a vulnerable person has been abused, a court may authorize a qualified third party to make an evaluation to enter the residence of, and to examine the vulnerable person. Upon a showing of probable cause that a vulnerable person has been financially exploited, a court may authorize a qualified third party, also authorized by the department, to make an evaluation, and to gain access to the financial records of the vulnerable person.

(3) The department may contract with an agency or private physician for the purpose of providing immediate, accessible evaluations in the location that the department deems most appropriate.

SECTION 86. Section 47-5-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

47-5-5. The commissioner, as soon as possible after passage of this section, shall prepare a plan to bring about the limited centralization of facilities within the state correctional system grounds at Parchman, Mississippi. The commissioner is authorized and empowered to use any state funds appropriated for such purposes, together with any available federal funds appropriated by the United States Congress for improvement of correctional institutions to construct modern security facilities for housing of offenders to the end that the state correctional system achieves the greatest degree of security for said offenders. Provided, however, that no new facility to house offenders shall be constructed within two-fifths (2/5) of a mile of any other offender camp. The commissioner shall bring about centralization of food facilities, recreational activities, utility services and other related facilities and correctional services that are presently decentralized within the correctional system.

It is the intent of the Mississippi Legislature that the commissioner shall fully utilize existing knowledge, architectural plans and expertise currently available with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to the end that the State of Mississippi shall have an efficient, modern, and properly secure state correctional system.

The commissioner is authorized to receive and disburse private and public grants, gifts and bequests which may be available to this state for correctional facilities, offender rehabilitation purposes and related purposes, which said sum so received shall be subject to all of the laws applicable to the State Fiscal Management Board.

SECTION 87. Section 47-5-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

47-5-35. The Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) shall appoint an auditor to audit the correctional system, and provide sufficient office facilities in the Jackson office, who shall be a certified public accountant or an experienced accountant, whose duty shall be to audit all accounts of the state correctional system for the purpose of reporting to the Legislative Budget Office. He shall report whether supplies and products bought and sold are handled in accordance with law and when bought on samples and specifications whether they measure up to such samples and specifications when the goods are received. The auditor shall report on the letting of bids and shall make a determination that all bids are advertised and let in accordance with law and shall render a report on same. The auditor shall be responsible to make a periodic inventory on all goods, machinery, livestock, farm produce or any other property of the correctional system and make a report thereon to the Legislative Budget Office on such terms and conditions and as often as required by the committee. The salaries and expenses of such auditor or his employees shall be paid from funds appropriated for support of the Legislature or its committees.

Such auditor shall make, at least, a monthly report to the Legislative Budget Office and the Chairman of the Corrections Committee of the Senate and the Chairman of the Penitentiary Committee in the House of Representatives.

The auditor shall attend all the meetings of the board and shall be notified by the board of all meetings or specially called meetings. The Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review shall provide the auditor with a secretary and such personnel as it deems necessary.

SECTION 88. Section 47-5-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

47-5-37. The commissioner shall employ a qualified fiscal comptroller who shall be a certified public accountant and who shall be charged with the responsibility of maintaining a modern accounting system which shall accurately reflect all fiscal transactions in such manner and in such form as shall be recommended by the State Fiscal Management Board. The commissioner shall employ such qualified bookkeepers and other clerical personnel as required to maintain the accounting system who shall devote their full time to their duties as employees of the correctional system. The fiscal comptroller shall make a monthly report to the Governor and Chairmen of Corrections Committee of the Senate and the Penitentiary Committee of the House of Representatives. The fiscal comptroller shall countersign all checks. The fiscal comptroller shall have sole responsibility for all purchases and the signing of all purchase orders issued by the correctional system. Such fiscal comptroller shall execute a good and sufficient bond payable to the State of Mississippi in the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), conditioned for the satisfactory performance of the duties of his office, and the accurate accounting of any moneys and properties coming into his hands.

The commissioner or his designee shall sign all requisitions for issuance of warrant authorizing any disbursement of any sum or sums on account of the correctional system, and no money shall be paid out on any account of the correctional system except on a requisition for issuance of warrant signed by him or his designee.

SECTION 89. Section 49-2-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

49-2-9. (1) Effective July 1, 1979, the commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To formulate the policy of the department regarding natural resources within the jurisdiction of the department;

(b) To adopt, modify, repeal, and promulgate, after due notice and hearing, and where not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from, and to enforce rules and regulations implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the commission under any and all statutes within the commission's jurisdiction, and as the commission may deem necessary to prevent, control and abate existing or potential pollution;

(c) To apply for, receive and expend any federal or state funds or contributions, gifts, devises, bequests or funds from any other source;

(d) To commission or conduct studies designed to determine alternative methods of managing or using the natural resources of this state, in a manner to insure efficiency and maximum productivity;

(e) To enter into, and to authorize the executive director to execute with the approval of the commission, contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with carrying out the provisions of this chapter; but this authority under this chapter and under any and all statutes within the commission's jurisdiction, except those statutes relating to the Bureau of Recreation and Parks, shall not include contracts, grants or cooperative agreements which do not develop data or information usable by the commission, or which provide goods, services or facilities to the commission or any of its bureaus, and shall exclude any monies for special interest groups for purposes of lobbying or otherwise promoting their special interests; and

(f) To discharge such other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Geology and Energy Resources shall be responsible for program management, procurement, development and maintenance of the Mississippi Digital Earth Model, which should include the following seven (7) core data layers of a digital land base computer model of the State of Mississippi:

(a) Geodetic control;

(b) Elevation and bathymetry;

(d) Hydrography;

(e) Transportation;

(f) Government boundaries; and

(g) Cadastral. With respect to the cadastral layer, the authority and responsibility of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Geology and Energy Resources shall be limited to compiling information submitted by counties.

For all seven (7) framework layers, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Geology and Energy Resources shall be the integrator of data from all sources and the guarantor of data completeness and consistency and shall administer the council's policies and standards for the procurement of remote sensing and geographic information system data by state and local governmental entities.

SECTION 90. Section 51-39-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

51-39-5. Whenever used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Board" means the board of commissioners of a district.

(b) "Cost of project" means:

(i) All costs of site preparation and other start-up costs;

(ii) All costs of construction;

(iii) All costs of real and personal property required for the purposes of the project and facilities related thereto, including land and any rights or undivided interest therein, easements, franchises, fees, utility charges, permits, approvals, licenses, and certificates and the securing of any permits, approvals, licenses, and certificates and all machinery and equipment, including motor vehicles which are used for project functions;

(iv) All costs of engineering, geotechnical, architectural and legal services;

(v) All costs of plans and specifications and all expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of the project;

(vi) Administrative expenses; and

(vii) Any other expenses as may be necessary or incidental to the project financing.

(d) "Designated representative" or "incorporator" means the person named by resolution of the governing body of a county or municipality as the representative of that unit of local government for the purpose of acting on their behalf as an incorporator in concert with other similarly named persons in the creation and incorporation of a storm water management district under this chapter.

(e) "District" means a storm water management district created under this chapter.

(f) "Ditch" means any branch or lateral drain, tile drain, levee, sluiceway, water course, floodgate, and any other construction work found necessary for the reclamation of wet and overflowed lands.

(g) "Facilities" mean any structure, building, ditch, pipe, channel, improvement, land, or other real or personal property used or useful in storm water management system under this chapter.

(h) "Governing body" means the elected or duly appointed officials constituting the governing body of a municipality or county.

(i) "Incorporation agreement" means that agreement between the designated representatives of various units of local government setting forth the formal creation of a storm water management district created under this chapter.

(j) "Member" means a unit of local government participating in a district.

(k) "Municipality" means any incorporated city, town or village in this state.

(l) "Project" means the collection, conveyance, retention, detention and any other portion of a storm water management system and any property, real or personal, used as or in connection with those purposes.

(m) "Public agency" means any municipality, county, political subdivision, governmental district or unit, public institution of higher learning, community college district, planning and development district, or any body politic and corporate or governmental agency created under the laws of the state.

(n) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

(o) "Storm water" means any flow occurring during or following any form of natural precipitation and resulting from that precipitation.

(p) "Storm water management system" means a system which is designed and constructed, implemented or operated to control storm water discharges to prevent or reduce flooding, over drainage or water pollution or to otherwise affect the quantity or quality of discharges from the system. The storm water management system includes all pipes, channels, ditches, streams, wetlands, detention or retention basins, ponds or other storm water conveyance or treatment facilities.

(q) "Unit of local government" means any county or municipality of the state.

SECTION 91. Section 51-41-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

51-41-17. The water authority shall have the following powers, acting either individually or jointly with other water authorities or public entities, together with all powers incidental thereto or necessary to the discharge thereof:

(a) To have succession in its designated name;

(b) To sue and be sued and to prosecute and defend suits in any court having jurisdiction of the subject matter and of the parties;

(d) To adopt and alter bylaws for the regulations and conduct of its affairs and business;

(e) To acquire, whether by purchase, gift, lease, devise, or otherwise, property of every description which the board may deem necessary to the acquisition, construction, equipment, improvement, enlargement, operation, administration or maintenance of a project, and to hold title thereto;

(f) To construct, enlarge, equip, improve, maintain, consolidate, administer and operate one or more projects;

(g) To borrow money, including interim construction financing, for any of its purposes;

(h) To sell and issue its bonds;

(i) To sell and issue refunding bonds;

(j) To secure any of its bonds by pledge and indenture as provided in this chapter;

(k) To appoint, employ and compensate such general managers, executive directors, agents, architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants and other persons and employees as the business of the water authority may require;

(l) To provide for such insurance as the board may deem advisable;

(m) To invest in obligations that are direct or guaranteed obligations of the United States of America, or other securities in which public funds may be invested by any other political subdivision under the laws of this state, any of its funds that the board may determine are not presently needed for its operational purposes;

(n) To contract, lease and make lease agreements respecting its properties or any part thereof;

(o) To exercise the power of eminent domain in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Title 11, Chapter 27, Mississippi Code of 1972;

(p) To sell, convey or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or projects; and

(q) To exercise and hold the authority and power granted to water supply systems and sewer systems under Sections 19-5-173, 19-5-175, 19-5-177 and 19-5-203.

SECTION 92. Section 55-3-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

55-3-33. (1) The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may:

(a) Take charge and have full jurisdiction and control over all state parks, which parks shall be operated for the purpose of providing outdoor recreational activities and enjoyment for the citizens of the State of Mississippi and for the purpose of attracting visitors to the state.

(b) Set up a uniform accounting procedure for the state parks and prescribe the manner in which books, records and accounts shall be kept, which procedure shall account for all monies taken in and expended by the various parks and shall provide for periodic audits of such books.

(c) Accept gifts, bequests of money or other property, real or personal, to be used for the purpose of advancing the recreation and conservation interests in state parks. The department is authorized, subject to approval by the State Legislature, to purchase property, real or personal, to be used for state park purposes.

(d) Contract with the State Transportation Commission, any municipality or board of supervisors of the state for locating, constructing and maintaining roads and other improvements in state parks and for payment of a part of the costs thereof; however, no county or municipality more than twenty-five (25) miles distant from a state park may contract for, or do, or pay for any such work for a state park other than the International Gardens of Mississippi. Any county or municipality authorized to assist financially under the provisions of Sections 55-3-31 through 55-3-51 is authorized, in the discretion of its respective governing authority, to set aside, appropriate and expend monies from the General Fund for the purpose of defraying such expense after a mandatory election is held on the question within the county or municipality.

(e) Designate employees as peace officers with power to make arrests for infraction of the rules and regulations of the department. Such officers are authorized to carry weapons and to enforce the laws of the State of Mississippi within the confines of a state park.

(f) Enforce and delegate the responsibility to enforce all reasonable rules and regulations governing the occupancy and use of lands and waters in state parks under its jurisdiction, supply recreational and conservation facilities and charge fees for the use of same; review all rates and charges for facilities and accommodations furnished at the various state parks annually, making such charges as are justified; and establish fees for entrance to state parks.

(g) To periodically establish a discounted fee or fees for the entry and use of selected state parks and recreational facilities. The discounted fee or fees shall only be used for the purpose or purposes of marketing and promotion to increase the patronage and revenue of those selected parks and facilities. The discounted fee or fees shall not be considered a donation of state property.

Each park shall retain from revenues generated therein, a sum sufficient to pay necessary expenses of operation, but in no event to be less than seventy-five percent (75%) of such revenues.

(2) The department shall have the authority to lease to any entity, sell and convey or otherwise transfer to any county or municipality, or close any state park or historical site within its jurisdiction which received a general fund subsidy in fiscal year 1985 in excess of Two Dollars ($2.00) per visitor to such state park or historical site; provided, however, that this authority shall not include the authority to sell, lease or convey any park that was not in operation under the jurisdiction of the department for a full fiscal year prior to fiscal year 1986.

(3) The department may execute agreements with rails-to-trails and recreational districts by which the department will assume responsibility for the operation and maintenance of trails developed under Sections 55-25-1 through 55-25-15.

(4) (a) The department may contract with the electric public utility with a certificate of public convenience and necessity to serve the area where a state park is located for the transfer of ownership of the electrical infrastructure in the state park to that electric public utility.

(b) If the electric public utility enters into an agreement for the operation and maintenance of electrical facilities in a state park, the electric public utility may perform any upgrades to the electrical infrastructure of the park that are necessary for the electrical infrastructure to be in compliance with the electric public utility standards. The electric public utility may assess the costs of the upgrades to the department upon the terms and conditions agreed to by the department and the electric public utility.

(c) The department may contract with the electric public utility with the certificate of public convenience and necessity to serve the area for the erection, construction, maintenance, operation and control of electric distribution substations, electric transmission lines, electrical appurtenances, electrical appliances or electrical equipment necessary or useful in the operation or distribution of electric power or energy in the state park.

(d) Any agreement entered into by the department and an electric public utility under this subsection is exempt from the public purchasing requirements under Section 31-7-13.

SECTION 93. Section 55-7-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

55-7-25. The bridge and park commission shall have power to appoint and employ such officers, agents, attorneys, engineers, architects, financial consultants, and employees as the commission may find to be necessary to perform the services required and authorized under this chapter, and to prescribe the duties and compensation of all such persons. The compensation of all such persons shall be paid from funds received by the commission.

SECTION 94. Section 55-23-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

55-23-43. The Building Commission may employ competent architects, engineers and other qualified agents to prepare plans, specifications and such other data as may be necessary to enable it to carry out the purposes of Sections 55-23-21 through 55-23-43 in a manner consistent with sound construction principles. When the plans and specifications have been approved and accepted by the Building Commission, contracts for the various phases of construction shall then be let by the Building Commission in the manner provided by law to competent and responsible firms or individuals whose work shall proceed under the constant inspection of a reliable and competent inspector to be furnished for that purpose by the State Building Commission. All expenses incurred in the enlargement and renovation under the provisions of Sections 55-23-21 through 55-23-43 shall be paid from the Mississippi Memorial Stadium Construction Fund created herein. The Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Commission may take any action authorized in Section 55-23-8 relating to the property described in such section.

SECTION 95. Section 57-1-221, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

57-1-221. (1) As used in this section:

(a) "Approved business enterprise" means any project that:

(i) Locates or expands in this state and creates a minimum of two hundred fifty (250) new, full-time jobs with a total capital investment in the state of a minimum of Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00) in Tier 1 or Tier 2 counties;

(ii) Locates or expands in this state and creates a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) new, full-time jobs with a total capital investment in the state of a minimum of Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00) in areas federally designated as low-income census tracts;

(iii) Locates or expands in this state and creates a minimum of one thousand (1,000) new, full-time jobs; or

(iv) Locates or expands in this state with significant regional impact as determined by MDA.

(b) "MDA" means the Mississippi Development Authority.

(i) Facilities to provide potable and industrial water supply systems, sewage and waste disposal systems and water, natural gas and electric transmission systems to the site of the project;

(ii) Building facilities and equipment necessary to operate the facility;

(iii) Rail lines;

(iv) Airports, airfields, air terminals and port facilities;

(v) Highways, streets and other roadways; and

(vi) Fire protection facilities, equipment and elevated water tanks.

(d) "Project" means any industrial, commercial, research and development, warehousing, distribution, transportation, processing, mining, United States government or tourism enterprise together with all real property required for construction, maintenance and operation of the enterprise that is approved by the MDA.

(2) (a) There is created a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the Mississippi Industry Incentive Financing Revolving Fund which shall consist of money from any source designated for deposit into the fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Money in the fund shall be disbursed by the Mississippi Development Authority for the purposes authorized in subsection (3) of this section.

(b) Money in the fund that is derived from the proceeds of general obligation bonds may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the MDA in providing grants or loans under this section through the use of general obligation bonds. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each grant or loan by the MDA. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for assistance shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such assistance. Reimbursements made under this subsection shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(3) The MDA shall establish a program to make grants or loans from the Mississippi Industry Incentive Financing Revolving Fund to local governments, including, but not limited to, counties, municipalities, industrial development authorities and economic development districts, and approved business enterprises to construct or otherwise provide facilities related to the project. Local governments are authorized to accept grants and enter into loans authorized under the program, and to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of a project or any property related to the project in whole or in part.

(4) (a) Any business enterprise or local government desiring a grant or loan under this section shall submit an application to the MDA which shall include, at a minimum:

(i) Evidence that the business or industry meets the definition of an approved business enterprise;

(ii) A description, including the cost, of the requested assistance;

(iii) A description of the purpose for which the assistance is requested; and

(iv) Any other information required by the MDA.

(b) The MDA shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

(i) The minimum requirements of this section and such other requirements as the MDA considers proper shall be met; and

(ii) If such requirements are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided by this section as determined by the MDA shall be repaid.

(c) Upon receipt of the application from a business enterprise or local government for a grant or loan under this section, the MDA shall determine whether the enterprise meets the definition of an approved business enterprise and determine whether to provide the assistance requested in the form of a grant or a loan.

(d) The MDA shall have sole discretion in providing grants or loans under this section. The terms of a grant or loan provided under this section and the manner of repayment of any loan shall be within the discretion of the MDA. Repayments of loans made under this section shall be deposited to the credit of the Mississippi Industry Incentive Financing Revolving Fund until the uncommitted balance in the fund reaches Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00). Once the uncommitted balance in the fund reaches Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00), repayments of loans under this section shall be deposited to the credit of Fund No. 3951 in the State Treasury to pay debt service on bonds until such time as the uncommitted balance in the fund falls below Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00).

(e) The MDA shall notify the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee of the approval of any grant or loan application thirty (30) days prior to the disbursement of any money for the loan or grant from the Mississippi Industry Incentive Financing Revolving Fund. The notification shall identify the applicant and the purposes for which the loan or grant is made.

(5) (a) Contracts, by local governments, including, but not limited to, design and construction contracts, for the acquisition, purchase, construction or installation of a project shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 31-7-13 if:

(i) The MDA finds and records such finding on its minutes, that because of availability or the particular nature of a project, it would not be in the public interest or would less effectively achieve the purposes of this section to enter into such contracts on the basis of Section 31-7-13; and

(ii) The approved business enterprise that is involved in the project concurs in such finding.

(b) When the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection are met:

(i) The requirements of Section 31-7-13 shall not apply to such contracts; and

(ii) The contracts may be entered into on the basis of negotiation.

(6) It is the policy of the MDA and the MDA is authorized to accommodate and support any enterprise that receives a loan under this section for a project defined in Section 17-25-23 that wishes to have a program of diversity in contracting, and/or that wishes to do business with or cause its prime contractor to do business with Mississippi companies, including those companies that are small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The term "socially and economically disadvantaged individuals" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term under Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act (15 USCS 637(d)) and relevant subcontracting regulations promulgated pursuant thereto; except that women shall be presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged individuals for the purposes of this subsection.

(7) The MDA shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, for the implementation of this section.

SECTION 96. Section 57-1-355, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

57-1-355. DECD, in addition to any and all powers now or hereafter granted to it, is empowered and shall exercise discretion and the use of these powers depending on the circumstances of the project or projects:

(a) To employ or contract with architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, construction and financial experts and such other advisors, consultants and agents as may be necessary in its judgment and to fix and pay their compensation.

(b) To make such applications and enter into such contracts for financial assistance as may be appropriate under applicable federal or state law.

(c) To apply for, accept and utilize grants, gifts and other funds or aid from any source for any purpose contemplated by Sections 57-1-351 through 57-1-369, and to comply, subject to the provisions of Sections 57-1-351 through 57-1-369, with the terms and conditions thereof.

(d) To acquire by purchase or lease any public lands and public property, including sixteenth section lands and lieu lands, within the project area, which are necessary for the project. Sixteenth section lands or lieu lands acquired under Sections 57-1-351 through 57-1-369 shall be deemed to be acquired for the purposes of industrial development thereon and such acquisition will serve a higher public interest in accordance with the purposes of Sections 57-1-351 through 57-1-369.

(e) If DECD identifies any land owned by the state as being necessary, for the location or use of the project, or any facility related to the project, to recommend to the Legislature the conveyance of such land or any interest therein, as the Legislature deems appropriate.

(f) To make or cause to be made such examinations and surveys as may be necessary to the planning, design, construction and operation of the project.

(g) From and after the date of notification to DECD by the enterprise that the state has been finally selected as the site of the project, to acquire by condemnation and to own, maintain, use, operate and convey or otherwise dispose of any and all property of any kind, real, personal or mixed, or any interest or estate therein, within the project area, necessary for the project or any facility related to the project, with the concurrence of the affected public agency, and the exercise of the powers granted by Sections 57-1-351 through 57-1-369, according to the procedures provided by Chapter 27, Title 11, Mississippi Code of 1972, except as modified by Sections 57-1-351 through 57-1-369.

(i) In acquiring lands by condemnation, DECD shall not acquire minerals or royalties in minerals unless a competent registered professional engineer shall have certified that the acquisition of such minerals and royalties in minerals is necessary for purposes of the project; provided that limestone, clay, chalk, sand and gravel shall not be considered as minerals within the meaning of this section; and

(ii) Unless minerals or royalties in minerals have been acquired by condemnation or otherwise, no person or persons owning the drilling rights or the right to share in production of minerals shall be prevented from exploring, developing, or producing oil or gas with necessary rights-of-way for ingress and egress, pipelines and other means of transporting interests on any land or interest therein of the authority held or used for the purposes of Sections 57-1-351 through 57-1-369; but any such activities shall be under such reasonable regulation by DECD as will adequately protect the project contemplated by Sections 57-1-351 through 57-1-369 as provided in paragraph (r) of this section.

(h) To negotiate the necessary relocation or rerouting of roads and highways, railroad, telephone and telegraph lines and properties, electric power lines, pipelines and related facilities, or to require the anchoring or other protection of any of these, provided due compensation is paid to the owners thereof or agreement is had with such owners regarding the payment of the cost of such relocation, and to acquire by condemnation or otherwise easements or rights-of-way for such relocation or rerouting and to convey the same to the owners of the facilities being relocated or rerouted in connection with the purposes of Sections 57-1-351 through 57-1-369.

(i) To negotiate the necessary relocation of cemeteries and to pay all reasonable costs thereof.

(j) To perform or have performed any and all acts and make all payments necessary to comply with all applicable federal laws, rules or regulations including, but not limited to, the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601, 4602, 4621 to 4638, and 4651 to 4655) and relocation rules and regulations promulgated by any agency or department of the federal government.

(k) To construct, extend, improve, maintain, and reconstruct, to cause to be constructed, extended, improved, maintained, and reconstructed, and to use and operate any and all components of the project or any facility related to the project, with the concurrence of the affected public agency, within the project area, necessary to the project and to the exercise of such powers, rights, and privileges granted DECD.

(l) To incur or defray any designated portion of the cost of any component of the project or any facility related to the project acquired or constructed by any public agency.

(m) To lease, sell or convey any or all property acquired by DECD under the provisions of Sections 57-1-351 through 57-1-369 to the enterprise, its successors or assigns, and in connection therewith to pay the costs of title search, perfection of title, title insurance and recording fees as may be required. DECD may provide in the instrument conveying such property a provision that such property shall revert to DECD if, as and when the property is declared by the enterprise to be no longer needed.

(n) To enter into contracts with any person or public agency including, but not limited to, contracts authorized by Section 57-1-363, in furtherance of any of the purposes authorized by Sections 57-1-351 through 57-1-369 upon such consideration as DECD and such person or public agency may agree. Any such contract may extend over any period of time, notwithstanding any rule of law to the contrary, may be upon such terms as the parties thereto shall agree, and may provide that it shall continue in effect until bonds specified therein, refunding bonds issued in lieu of such bonds, and all other obligations specified therein are paid or terminated. Any such contract shall be binding upon the parties thereto according to its terms. Such contracts may include an agreement to reimburse the enterprise, its successors and assigns for any assistance provided by the enterprise in the acquisition of real property for the project or any facility related to the project.

(o) To establish and maintain reasonable rates and charges for the use of any facility within the project area owned or operated by DECD, and from time to time to adjust such rates and to impose penalties for failure to pay such rates and charges when due.

(p) To adopt and enforce with the concurrence of the affected public agency all necessary and reasonable rules and regulations to carry out and effectuate the implementation of the project and any land use plan or zoning classification adopted for the project area, including but not limited to rules, regulations, and restrictions concerning mining, construction, excavation or any other activity the occurrence of which may endanger the structure or operation of the project. Such rules may be enforced within the project area and without the project area as necessary to protect the structure and operation of the project. DECD is authorized to plan or replan, zone or rezone, and make exceptions to any regulations, whether local or state, with the concurrence of the affected public agency which are inconsistent with the design, planning, construction or operation of the project and facilities related to the project.

(q) To plan, design, coordinate and implement measures and programs to mitigate impacts on the natural environment caused by the project or any facility related to the project.

(r) To develop plans for technology transfer activities to ensure private sector conduits for exchange of information, technology and expertise related to the project to generate opportunities for commercial development within the state.

(s) To consult with the State Department of Education and other public agencies for the purpose of improving public schools and curricula within the project area.

(t) To consult with the State Board of Health and other public agencies for the purpose of improving medical centers, hospitals and public health centers in order to provide appropriate health care facilities within the project area.

(u) To consult with the Office of Minority Business Enterprise Development and other public agencies for the purpose of developing plans for technical assistance and loan programs to maximize the economic impact related to the project for minority business enterprises within the State of Mississippi.

(v) To promulgate rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of Sections 57-1-351 through 57-1-369.

SECTION 97. Section 57-26-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

57-26-1. As used in Sections 57-26-1 through 57-26-5, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Approved project costs" means actual costs incurred by an approved participant for land acquisition, construction, engineering, design and other costs approved by the Mississippi Development Authority relating to a tourism project; however, for the purposes of a tourism project described in paragraph (d)(iv) of this section, such costs include only those incurred after January 1, 2011, relating to the hotel portion of the project consisting of facilities used for lodging and common areas in that portion of the project. All costs must be verified by an independent third party approved by the MDA. An approved participant shall pay the costs for the third-party verification of costs. Approved project costs may not increase regardless of the actual costs incurred by the project.

(b) "Approved participant" means a person, corporation or other entity issued a certificate by the Mississippi Development Authority under Section 57-26-5.

(d) "Tourism project" shall include any of the following as may be approved by the MDA:

(i) Theme parks, water parks, entertainment parks or outdoor adventure parks, cultural or historical interpretive educational centers or museums, motor speedways, indoor or outdoor entertainment centers or complexes, convention centers, professional sports facilities, spas, attractions created around a natural phenomenon or scenic landscape and marinas open to the public with a minimum private investment of not less than Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00);

(ii) A hotel with a minimum private investment of Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00) in land, buildings, architecture, engineering, fixtures, equipment, furnishings, amenities and other related soft costs approved by the Mississippi Development Authority, and having a minimum private investment of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) per guest room which amount shall be included within the minimum private investment of Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00);

(iii) A public golf course with a minimum private investment of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00);

(iv) A full service hotel with a minimum private investment of Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00) in land, buildings, architecture, engineering, fixtures, equipment, furnishings, amenities and other related soft costs approved by the Mississippi Development Authority, and having a minimum private investment of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per guest room or suite which amount shall be included within the minimum private investment of Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00), a minimum of twenty-five (25) guest rooms or suites, and guest amenities such as restaurants, spas and other amenities as determined by the Mississippi Development Authority;

(v) A tourism attraction located within an "entertainment district" as defined in Section 17-29-3 that is open to the public, has seating to accommodate at least forty (40) persons, is open at least five (5) days per week from at least 6:00 p.m. until midnight, serves food and beverages, and provides live entertainment at least three (3) nights per week;

(vi) A cultural retail attraction;

(vii) A tourism attraction located within a historic district where the district is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, where the tourism attraction is open to the public, has seating to accommodate at least forty (40) persons, is open at least five (5) days per week from at least 6:00 p.m. until midnight, serves food and beverages, and provides live entertainment at least three (3) nights per week.

The term "tourism project" does not include any licensed gaming establishment owned, leased or controlled by a business, corporation or entity having a gaming license issued under Section 75-76-1 et seq.; however, the term "tourism project" may include a project described in this paragraph (d) that is owned, leased or controlled by such a business, corporation or entity or in which the business, corporation or entity has a direct or indirect financial interest if the project is in excess of development that the State Gaming Commission requires for the issuance or renewal of a gaming license and is not part of a licensed gaming establishment in which gaming activities are conducted.

The term "tourism project" does not include any facility within the project whose primary business is retail sales or any expansions of existing projects; however, pro shops, souvenir shops, gift shops, concessions and similar retail activities, and cultural retail attractions may be included within the definition of the term "tourism project." In addition, retail activities, regardless of whether the primary business is retail sales, that are part of a resort development may be included within the definition of "tourism project."

(e) "Resort development" means a travel destination development with a minimum private investment of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00) and which consists of (i) a hotel with a minimum of two hundred (200) guest rooms or suites and having a minimum private investment of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per guest room or suite, and (ii) guest amenities such as restaurants, golf courses, spas, fitness facilities, entertainment activities and other amenities as determined by the MDA. Not more than an amount equal to forty percent (40%) of the private investment required by this paragraph may be expended on facilities to house retail activity.

(f) "Cultural retail attraction" means a project which combines destination shopping with cultural or historical interpretive elements specific to Mississippi with a minimum private investment of Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) in land, buildings, architecture, engineering, fixtures, equipment, furnishings, amenities and other related soft costs approved by the Mississippi Development Authority and which:

(i) Is located in a qualified resort area as defined in Section 67-1-5;

(ii) Is a part of a master-planned development with a total investment of not less than One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00) in land, buildings, architecture, engineering, fixtures, equipment, furnishings, amenities and other related soft costs approved by the Mississippi Development Authority;

(iii) Has a minimum of fifty (50) retail tenants with a minimum of three hundred thousand (300,000) square feet of heated and cooled space; and

(iv) Has a minimum investment of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) in one or more of the following:

1. Art created by Mississippi artists or portraying themes specific to Mississippi;

2. Memorabilia, signage or historical markers which serve to promote the State of Mississippi;

3. Audio/visual equipment used to showcase Mississippi artists;

4. A minimum of one thousand two hundred and fifty (1,250) square feet of heated and cooled space available to the Mississippi Development Authority or its assignee for a period of not less than ten (10) years.

(g) "Retail activity" means businesses whose inventory consists primarily of upscale name brands or their equivalent as determined by the MDA.

(h) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 98. Section 57-28-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

57-28-1. As used in Sections 57-28-1 through 57-28-5, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Approved project costs" means actual costs incurred by an approved participant for land acquisition, construction, engineering, design and other costs approved by the Mississippi Development Authority relating to a tourism project. The term "approved project costs" also may include, if approved by the Mississippi Development Authority, costs described above that are incurred by an approved participant within three (3) months after the date a tourism project opens for commercial operation. All costs must be verified by an independent third party approved by the MDA. An approved participant shall pay the costs for the third-party verification of costs.

(b) "Approved participant" means a person, corporation or other entity issued a certificate by the Mississippi Development Authority under Section 57-28-5.

(d) "Tourism project" shall include an entertainment district described below and may include any of the following as may be approved by the MDA:

(i) A hotel with a minimum private investment of Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00) in land, buildings, architecture, engineering, fixtures, equipment, furnishings, amenities and other related soft costs approved by the Mississippi Development Authority, and having a minimum private investment of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) per guest room which amount shall be included within the minimum private investment of Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00);

(ii) A nationally branded, themed entertainment district consisting of restaurants, bars, amphitheaters, live theaters, other entertainment venues and commercial improvements that the MDA determines to be tourism related located within the entertainment district, with a minimum private investment of Seventy-five Million Dollars ($75,000,000.00);

(iii) A nationally branded museum/aquarium with a minimum private investment of Forty Million Dollars ($40,000,000.00); and

(iv) A public golf course with a minimum private investment of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00).

In addition, in order for a tourism project to be eligible to qualify under the provisions of Sections 57-28-1 through 57-28-5, the tourism project must be located on a project site, and construction of the tourism project must begin no later than June 1, 2017.

(e) "Project site" means a planned mixed use development located on at least four thousand (4,000) acres of land that will consist of commercial, recreational, resort, tourism and residential development, for which the initial phase of development shall begin no later than June 1, 2007.

(f) "State" means the State of Mississippi.

SECTION 99. Section 57-32-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

[Until October 1, 1993, Section 57-32-5 shall read as follows:]

57-32-5. (1) The council may do anything within its power, not inconsistent with this chapter, to secure and further industrial and economic development of said counties, to advertise the natural resources and possibilities of the same, and to maintain and support the same.

(2) The council is hereby expressly authorized and empowered to acquire by gift, purchase or otherwise, and to own, hold, maintain, control and develop real estate situated within the participating counties, either within or without the corporate limits of a municipality, for development, use and operation of one or more industrial park complexes referred to herein as "project"; and is further authorized and empowered to engage in works of internal improvement therefor, including, but not limited to, construction or contracting for the construction of railroad spur tracks, site improvements, water, sewerage, drainage, pollution control and other related facilities necessary or required for industrial use and development of said park complexes; and to acquire, purchase, install, lease, construct, own, hold, equip, control, maintain, use, operate and repair other structures and facilities necessary and convenient for the planning, development, use, operation and maintenance of said parks for industrial purposes, including, but not limited to, utility installations, except those communications and electric power utilities already certificated in the area by the Mississippi Public Service Commission, elevators, compressors, warehouses, and air, rail and other transportation terminals and pollution control facilities. For the development of such projects, the council, in its own name, is authorized and empowered to borrow money and contract for the borrowing of money, from time to time, as it may deem appropriate, and to pay interest upon such borrowed funds in such amount as it may negotiate, however, not exceeding such amount of interest as may be allowed to be paid under the provisions of Section 19-9-19, and to give as security for the payment of such indebtednesses deeds of trust or mortgages on all or any part of the real estate purchased, improved or benefited by the funds so borrowed. The council may, likewise, pledge the proceeds and revenues from any such project for the repayment of funds so borrowed. The pledge of any real estate or income from real estate held by the council shall be done only by order spread upon the minutes of said council after the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the council. There shall be no personal liability of any member of said council for failure in the repayment of funds so borrowed.

(3) The council is authorized and empowered to sell, lease, trade, exchange or otherwise dispose of industrial sites situated within any of such projects to individuals, firms or corporations, public or private, for industrial and warehouse use upon such terms and conditions, for such consideration, and with such safeguards as will best promote and protect the public interest, convenience and necessity, and to execute deeds, leases, contracts, easements and other legal instruments necessary or convenient therefor. The council is granted the power to sue and be sued in its own name, and the council is hereby authorized to take liability insurance on the operation of said facilities, and may be sued by anyone affected to the extent of such insurance carried; provided, however, that immunity from suit is only waived to the extent of such liability insurance carried, and a judgment creditor shall have recourse only to the proceeds or right to proceeds of such liability insurance. No attempt shall be made in the trial of any case to suggest the existence of any insurance which covers in whole or in part any judgment or award rendered in favor of a claimant, but if the verdict rendered by the jury exceeds the limit of applicable insurance, the court on motion shall reduce the amount of said judgment to a sum equal to the applicable limit stated in the insurance policy.

(4) Any industrial lease may be executed upon such terms and conditions and for such monetary rental or other consideration as may be found to be in the best interest of the public by the council by order or resolution spread upon its minutes authorizing the same. Any covenants and obligations of the lessee to make expenditures in determined amounts, and within such time or times, for improvements to be erected on the land by such lessee and to conduct thereon industrial or warehouse operations in such aggregate payroll amounts and for such period of time or times as may be determined and defined in such lease, and to give preference in employment where practicable to qualified residents of the counties constituting the council may, when included in such lease, constitute and be deemed sufficient consideration for the execution of any such lease in the absence of a monetary rental or other considerations, if found by the council and the board of supervisors of the affected county to be sufficient consideration and in the best interest of the public; any such instrument may contain reasonable provisions giving the lessee the right to remove its or his improvements upon termination of the lease.

(5) The council is authorized and empowered to fix and prescribe fees, charges and rates for the use of any water, sewerage, pollution control or other facilities constructed and operated in connection with said industrial parks and to collect the same from persons, firms and corporations using the same for industrial, warehouse and related purposes.

(6) Upon organization the council is authorized and empowered to employ engineers, attorneys, accountants, technicians and consultants upon a fee or retainer basis, and such executive and administrative personnel and other employees as shall be reasonably necessary to carry out the duties and authority authorized by this chapter; and to determine their qualifications and duties and to establish compensation and other employment benefits as may be advisable to attract and retain proficient personnel. The council, in addition to all other authority, is authorized and empowered to purchase, sell and trade office equipment, to purchase necessary supplies, to purchase such equipment and vehicles as the council deems necessary for the economic and industrial development of the member counties and to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(7) The enumeration of any specific rights and powers contained herein, and elsewhere in this chapter, where followed by general powers, shall not be construed in a restrictive sense, but rather in as broad and comprehensive a sense as possible to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.

[From and after October 1, 1993, Section 57-32-5 shall read as follows:]

(6) Upon organization, the council is authorized and empowered to employ engineers, attorneys, accountants, technicians and consultants upon a fee or retainer basis, and such executive and administrative personnel and other employees as shall be reasonably necessary to carry out the duties and authority authorized by this chapter, and to determine their qualifications and duties and to establish compensation and other employment benefits as may be advisable to attract and retain proficient personnel. The council, in addition to all other authority, is authorized and empowered to purchase, sell and trade office equipment, to purchase necessary supplies, to purchase such equipment and vehicles as the council deems necessary for the economic and industrial development of the member counties and to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

SECTION 100. Section 57-34-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

57-34-7. Creation; governance; authority to act. (1) The Alabama-Mississippi Joint Economic Development Authority is hereby created by the states for the performance of essential public functions.

(2) The authority shall be governed by a board of directors consisting of the Director of the Alabama Development Office and the Executive Director of the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority. The board of directors shall administer, manage and direct the affairs and business of the authority. The board of directors shall act by unanimous consent in exercising the powers now or hereafter granted to the authority and in administering, managing and directing the affairs and business of the authority. The board of directors may delegate the performance of any administrative functions to such persons or public agencies of either of the states as the board of directors deems appropriate.

(3) The board of directors may enter into an administrative agreement setting forth any provision regarding:

(a) The management and operation of the authority;

(b) The terms, conditions or manner in which the authority will engage in projects; and

(4) The board of directors may negotiate and enter into a project agreement setting forth any provisions relating to a specific project that are not inconsistent with the terms or purposes of this chapter.

(5) The authority, through its board of directors, is hereby authorized, designated and empowered to:

(a) Promulgate rules and regulations consistent with this chapter concerning such matters as the authority deems appropriate;

(b) Take all steps necessary or appropriate to effect the siting, development and operation of a project within the designated geographic area;

(c) Act on behalf of the states in submitting site and incentive proposals for any project. Notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the contrary, no proposal shall be binding upon the authority or the states until after the project agreement, and the incentives contained in the agreement with respect to the project, have been approved by the legislatures of both states as required under the laws of each state;

(d) To employ or contract with architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, construction and financial experts and such other advisors, consultants and agents as may be necessary in its judgment and to fix and pay their compensation;

(e) To make applications and enter into any contracts for financial assistance as may be appropriate under applicable federal law or the laws of either state;

(f) To apply for, accept and utilize grants, gifts and other funds or aid from any source for any purpose contemplated by this chapter, and to comply, subject to the provisions of this chapter, with the terms and conditions thereof; and

(g) To acquire by purchase, lease, gift, or in other manner, or obtain options to acquire and to own, maintain, use, operate and convey any and all property of any kind, public or private, real, personal, or mixed, or any interest or estate therein, within the designated geographic area necessary for the project or any facility related and necessary to the project.

(6) If an area within the designated geographic area is selected as the preferred project site for a project and the legislatures of the states have approved a project agreement with respect to the project, the authority is hereby designated and empowered to coordinate fully the development of the project with private business, the United States government and public agencies and/or political subdivisions of both states.

(7) The authority shall create a separate account for money that it receives from sources other than the states and shall account for such monies separate from appropriations and other monies from the states.

SECTION 101. Section 57-67-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

57-67-11. The authority, in addition to any and all powers now or hereafter granted to it, is hereby empowered:

(a) To maintain an office at a place or places in the state.

(b) To employ or contract with architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, construction and financial experts and such other advisors, consultants and agents as may be necessary in its judgment and to fix and pay their compensation.

(c) To make such applications and enter into such contracts for financial assistance as may be appropriate under applicable federal or state law.

(d) To apply for, accept and utilize grants, gifts and other funds or aid from any source for any purpose contemplated by the chapter, and to comply, subject to the provisions of this chapter, with the terms and conditions thereof.

(e) To acquire by purchase, lease, gift, or in other manner other than by eminent domain, or obtain options to acquire, and to own, maintain, use, operate and convey any and all property of any kind, real, personal, or mixed, or any interest or estate therein, (including easements, rights-of-way, air rights or subsurface rights, or a stratified fee estate in a specified volume of land located below, at, or above the surface) within or without the project area, necessary or convenient for the project or any facility related to the project or necessary or convenient for any enhancement offered to secure the siting of the project in the state or for the exercise of the powers granted by this chapter.

(f) To acquire by purchase or lease any public lands and public property, including sixteenth section lands and lieu lands, within the project area, which are necessary or convenient for the project. Sixteenth section lands or lieu lands acquired under this chapter shall be deemed to be acquired for the purposes of industrial development thereon and such acquisition will serve a higher public interest in accordance with the purposes of this chapter.

(g) To make or cause to be made such examinations and surveys as may be necessary to the planning, design, construction and operation of the project; and for such purpose the authority, its agents, servants, or any public agency involved in the project selection, design, construction or operation, shall have immediate and full right of entry upon the lands and waters of any person for the purposes of survey and exploration.

(h) From and after the date of notification to the authority by the Department of Energy that the state has been finally selected as the site of the project, to acquire by condemnation and to own, maintain, use, operate and convey or otherwise dispose of any and all property of any kind, real, personal or mixed, or any interest or estate therein, (including easements, rights-of-way, air rights or subsurface rights, or a stratified fee estate in a specified volume of land located below, at, or above the surface), within the project area, necessary or convenient for the project or any facility related to the project and the exercise of the powers granted by this chapter, according to the procedures provided by Chapter 27, Title 11, Mississippi Code of 1972, except as modified by this chapter. For the purposes of this chapter, the right of eminent domain shall be superior and dominant to the right of eminent domain of other public agencies and of railroad, telephone, telegraph, gas, power and other companies or corporations and shall extend to public and private lands including sixteenth section lands. The amount and character of interest in land, other property, and easements thus to be acquired shall be determined by the authority, and its determination shall be conclusive and shall not be subject to attack in the absence of manifest abuse of discretion or fraud on the part of the authority in making such determination. However,

(i) In acquiring lands by condemnation, the authority shall not acquire minerals or royalties in minerals unless a competent registered professional engineer shall have certified that the acquisition of such minerals and royalties in minerals is necessary for purposes of the project; provided that limestone, clay, chalk, sand and gravel shall not be considered as minerals within the meaning of this section; and

(ii) Unless minerals or royalties in minerals have been acquired by condemnation or otherwise, no person or persons owning the drilling rights or the right to share in production of minerals shall be prevented from exploring, developing, or producing oil or gas with necessary rights-of-way for ingress and egress, pipelines and other means of transporting interests on any land or interest therein of the authority held or used for the purposes of this chapter; but any such activities shall be under such reasonable regulation by the authority as will adequately protect the project contemplated by this chapter as provided in subparagraph (s) of this section. For the purpose of acquiring by condemnation land and easements for the project or any facility related to the project located within the project area, the authority shall have the right of immediate possession pursuant to Sections 11-27-81 through 11-27-89.

(i) In any proceeding in any court which has been or may be instituted by and in the name of the authority for the acquisition of any land or easement or right-of-way in land for the public use as provided in subparagraph (h) of this section, the authority may file in the cause, with the petition or at any time before judgment, a declaration of taking signed by the authority, declaring that said lands are thereby taken for the use of the authority in connection with the location of the project. Said declaration of taking shall contain or have annexed thereto:

(i) A statement of the statutory authority under which and the public use for which said lands are taken.

(ii) A description of the lands taken sufficient for the identification thereof.

(iii) A statement of the estate or interest in said lands taken for said public use.

(iv) A statement of the necessity of the immediate vesting of title in the authority in order to convey such property to the United States for the use in connection with the project.

(v) A statement of the sum of money estimated by the authority to be due compensation for the land taken. Upon filing the declaration of taking and of the deposit in the court, to the use of the persons entitled thereto, of the amount of the estimated compensation stated in the declaration, title to such lands in fee simple absolute, or such less estate or interest therein as is specified in the declaration, shall vest in the authority, and such lands shall be deemed to be condemned and taken for the use of the authority, and the right to due compensation for the same shall vest in the persons entitled thereto; and compensation shall be ascertained and awarded in the proceeding and established by judgment therein, and the judgment shall include, as part of the due compensation awarded, interest in accordance with law on the amount finally awarded as the value of the property as of the date of taking, from such date to the date of payment; but interest shall not be allowed on so much thereof as shall have been paid into the court. No sum so paid into the court shall be charged with commissions or poundage.

Upon the application of the parties in interest, the court may order that the money deposited in the court, or any part thereof, be paid forthwith for or on account of the due compensation to be awarded in the proceeding. If the compensation finally awarded in respect of such lands, or any parcel thereof, shall exceed the amount of the money so received by any person entitled, the court shall enter judgment against the authority for the amount of the deficiency.

Upon the filing of a declaration of taking, the court shall have power to fix the time within which and the terms upon which the parties in possession shall be required to surrender possession to the petitioner. The court shall have power to make such orders in respect of encumbrances, liens, rents, taxes, assessments, insurance, and other charges, if any, as shall be just and equitable. No appeal in any cause under this subparagraph (i) of this section nor any bond or undertaking given therein shall operate to prevent or delay the vesting of title to such lands in the authority.

(j) To require the necessary relocation or rerouting of roads and highways, railroad, telephone and telegraph lines and properties, electric power lines, pipelines and related facilities, or to require the anchoring or other protection of any of these, provided due compensation is paid to the owners thereof or agreement is had with such owners regarding the payment of the cost of such relocation, and to acquire by condemnation or otherwise easements or rights-of-way for such relocation or rerouting and to convey the same to the owners of the facilities being relocated or rerouted in connection with the purposes of this chapter.

(k) To require the necessary relocation of cemeteries and to pay all reasonable costs thereof.

( l) To perform or have performed any and all acts and make all payments necessary to comply with all applicable federal laws, rules or regulations including but not limited to the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601, 4602, 4621 to 4638, and 4651 to 4655) and relocation rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Energy.

(m) To construct, extend, improve, maintain, and reconstruct, to cause to be constructed, extended, improved, maintained, and reconstructed, and to use and operate any and all components of the project or any facility related to the project, within the project area, necessary or convenient to the project and to the exercise of such powers, rights, and privileges granted the authority.

(n) To incur or defray any designated portion of the cost of any component of the project or any facility related to the project acquired or constructed by any public agency.

(o) To lease, sell, give, donate, convey or otherwise transfer any or all property acquired by the authority under the provisions of this chapter to the United States Department of Energy, its successors or assigns, and in connection therewith to pay the costs of title search, perfection of title, title insurance and recording fees as may be required. The authority may provide in the instrument conveying such property a provision that such property shall revert to the authority if, as and when the property is declared by the United States Department of Energy to be no longer needed for the Superconducting Super Collider research facility.

(p) To enter into contracts with any person, public agency or political subdivision including, but not limited to, contracts authorized by Section 57-67-17, in furtherance of any of the purposes authorized by this chapter upon such consideration as the authority and such person, public agency or political subdivision may agree. Any such contract may extend over any period of time, notwithstanding any rule of law to the contrary, may be upon such terms as the parties thereto shall agree, and may provide that it shall continue in effect until bonds specified therein, refunding bonds issued in lieu of such bonds, and all other obligations specified therein are paid or terminated. Any such contract shall be binding upon the parties thereto according to its terms. Such contracts may include an agreement to reimburse the United States Department of Energy, its successors and assigns for any assistance provided by the United States Department of Energy in the acquisition of real property for the project or any facility related to the project.

(q) To establish and maintain reasonable rates and charges for the use of any facility within the project area owned or operated by the authority, and from time to time to adjust such rates and to impose penalties for failure to pay such rates and charges when due.

(r) To make and enforce, and from time to time amend and repeal, rules and regulations for the construction, use, maintenance and operation of any facility related to the project under its management and control and any other of its properties.

(s) To adopt and enforce all necessary and reasonable rules and regulations to carry out and effectuate the implementation of the project and any land use plan or zoning classification adopted for the project area, including but not limited to rules, regulations, and restrictions concerning mining, construction, excavation or any other activity the occurrence of which may endanger the structure or operation of the project. Such rules may be enforced within the project area and without the project area as necessary to protect the structure and operation of the project. The authority is authorized to plan or replan, zone or rezone, and make exceptions to any regulations, whether local or state, which are inconsistent with the design, planning, construction or operation of the project and facilities related to the project.

(t) To plan, design, coordinate and implement measures and programs to mitigate impacts on the natural environment caused by the project or any facility related to the project.

(u) To assist any public agency involved with the project design, construction or operation in securing any state or local permits and approval required for the project or any facility related to the project.

(v) To do any and all things necessary or convenient to carry out the authority's purposes and to exercise the powers given and granted in this chapter.

SECTION 102. Section 57-75-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

57-75-9. (1) The authority is hereby designated and empowered to act on behalf of the state in submitting a siting proposal for any project eligible for assistance under this act. The authority is empowered to take all steps appropriate or necessary to effect the siting, development, and operation of the project within the state, including the negotiation of a fee-in-lieu. If the state is selected as the preferred site for the project, the authority is hereby designated and empowered to act on behalf of the state and to represent the state in the planning, financing, development, construction and operation of the project or any facility related to the project, with the concurrence of the affected public agency. The authority may take affirmative steps to coordinate fully all aspects of the submission of a siting proposal for the project and, if the state is selected as the preferred site, to coordinate fully, with the concurrence of the affected public agency, the development of the project or any facility related to the project with private business, the United States government and other public agencies. All public agencies are encouraged to cooperate to the fullest extent possible to effectuate the duties of the authority; however, the development of the project or any facility related to the project by the authority may be done only with the concurrence of the affected public agency.

(2) (a) Contracts, by the authority or a public agency, including, but not limited to, design and construction contracts, for the acquisition, purchase, construction or installation of a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1 or any facility related to the project shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 31-7-13 if:

(i) The authority finds and records such finding on its minutes, that because of availability or the particular nature of a project, it would not be in the public interest or would less effectively achieve the purposes of this chapter to enter into such contracts on the basis of Section 31-7-13; and

(ii) The enterprise that is involved in the project concurs in such finding.

(b) When the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection are met:

(i) The requirements of Section 31-7-13 shall not apply to such contracts; and

(ii) The contracts may be entered into on the basis of negotiation.

(c) The enterprise involved with the project may, upon approval of the authority, negotiate such contracts in the name of the authority.

(d) The provisions of this subsection (2) shall not apply to contracts by the authority for excavation, fill dirt and compaction for the preparation of the site of a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1 and such contracts may be entered into pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.

(3) (a) Contracts by the authority for excavation, fill dirt and compaction for the preparation of the site of a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1 shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 31-7-13 and the following procedure shall be followed in the award of such contracts:

(i) The authority shall advertise for a period of time to be set by the authority, but in no event less than one (1) business day, the date, time and place of a meeting with the authority to receive specifications on a request for proposals on excavation, fill dirt and compaction for the preparation of the site of the project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1.

(ii) The authority shall set the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for award of the contract and the advertisement shall set forth such minimum qualifications.

(iii) Following the meeting the authority shall, in its discretion, select one or more of the qualified contractors with whom to negotiate or award the contract. The decision of the authority concerning the selection of the contractor shall be final.

(b) Contracts by the authority or a public agency for site preparation, utilities, real estate improvements, wastewater or for public works for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxi) or Section 57-75-5(f)(xxii) shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 31-7-13 and the following procedure shall be followed in the award of such contracts:

(i) The authority or the public agency shall advertise for a period of time to be set by the authority or the public agency, but in no event less than one (1) nor more than five (5) calendar days, the date, time and place of a meeting with the authority or the public agency to receive specifications on the preparation of the site of the project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxi) or Section 57-75-5(f)(xxii).

(ii) The authority or the public agency shall set the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for award of the contract and the advertisement shall set forth such minimum qualifications.

(iii) Following the meeting the authority or the public agency shall, in its discretion, select one or more of the qualified contractors with whom to negotiate or award the contract. The decision of the authority or the public agency concerning the selection of the contractor shall be final.

(c) Contracts by a public agency for site preparation, utilities, real estate improvements, infrastructure, roads or for public works for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiii) may be exempt from the provisions of Section 31-7-13 and the following procedure shall be followed in the award of contracts:

(i) The public agency shall advertise for a period of time to be set by the public agency, but in no event less than one (1) nor more than five (5) calendar days, the date, time and place of a meeting with the public agency to receive specifications on site preparation, utilities, real estate improvements, infrastructure, roads or for public works related to the project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiii).

(ii) The public agency shall set the minimum qualifications necessary to be considered for award of the contract and the advertisement shall set forth such minimum qualifications.

(iii) Following the meeting the public agency shall, in its discretion, select one or more of the qualified contractors with whom to negotiate or award the contract. The decision of the public agency concerning selection of the contractor shall be final.

(4) (a) Contracts, by the authority or a public agency, including, but not limited to, design and construction contracts, for the acquisition, purchase, construction or installation of a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxvi), Section 57-75-5(f)(xxvii) or Section 57-75-5(f)(xxviii) shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 31-7-13 if:

(ii) The enterprise that is involved in the project concurs in such finding.

(b) When the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection are met:

(i) The requirements of Section 31-7-13 shall not apply to such contracts; and

(ii) The contracts may be entered into on the basis of negotiation.

SECTION 103. Section 57-75-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

57-75-11. The authority, in addition to any and all powers now or hereafter granted to it, is empowered and shall exercise discretion and the use of these powers depending on the circumstances of the project or projects:

(a) To maintain an office at a place or places within the state.

(c) To make such applications and enter into such contracts for financial assistance as may be appropriate under applicable federal or state law.

(d) To apply for, accept and utilize grants, gifts and other funds or aid from any source for any purpose contemplated by the act, and to comply, subject to the provisions of this act, with the terms and conditions thereof.

(e) (i) To acquire by purchase, lease, gift, or in other manner, including quick-take eminent domain, or obtain options to acquire, and to own, maintain, use, operate and convey any and all property of any kind, real, personal, or mixed, or any interest or estate therein, within the project area, necessary for the project or any facility related to the project. The provisions of this paragraph that allow the acquisition of property by quick-take eminent domain shall be repealed by operation of law on July 1, 1994; and

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph (e), from and after November 6, 2000, to exercise the right of immediate possession pursuant to the provisions of Sections 11-27-81 through 11-27-89 for the purpose of acquiring land, property and/or rights-of-way in the county in which a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1 is located, that are necessary for such project or any facility related to the project.

(f) To acquire by purchase or lease any public lands and public property, including sixteenth section lands and lieu lands, within the project area, which are necessary for the project. Sixteenth section lands or lieu lands acquired under this act shall be deemed to be acquired for the purposes of industrial development thereon and such acquisition will serve a higher public interest in accordance with the purposes of this act.

(g) If the authority identifies any land owned by the state as being necessary, for the location or use of the project, or any facility related to the project, to recommend to the Legislature the conveyance of such land or any interest therein, as the Legislature deems appropriate.

(h) To make or cause to be made such examinations and surveys as may be necessary to the planning, design, construction and operation of the project.

(i) From and after the date of notification to the authority by the enterprise that the state has been finally selected as the site of the project, to acquire by condemnation and to own, maintain, use, operate and convey or otherwise dispose of any and all property of any kind, real, personal or mixed, or any interest or estate therein, within the project area, necessary for the project or any facility related to the project, with the concurrence of the affected public agency, and the exercise of the powers granted by this act, according to the procedures provided by Chapter 27, Title 11, Mississippi Code of 1972, except as modified by this act.

(i) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph (i), in acquiring lands by condemnation, the authority shall not acquire minerals or royalties in minerals unless a competent registered professional engineer shall have certified that the acquisition of such minerals and royalties in minerals is necessary for purposes of the project; provided that limestone, clay, chalk, sand and gravel shall not be considered as minerals for the purposes of subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph (i);

(ii) Unless minerals or royalties in minerals have been acquired by condemnation or otherwise, no person or persons owning the drilling rights or the right to share in production of minerals shall be prevented from exploring, developing, or producing oil or gas with necessary rights-of-way for ingress and egress, pipelines and other means of transporting interests on any land or interest therein of the authority held or used for the purposes of this act; but any such activities shall be under such reasonable regulation by the authority as will adequately protect the project contemplated by this act as provided in paragraph (r) of this section; and

(iii) In acquiring lands by condemnation, including the exercise of immediate possession, for a project, as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1, the authority may acquire minerals or royalties in minerals.

(j) To negotiate the necessary relocation or rerouting of roads and highways, railroad, telephone and telegraph lines and properties, electric power lines, pipelines and related facilities, or to require the anchoring or other protection of any of these, provided due compensation is paid to the owners thereof or agreement is had with such owners regarding the payment of the cost of such relocation, and to acquire by condemnation or otherwise easements or rights-of-way for such relocation or rerouting and to convey the same to the owners of the facilities being relocated or rerouted in connection with the purposes of this act.

(k) To negotiate the necessary relocation of graves and cemeteries and to pay all reasonable costs thereof.

(l) To perform or have performed any and all acts and make all payments necessary to comply with all applicable federal laws, rules or regulations including, but not limited to, the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 USCS 4601, 4602, 4621 to 4638, and 4651 to 4655) and relocation rules and regulations promulgated by any agency or department of the federal government.

(m) To construct, extend, improve, maintain, and reconstruct, to cause to be constructed, extended, improved, maintained, and reconstructed, and to use and operate any and all components of the project or any facility related to the project, with the concurrence of the affected public agency, within the project area, necessary to the project and to the exercise of such powers, rights, and privileges granted the authority.

(n) To incur or defray any designated portion of the cost of any component of the project or any facility related to the project acquired or constructed by any public agency.

(o) (i) To lease, sell or convey any or all property acquired by the authority under the provisions of this act to the enterprise, its successors or assigns, and/or any entity for purposes in furtherance of economic development as determined by the authority, and in connection therewith to pay the costs of title search, perfection of title, title insurance and recording fees as may be required. The authority may provide in the instrument conveying such property a provision that such property shall revert to the authority if, as and when the property is declared by the transferee to be no longer needed.

(ii) To lease, sell, transfer or convey on any terms agreed upon by the authority any or all real and personal property, improvements, leases, funds and contractual obligations of a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(vi) and conveyed to the State of Mississippi by a Quitclaim Deed from the United States of America dated February 23, 1996, filed of record at pages 511 to 524, Deed Book Number B179, Chancery Clerk's Office, Tishomingo County, Mississippi, to any governmental authority located within the geographic boundaries of the county wherein such project exists upon agreement of such governmental authority to undertake and assume from the State of Mississippi all obligations and responsibilities in connection with ownership and operation of the project. Property leased, sold, transferred or otherwise conveyed by the authority under this paragraph (o) shall be used only for economic development purposes.

(p) To enter into contracts with any person or public agency, including, but not limited to, contracts authorized by Section 57-75-17, in furtherance of any of the purposes authorized by this act upon such consideration as the authority and such person or public agency may agree. Any such contract may extend over any period of time, notwithstanding any rule of law to the contrary, may be upon such terms as the parties thereto shall agree, and may provide that it shall continue in effect until bonds specified therein, refunding bonds issued in lieu of such bonds, and all other obligations specified therein are paid or terminated. Any such contract shall be binding upon the parties thereto according to its terms. Such contracts may include an agreement to reimburse the enterprise, its successors and assigns for any assistance provided by the enterprise in the acquisition of real property for the project or any facility related to the project.

(q) To establish and maintain reasonable rates and charges for the use of any facility within the project area owned or operated by the authority, and from time to time, to adjust such rates and to impose penalties for failure to pay such rates and charges when due.

(r) To adopt and enforce with the concurrence of the affected public agency all necessary and reasonable rules and regulations to carry out and effectuate the implementation of the project and any land use plan or zoning classification adopted for the project area, including, but not limited to, rules, regulations, and restrictions concerning mining, construction, excavation or any other activity the occurrence of which may endanger the structure or operation of the project. Such rules may be enforced within the project area and without the project area as necessary to protect the structure and operation of the project. The authority is authorized to plan or replan, zone or rezone, and make exceptions to any regulations, whether local or state, with the concurrence of the affected public agency which are inconsistent with the design, planning, construction or operation of the project and facilities related to the project.

(s) To plan, design, coordinate and implement measures and programs to mitigate impacts on the natural environment caused by the project or any facility related to the project.

(t) To develop plans for technology transfer activities to ensure private sector conduits for exchange of information, technology and expertise related to the project to generate opportunities for commercial development within the state.

(u) To consult with the State Department of Education and other public agencies for the purpose of improving public schools and curricula within the project area.

(v) To consult with the State Board of Health and other public agencies for the purpose of improving medical centers, hospitals and public health centers in order to provide appropriate health care facilities within the project area.

(w) To consult with the Office of Minority Business Enterprise Development and other public agencies for the purpose of developing plans for technical assistance and loan programs to maximize the economic impact related to the project for minority business enterprises within the State of Mississippi.

(x) To deposit into the "Yellow Creek Project Area Fund" created pursuant to Section 57-75-31:

(i) Any funds or aid received as authorized in this section for the project described in Section 57-75-5(f)(vi), and

(ii) Any funds received from the sale or lease of property from the project described in Section 57-75-5(f)(vi) pursuant to the powers exercised under this section.

(y) To manage and develop the project described in Section 57-75-5(f)(vi).

(z) To promulgate rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.

(aa) To negotiate a fee-in-lieu with the owners of the project.

(bb) To enter into contractual agreements to warrant any site work for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such warranties shall not exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00).

(cc) To provide grant funds to an enterprise operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv)1 in an amount not to exceed Thirty-nine Million Dollars ($39,000,000.00).

(dd) (i) To own surface water transmission lines constructed with the proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to this act and in connection therewith to purchase and provide water to any project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(iv) and to certificated water providers; and

(ii) To lease such surface water transmission lines to a public agency or public utility to provide water to such project and to certificated water providers.

(ee) To provide grant funds to an enterprise operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(v) or, in connection with a facility related to such a project, for job training, recruiting and infrastructure.

(ff) To enter into negotiations with persons proposing projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xi) and execute acquisition options and conduct planning, design and environmental impact studies with regard to such project.

(gg) To establish such guidelines, rules and regulations as the authority may deem necessary and appropriate from time to time in its sole discretion, to promote the purposes of this act.

(hh) In connection with projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii):

(i) To provide grant funds or loans to a public agency or an enterprise owning, leasing or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(ii) in amounts not to exceed the amount authorized in Section 57-75-15(3)(b);

(ii) To supervise the use of all such grant funds or loans; and

(iii) To requisition money in the Mississippi Major Economic Impact Authority Revolving Loan Fund in connection with such loans.

(ii) In connection with projects defined under Section 57-75-5(f)(xiv):

(i) To provide grant funds or loans to an enterprise owning, leasing or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xiv); however, the aggregate amount of any such loans under this paragraph (ii) shall not exceed Eighteen Million Dollars ($18,000,000.00) and the aggregate amount of any such grants under this paragraph (ii) shall not exceed Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00);

(ii) To supervise the use of all such grant funds or loans; and

(iii) Notwithstanding any provision of this act to the contrary, such loans shall be for a term not to exceed twenty (20) years as may be determined by the authority, shall bear interest at such rates as may be determined by the authority, shall, in the sole discretion of the authority, be secured in an amount and a manner as may be determined by the authority.

(jj) In connection with projects defined under Section 57-75-5(f)(xviii):

(i) To provide grant funds of Twenty-five Million Dollars ($25,000,000.00) to an enterprise owning or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xviii) to be used for real estate improvements and which may be disbursed as determined by the authority;

(ii) To provide loans to an enterprise owning or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xviii) or make payments to a lender providing financing to the enterprise; subject to the following provisions:

1. Not more than Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) may be loaned to such an enterprise for the purpose of defraying costs incurred by the enterprise for site preparation and real property improvements during the construction of the project in excess of budgeted costs; however, the amount of any such loan shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of such excess costs;

2. Not more than Sixty Million Dollars ($60,000,000.00) may be loaned to such an enterprise or paid to a lender providing financing to the enterprise for purposes determined appropriate by the authority, and the enterprise shall be obligated to repay the amount of the loan or payment plus any expenses incurred by the state as a result of the issuance of bonds pursuant to Section 57-75-15(3)(p); however, no such loan or payment may be made before the beginning of the fifth year after issuance by the enterprise of debt in like amount the proceeds of which are to be used in connection with the project;

(iii) To supervise the use of all such loan funds;

(iv) Loans under this paragraph (jj) may be for any term determined appropriate by the authority provided that the payments on any loan must be in an amount sufficient to pay the state's debt service on bonds issued for the purpose of providing funds for such a loan; and

(v) The repayment obligation of the enterprise for any loan or payment authorized under this paragraph (jj) shall, in the discretion of the authority, be secured in an amount and a manner as may be determined by the authority.

(kk) In connection with projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxi) or a facility related to such a project:

(i) To provide grant funds to reimburse public agencies, Itawamba Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, and/or East Mississippi Community College, public or private nonprofits or an enterprise owning or operating a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxi) for site preparation, real estate improvements, utilities, railroads, roads, infrastructure, job training, recruiting and any other expenses approved by the authority in amounts not to exceed the amount authorized in Section 57-75-15(3)(s);

(ii) To supervise the use of all such grant funds so reimbursed; and

(iii) To enter into contractual agreements to warrant site preparation and availability for a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxi).

(ll) In connection with a project related to a Tier One supplier:

(i) To provide grant funds to reimburse public agencies, public or private nonprofits and Tier One suppliers for site preparation, real estate improvements, utilities, railroads, roads, infrastructure, job training, recruiting and any other expenses approved by the authority in amounts not to exceed the amount authorized in Section 57-75-15(3)(t);

(ii) To supervise the use of all such grant funds so reimbursed.

(mm) In connection with projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxii) or a facility related to such a project:

(i) To provide grant funds to reimburse public agencies or an enterprise owning or operating a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxii) for site preparation, real estate improvements, utilities, fire protection, wastewater, railroads, roads, infrastructure, job training, recruiting and any other expenses approved by the authority in amounts not to exceed the amount authorized in Section 57-75-15(3)(u); and

(ii) To supervise the use of all such grant funds so reimbursed.

(nn) It is the policy of the authority and the authority is authorized to accommodate and support any enterprise owning or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xviii), 57-75-5(f)(xxi), 57-75-5(f)(xxii), 57-75-5(f)(xxvi), 57-75-5(f)(xxvii) or 57-75-5(f)(xxviii) or an enterprise developing or owning a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xx), that wishes to have a program of diversity in contracting, and/or that wishes to do business with or cause its prime contractor to do business with Mississippi companies, including those companies that are small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. The term "socially and economically disadvantaged individuals" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term under Section 8(d) of the Small Business Act (15 USCS 637(d)) and relevant subcontracting regulations promulgated pursuant thereto; except that women shall be presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged individuals for the purposes of this paragraph.

(oo) To provide grant funds to an enterprise developing or owning a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xx) for reimbursement of costs incurred by such enterprise for infrastructure improvements in the initial phase of development of the project, upon dedication of such improvements to the appropriate public agency.

(pp) In connection with projects defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiii):

(i) To provide grant funds to reimburse public agencies or an enterprise operating a project as defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiii) for site preparation, utilities, real estate improvements, infrastructure, roads, public works, job training and any other expenses approved by the authority in amounts not to exceed the amount authorized in Section 57-75-15(3)(v); and

(ii) To supervise the use of all such grant funds so reimbursed.

(qq) (i) To provide grant funds for the expansion of a publicly owned building for the project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiv) or loans to an enterprise owning, leasing or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiv) for the purchase and/or relocation of equipment, or for any other purpose related to the project as approved by the authority; however, the aggregate amount of any such loans under this paragraph (qq) shall not exceed Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00) and the aggregate amount of any such grants under this paragraph (qq) shall not exceed Seven Million Dollars ($7,000,000.00);

(ii) To supervise the use of all such grant funds or loans; and

(iii) Notwithstanding any provision of this act to the contrary, such loans shall be for a term not to exceed ten (10) years as may be determined by the authority, shall bear a rate of interest to be determined by the authority, and shall be secured in an amount and a manner as may be determined by the authority.

(rr) (i) To provide grant funds to an enterprise owning or operating a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxv) for reimbursement of costs incurred by the enterprise in reconfiguring the manufacturing plant and for the purchase of equipment, or for any other purpose related to the project as approved by the authority;

(ii) To supervise the use of all such grant funds.

(ss) In connection with projects defined under Section 57-75-5(f)(xxvi):

(i) To provide grant funds and/or loans to a public agency in an amount not to exceed Fifteen Million Dollars ($15,000,000.00) for the construction of a publicly owned building to be leased by the enterprise owning or operating the project;

(ii) To provide loan guarantees in an amount not to exceed the total cost of the project for which financing is sought or Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00), whichever is less, for the purpose of encouraging the extension of conventional financing and the issuance of letters of credit to the enterprise owning or operating the project;

(iii) In connection with any loan guarantee made pursuant to this paragraph, to make payments to lenders providing financing to the enterprise owning or operating the project and the enterprise shall be obligated to repay the amount of the payment plus any expenses incurred by the state as a result of the issuance of bonds pursuant to Section 57-75-15(3)(y);

(iv) To supervise the use of all such grant funds, loan funds or payments; and

(v) To require the enterprise owning or operating the project to provide security for the repayment obligation for any loan guarantee authorized under this paragraph in an amount and in a manner as may be determined by the authority.

(tt) In connection with projects defined under Section 57-75-5(f)(xxvii):

(i) To provide loans to a public agency in an amount not to exceed Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000.00) for the construction of a publicly owned building and acquisition of equipment to be leased by the enterprise owning or operating the project; and

(ii) To supervise the use of all such loan funds.

(uu) In connection with projects defined under Section 57-75-5(f)(xxviii):

(i) To provide grant funds to reimburse public agencies or an enterprise operating a project for site preparation, utilities, real estate purchase and improvements, infrastructure, roads, rail improvements, public works, job training and any other expenses approved by the authority in amounts not to exceed the amount authorized in Section 57-75-15(3)(aa); and

(ii) To supervise the use of all such grant funds so reimbursed.

(vv) (i) In addition to any other requirements or conditions under this chapter, the authority shall require that any application for assistance regarding a project under this chapter include, at a minimum:

1. A two-year business plan (which shall include pro forma balance sheets, income statements and monthly cash flow statements);

2. Financial statements or tax returns for the three (3) years immediately prior to the application (if the project is a new company or enterprise, personal financial statements or tax returns will be required);

3. Credit reports on all persons or entities with a twenty percent (20%) or greater interest in the project;

4. Data supporting the expertise of the project's principals;

5. A cost-benefit analysis of the project performed by a state institution of higher learning or other entity selected by the authority; and

6. Any other information required by the authority.

(ii) The authority shall require that binding commitments be entered into requiring that:

1. The applicable minimum requirements of this chapter and such other requirements as the authority considers proper shall be met; and

2. If the agreed upon commitments are not met, all or a portion of the funds provided under this chapter as determined by the authority shall be repaid.

(iii) Where appropriate, in the discretion of the authority, the authority shall acquire a security interest in or other lien upon any applicable collateral.

(iv) The provisions of this paragraph (vv) shall not apply to a project defined in Section 57-75-5(f)(xxiii).

SECTION 104. Section 57-85-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

57-85-5. (1) For the purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "MDA" means the Mississippi Development Authority.

(b) "Project" means construction, rehabilitation or repair of buildings; sewer systems and transportation directly affecting the site of the proposed rural business; sewer facilities, acquisition of real property, development of real property, improvements to real property, and any other project approved by the Mississippi Development Authority.

(c) "Rural business" means a new or existing business located or to be located in a rural community or a business or industry located or to be located within five (5) miles of a rural community. "Rural business" does not include gaming businesses or utility businesses.

(d) "Rural community" means a county in the State of Mississippi that meets the population criteria for the term "limited population county" as provided in Section 57-1-18. "Rural community" also means a municipality in the State of Mississippi that meets the population criteria for the term "small municipality" as provided in Section 57-1-18.

(2) (a) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Mississippi Rural Impact Fund," which shall consist of funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature in any manner and funds from any other source designated for deposit into such fund. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund. Monies in the fund shall be used to make grants and loans to rural communities and loan guaranties on behalf of rural businesses to assist in completing projects under this section.

(b) Monies in the fund which are derived from proceeds of bonds issued after April 15, 2003, may be used to reimburse reasonable actual and necessary costs incurred by the MDA in providing assistance related to a project for which funding is provided under this section from the use of proceeds of such bonds. An accounting of actual costs incurred for which reimbursement is sought shall be maintained for each project by the MDA. Reimbursement of reasonable actual and necessary costs for a project shall not exceed three percent (3%) of the proceeds of bonds issued for such project. Monies authorized for a particular project may not be used to reimburse administrative costs for unrelated projects. Reimbursements under this paragraph (b) shall satisfy any applicable federal tax law requirements.

(c) The MDA may use monies in the fund to pay for the services of architects, engineers, attorneys and such other advisors, consultants and agents that the MDA determines are necessary to review loan and grant applications and to implement and administer the program established under this section.

(d) The State Auditor may conduct performance and compliance audits under this chapter according to Section 7-7-211(o) and may bill the oversight agency.

(3) The MDA shall establish a program to make grants and loans to rural communities and loan guaranties on behalf of rural businesses from the Mississippi Rural Impact Fund. A rural community may apply to the MDA for a grant or loan under this section in the manner provided for in this section. A rural business may apply to the MDA for a loan guaranty under this section in the manner provided in this section.

(4) A rural community desiring assistance under this section must submit an application to the MDA. The application must include a description of the project for which assistance is requested, the cost of the project for which assistance is requested and any other information required by the MDA. A rural business desiring assistance under this section must submit an application to the MDA. The application must include a description of the purpose for which assistance is requested and any other information required by the MDA. The MDA may waive any requirements of the program established under this section in order to expedite funding for unique projects.

(5) The MDA shall have all powers necessary to implement and administer the program established under this section, and the MDA shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, necessary for the implementation of this section.

SECTION 105. Section 57-115-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

57-115-3. As used in this chapter, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) "Affiliate" means:

(i) Any person who, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns, controls, or holds power to vote fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding voting securities or other voting ownership interest of a Mississippi small business investment company or insurance company; and

(ii) Any person, fifteen percent (15%) or more of whose outstanding voting securities or other voting ownership interests are directly or indirectly beneficially owned, controlled, or held, with power to vote by a Mississippi small business investment company or insurance company. Notwithstanding this paragraph (a), an investment by a participating investor in a Mississippi small business investment company pursuant to an allocation of tax credits under this chapter does not cause that Mississippi small business investment company to become an affiliate of that participating investor.

(b) "Allocation date" means the date on which credits are allocated to the participating investors of a Mississippi small business investment company under this chapter.

(d) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance.

(e) "Designated capital" means an amount of money that:

(i) Is invested by a participating investor in a Mississippi small business investment company; and

(ii) Fully funds the purchase price of a participating investor's equity interest in a Mississippi small business investment company or a qualified debt instrument issued by a Mississippi small business investment company, or both.

(f) "Mississippi small business investment company" means a partnership, corporation, trust, or limited liability company, organized on a for-profit basis, that:

(i) Has its principal office located in Mississippi or is headquartered in Mississippi;

(ii) Has as its primary business activity the investment of cash in qualified businesses; and

(iii) Is certified by the MDA as meeting the criteria described in this section to qualify as either a primary or secondary Mississippi small business investment company.

(g) "Participating investor" means any insurer that contributes designated capital pursuant to this chapter.

(h) "Person" means any natural person or entity, including, but not limited to, a corporation, general or limited partnership, trust, or limited liability company.

(i) "Qualified business" means a business that is independently owned and operated and meets all of the following requirements:

(i) It is headquartered in Mississippi, its principal business operations are located in Mississippi and at least eighty percent (80%) of its employees are located in Mississippi;

(ii) It has not more than one hundred (100) employees at the time of the first qualified investment in the business;

(iii) It is not more than ten percent (10%) engaged in:

1. Professional services provided by accountants, doctors, or lawyers;

2. Banking or lending;

3. Real estate development;

4. Retail;

5. Insurance; or

6. Making loans to or investments in a Mississippi small business investment company or an affiliate; and

(iv) It is not a franchise of and has no financial relationship with a Mississippi small business investment company or any affiliate of a Mississippi small business investment company prior to a Mississippi small business investment company's first qualified investment in the business.

A business classified as a qualified business at the time of the first qualified investment in the business will remain classified as a qualified business and may receive continuing qualified investments from any Mississippi small business investment company. Continuing investments will constitute qualified investments even though the business may not meet the definition of a qualified business at the time of such continuing investments; however, the business cannot fail to satisfy subparagraph (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph (i).

(j) "Qualified debt instrument" means a debt instrument issued by a Mississippi small business investment company that meets all of the following criteria:

(i) It is issued at par value or a premium;

(ii) It has an original maturity date of at least four (4) years from the date of issuance and a repayment schedule that is not faster than a level principal amortization over four (4) years; and

(iii) Has no interest or payment features that allow for the prepayment of interest or are tied to the profitability of the Mississippi small business investment company or the success of its investments.

(k) "Qualified distribution" means any distribution or payment by a Mississippi small business investment company in connection with the following:

(i) Reasonable costs and expenses of forming, syndicating and organizing the Mississippi small business investment company, including fees paid for professional services and the costs of financing and insuring the obligations of a Mississippi small business investment company, provided no such payment is made to more than one (1) participating investor or an affiliate or related party of a participating investor;

(ii) An annual management fee not to exceed two percent (2%) of designated capital on an annual basis to offset the costs and expenses of managing and operating a Mississippi small business investment company;

(iii) Any projected increase in federal or state taxes, including penalties and interest related to state and federal income taxes, or to the equity owners of the company resulting from the earnings or other tax liability of the company to the extent that the increase is related to the ownership, management, or operation of the company;

(iv) Reasonable and necessary fees in accordance with industry custom for ongoing professional services, including, but not limited to, legal and accounting services related to the operation of a Mississippi small business investment company, not including lobbying or governmental relations; and

(v) Payments of principal and interest to holders of qualified debt instruments issued by a Mississippi small business investment company which may be made without restriction.

(l) "Qualified investment" means the investment of money by a Mississippi small business investment company in a qualified business for the purchase of any debt, debt participation, equity, or hybrid security of any nature and description, including a debt instrument or security that has the characteristics of debt but which provides for conversion into equity or equity participation instruments such as options or warrants; provided that any debt, debt participation or other debt instrument or security shall have a maturity of at least three (3) years. Any repayment of a qualified investment prior to one (1) year from the date of issuance shall result in the amount of the qualified investment being reduced by fifty percent (50%) for purposes of the cumulative investment requirement set forth in Section 57-115-9(1)(c).

(m) "State premium tax liability" means any liability incurred by an insurance company under the provisions of Section 27-15-103, 27-15-109 or 27-15-123 or in the case of a repeal or a reduction by the state of the liability imposed by Section 27-15-103, 27-15-109 or 27-15-123.

SECTION 106. Section 59-5-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

59-5-15. Any city or county or other authorized port or harbor agency for which a port or harbor commission or authority has been heretofore or may be hereafter created, and which desires state ownership of such port or harbor, or any part thereof, is hereby authorized to employ competent engineers to prepare an analysis and survey of the assets, liabilities, and operation of such port or harbor, or any part thereof, proposed to be conveyed to the state, which survey shall include the reasonable market value of the land and/or facilities, the outstanding aggregate indebtedness, if any, the gross and net revenues accruing from such operation and such other information as may be required by the board, together with a plan for the improvement, operation, development, and expansion of such port or harbor, or such part thereof, which plan shall include the estimated cost of construction, the estimated cost of lands, properties, facilities, machinery, rights, easements, and franchises to be acquired, the estimated cost of engineering, architectural and legal expenses, and of financing charges and interest, and such other estimated expenses as may be necessary or incidental to such planned development, together with a projection of the gross and net revenues anticipated from the operation of the improved facilities, and any options, contracts, or commitments for the use of such improved facilities, and such other information as may be required by the board.

SECTION 107. Section 61-3-63, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

61-3-63. In determining the amount to be expended for a project pursuant to this chapter, the authority may include the engineering, legal, fiscal, architectural, inspection, recording, printing, publishing and related cost of the acquisition, construction or reconstruction of the property or improvement to be financed, including interest during construction.

SECTION 108. Section 61-4-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

61-4-11. The Authority, in addition to any and all powers now or hereafter granted to it, is hereby empowered:

(a) To maintain an office at a place or places in the state.

(c) To make such applications and enter into such contracts for financial assistance as may be appropriate under applicable federal or state law.

(d) To apply for, accept and utilize grants, gifts and other funds or aid from any source for any purpose contemplated by this chapter, and to comply, subject to the provisions of this chapter, with the terms and conditions thereof.

(e) To acquire by purchase, lease, gift, or in other manner other than by eminent domain, or obtain options to acquire, and to own, maintain, use, operate and convey any and all property of any kind, real, personal or mixed, or any interest or estate therein, (including easements, rights-of-way, air rights or subsurface rights, or a stratified fee estate in a specified volume of land located below, at or above the surface) within or without the project area, necessary or convenient for the project or any facility related to the project or necessary or convenient for any enhancement offered to secure the siting of the project in the state or for the exercise of the powers granted by this chapter.

(f) To acquire by purchase or lease any public lands and public property, including sixteenth section lands and lieu lands, and including not more than fifteen thousand (15,000) acres of state-owned land at Parchman, Sunflower County, Mississippi, within the project area, which are necessary or convenient for the project. Sixteenth section lands or lieu lands acquired under this chapter shall be deemed to be acquired for the purposes of industrial development thereon and such acquisition will serve a higher public interest in accordance with the purposes of this chapter. With the approval of the Secretary of State and the assistance of the Office of Attorney General, any part of, up to fifteen thousand (15,000) acres of state-owned land at Parchman may either be dedicated for the project, leased or sold to the federal or state government agency or creation thereof for a nominal consideration, or may be managed by the Authority for the purposes specified in this chapter.

(g) To make or cause to be made such examinations and surveys as may be necessary to the planning, design, construction and operation of the project; and for such purpose the Authority, its agents, servants or any public agency involved in the project selection, design, construction or operation, shall have immediate and full right of entry upon the lands and waters of any person for the purposes of survey and exploration.

(h) From and after the date of notification to the Authority by the federal government agency or creation thereof that the state has been finally selected as the site of the project, with the concurrence of the affected public agency, to acquire by condemnation and to own, maintain, use, operate and convey or otherwise dispose of any and all property of any kind, real, personal or mixed, or any interest or estate therein, (including easements, rights-of-way, air rights or subsurface rights, or a stratified fee estate in a specified volume of land located below, at or above the surface), within the project area, necessary or convenient for the project or any facility related to the project and the exercise of the powers granted by this chapter, according to the procedures provided by Chapter 27, Title 11, Mississippi Code of 1972, except as modified by this chapter. For the purposes of this chapter, the right of eminent domain shall be superior and dominant to the right of eminent domain of other public agencies and of railroad, telephone, telegraph, gas, power and other companies or corporations and shall extend to public and private lands including sixteenth section lands. The amount and character of interest in land, other property and easements thus to be acquired shall be determined by the Authority, and its determination shall be conclusive and shall not be subject to attack in the absence of manifest abuse of discretion or fraud on the part of the Authority in making such determination. However,

(i) In acquiring lands by condemnation, the Authority shall not acquire minerals or royalties in minerals unless a competent registered professional engineer shall have certified that the acquisition of such minerals and royalties in minerals is necessary for purposes of the project; provided that limestone, clay, chalk, sand and gravel shall not be considered as minerals within the meaning of this section; and

(ii) Unless minerals or royalties in minerals have been acquired by condemnation or otherwise, no person or persons owning the drilling rights or the right to share in production of minerals shall be prevented from exploring, developing or producing oil or gas with necessary rights-of-way for ingress and egress, pipelines and other means of transporting interests on any land or interest therein of the Authority held or used for the purposes of this chapter; but any such activities shall be under such reasonable regulation by the Authority as will adequately protect the project contemplated by this chapter as provided in (s) of this section. For the purpose of acquiring by condemnation land and easements for the project or any facility related to the project located within the project area, the Authority shall have the right of immediate possession pursuant to Sections 11-27-81 through 11-27-89, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(i) In any proceeding in any court which has been or may be instituted by and in the name of the Authority for the acquisition of any land or easement or right-of-way in land for the public use as provided in (h) of this section, the Authority may file in the cause, with the petition or at any time before judgment, a declaration of taking signed by the Authority, declaring that said lands are thereby taken for the use of the Authority in connection with the location of the project. Said declaration of taking shall contain or have annexed thereto:

(i) A statement of the statutory authority under which and the public use for which said lands are taken.

(ii) A description of the lands taken sufficient for the identification thereof.

(iii) A statement of the estate or interest in said lands taken for said public use.

(iv) A statement of the necessity of the immediate vesting of title in the Authority in order to convey such property to the United States for the use in connection with the project.

(v) A statement of the sum of money estimated by the Authority to be due compensation for the land taken. Upon filing the declaration of taking and of the deposit in the court, to the use of the persons entitled thereto, of the amount of the estimated compensation stated in the declaration, title to such lands in fee simple absolute, or such less estate or interest therein as is specified in the declaration, shall vest in the Authority, and such lands shall be deemed to be condemned and taken for the use of the Authority, and the right to due compensation for the same shall vest in the persons entitled thereto; and compensation shall be ascertained and awarded in the proceeding and established by judgment therein, and the judgment shall include, as part of the due compensation awarded, interest in accordance with law on the amount finally awarded as the value of the property as of the date of taking, from such date to the date of payment; but interest shall not be allowed on so much thereof as shall have been paid into the court. No sum so paid into the court shall be charged with commissions or poundage.

Upon the filing of a declaration of taking, the court shall have power to fix the time within which and the terms upon which the parties in possession shall be required to surrender possession to the petitioner. The court shall have power to make such orders in respect of encumbrances, liens, rents, taxes, assessments, insurance, and other charges, if any, as shall be just and equitable. No appeal in any cause under this (i) of this section nor any bond or undertaking given therein shall operate to prevent or delay the vesting of title to such lands in the Authority.

(j) With the concurrence of the affected public agency, to construct and maintain or require the necessary relocation or rerouting of roads and highways, railroad, telephone and telegraph lines and properties, electric power lines, pipelines and related facilities, or to require the anchoring or other protection of any of these, provided due compensation is paid to the owners thereof or agreement is had with such owners regarding the payment of the cost of such relocation, and to acquire by condemnation or otherwise easements or rights-of-way for such relocation or rerouting and to convey the same to the owners of the facilities being relocated or rerouted in connection with the purposes of this chapter.

(k) To require the necessary relocation of cemeteries and to pay all reasonable costs thereof.

(l) To perform or have performed any and all acts and make all payments necessary to comply with all applicable federal laws, rules or regulations including but not limited to the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (42 U.S.C. 4601, 4602, 4621 to 4638, and 4651 to 4655) and relocation rules and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

(m) To construct, extend, improve, maintain and reconstruct, to cause to be constructed, extended, improved, maintained and reconstructed, and to use and operate any and all components of the project or any facility related to the project, within the project area, necessary or convenient to the project and to the exercise of such powers, rights and privileges granted the Authority.

(n) To incur or defray any designated portion of the cost of any component of the project or any facility related to the project acquired or constructed by any public agency.

(o) To lease, sell, give, donate, convey or otherwise transfer any or all property acquired by the Authority under the provisions of this chapter to the federal or state government agency or creation thereof, their successors or assigns, and in connection therewith to pay the costs of title search, perfection of title, title insurance and recording fees as may be required. The Authority shall provide in the instrument conveying such property a provision reserving all minerals, other than limestone, clay, chalk, sand and gravel, and a provision that such property shall revert to the Authority if, as and when the property is declared by the federal government agency or creation thereof to be no longer needed for the Wayport facility.

(p) To enter into contracts with any person, public agency or political subdivision in furtherance of any of the purposes authorized by this chapter upon such consideration as the Authority and such person, public agency or political subdivision may agree. Any such contract may extend over any period of time, notwithstanding any rule of law to the contrary, may be upon such terms as the parties thereto shall agree. Any such contract shall be binding upon the parties thereto according to its terms. Such contracts may include an agreement to reimburse the federal government agency or creation thereof, its successors and assigns for any assistance provided by the federal government agency or creation thereof in the acquisition of real property for the project or any facility related to the project.

(q) To establish and maintain reasonable rates and charges for the use of any facility within the project area owned or operated by the Authority, and from time to time, to adjust such rates and to impose penalties for failure to pay such rates and charges when due.

(s) To adopt and enforce with the concurrence of the affected public agency all necessary and reasonable rules and regulations to carry out and effectuate the implementation of the project and any land use plan or zoning classification adopted for the project area, including, but not limited to, rules, regulations, and restrictions concerning mining, construction, excavation or any other activity the occurrence of which may endanger the structure or operation of the project. Such rules may be enforced within the project area and without the project area as necessary to protect the structure and operation of the project. The Authority is authorized to plan or replan, zone or rezone, and make exceptions to any regulations, whether local or state, which are inconsistent with the design, planning, construction or operation of the project and facilities related to the project.

(t) To plan, design, coordinate and implement measures and programs to mitigate impacts on the natural environment caused by the project or any facility related to the project.

(v) To do any and all things necessary or convenient to carry out the Authority's purposes and to exercise the powers given and granted in this chapter.

SECTION 109. Section 65-1-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

65-1-9. The commission shall appoint an Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation for a term of office beginning on April 1, 1993. The person serving as Executive Director of the State Highway Department on June 30, 1992, shall serve until April 1, 1993, as the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, and thereafter shall be eligible for reappointment to the position of Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation. Succeeding terms shall expire on April 1 each four (4) years thereafter. The executive director may be removed by a majority of the commission pursuant to Section 25-9-101 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972. All appointments by the commission shall be with the advice and consent of the Senate. The commission shall submit its appointment to the Senate not later than March 1 of the year in which a term expires, and if such submission is not made by March 1, the incumbent director shall be deemed to have been reappointed for a four-year term. In the event a vacancy occurs from resignation, death or removal from office by the commission, the commission shall submit its appointment for the unexpired term to the Senate not later than the next March 1 after such vacancy occurs. If no appointment for an unexpired term is submitted to the Senate, the Governor shall make such appointment not later than April 1 of such year. The commission shall fix the compensation of the executive director, subject to approval by the State Personnel Board. The executive director shall be eligible for reappointment. The executive director shall have the following qualifications:

(a) Possess a wide knowledge of the transportation system and needs of Mississippi;

(b) Possess a wide knowledge of the principles of transportation organization and administration; and

No person who is a member of the Mississippi Transportation Commission, or who has been a member of the transportation commission or of its predecessor, the State Highway Commission, within two (2) years next preceding his appointment, shall be eligible to be chosen as executive director of the department. The executive director shall be the executive officer of the commission and shall be subject to its orders and directions. The executive director shall give his entire time to the duties of his office. Before entering upon the duties of his office, the executive director shall give bond to the State of Mississippi in the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00), conditioned upon the faithful discharge and performance of his official duty. The principal and surety on such bond shall be liable thereunder to the state for double the amount of value of any money or property which the state may lose, if any, by reason of any wrongful or criminal act of the executive director. Such bond, when approved by the commission, shall be filed with the Secretary of State, and the premium thereon shall be paid from any funds available to the commission.

SECTION 110. Section 65-1-85, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

65-1-85. (1) All contracts by or on behalf of the commission for the purchase of materials, equipment and supplies shall be made in compliance with Section 31-7-1 et seq. All contracts by or on behalf of the commission for construction, reconstruction or other public work authorized to be done under the provisions of this chapter, except maintenance, shall be made by the executive director, subject to the approval of the commission, only upon competitive bids after due advertisement as follows, to wit:

(a) Advertisement for bids shall be in accordance with such rules and regulations, in addition to those herein provided, as may be adopted therefor by the commission, and the commission is authorized and empowered to make and promulgate such rules and regulations as it may deem proper, to provide and adopt standard specifications for road and bridge construction, and to amend such rules and regulations from time to time.

(b) The advertisement shall be inserted twice, being once a week for two (2) successive weeks in a newspaper published at the seat of government in Jackson, Mississippi, having a general circulation throughout the state, and no letting shall be less than fourteen (14) days nor more than sixty (60) days after the publication of the first notice of such letting, and notices of such letting may be placed in a metropolitan paper or national trade publication.

(c) Before advertising for such work, the executive director shall cause to be prepared and filed in the department detailed plans and specifications covering the work proposed to be done and copies of the plans and specifications shall be subject to inspection by any citizen during all office hours and made available to all prospective bidders upon such reasonable terms and conditions as may be required by the commission. A fee shall be charged equal to the cost of producing a copy of any such plans and specifications.

(d) All such contracts shall be let to a responsible bidder with the lowest and best bid, and a record of all bids received for construction and reconstruction shall be preserved.

(e) Each bid for such a construction and reconstruction contract must be accompanied by a cashier's check, a certified check or bidders bond executed by a surety company authorized to do business in the State of Mississippi, in the principal amount of not less than five percent (5%) of the bid, guaranteeing that the bidder will give bond and enter into a contract for the faithful performance of the contract according to plans and specifications on file.

(f) Bonds shall be required of the successful bidder in an amount equal to the contract price. The contract price shall mean the entire cost of the particular contract let. In the event change orders are made after the execution of a contract which results in increasing the total contract price, additional bond in the amount of the increased cost may be required. The surety or sureties on such bonds shall be a surety company or surety companies authorized to do business in the State of Mississippi, all bonds to be payable to the State of Mississippi and to be conditioned for the prompt, faithful and efficient performance of the contract according to plans and specifications, and for the prompt payment of all persons furnishing labor, material, equipment and supplies therefor. Such bonds shall be subject to the additional obligation that the principal and surety or sureties executing the same shall be liable to the state in a civil action instituted by the state at the instance of the commission or any officer of the state authorized in such cases, for double any amount in money or property the state may lose or be overcharged or otherwise defrauded of by reason of any wrongful or criminal act, if any, of the contractor, his agent or employees.

(2) With respect to equipment used in the construction, reconstruction or other public work authorized to be done under the provisions of this chapter: the word "equipment," in addition to all equipment incorporated into or fully consumed in connection with such project, shall include the reasonable value of the use of all equipment of every kind and character and all accessories and attachments thereto which are reasonably necessary to be used and which are used in carrying out the performance of the contract, and the reasonable value of the use thereof, during the period of time the same are used in carrying out the performance of the contract, shall be the amount as agreed upon by the persons furnishing the equipment and those using the same to be paid therefor, which amount, however, shall not be in excess of the maximum current rates and charges allowable for leasing or renting as specified in Section 65-7-95; the word "labor" shall include all work performed in repairing equipment used in carrying out the performance of the contract, which repair labor is reasonably necessary to the efficient operation of said equipment; and the words "materials" and "supplies" shall include all repair parts installed in or on equipment used in carrying out the performance of the contract, which repair parts are reasonably necessary to the efficient operation of said equipment.

(3) The executive director, subject to the approval of the commission, shall have the right to reject any and all bids, whether such right is reserved in the notice or not.

(4) The commission may require the prequalification of any and all bidders and the failure to comply with prequalification requirements may be the basis for the rejection of any bid by the commission. The commission may require the prequalification of any and all subcontractors before they are approved to participate in any contract awarded under this section.

(5) The commission may adopt rules and regulations for the termination of any previously awarded contract which is not timely proceeding toward completion. The failure of a contractor to comply with such rules and regulations shall be a lawful basis for the commission to terminate the contract with such contractor. In the event of a termination under such rules and regulations, the contractor shall not be entitled to any payment, benefit or damages beyond the cost of the work actually completed.

(6) Any contract for construction or paving of any highway may be entered into for any cost which does not exceed the amount of funds that may be made available therefor through bond issues or from other sources of revenue, and the letting of contracts for such construction or paving shall not necessarily be delayed until the funds are actually on hand, provided authorization for the issuance of necessary bonds has been granted by law to supplement other anticipated revenue, or when the department certifies to the Department of Finance and Administration and the Legislative Budget Office that projected receipts of funds by the department will be sufficient to pay such contracts as they become due and the Department of Finance and Administration determines that the projections are reasonable and receipts will be sufficient to pay the contracts as they become due. The Department of Finance and Administration shall spread such determination on its minutes prior to the letting of any contracts based on projected receipts. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the issuance of bonds, which have been authorized, at any time in the discretion of the State Bond Commission, nor to prevent investment of surplus funds in United States government bonds or State of Mississippi bonds as presently authorized by Section 12, Chapter 312, Laws of 1956.

(7) All other contracts for work to be done under the provisions of this chapter and for the purchase of materials, equipment and supplies to be used as provided for in this chapter shall be made in compliance with Section 31-7-1 et seq.

(8) The commission shall not empower or authorize the executive director, or any one or more of its members, or any engineer or other person to let or make contracts for the construction or repair of public roads, or building bridges, or for the purchase of material, equipment or supplies contrary to the provisions of this chapter as set forth in this section, except in cases of flood or other cases of emergency where the public interest requires that the work be done or the materials, equipment or supplies be purchased without the delay incident to advertising for competitive bids. Such emergency contracts may be made without advertisement under such rules and regulations as the commission may prescribe.

(9) The executive director, subject to the approval of the commission, is authorized to negotiate and make agreements with communities and/or civic organizations for landscaping, beautification and maintenance of highway rights-of-way; however, nothing in this subsection shall be construed as authorization for the executive director or commission to participate in such a project to an extent greater than the average cost for maintenance of shoulders, backslopes and median areas with respect thereto.

(10) The executive director may negotiate and enter into contracts with private parties for the mowing of grass and trimming of vegetation on the rights-of-way of state highways whenever such practice is possible and cost effective.

(11) (a) As an alternative to the method of awarding contracts as otherwise provided in this section, the commission may use the design-build method of contracting for the following:

(i) Projects for the Mississippi Development Authority pursuant to agreements between both governmental entities;

(ii) Any project with an estimated cost of not more than Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00), not to exceed two (2) projects per fiscal year; and

(iii) Any project which has an estimated cost of more than Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00), not to exceed one (1) project per fiscal year.

(b) As used in this subsection, the term "design-build" method of contracting means a contract that combines the design and construction phases of a project into a single contract and the contractor is required to satisfactorily perform, at a minimum, both the design and construction of the project.

(c) The commission shall establish detailed criteria for the selection of the successful design-build contractor in each request for design-build proposals. The evaluation of the selection committee is a public record and shall be maintained for a minimum of ten (10) years after project completion.

(d) The commission shall maintain detailed records on projects separate and apart from its regular record keeping. The commission shall file a report to the Legislature evaluating the design-build method of contracting by comparing it to the low-bid method of contracting. At a minimum, the report must include:

(i) The management goals and objectives for the design-build system of management;

(ii) A complete description of the components of the design-build management system, including a description of the system the department put into place on all projects managed under the system to insure that it has the complete information on highway segment costs and to insure proper analysis of any proposal the commission receives from a highway contractor;

(iii) The accountability systems the Transportation Department established to monitor any design-build project's compliance with specific goals and objectives for the project;

(iv) The outcome of any project or any interim report on an ongoing project let under a design-build management system showing compliance with the goals, objectives, policies and procedures the department set for the project; and

(v) The method used by the department to select projects to be let under the design-build system of management and all other systems, policies and procedures that the department considered as necessary components to a design-build management system.

(e) All contracts let under the provisions of this subsection shall be subject to oversight and review by the State Auditor. The State Auditor shall file a report with the Legislature on or before January 1 of each year detailing his findings with regard to any contract let or project performed in violation of the provisions of this subsection. The actual and necessary expenses incurred by the State Auditor in complying with this paragraph (e) shall be paid for and reimbursed by the Mississippi Department of Transportation out of funds made available for the contract or contracts let and project or projects performed.

(12) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit the commission from awarding or entering into contracts for the design, construction and financing of toll roads, highways and bridge projects as provided under Sections 65-43-1 and 65-43-3.

SECTION 111. Section 65-1-141, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

65-1-141. (1) (a) The Highway Commission shall annually have the Highway Department prepare a three-year plan for the maintenance, construction, reconstruction and relocation of the State Highway System. The plan shall include:

(i) For each interstate, primary, secondary and other highway or road system under the jurisdiction of the Highway Commission, a list and detailed description of those highways, or segments thereof, on the highway system which are determined to have the highest priority for maintenance and which can be maintained within the three-year period from funds available or estimated to be made available for such purpose;

(ii) For each interstate, primary, secondary and other highway or road system under the jurisdiction of the Highway Commission, a list and detailed description of those highways, or segments thereof, on the highway system which are determined to have the highest priority for construction, reconstruction or relocation and for which contracts can be let for construction, reconstruction or relocation within the three-year period from funds available or estimated to be available for such purpose;

(iii) The reasons for the priority assigned to highways, or segments thereof, pursuant to the criteria established in the following subsection (1)(b), and the annual cost and total estimated cost of completion for each such project; and

(iv) A synopsis of any analyses or studies considered by the commission to develop the criteria in determining priorities.

(b) The Highway Commission shall determine the criteria on which the Highway Department shall assign priority for maintenance, construction, reconstruction and relocation of highways, or segments thereof, on each highway or road system under its jurisdiction, taking into consideration all of the following criteria:

(i) Public necessity and public safety;

(ii) Present and future economic benefit and commercial value;

(iii) Present and future traffic census; and

(iv) Route continuity.

Additionally, the Highway Commission shall take into consideration conditions potentially hazardous to the public safety at points on highways having substantial truck traffic entering and leaving the highway. In setting priorities for construction, the department shall take into consideration the construction of turning lanes at such points on highways to facilitate the safe movement of traffic.

(c) To develop the criteria to be used in determining priorities, the State Highway Commission may conduct public hearings; shall conduct analyses or studies of highway needs, utilizing highway department personnel; and shall consider highway needs analyses or studies submitted to them by the University Research Center, which is hereby directed to develop such highway needs analyses or studies with respect to the criteria set forth in subsection (1)(b)(ii) above and to timely submit or present such analyses or studies to the State Highway Commission.

(2) All funds appropriated and made available to the State Highway Department from any source within the state for maintenance, construction, reconstruction and relocation of the state highway system shall be expended on order of the State Highway Commission according to the priorities herein set forth and without regard to the provisions of Sections 65-3-29 through 65-3-33. The commission shall spread upon its minutes, from time to time, the priority of roads for application of such funds, the specific reasons for each priority so assigned, and the source and amount of funds applied to each project.

(a) All interstate funds apportioned to the State Highway Commission under the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 shall be allocated on the basis of need to complete the interstate system of highways to provide for the maximum commercial benefit to the state.

(b) All primary road construction money shall be used in the priorities established pursuant to subsection (1)(b) hereof.

(d) Federal aid primary system as constituted. Priority of use of these funds shall be determined by roads meeting most of the criteria receiving priority established pursuant to subsection (1)(b) hereof.

(e) Secondary road construction money shall be used with priorities established by roads meeting most of the following criteria receiving priority:

(i) Roads in the order of the relative use and importance of such highways, as may be determined by the present and future traffic censuses thereof, taking into consideration their present and future use, convenience, public necessity and public safety, the connecting of Mississippi towns, cities and population centers and the economic contribution to the state should a specific highway be improved, the recorded maintenance expense and their continuity as highways through the state.

(ii) Roads which carry the most traffic.

(iii) Roads which connect the federal aid primary or interstate system in a uniform manner.

(iv) Roads which serve the most commercial value.

(v) Roads which are arterial in nature.

(vi) Roads which connect the major rural communities with similar communities in adjoining counties.

(f) The State Highway Department shall when funds are available match all available federal money for highways.

(3) Projects eligible for reimbursement under the provisions of Public Law 97-424 shall be exempt from the requirements of subsection (1)(a) of this section, but the State Highway Commission shall expend funds available to it for such projects in the priorities established pursuant to subsection (1)(b) hereof.

(4) All highway construction, reconstruction and relocation shall be by contract, let on competitive bid in the manner provided by statute. On any one (1) reconstruction project the total cost of which does not exceed Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00), reconstruction may be accomplished by Highway Department labor, equipment or materials. Nothing herein shall be construed to affect maintenance and repair work done or to be done on existing roads. When new programs require the utilization of professional services, the Mississippi State Highway Department may contract with, engage, or retain available, competent firms actively offering such professional services as a primary source of livelihood. "Professional services" is defined as services normally performed on a fee basis or contract by engineers, architects, business management, administrative and consulting firms.

SECTION 112. Section 65-1-173, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

65-1-173. For the purpose of enforcing and investigating all violations of the railroad laws, and the rules, regulations and general orders of the Mississippi Transportation Commission promulgated thereunder, the commission is hereby authorized to employ five (5) inspectors and one (1) railway safety coordinator. The salaries of the inspectors and the safety coordinator shall be fixed by the commission, subject to the state personnel system law as provided under Section 25-9-101 et seq. The inspectors shall devote their full time to the performance of their duties and shall take an oath faithfully to perform the duties of their positions. The commission shall require bonds to be carried on such employees as the commission may deem necessary, the cost thereof to be paid by the commission.

The inspectors shall be selected after an examination, as prescribed by the commission, as to physical and mental fitness, knowledge of the railroad laws, the rules and regulations of the commission, the laws of this state pertaining to arrest and any other examination as may be prescribed by the commission. An inspector, at the time of appointment, shall be a citizen of the State of Mississippi, of good moral character, and shall not be less than twenty-one (21) years of age.

The inspectors of the Mississippi Transportation Commission may enter upon private property upon which a railroad facility is located that is connected to but not a part of the general railroad system of transportation, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner to perform an inspection, investigation or surveillance of facilities, equipment, records and operations relating to the packaging, loading or transportation of hazardous materials or other materials to determine whether the railroad facility complies with the applicable federal or state safety statutes, rules, regulations or orders. Any inspection, investigation or surveillance performed on the site of a manufacturing facility shall be performed in compliance with the safety rules or regulations of the facility.

SECTION 113. Section 65-7-107, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

65-7-107. Where any contract is made, as provided herein, by any member of the board of supervisors in vacation without competitive bids, and the amount of such contract exceeds the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), it shall be the duty of the member of the board of supervisors making such contract to obtain bids from at least two (2) bidders before making such contract, and to file a statement of the amount of each such bid with the board at its next meeting.

SECTION 114. Section 65-19-77, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

65-19-77. The road superintendent shall have the power to purchase nails, lumber, tools, and other things necessary, where the need for the same is immediate and the value of said purchase does not exceed Fifty Dollars ($50.00). In cases of emergency he shall have power to contract for the immediate repair of a bridge, causeway, culvert, or a bad place in the road, provided such contract is not for a sum greater than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and the need of the repair immediate and urgent. Such purchases and contracts shall be subject to ratification by the road commissioners and the board of supervisors.

SECTION 115. Section 65-23-209, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

65-23-209. The board of commissioners shall have the power to employ engineers, attorneys, auditors, manager or superintendent, and such other employees as may be necessary for the orderly function of such district, and to fix their respective compensation.

SECTION 116. Section 65-25-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

65-25-101. The Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint three (3) commissioners to enter into a compact on behalf of the State of Mississippi with the State of Arkansas. If the Senate is not in session at the time for making such appointments, the Governor shall make temporary appointments as in the case of a vacancy. Any two (2) of the commissioners so appointed, together with the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi, may act to enter into the following compact:

COMPACT BETWEEN ARKANSAS AND MISSISSIPPI CREATING AN ARKANSAS-MISSISSIPPI BRIDGE COMMISSION

Article I

There is hereby created an Arkansas-Mississippi Bridge Commission (hereinafter referred to as the commission) which shall be a body corporate and politic and which shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To plan, construct, maintain and operate a bridge and approaches thereto across the Mississippi River at or near Helena, Arkansas, and Friars Point, Mississippi, at a point deemed by the commission as most suitable to the interests of the citizens of the States of Arkansas and Mississippi in accordance with the provisions of an act of the Seventy-Ninth Congress, Second Session, of the United States entitled "The General Bridge Act of 1946";

2. To purchase, maintain and, in its discretion, to operate all or any ferries across the Mississippi River within twenty-five miles of the site selected for the bridge;

3. To contract, to sue and be sued in its own name; to purchase or otherwise acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property;

4. To acquire by proper condemnation proceedings such real property as may be necessary for the construction and operation of the bridge and the approaches thereto;

5. To issue bonds on the security of the revenues derived from the operation of the bridge and ferries for the payment of the cost of the bridge, its approaches, ferry or ferries, and the necessary lands, easements and appurtenances thereto including interest during construction and all necessary engineering, legal, architectural, traffic surveying and other necessary expenses. Such bonds shall be the negotiable bonds of the commission, the income of which shall be tax free. The principal and interest of the bonds, and any premiums to be paid for their retirement before maturity, shall be paid solely from the revenues derived from the bridge and ferries;

6. To establish and charge tolls for transit over such bridge and ferries in accordance with the provisions of this compact;

7. To perform all other necessary and incidental functions.

Article II

The rates of tolls to be charged for transit over such bridge and ferries shall be so adjusted as to provide a fund sufficient to pay for the reasonable cost of maintenance, repairs and operation (including the approaches to the bridge) under economical management, and also to provide a sinking fund sufficient to pay the principal and interest of the outstanding bonds. All tolls and other revenues derived from facilities of the commission are hereby pledged to such uses.

Article III

The commission shall keep an accurate record of the cost of the bridge and other expenses and of the daily revenues collected and shall report annually to the governor of each state setting forth in detail the operations and transactions conducted by it pursuant to this agreement and any legislation thereunder.

Article IV

When the bonds have been retired, the part of the bridge within the State of Arkansas shall be conveyed to the State of Arkansas, and the part within the State of Mississippi to the State of Mississippi, and the high contracting parties to this compact do hereby agree that thereafter the bridge shall be free of tolls and shall be properly maintained, operated and repaired by the two states as may be agreed upon.

Article V

The commission shall consist of eighteen members, nine of whom shall be qualified electors of the State of Mississippi and nine of whom shall be qualified electors of the State of Arkansas. The Arkansas members are to be chosen by the State of Arkansas, and the Mississippi members are to be chosen by the State of Mississippi, in the manner and for the term fixed by the Legislature of each state, except as herein provided. The first commission, acting under this compact, shall be the present members of the Arkansas-Mississippi Bridge Commission heretofore appointed under the terms and provisions of Act of Congress approved May 17, 1939 (Public Act 80, 76th Congress), as amended by Act of Congress approved June 19, 1948 (Public Act 701, 80th Congress), said commission consisting of the following members: J. B. Lambert, Helena, Arkansas; R. L. Brooks, Helena, Arkansas; K. B. Lasswell, Helena, Arkansas; John C. Sheffield, Helena, Arkansas; C. N. Houck, Marianna, Arkansas; William Campbell, Forrest City, Arkansas; Clarence Thomas, Clarendon, Arkansas; Ballard Deane, St. Charles, Arkansas; DeWitt Poe, McGehee, Arkansas; W. K. Anderson, Clarksdale, Mississippi; E. Cage Brewer, Jr., Clarksdale, Mississippi; M. D. Brett, Clarksdale, Mississippi; R. N. Baltzer, Clarksdale, Mississippi; Sol Hirsburg, Friars Point, Mississippi; John Dunlap, Batesville, Mississippi; Noel M. Hodge, Oxford, Mississippi; Grady Cook, Pontotoc, Mississippi; James A. Finley, Tupelo, Mississippi.

Article VI

1. The Commission shall elect from its number a chairman and a vice-chairman and may appoint such officers and employees as it may require for the performance of its duties and shall fix and determine their qualifications and duties.

2. Until otherwise determined by the legislatures of the two states no action of the commission shall be binding unless taken at a meeting at which at least five members from each state are present and unless a majority of the members from each state present at such meeting shall vote in favor thereof. Each state reserves the right hereafter to provide by law for the exercise of the veto power by the governor thereof over any action of any commissioner appointed therefrom.

3. The two states shall provide penalties for violations of any order, rule or regulation of the commission, and for the manner of enforcing same.

Article VII

The commission is authorized and directed to proceed with the planning and construction of the bridge and the approaches thereto as rapidly as may be economically practicable and is hereby vested with all necessary and appropriate powers, not inconsistent with the constitution or the laws of the United States or of either state, to effect the same, except the power to assess or levy taxes.

Article VIII

In witness thereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals under authority vested in us by law.

(Signed)

In the presence of:

(Signed)

SECTION 117. Section 65-31-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

65-31-1. The Mississippi Transportation Commission is hereby authorized to locate, design, construct, operate, and maintain hospitality stations on trunkline highways at or near points of entry into this state from other states. In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the commission shall have authority to employ such engineers, architects, skilled and unskilled labor as may be determined necessary by the commission, for the preparation of plans for such hospitality stations and their proper location, design, construction, maintenance, and operation. The commission also may employ full-time security officers, as authorized under Section 65-1-131, and/or may contract for the employment of private security officers, as authorized under Section 65-1-136, to patrol and protect the property of hospitality stations and visitors, patrons and other employees of hospitality stations.

Prior to the location of such hospitality stations the commission shall afford the opportunity for a public hearing in the county wherein such hospitality station is to be located for the purpose of receiving testimony regarding the most feasible and advantageous location for such hospitality station, at which hearing all interested persons may appear and present testimony in regard thereto. A notice of such proposed location shall be given in some newspaper published or having general circulation in the county wherein such hospitality station is proposed to be located. Should a public hearing be requested thereon, notice by publication shall be given at least ten (10) days prior to the date upon which public hearing is to be held and written notice thereof shall likewise be given, within said time, to the governing authorities of all municipalities within such county and the governing authority of such county.

Each hospitality station constructed under the provisions of this chapter shall be maintained and kept in a neat and attractive condition.

SECTION 118. Section 69-1-14, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

69-1-14. (1) The Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce is hereby authorized and empowered to employ an attorney to represent the Department of Agriculture and Commerce and to fix his compensation subject to the approval of the State Personnel Board. Said attorney shall be a full-time employee of the Department of Agriculture and Commerce and shall be furnished such office space and clerical assistance as shall be necessary. In addition to his duties with the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, said attorney shall represent the Board of Animal Health, the Mississippi State Fair Commission and the Mississippi Central Market Board. The salary and expenses of said attorney shall be paid from any funds available to the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the Board of Animal Health, the Mississippi Fair Commission and the Mississippi Central Market Board in a ratio commensurate with the services provided by said attorney to each of the said agencies.

(2) The Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the Board of Animal Health, the Mississippi Fair Commission and the Mississippi Central Market Board are hereby authorized and empowered to expend such sums from any funds available for the purposes of paying the salary and expenses of the attorney provided for in subsection (1).

SECTION 119. Section 69-15-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

69-15-7. The State Veterinarian is authorized and empowered to employ the necessary professional, technical and clerical personnel as he deems necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the board, and to fix their compensation. The board shall appoint from a written list of not less than three (3) licensed veterinarians submitted by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, a duly licensed and practicing veterinarian as the State Veterinarian, who shall hold a Degree of Veterinary Medicine from a recognized college or university and shall have been engaged in the practice of veterinary science for not less than ten (10) years prior to his appointment. The State Veterinarian shall serve at the will and pleasure of the board and shall enter into a surety bond for the faithful performance of his duties, and the premium therefor shall be paid by the board. The board shall also be authorized to employ an attorney as authorized in Section 69-1-14, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 120. Section 69-15-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

69-15-11. (1) The College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science shall maintain a complete and adequate veterinary diagnostic laboratory in the Jackson vicinity and any person licensed to practice veterinary medicine, veterinary surgery, veterinary dentistry, or any vocational-agriculture teacher, bona fide farmer or county agent in the State of Mississippi or agent of the State Veterinarian shall have made available to him services of the laboratory. The laboratory shall examine and conduct laboratory tests on specimens submitted by any licensed veterinarian, or vocational-agriculture teacher, bona fide farmer or county agent of this state or agent of the State Veterinarian and issue appropriate reports. The College of Veterinary Medicine shall be required to set reasonable fees for such examinations, tests, reports or other diagnostic service.

(2) The College of Veterinary Medicine shall select a director of the laboratory who holds a degree of veterinary medicine from a recognized college or university; is board certified in one (1) of the following basic diagnostic disciplines; toxicology, pathology, microbiology, virology or clinical pathology and has engaged in the practice of veterinary clinical diagnosis for at least ten (10) years, five (5) years of which were in a supervisory capacity. The director shall select and recommend for employment such veterinarians, bacteriologists, pathologists, technicians, clerical assistants, and other personnel necessary to carry out the objective of this section. The salaries, compensation and expenses of such employees shall be sufficient to insure the employment of competent persons and shall be paid from funds at the disposal of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The director shall be responsible to the College of Veterinary Medicine for the daily operations of the laboratory.

(3) There is created an advisory council to advise the College of Veterinary Medicine on matters concerning the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The council shall be composed of the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, or his designee; the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, or his designee; the Chairman of the Board of Animal Health; the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce; a person appointed by the President of Alcorn State University from its land grant staff who is not a member of the Board of Animal Health; a licensed and practicing veterinarian appointed by the President of the Mississippi State Veterinary Medical Association who is not a member of the Board of Animal Health; the State Veterinarian; the State Chemist; and the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. This advisory council shall meet at least twice a year, upon written notification at least fourteen (14) days in advance, to be called by the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. A meeting may also be called by the Commissioner of Agriculture or by a majority of the advisory council with fourteen (14) days' written notice.

The members of the advisory council shall serve in an advisory capacity only. For attending meetings of the council, legislators shall receive per diem and expenses which shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem or expenses for attending meetings of the council shall be paid while the Legislature is in session. No per diem and expenses shall be paid except for attending meetings of the council without prior approval of the proper committee in their respective houses.

(4) All funds, property and other assets and all current positions of the diagnostic laboratory shall be transferred to the College of Veterinary Medicine on July 1, 2002. The budget of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory shall be funded as a separate line item within the general appropriation bill for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

(5) Information and records pertaining to all animal diseases within the state will be kept confidential except for those reports concerning diseases that are specifically regulated for mandatory control and eradication, or when release of such information is deemed necessary by the State Veterinarian to protect the public health, other livestock or wildlife.

SECTION 121. Section 69-15-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

69-15-101. (1) The boards of supervisors of any county, or one or more counties, are hereby authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to establish areas composed of one or more counties for the purpose of cooperating with the Board of Animal Health and the United States Bureau of Animal Industry, separately or jointly, in providing for a program of control and eradication of certain diseases of livestock and poultry within such area established.

(2) Boards of supervisors of any county or counties acting under the authority conferred by this section are authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to contribute to the support of such area program in an amount equal to thirty-three and one-third per cent of the cost of administering the program in such area. The cost of administering such program to be determined by the board and entered upon their minutes at the time funds are appropriated for the support of same. The funds herein authorized to be expended by the board or boards of supervisors of each county or group of counties comprising such area shall be paid out of the General Fund of such county or counties on order of the board of supervisors duly entered on their minutes.

(3) The Board of Animal Health is hereby authorized to purchase and supply at cost any vaccine necessary for use in control and eradication of diseases of livestock and poultry in such area hereby authorized to be established, to the owners of livestock or poultry residing in an area cooperating with the control program hereby authorized.

(4) In order that any area created under the provisions of this section may have the services of a veterinarian, the board of animal health is hereby authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to employ a veterinarian for such area, and such area veterinarian shall have the authority to employ local veterinarians with the approval of the board of animal health, and the board of supervisors of the county or counties comprising such area are authorized and empowered to contribute to the payment of the salary of such veterinarians employed by the board of animal health.

SECTION 122. Section 69-15-201, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

69-15-201. The State Veterinarian, with the approval and consent of the Board of Animal Health is directed to employ one or more qualified veterinarians to be paid from the funds at the disposal of said board, who shall cooperate with the veterinarians of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Animal Industry, in testing cattle for tuberculosis in this state.

SECTION 123. Section 71-5-121, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

71-5-121. Subject to other provisions of this chapter, the executive director is authorized to appoint, fix the compensation, and prescribe the duties and powers of such officers, accountants, attorneys, experts and other persons as may be necessary in the performance of department duties; however, all personnel who were former members of the Armed Forces of the United States of America shall be given credit regardless of rate, rank or commission. All positions shall be filled by persons selected and appointed on a nonpartisan merit basis, in accordance with Section 25-9-101 et seq., that provides for a state service personnel system. The executive director shall not employ any person who is an officer or committee member of any political party organization. The executive director may delegate to any such person so appointed such power and authority as he deems reasonable and proper for the effective administration of this chapter, and may in his discretion bond any person handling monies or signing checks hereunder. The veteran status of an individual shall be considered and preference given in accordance with the provisions of the State Personnel Board.

The department and its employees are exempt from Sections 25-15-101 and 25-15-103.

The department may use federal granted funds to provide such group health, life, accident and hospitalization insurance for its employees as may be agreed upon by the department and the federal granting authorities.

The department shall adopt a "layoff formula" to be used wherever it is determined that, because of reduced workload, budget reductions or in order to effect a more economical operation, a reduction in force shall occur in any group.

In establishing this formula, the department shall give effect to the principle of seniority and shall provide that seniority points may be added for disabled veterans and veterans, with due regard to the efficiency of the service. Any such layoff formula shall be implemented according to the policies, rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board.

SECTION 124. Section 73-1-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

73-1-1. In order to safeguard life, health and property, no person shall practice architecture in this state, or use the title "architect," or any prefix, suffix or other form thereof, or any title, sign, card or device to indicate that such person is practicing architecture, or is an architect, unless such person shall have secured from the board a license as hereinafter set forth, as architect, in the manner hereinafter provided, and shall thereafter comply with the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 125. Section 73-1-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

73-1-3. For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed herein unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) "Board" means the State Board of Architecture.

(b) "Architect" means a person who engages in the practice of architecture as hereinafter defined.

(c) A person engaging in the practice of architecture, within the meaning and intent of this chapter, is one who holds himself out as able to perform any professional service such as planning, design, including aesthetic and structural designs, and consultation in connection therewith, or responsible inspection of construction, in connection with (except as specifically exempted herein) any buildings, structures, or projects, or the equipment or utilities thereof, or the accessories thereto, wherein the safeguarding of life, health or property is concerned or involved, when such professional service requires the application of the art and science of construction based upon the principles of mathematics, aesthetics, functional planning, and the physical sciences; provided that nothing in this definition shall be construed as encompassing or limiting the practice of engineering as that practice is provided for under the laws of this state.

(d) "Registrant" means architect or registered architect.

SECTION 126. Section 73-2-16, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

73-2-16. (1) The board shall also have the power to revoke, suspend or annul the certificate or registration of a landscape architect or reprimand, censure or otherwise discipline a landscape architect.

(2) The board, upon satisfactory proof and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, may take the disciplinary actions against any registered landscape architect for any of the following reasons:

(a) Violating any of the provisions of Sections 73-2-1 through 73-2-21 or the implementing bylaws, rules, regulations or standards of ethics or conduct duly adopted and promulgated by the board pertaining to the practice of landscape architecture;

(b) Fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in obtaining a certificate of registration;

(d) Any professional misconduct, as defined by the board through bylaws, rules and regulations and standards of conduct and ethics (professional misconduct shall not be defined to include bidding on contracts for a price);

(e) Practicing or offering to practice landscape architecture on an expired license or while under suspension or revocation of a license unless said suspension or revocation be abated through probation;

(f) Practicing landscape architecture under an assumed or fictitious name;

(g) Being convicted by any court of a felony, except conviction of culpable negligent manslaughter, in which case the record of conviction shall be conclusive evidence;

(h) Willfully misleading or defrauding any person employing him as a landscape architect by any artifice or false statement;

(i) Having undisclosed financial or personal interest which compromises his obligation to his client;

(j) Obtaining a certificate by fraud or deceit; or

(k) Violating any of the provisions of this chapter.

(3) Any person may prefer charges against any other person for committing any of the acts set forth in subsection (2). Such charges need not be sworn to, may be made upon actual knowledge, or upon information and belief, and shall be filed with the board. In the event any person licensed under Sections 73-2-1 through 73-2-21 is expelled from membership in any Mississippi or national professional landscape architectural society or association, the board shall thereafter cite said person to appear at a hearing before the board and to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against that person.

The board shall investigate all charges filed with it and, upon finding reasonable cause to believe that the charges are not frivolous, unfounded or filed in bad faith, may, in its discretion, cause a hearing to be held, at a time and place fixed by the board, regarding the charges and may compel the accused by subpoena to appear before the board to respond to said charges.

No disciplinary action taken hereunder may be taken until the accused has been furnished both a statement of the charges against him and notice of the time and place of the hearing thereof, which shall be personally served on the accused or mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known business or residence address of the accused not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for the hearing.

(4) At any hearing held under the provisions of this section, the board shall have the power to subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance and require the production of any books, papers or documents. The hearing shall be conducted before the full board with the president of the board serving as the presiding judge. Counsel for the board shall present all evidence relating to the charges. All evidence shall be presented under oath, which may be administered by any member of the board, and thereafter the proceedings may, if necessary, be transcribed in full by the court reporter and filed as part of the record in the case. Copies of such transcription may be provided to any party to the proceedings at a cost to be fixed by the board.

All witnesses who shall be subpoenaed and who shall appear in any proceedings before the board shall receive the same fees and mileage as allowed by law in judicial civil proceedings, and all such fees shall be taxed as part of the costs of the case.

Where in any proceedings before the board any witness shall fail or refuse to attend upon subpoena issued by the board, shall refuse to testify or shall refuse to produce any books and papers, the production of which is called for by the subpoena, the attendance of such witness and the giving of his testimony and the production of the books and papers shall be enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction of this state in the manner provided for the enforcement of attendance and testimony of witnesses in civil cases in the courts of this state.

The accused shall have the right to be present at the hearing in person, by counsel or other representative, or both. The accused shall have the right to present evidence and to examine and cross-examine all witnesses. The board is authorized to continue or recess the hearing as may be necessary.

(5) At the conclusion of the hearing, the board may either decide the issue at that time or take the case under advisement for further deliberation. The board shall render its decision not more than forty-five (45) days after the close of the hearing, and shall forward to the last known business or residence address of the accused by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, a written statement of the decision of the board.

If a majority of the board finds the accused guilty of the charges filed, the board may: (a) issue a public or private reprimand; (b) suspend or revoke the license of the accused, if the accused is a registrant; or (c) in lieu of or in addition to such reprimand, suspension or revocation, assess and levy upon the guilty party a monetary penalty of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for each violation.

(6) A monetary penalty assessed and levied under this section shall be paid to the board upon the expiration of the period allowed for appeal of such penalties under this section, or may be paid sooner if the guilty party elects. Money collected by the board under this section shall be deposited to the credit of the board's general operating fund.

When payment of a monetary penalty assessed and levied by the board in accordance with this section is not paid when due, the board shall have the power to institute and maintain proceedings in its name for enforcement of payment in the chancery court of the county and judicial district of the residence of the guilty party and if the guilty party be a nonresident of the State of Mississippi, such proceedings shall be in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi.

(7) When the board has taken a disciplinary action under this section, the board may, in its discretion, stay such action and place the guilty party on probation for a period not to exceed one (1) year upon the condition that the guilty party shall not further violate either the law of the State of Mississippi pertaining to the practice of landscape architecture or the bylaws, rules and regulations, or standards of conduct and ethics promulgated by the board.

(8) The board, in its discretion, may assess and tax any part or all of the costs of any disciplinary proceedings conducted under this section against the accused, if the accused is found guilty of the charges.

(9) The power and authority of the board to assess and levy the monetary penalties provided for in this section shall not be affected or diminished by any other proceeding, civil or criminal, concerning the same violation or violations except as provided in this section.

(10) The board, for sufficient cause, may reissue a revoked license of registration whenever a majority of the board members vote to do so but in no event shall a revoked license be issued within two (2) years of the revocation. A new license of registration required to replace a revoked, lost, mutilated or destroyed license may be issued, subject to the rules of the board, for a charge not to exceed Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00).

(11) The board may direct the advisory committee to review and investigate any charges brought against any landscape architect under this chapter and to hold the hearings provided for in this section and to make findings of fact and recommendations to the board concerning the disposition of such charges.

(12) Nothing herein contained shall preclude the board or advisory committee from initiating proceedings in any case. The advisory committee shall furnish legal advice and assistance to the board whenever such service is requested.

(13) In addition to the reasons specified in subsection (2) of this section, the board shall be authorized to suspend the license of any licensee for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.

SECTION 127. Section 73-13-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

73-13-3. The term "engineer" as used in Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45 shall mean a professional engineer as hereinafter defined.

The term "professional engineer" within the meaning and intent of Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45 shall mean a person who has met the qualifications as required under Section 73-13-23(1) and who has been issued a certificate of registration as a professional engineer.

The term "engineer intern" as used in Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45 shall mean a candidate for licensure as a professional engineer who has met the qualifications as required under Section 73-13-23(2) and who has been issued a certificate of enrollment as an engineer intern.

The term "practice of engineering" within the meaning and intent of Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45 shall mean any service or creative work the adequate performance of which requires engineering education, training, and experience in the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences to such services or creative work as consultation, investigation, expert technical testimony evaluation, planning, design, and design coordination of engineering works and systems, planning the use of land, air and water, performing engineering surveys and studies, and the review of construction for the purpose of monitoring compliance with drawings and specifications; any of which embraces such engineering services or work, either public or private, in connection with any utilities, water resources, structures, buildings, machines, equipment, processes, work systems, projects, communication systems, transportation systems, industrial or consumer products or equipment of control systems; or engineering services or work of a communications, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, geotechnical (including geology and geohydrology incidental to the practice of engineering), geological, environmental, or thermal nature, insofar as they involve safeguarding life, health or property, and including such other professional services as may be necessary to the planning, progress and completion of any engineering services.

Design coordination includes the review and coordination of those technical submissions prepared by others, including as appropriate and without limitation, consulting engineers, surveyors, architects, landscape architects and other professionals working under direction of the engineer.

The term "firm," as used in Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45, shall mean a business entity that offers the professional engineering or surveying services to the public of its licensed personnel who are either employees, officers, directors, partners, members or managers. A business entity may be formed as either:

(a) A professional service corporation;

(b) A corporation;

(d) A limited liability company.

Prior to any contract for or the provision of professional engineering or surveying services in this jurisdiction, a firm shall obtain a certificate of authority under Section 73-13-43 or Section 73-13-105 of this chapter. A sole proprietorship, owned and operated by a licensee under this chapter is not required to obtain a certificate of authority under Section 73-13-43 or Section 73-13-105. A professional association of licensed professional engineers or professional surveyors is not required to obtain a certificate of authority under Section 73-13-43 or Section 73-13-105. Both the licensed sole proprietor and the licensees within a professional association shall maintain their individual licenses in active status and only offer the professional services for which they are licensed and qualified to provide.

Engineering surveys include all survey activities required to support the sound conception, planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of engineered projects but exclude the practice of surveying as defined in Section 73-13-71(d).

A person or firm shall be construed to practice or offer to practice engineering within the meaning and intent of Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45, who practices any branch of the profession of engineering; or provides, by verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, card, or in any other way represents himself to be a professional engineer, or through the use of some other title implies that he is a professional engineer; or who holds himself out as able to perform or provide, or who does perform any engineering service or work or any other professional service designated by the practitioner or recognized by educational authorities as engineering.

The term "board" as used in Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45 shall mean the Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors provided for by said sections.

SECTION 128. Section 73-13-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

73-13-15. The board shall have the power to adopt and amend all regulations and rules of procedure, not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of this state, which may be reasonably necessary for the proper performance of its duties and the regulations of the proceedings before it. The board shall adopt and have an official seal. It shall not be required to post bond on appeals. The board shall have the further power and authority to:

(a) Establish standards of conduct and ethics;

(b) Institute proceedings in its own name;

(d) Promulgate rules limiting or restricting advertising;

(e) Promulgate rules requiring a demonstration of continuing education;

(f) Adopt and promulgate reasonable bylaws and rules and regulations necessary or appropriate for the proper fulfillment of its duties under state laws pertaining thereto;

(g) Provide for the enforcement of and to enforce the laws of the State of Mississippi and, in particular, the provisions of this chapter, and the bylaws, rules and regulations of the board;

(h) Provide by appropriate rules and regulations, within the provisions of this chapter, a system for taking the disciplinary actions provided for in Section 73-13-37, including the imposition of fines as provided therein;

(i) Investigate, prosecute or initiate prosecution for violation of the laws of this state pertaining to the practices of engineering and surveying, or matters affecting the rights and duties or otherwise related thereto; and

(j) Adopt rules setting forth qualifications and standards of practice for firms.

In carrying into effect the provisions of Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-105, the board, under the hand of its president or secretary and the seal of the board may subpoena witnesses and compel their attendance, and also may require the production of books, papers, documents, etc., in any case involving the disciplinary actions provided for in Section 73-13-37 or 73-13-89 or practicing or offering to practice without licensure. Any member of the board may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the board. If any person shall refuse to obey any subpoena so issued, or shall refuse to testify or produce any books, papers or documents, the board may present its petition to such authority as may have jurisdiction, setting forth the facts, and thereupon such authority shall, in a proper case, issue its subpoena to such person, requiring his attendance before such authority and there to testify or to produce such books, papers, and documents, as may be deemed necessary and pertinent by the board. Any person failing or refusing to obey the subpoena or order of the said authority may be proceeded against in the same manner as for refusal to obey any other subpoena or order of the authority.

SECTION 129. Section 73-13-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

73-13-41. (1) Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45 shall not be construed to prevent or to affect:

(a) The practice of any other legally recognized profession or trade, such as: (i) engineers employed by contractors to supervise work on which a licensed engineer is engaged; (ii) architects who are registered under the provisions of Chapter 1 of this title; and (iii) the practice of geology as regulated pursuant to Title 73, Chapter 63;

(b) The work of an employee or a subordinate of a person holding a certificate of licensure under Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45, provided such work does not include final designs or decisions and is done under the responsibility, checking and supervision of a person holding a certificate of licensure under Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45;

(c) The practice of officers and employees of the government of the United States while engaged within this state in the practice of engineering for said government;

(d) The performance of engineering services by any regular full-time employee of a manufacturing, research and development, railroad or other industrial corporation, provided:

(i) Such services are rendered on or in connection with existing fixed works, equipment, systems, processes or facilities owned, operated, or leased by such corporation and/or its affiliates;

(ii) Such services are not rendered to third parties;

(iii) Such services do not consist of original plant design, original system design, or original process design, other than routine system extensions that do not compromise the integrity of the original design;

(iv) Such services comply with all requirements specified by the employee's company or corporation;

(v) All fixed works, equipment, systems, processes or facilities modified by such services undergo a safety review that confirms: 1. the construction and equipment is in accordance with design specifications; and 2. safety, operating, maintenance and emergency procedures are in place to safeguard life, health and property;

(vi) Such services are not required to be performed, approved or certified by a professional engineer pursuant to law or regulation, whether federal, state or local, other than Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45 hereof or any applicable rules or regulations promulgated by the Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors;

It is further stated that this subsection (d) is intended to codify the policy and practices of the board on July 1, 1999, and that any ambiguities in this subsection should be construed in accordance with this intent;

(e) The performance of engineering services with respect to utility facilities by any public utility subject to regulation by the Mississippi Public Service Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, including its parents, affiliates, subsidiaries; or by the officers and regular full-time employees of any such public utility, including its parents, affiliates or subsidiaries, provided that they are engaged solely and exclusively in performing service for such public utility and/or its parents, affiliates or subsidiaries, and as long as such services comply with all standard operating procedures and requirements specified by the employee's company or corporation. This exemption shall not extend to: (i) the practice of engineering performed by public utilities or their officers or employees when such services are rendered to nonaffiliated third parties in exchange for compensation other than that received from their employer, or the use of any name, title or words which tend to convey the impression that a nonregistrant is offering engineering services to the public; and (ii) services which are required to be performed, approved or certified by a professional engineer pursuant to law or regulation whether federal, state or local, other than Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45 hereof or any applicable rules or regulations promulgated by the Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors;

It is further stated that this subsection (e) is intended to codify the policy and practices of the board on July 1, 1999, and that any ambiguities in this subsection should be construed in accordance with this intent;

(f) The practice of engineering shall not include the work ordinarily performed by persons who operate or maintain machinery, equipment, water plants, power generation, utility transmission, utility distribution facilities, sewage plants and solid waste disposal facilities; or

(g) Activities conducted during the course of, or in anticipation of, litigation including, but not exclusively: analyzing, evaluating, consulting, reconstructing, testing, responding to the opinions and testing conducted by others, and offering expert testimony. However, this exemption shall not apply in legal proceedings where the subject matter of the litigation or claim is nonforensic engineering activity legally required to be performed under a Mississippi engineer's license.

(2) In addition to the exemptions provided in subsection (1), there is hereby granted and reserved to the board the authority to exempt from Sections 73-13-1 through 73-13-45 by regulation specific engineering tasks or functions performed by regular full-time employees of manufacturing, public utility, research and development, railroad or other industrial corporations rendered in the course and scope of their employment, on a case by case basis, if, in the opinion of the board, the public health and welfare is not endangered nor the engineering profession diminished.

SECTION 130. Section 73-33-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

73-33-1. (1) Any person residing or having a place for the regular transaction of business in the State of Mississippi being of good moral character, and who shall have received from the State Board of Public Accountancy a license certifying his qualifications as a certified public accountant as hereinafter provided, shall be styled or known as a certified public accountant, and it shall be unlawful for any other person or persons to assume such title or use any letters, abbreviations or words to indicate that such person using same is a certified public accountant, unless such person qualifies for a practice privilege under Section 73-33-17, or at the discretion of the board, such person has been granted use of the title of "certified public accountant retired" by the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy or has received a reciprocal certified public accountant license from the State Board of Public Accountancy.

(2) A certified public accountant practicing public accounting under a Mississippi license must be associated and registered with a certified public accountant firm.

(3) The State Board of Public Accountancy shall grant and renew permits to practice as a CPA firm to applicants that demonstrate their qualifications in accordance with this section.

(a) The following shall hold a permit issued under this section: any firm with an office in this state that practices public accountancy or that uses the title "CPA" or "CPA firm," and any firm that does not have an office in this state but performs the services described in Section 73-33-17(4) for a client having its home office in this state.

(b) A firm that does not have an office in this state may perform a review of a financial statement to be performed in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services, or a compilation as defined in Section 73-33-2(d), for a client having its home office in this state and may use the title "CPA" and "CPA firm" without a permit issued under this section only if such firm has the qualifications described in subsection (4), complies with the peer review requirements set forth by board rule, and performs such services through an individual with practice privileges under Section 73-33-17.

(c) A firm that is not subject to the requirements of paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection may perform other professional services within the practice of public accountancy while using the title "CPA" and "CPA firm" in this state without a permit issued under this section only if such firm performs such services through an individual with practice privileges under Section 73-33-17 and such firm can lawfully do so in the state where the individuals with practice privileges have their principal place of business.

(4) In order to obtain and maintain a firm permit, a certified public accountant firm shall be required to show the following:

(a) It is wholly owned by natural persons and not owned in whole or in part by business entities; and

(b) A simple majority of the ownership of the firm in terms of financial interests and/or voting rights hold certified public accountant licenses in any state; however, the individuals whose principal place of business is in Mississippi and who perform professional services in this state shall hold a Mississippi certified public accountant license, and that individuals who qualify for practice privileges under Section 73-33-17 who perform services for which a firm permit is required under Section 73-33-17(4) shall not be required to obtain a certificate pursuant to Section 73-33-3 or 73-33-9.

(5) Any certified public accountant firm may include nonlicensee owners, provided that:

(a) The firm designates a licensee of this state who is responsible for the proper registration of the firm and identifies that individual to the board; or in the case of a firm without a Mississippi office which must have a permit pursuant to subsection (3)(a), the firm designates a licensee of another state who meets the requirements provided in Section 73-33-17;

(b) All nonlicensee owners are active individual participants in the certified public accountant firm or affiliated entities; and

(6) Unless exempt from the firm permit requirement under Section 73-33-1(3), no person or persons shall engage in the practice of public accounting as defined herein as a partnership, joint venture or professional corporation, sole proprietor, or other business organization allowed by law, unless and until each business organization or office thereof located inside the State of Mississippi has registered with and been issued a firm permit by the State Board of Public Accountancy.

SECTION 131. Section 73-33-16, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

73-33-16. (1) All statements, records, schedules, working papers and memoranda made by a certified public accountant incident to or in the course of professional services to clients by such certified public accountant, except reports submitted by a certified public accountant to a client, shall be and remain the property of the certified public accountant or the public accounting firm under whose name the services were provided in the absence of an express agreement between the certified public accountant or public accounting firm and the client to the contrary. No such statement, record, schedule, working paper or memorandum shall be sold, transferred or bequeathed without the consent of the client or his personal representative or assignee to anyone other than one or more surviving partners or new partners of such certified public accountant or to his corporation or to his proprietorship or any combined or merged partnership or successor in interest therein.

(2) Except by permission of the client engaging a certified public accountant under this chapter, or the heirs, successors or personal representatives of such client, a certified public accountant and any partner, officer, shareholder or employee of a certified public accountant shall not be required by any court of this state to disclose, and shall not voluntarily disclose, information communicated to him by the client relating to and in connection with services rendered to the client by the certified public accountant in his practice as a certified public accountant. Such information shall be deemed confidential and privileged; provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the disclosure of information required to be disclosed by the standards of the public accounting profession in reporting on the examination of financial statements, or as prohibiting disclosures in court proceedings or in investigations or proceedings under Sections 73-33-5 and 73-33-11, when the services of the certified public accountant are at issue in such investigations or proceedings and the certified public accountant is a party thereto, or as prohibiting disclosure in the course of a practice review.

SECTION 132. Section 73-43-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

73-43-11. The State Board of Medical Licensure shall have the following powers and responsibilities:

(a) Setting policies and professional standards regarding the medical practice of physicians, osteopaths, podiatrists and physician assistants practicing with physician supervision;

(b) Considering applications for licensure;

(d) Investigating alleged violations of the medical practice act;

(e) Conducting hearings on disciplinary matters involving violations of state and federal law, probation, suspension and revocation of licenses;

(f) Considering petitions for termination of probationary and suspension periods, and restoration of revoked licenses;

(g) To promulgate and publish reasonable rules and regulations necessary to enable it to discharge its functions and to enforce the provisions of law regulating the practice of medicine;

(h) To enter into contracts with any other state or federal agency, or with any private person, organization or group capable of contracting, if it finds such action to be in the public interest and in the furtherance of its responsibilities; and

(i) Perform the duties prescribed by Sections 73-26-1 through 73-26-5.

SECTION 133. Section 73-53-8, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

73-53-8. (1) There is created the Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists to license and regulate social workers and marriage and family therapists. The board shall be composed of ten (10) members, six (6) of which shall be social workers and four (4) of which shall be marriage and family therapists.

(2) Of the social worker members of the board, two (2) must be licensed social workers, and four (4) must be licensed master social workers or licensed certified social workers or a combination thereof. The marriage and family therapist members of the board must be licensed marriage and family therapists. For at least two (2) years immediately preceding his or her appointment, each marriage and family therapist appointee must have been actively engaged as a marriage and family therapist in rendering professional services in marriage and family therapy, or in the education and training of master's, doctoral or post-doctoral students of marriage and family therapy, or in marriage and family therapy research, and during the two (2) years preceding his or her appointment, must have spent the majority of the time devoted to that activity in this state. The initial marriage and family therapist appointees shall be deemed to be and shall become licensed practicing marriage and family therapists immediately upon their appointment and qualification as members of the board. All subsequent marriage and family therapist appointees to the board must be licensed marriage and family therapists before their appointment.

(3) The Governor shall appoint six (6) members of the board, four (4) of which shall be social workers and two (2) of which shall be marriage and family therapists, and the Lieutenant Governor shall appoint four (4) members of the board, two (2) of which shall be social workers and two (2) of which shall be marriage and family therapists. Social worker members of the board shall be appointed from nominations submitted by the Mississippi Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and marriage and family therapist members of the board shall be appointed from nominations submitted by the Mississippi Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. All appointments shall be made with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(4) The initial appointments to the board shall be made as follows: The Governor shall appoint one (1) social worker member for a term that expires on June 30, 1999, one (1) social worker member for a term that expires on June 30, 2001, two (2) social worker members for terms that expire on June 30, 2002, one (1) marriage and family therapist member for a term that expires on June 30, 1998, and one (1) marriage and family therapist member for a term that expires on June 30, 2000. The Lieutenant Governor shall appoint one (1) social worker member for a term that expires on June 30, 1998, one (1) social worker member for a term that expires on June 30, 2000, one (1) marriage and family therapist member for a term that expires on June 30, 1999, and one (1) marriage and family therapist member of the board for a term that expires on June 30, 2001. After the expiration of the initial terms, all subsequent appointments shall be made by the original appointing authorities for terms of four (4) years from the expiration date of the previous term. Upon the expiration of his or her term of office, a board member shall continue to serve until his or her successor has been appointed and has qualified. No person may be appointed more than once to fill an unexpired term or more than two (2) consecutive full terms.

(5) Any vacancy on the board before the expiration of a term shall be filled by appointment of the original appointing authority for the remainder of the unexpired term. Appointments to fill vacancies shall be made from nominations submitted by the appropriate organization as specified in subsection (2) of this section for the position being filled.

(6) The appointing authorities shall give due regard to geographic distribution, race and sex in making all appointments to the board.

(7) The board shall select one (1) of its members to serve as chairman during the term of his or her appointment to the board. No person may serve as chairman for more than four (4) years. The board may remove any member of the board or the chairman from his or her position as chairman for (a) malfeasance in office, or (b) conviction of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude while in office, or (c) failure to attend three (3) consecutive board meetings. However, no member may be removed until after a public hearing of the charges against him or her, and at least thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the accused member of the charges against him or her and of the date fixed for such hearing. No board member shall participate in any matter before the board in which he has a pecuniary interest, personal bias or other similar conflict of interest.

(8) Board members shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official board business as provided in Section 25-3-41.

(9) Four (4) social worker members and three (3) marriage and family therapist members of the board shall constitute a quorum of the board. In making its decisions and taking actions affecting the members of one (1) of the professions regulated by the board, the board shall consider the recommendations of the board members who are members of that profession. If the board is unable to have a quorum present at a regularly scheduled meeting location, the board may allow other members to participate in the meeting by telephone or other electronic means. In the case of an administrative hearing, when recusals from the process are necessary, a quorum may consist of a simple majority of six (6) members.

(10) The principal office of the board shall be in the City of Jackson, but the board may act and exercise all of its powers at any other place. The board shall adopt an official seal, which shall be judicially noticed and which shall be affixed to all licenses issued by the board.

(11) The board is authorized to employ, subject to the approval of the State Personnel Board, an executive director and such attorneys, experts and other employees as it may, from time to time, find necessary for the proper performance of its duties and for which the necessary funds are available, and to set the salary of the executive director, subject to the approval of the State Personnel Board.

(12) The board, by a majority vote, from time to time, may make such provisions as it deems appropriate to authorize the performance by any board member or members, employee or other agent of the board of any function given the board in this chapter or Sections 73-54-1 through 73-54-39.

SECTION 134. Section 73-63-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

73-63-17. The board shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate, after due notice and hearing and in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, and where not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from, and to enforce rules and regulations implementing the powers and duties of the board under this chapter, including rules governing the conduct of its business and meetings;

(b) To adopt an official seal and alter that seal at the pleasure of the board;

(c) To apply for, receive and expend any federal or state funds or contributions, gifts, devises, bequests or funds from any other source;

(d) To enter into, and to authorize the executive director to execute contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency, any public or private institution, or any other person to carry out this chapter. The board shall not provide any funds for special interest groups to lobby or otherwise promote the group's special interests;

(e) To employ, in its discretion, an executive director and other qualified technical, professional and clerical personnel, including investigators and expert witnesses, as may be required for the operation of the board;

(f) To establish, charge, collect and revise reasonable and necessary fees to applicants and registrants to support the administration and enforcement of this chapter;

(g) To identify specialties and to establish qualifications, conduct examinations and issue certificates in those specialties to qualified applicants and to recognize and authorize the use of certain geologic designations;

(h) To prepare, administer and grade oral and written examinations authorized under this chapter;

(i) To issue, reissue, renew, suspend, revoke or deny the issuance, reissuance or renewal of certificates of registration or certificates of enrollment;

(j) To authorize the preparation and conduct of continuing education programs with voluntary participation;

(k) To establish standards of professional conduct;

( l) To investigate complaints of violations of this chapter, any rule, regulation or written order of the board, any condition of registration, or standard of professional conduct by registrants or nonregistrants, as provided in this chapter and to impose sanctions and penalties for violations, including, but not limited to, restrictions on the practice of any registrant or any other person engaged in the practice of geology;

(m) To administer oaths and affirmations, and to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence;

(n) To begin and maintain legal actions to enforce this chapter and to seek injunctions;

(o) To delegate powers, duties or responsibilities to the executive director as deemed necessary to efficiently administer this chapter; and

(p) To discharge other powers, duties and responsibilities provided under this chapter or as necessary to implement this chapter.

SECTION 135. Section 75-63-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

75-63-81. (1) There is established a Preneed Contracts Loss Recovery Fund, hereinafter referred to as the "fund," to be administered by directors of the Preneed Contracts Loss Recovery Association, hereinafter referred to as the "association." Directors are to be appointed by the Secretary of State. The purpose of the fund is to reimburse the estates, or in the absence of an estate filing, the purchaser or applicant with payment jointly to the funeral home providing services or merchandise, or both, of beneficiaries of preneed funeral contracts who have suffered financial loss as a result of the misfeasance, fraud, default, failure or insolvency of a registered Mississippi preneed provider.

(2) The fund shall be funded from a charge not to exceed Ten Dollars ($10.00) to be added to the cost of every preneed contract sold from and after July 1, 2009; however, if the preneed contract is funded solely with insurance that is protected by the Mississippi Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association, then that fee shall not be charged. The association may reduce, suspend or resume collection of the fee at any time and for any period to ensure that a sufficient amount is available to meet anticipated disbursements and to maintain an adequate reserve consistent with actuarial guidance.

The per-contract fees shall be remitted quarterly to the association for each quarter of the calendar year with a quarterly fee form as prescribed by the Secretary of State. The per-contract fee is not subject to the trusting requirements of Section 75-63-59. The fees shall be remitted to the association no later than fifteen (15) days after each quarter. Absent the Secretary of State's approval of an extension for good cause shown, preneed providers failing to timely report and remit the per-contract fee to the association may be subject to a penalty of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per day for each day of delinquency, payable to the fund.

(3) All sums received by the association shall be held in a separate account maintained by the State Treasurer to be used solely as provided in this article. Warrants to the fund may only be issued by the Department of Finance and Administration upon request by a majority vote of the directors of the Preneed Contracts Loss Recovery Association. All interest or other income earned on the fund shall be retained by the fund.

(4) Reimbursements from the fund must not exceed the total payment made for preneed funeral services or merchandise, cemetery services or merchandise, or both. No current insurance benefits or future graduated insurance benefits may be reimbursed, including any current or future graduated insurance benefits in any insurance company insolvency guaranty fund association. Upon the death of the beneficiary and the applicant's compliance with all applicable rules of the association, reimbursement from the fund may be made to the estate of the beneficiary, the purchaser or applicant with payment jointly to the funeral home or cemetery providing services or merchandise or both, only to the extent to which losses are not bonded or otherwise covered. If the association makes payments from the fund under this section, the association is subrogated in the reimbursed amount and may bring an action against any person or entity, including a preneed provider. The association may enforce claims it may have for restitution or otherwise and may employ and compensate from the fund consultants, legal counsel, accountants and other persons it considers appropriate to assure compliance with this section.

(5) The association shall investigate all applications made and may reject or allow claims, in whole or in part. Payment may be made only to the extent that monies are available in the fund, and payments may be prorated among claimants. Reimbursements for completed claims must be processed subject to availability of monies in the fund. The association has complete discretion to determine the order and manner of payment of approved applications. The association may approve one (1) application, in whole or in part, that includes more than one (1) reparation claim for the benefit of purchasers of prepaid contracts of an insolvent registrant as part of a plan to arrange for another registrant to assume the obligations of the licensee being liquidated if the association finds that the plan is reasonable and is in the best interests of the contract beneficiaries. All payments are a matter of privilege and not a right, and no person has a right in the fund as a third-party beneficiary or otherwise.

(6) The association shall develop a form of application for reimbursement.

(7) This fund and all interest earned may be used only as prescribed in this section and may not be used for any other purposes to the extent losses are not bonded, insured, or otherwise covered, protected or reimbursed. Further, all monies deposited into the fund shall not be subject to any deduction, tax, judgment lien, levy, or any other type of assessment except as may be provided in this article. The association may expend monies from the fund to:

(a) Make reimbursements on approved applications;

(b) Purchase insurance to cover losses and association liability as considered appropriate by the directors and not inconsistent with the purpose of the fund;

(c) Invest portions of the fund as are not currently needed to reimburse losses and maintain adequate reserves, as are permitted to be made by fiduciaries under state law;

(d) Pay the expenses of the association for administering the fund, including employment of legal counsel, accountants, consultants and other persons the board considers necessary to assure compliance with this section.

(8) No person may make, publish, disseminate, circulate or place before the public, or cause, directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, or placed before the public, in a newspaper, magazine or other publication, or in the form of a notice, circular, pamphlet, letter, poster or over any radio station or television station, or in any other way, any advertisement, announcement, or statement that uses the existence of the fund for the purpose of sales, solicitation or inducement to purchase any form of preneed contract covered under this article.

(9) The Secretary of State may establish rules and regulations necessary to implement the purposes of the section including, but not limited to, rules governing the association's operations, claim procedures, determination of solvency or insolvency of a preneed provider, claimant eligibility and determination of appropriate loss payee.

(10) No purchaser or representative of a purchaser is provided in this section with any administrative right or legal or equitable right to any funds collected for this association to satisfy any judgment or economic loss of the purchaser from a prepaid funeral or cemetery organization except for the purposes of this section. This fund is established for the discretionary relief of purchasers and their representatives of prepaid funeral or cemetery contracts from insolvent prepaid funeral or cemetery organizations or prepaid funeral businesses with severe trust fund account shortages as determined by the directors. Coverage is limited to the claimant's actual contract payments made. There shall be no fund coverage for additional economic damages, attorney's fees, recovery costs, interest, other equitable relief or noneconomic damages.

Further, no claimant shall be eligible for compensation from the fund unless the contract purchaser for whom a claim is asserted paid to the preneed provider the loss recovery fee required by subsection (2) of this section. The fund shall have no liability for preneed contracts sold or claims that occurred or accrued before July 1, 2009.

(11) There shall be no liability on the part of and no cause of action of any nature shall arise against any director of the association, the Secretary of State, his representatives, agents or employees for any act or omission by them in the performance of their powers and duties under this article, or in its administration, dispensation, handling or collection of funds for the program.

(12) Directors of the association shall be appointed by the Secretary of State and shall consist of no fewer than five (5), one (1) from each of the Mississippi Supreme Court Districts and two (2) from the state at large. In making director appointments the Secretary of State shall consider, among other things, whether all association members are fairly represented. At least three (3) of the directors must possess five (5) years or more experience in the preneed funeral service and merchandise business as an owner or manager. All directors shall be appointed for staggered six-year terms, with the exception of the initial terms of service for the original five (5) directors. The Secretary of State may appoint any director to a successive six-year term. The initial term of service for all directors shall begin on October 1, 2009, with the initial term of two (2) directors to be determined by the Secretary of State at appointment expiring on September 30, 2011, and two (2) directors to be determined by the Secretary of State at appointment expiring on September 30, 2013. The initial term for the remaining director to be determined by the Secretary of State at appointment shall expire on September 30, 2015.

(13) Compensation for a director may be paid from the fund, and compensation is limited to Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per day only for each travel day and meeting day designated by the Secretary of State in addition to a per diem amount designed to compensate directors for reasonable meal allowances, travel and lodging expenses, if needed, to attend meetings of the association directors.

(14) The association and its directors shall assist the Secretary of State and be subject to the applicable provisions of the laws of this state. The association shall be subject to examination and regulation by the Secretary of State. The association by its directors shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of State each year, not later than March 1 of each year, a financial report in a form approved by the Secretary of State and a report of activities during the preceding calendar year.

(15) Appeal rights for claim decisions issued by the association directors exist in the chancery court in this state in which an estate has been open for probate by the representative of the claimant; the chancery court in the county in which the preneed contract was purchased; or the chancery court in this state of the claimant's or decedent's home county. A notice of appeal must be filed within thirty (30) days of the association's written order denying the claim in whole or in part, and appeal to chancery court is limited to a review of the record made before the association's directors on a substantial evidence evidentiary standard.

SECTION 136. Section 75-72-103, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

75-72-103. The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context clearly otherwise requires:

(a) "Affiliate" of a person means a person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with that person.

(b) "Associate" of a person means a person acting jointly or in concert with that person for the purpose of acquiring, holding, or disposing of, or exercising any voting rights attached to, the equity securities of a subject company.

(c) "Control," including the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control with," means the possession of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

(d) "Equity security" means:

(i) Any stock or similar security carrying, at the time of the tender offer, the right to vote on any matter by virtue of the articles of incorporation, bylaws or governing instrument of the subject company or the right to vote for directors or persons performing substantially similar functions by operation of law.

(ii) Any security convertible into such stock or similar security.

(iii) Any warrant or right to purchase such stock or similar security.

(iv) Any security carrying any warrant or right to purchase such stock or similar security.

(v) Any other security which for the protection of investors is deemed an equity security pursuant to regulation of the Secretary of State.

(e) "Bidder" means a person who makes a tender offer or on whose behalf a tender offer is made, and includes all affiliates and associates of that person. The term does not include a financial institution or broker-dealer lending funds or extending credit in the ordinary course of its business or any accountant, attorney, financial institution, broker-dealer, investment adviser, fiduciary, newspaper or magazine of general circulation, consultant, or other person furnishing information, services, or advice to, or performing ministerial or administrative duties for a person pursuant to the unsolicited request, or a general contract for advice to, such person, and not otherwise participating in the tender offer.

(f) "Offeree" means a record of beneficial owner of equity securities which a bidder acquires or offers to acquire in connection with a tender offer.

(g) "Person" means an individual, corporation, association, partnership, trust or other entity.

(h) "Tender offer" means any offer to acquire or the acquisition of any equity security of a subject company, pursuant to a tender offer or request or invitation for tenders, if after acquisition the bidder would be directly or indirectly a record or beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of any class of the outstanding equity securities of the subject company.

(i) "Subject company" means a corporation or other issuer of equity securities which has at least twenty percent (20%) of its equity securities beneficially owned by residents of this state and owns or controls assets located in this state which have a fair market value in excess of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), except that subject company shall not include any state or national bank or any savings and loan association.

(j) "Securities law" refers to the Mississippi Securities Law, Section 75-71-101 et seq.

(k) "Beneficial owner" includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has shares or has the right to acquire:

(i) Voting power which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, an equity security; or

(ii) Investment power which includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of, an equity security.

SECTION 137. Section 77-3-105, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

77-3-105. (1) (a) The commission is fully empowered and authorized to include in an electric public utility's rate base and rates, as used and useful components of furnishing electric service, all expenditures determined to be prudently incurred preconstruction, construction, operating and related costs that the utility incurs in connection with a generating facility (including but not limited to all such costs contained in the utility's "Construction Work in Progress" or "CWIP" accounts), whether or not the construction of any generating facility is ever commenced or completed, or the generating facility is placed into commercial operation. However, all costs incurred before May 9, 2008, may be reflected in rates only upon an order of the Public Service Commission after a finding of prudency.

(b) The commission is further empowered and authorized to allow a public utility to accrue a just and reasonable rate of return to be determined by the commission on the unrecovered balance of any preconstruction or construction costs which shall include all costs incurred before May 9, 2008, and such costs may be reflected in rates only upon an order of the Public Service Commission after a finding of prudency.

(c) The commission may order that preconstruction, construction, operating and related costs be reflected in rates either as a part of base rates or through the operation of a rider schedule or other similar rate mechanism, or through a combination thereof, as the commission deems appropriate and in the public interest, and such costs incurred before May 9, 2008, may be reflected in rates only upon an order of the Public Service Commission after a finding of prudency.

(d) Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, recovery of any construction costs incurred in excess of the amount estimated by the public utility in a certificate proceeding will be addressed by the commission in a proceeding after the generating facility is completed and commences commercial operation, upon petition by the public utility.

(e) Once the commission grants a facilities certificate, no public utility shall abandon or cancel construction of a generating facility without approval from the commission based on a finding that the construction is no longer in the public interest. Notwithstanding any provisions of this article to the contrary, if the generating facility is abandoned or cancelled without the approval of the commission, the commission shall determine whether the public interest will be served to allow (i) the recovery of all or part of the prudently incurred preconstruction, construction and related costs in connection with the generating facility and related facilities, (ii) the recovery of a return on the unrecovered balance of the utility's prudently incurred costs at a just and reasonable rate of return to be determined by the commission, or (iii) the implementation of credits, refunds or rebates to ratepayers to defray costs incurred for the generating facility.

(2) (a) The commission is authorized to conduct prudence reviews on a periodic or ongoing basis with regard to any preconstruction, construction, operating and related costs associated with a generating facility, to hold hearings thereon, and to reflect the outcome of such commission reviews, including commission prudence determinations, in the public utility's rates. The commission is authorized to make and issue such prudence determinations as frequently as each calendar quarter. The commission is authorized to set a procedural schedule for such commission determinations. Any such prudence determinations shall be binding in all future regulatory proceedings affecting such generating facility, unless the generating facility is imprudently abandoned or cancelled.

(b) The Executive Director of the Public Utilities Staff and the commission may enter into professional services contracts with one or more consultants to audit preconstruction, construction and related costs incurred for a generating facility and to make such reports and provide testimony thereon as may be required by the executive director or the commission, as applicable. Such contracts shall be considered to be for auditor or utility rate expert services under Section 25-9-120. Costs associated with such professional service contracts shall not exceed Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000.00) for work performed on any given nuclear generating facility and Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) on any given non-nuclear generating facility, in any twelve-month period; provided, however, the Public Utilities Staff and the commission may by rule, after notice and hearing, modify these amounts. The consultants shall submit periodically to the executive director or the commission, as applicable, for approval of payment, itemized bills detailing the work performed. The executive director or the chairman of the commission, as applicable, shall requisition the audited public utility to make the requisite payments to such consultants. Payments by the audited public utility shall be considered as preconstruction, construction, operating or related costs and recoverable pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection (1).

(c) The provisions of Sections 77-3-37(7)(b) and 77-3-39(10) and (15) shall not apply to any proceeding for the change in rates by the commission in connection with a generating facility.

(3) Any party aggrieved by any final order of the commission relating to any generating facility shall have a right of direct appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court. The procedures set out in Section 77-3-72 for direct appeal, including those provisions relating to periods of time in which filings are to be made, shall apply to any commission final order promulgated, in whole or in part, pursuant to this article.

SECTION 138. Section 77-5-741, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

77-5-741. In the discretion of the governing board of the issuer, any bonds issued under the provisions of this article may be secured by a resolution, a trust indenture or other security instrument, and in this regard the issuer may enter into an agreement with any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the state to act as trustee for such bonds. Such resolution, trust indenture or other security instrument providing for the issuance of such bonds may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law, and may restrict the individual right of action by bondholders.

The resolution, trust indenture or other security instrument providing for the issuance of such bonds may, in the discretion of the governing board of the issuer, contain covenants including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) The pledge of all or any part of the revenues derived or to be derived from the project or projects to be financed by the bonds or from the electric system or facilities of a municipality or a joint agency.

(b) The rents, rates, fees and charges to be established, maintained and collected, and the use and disposal of revenues, gifts, grants and funds received or to be received by the municipality or joint agency.

(d) The custody, collection, securing, investment, and payment of all moneys held for the payment of bonds.

(e) Limitations or restrictions on the purposes to which the proceeds of sale of bonds then or thereafter to be issued may be applied.

(f) Limitations or restrictions on the issuance of additional bonds, the terms upon which additional bonds may be issued and secured, or the refunding of outstanding or other bonds.

(g) The procedure, if any, by which the terms of any contract with bondholders may be amended, the percentage of bonds the bondholders of which must consent thereto and the manner in which such consent may be given.

(h) Events of default and the rights and liabilities arising thereupon, the terms and conditions upon which bonds issued under this article shall become or may be declared due before maturity, and the terms and conditions upon which such declaration and its consequences may be waived.

(i) The preparation and maintenance of a budget.

(j) The retention or employment of consulting engineers, independent auditors and other technical consultants.

(k) Limitations on or the prohibition of free service to any person, firm or corporation, public or private.

(l) The acquisition and disposal of property, provided that no project or part thereof shall be mortgaged by such resolution, trust indenture or other security instrument.

(m) Provisions for insurance and for accounting reports and the inspection and audit thereof.

(n) The continuing operation and maintenance of the project.

SECTION 139. Section 77-6-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

77-6-33. In the discretion of the governing board of the issuer, any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter may be secured by a resolution, a trust indenture or other security instrument, and in this regard the issuer may enter into an agreement with any trust company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or without the state to act as trustee for such bonds. Such resolution, trust indenture or other security instrument providing for the issuance of such bonds may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper and not in violation of law, and may restrict the individual right of action by bondholders.

(a) The pledge of all or any part of the revenues derived or to be derived from the project or projects to be financed by the bonds or from the gas system or facilities of a municipality or the authority.

(d) The custody, collection, securing, investment and payment of all moneys held for the payment of bonds.

(e) Limitations or restrictions on the purposes to which the proceeds of sale of bonds then or thereafter to be issued may be applied.

(f) Limitations or restrictions on the issuance of additional bonds, the terms upon which additional bonds may be issued and secured, or the refunding of outstanding or other bonds.

(h) Events of default and the rights and liabilities arising thereupon, the terms and conditions upon which bonds issued under this chapter shall become or may be declared due before maturity, and the terms and conditions upon which such declaration and its consequences may be waived.

(i) The preparation and maintenance of a budget.

(j) The retention or employment of consulting engineers, independent auditors and other technical consultants.

(k) Limitations on or the prohibition of free service to any person, firm or corporation, public or private.

(l) The acquisition and disposal of property, provided that no project or part thereof shall be mortgaged by such resolution, trust indenture or other security instrument.

(m) Provisions for insurance and for accounting reports and the inspection and audit thereof.

(n) The continuing operation and maintenance of the project.

SECTION 140. Section 79-10-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

79-10-5. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) "Disqualified person" means an individual, general partnership, professional corporation or other entity that for any reason is or becomes ineligible under this chapter to be issued shares by a professional corporation.

(b) "Domestic professional corporation" means a professional corporation.

(c) "Foreign professional corporation" means a corporation or association for profit incorporated for the purpose of rendering professional services under a law other than the law of this state.

(d) "Law" includes rules promulgated in accordance with Section 79-10-103.

(e) "Licensing authority" means the office, board, agency, court or other authority in this state empowered to license or otherwise authorize the rendition of a professional service.

(f) "Professional corporation" means a corporation for profit, other than a foreign professional corporation, subject to the provisions of this chapter.

(g) "Professional service" means a service that may be lawfully rendered only by a person licensed or otherwise authorized by a licensing authority in this state to render the service, including, without limitation, certified public accountants, dentists, architects, veterinarians, osteopaths, physicians, surgeons and attorneys-at-law.

(h) "Qualified person" means an individual, general partnership, professional corporation or other entity that is eligible under this chapter to be issued shares by a professional corporation.

SECTION 141. Section 79-29-902, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

79-29-902. As used in this article, unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) "Disqualified person" means an individual, general partnership, professional limited liability company, professional limited liability partnership or other entity that for any reason is or becomes ineligible under this article to be a member of a professional limited liability company.

(b) "Domestic professional limited liability company" means a professional limited liability company.

(c) "Foreign professional limited liability company" means a limited liability company formed for the purpose of rendering professional services under a law other than the law of this state.

(d) "Law" includes rules promulgated in accordance with Section 79-29-929.

(e) "Licensing authority" means the office, board, agency, court or other authority in this state empowered to license or otherwise authorize the rendition of a professional service.

(f) "Professional limited liability company" means a limited liability company, other than a foreign professional limited liability company, subject to the provisions of this article.

(h) "Qualified person" means an individual, general partnership, professional limited liability company, professional limited liability partnership or other entity that is eligible under this article to be a member of a professional limited liability company.

SECTION 142. Section 81-27-8.115, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

81-27-8.115. The commissioner, for the purpose of liquidating state trust companies as herein provided, shall employ such liquidating agents, competent local attorneys, accountants and clerks as may be necessary to properly liquidate and distribute the assets of a state trust company, and shall fix the compensation for all such agents, attorneys, accountants and clerks, and shall pay the same out of the funds derived from the liquidation of the assets of the state trust company. However, all expenditure for the purpose herein provided shall be approved by the presiding chancellor in the pending action at such time as the same may be reported, and such charges shall be a proper charge and lien on the assets of the state trust company until paid.

SECTION 143. Section 83-5-211, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

83-5-211. (1) No examiner may be appointed by the commissioner if such examiner, either directly or indirectly, has a conflict of interest or is affiliated with the management of or owns a pecuniary interest in any person subject to examination under Sections 83-5-201 through 83-5-217. This section shall not be construed to automatically preclude an examiner from being:

(a) A policyholder or claimant under an insurance policy;

(b) A grantor of a mortgage or similar instrument on the examiner's residence to a regulated entity if done under customary terms and in the ordinary course of business;

(d) A settlor or beneficiary of a "blind trust" into which any otherwise impermissible holdings have been placed.

(2) Notwithstanding the requirements of this section the commissioner may retain from time to time, on an individual basis, qualified actuaries, certified public accountants or other similar individuals who are independently practicing their professions, even though such persons may from time to time be similarly employed or retained by persons subject to examination under Sections 83-5-201 through 83-5-217.

SECTION 144. Section 83-24-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

83-24-41. (1) The liquidator shall have the power:

(a) To appoint a special deputy or deputies to act for him under this chapter, and to determine his reasonable compensation. The special deputy shall have all powers of the liquidator granted by this section. The special deputy shall serve at the pleasure of the liquidator.

(b) To employ employees and agents, legal counsel, actuaries, accountants, appraisers, consultants and such other personnel as he may deem necessary to assist in the liquidation.

(c) To appoint, with the approval of the court, an advisory committee of policyholders, claimants or other creditors including guaranty associations should such a committee be deemed necessary. Such committee shall serve without compensation other than reimbursement for reasonable travel and per diem living expenses. No other committee of any nature shall be appointed by the commissioner or the court in liquidation proceedings conducted under this chapter.

(d) To fix the reasonable compensation of employees and agents, legal counsel, actuaries, accountants, appraisers and consultants with the approval of the court.

(e) To pay reasonable compensation to persons appointed and to defray from the funds or assets of the insurer all expenses of taking possession of, conserving, conducting, liquidating, disposing of, or otherwise dealing with the business and property of the insurer. In the event that the property of the insurer does not contain sufficient cash or liquid assets to defray the costs incurred, the commissioner may advance the costs so incurred out of any appropriation for the maintenance of the insurance department. Any amounts so advanced for expenses of administration shall be repaid to the commissioner for the use of the insurance department out of the first available monies of the insurer.

(f) To hold hearings, to subpoena witnesses to compel their attendance, to administer oaths, to examine any person under oath, and to compel any person to subscribe to his testimony after it has been correctly reduced to writing; and in connection therewith to require the production of any books, papers, records or other documents which he deems relevant to the inquiry.

(g) To audit the books and records of all agents of the insurer insofar as those records relate to the business activities of the insurer.

(h) To collect all debts and monies due and claims belonging to the insurer, wherever located, and for this purpose:

(i) To institute timely action in other jurisdictions in order to forestall garnishment and attachment proceedings against such debts;

(ii) To do such other acts as are necessary or expedient to collect, conserve or protect its assets or property, including the power to sell, compound, compromise or assign debts for purposes of collection upon such terms and conditions as he deems best; and

(iii) To pursue any creditor's remedies available to enforce his claims.

(i) To conduct public and private sales of the property of the insurer.

(j) To use assets of the estate of an insurer under a liquidation order to transfer policy obligations to a solvent assuming insurer, if the transfer can be arranged without prejudice to applicable priorities under Section 83-24-83.

(k) To acquire, hypothecate, encumber, lease, improve, sell, transfer, abandon or otherwise dispose of or deal with, any property of the insurer at its market value or upon such terms and conditions as are fair and reasonable. He shall also have power to execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all deeds, assignments, releases and other instruments necessary or proper to effectuate any sale of property or other transaction in connection with the liquidation.

(l) To borrow money on the security of the insurer's assets or without security and to execute and deliver all documents necessary to that transaction for the purpose of facilitating the liquidation. Any such funds borrowed may be repaid as an administrative expense and have priority over any other claims in Class 1 under the priority of distribution.

(m) To enter into such contracts as are necessary to carry out the order to liquidate, and to affirm or disavow any contracts to which the insurer is a party.

(n) To continue to prosecute and to institute in the name of the insurer or in his own name any and all suits and other legal proceedings in this state or elsewhere, and to abandon the prosecution of claims he deems unprofitable to pursue further. If the insurer is dissolved under Section 83-24-39, he shall have the power to apply to any court in this state or elsewhere for leave to substitute himself for the insurer as plaintiff.

(o) To prosecute any action which may exist in behalf of the creditors, members, policyholders or shareholders of the insurer against any officer of the insurer, or any other person.

(p) To remove any or all records and property of the insurer to the offices of the commissioner or to such other place as may be convenient for the purposes of efficient and orderly execution of the liquidation. Guaranty associations and foreign guaranty associations shall have such reasonable access to the records of the insurer as is necessary for them to carry out their statutory obligations.

(q) To deposit in one or more banks in this state such sums as are required for meeting current administration expenses and dividend distributions.

(r) To invest all sums not currently needed, unless the court orders otherwise.

(s) To file any necessary documents for record in the office of any chancery clerk or record office in this state or elsewhere where property of the insurer is located.

(t) To assert all defenses available to the insurer as against third persons, including statutes of limitation, statutes of frauds, and the defense of usury. A waiver of any defense by the insurer after a petition in liquidation has been filed shall not bind the liquidator. Whenever a guaranty association or foreign guaranty association has an obligation to defend any suit, the liquidator shall give precedence to such obligation and may defend only in the absence of a defense by such guaranty associations.

(u) To exercise and enforce all the rights, remedies and powers of any creditor, shareholder, policyholder or member, including any power to avoid any transfer or lien that may be given by the general law and that is not included with Sections 83-24-51 through 83-24-55.

(v) To intervene in any proceeding wherever instituted that might lead to the appointment of a receiver or trustee, and to act as the receiver or trustee whenever the appointment is offered.

(w) To enter into agreements with any receiver or commissioner of any other state relating to the rehabilitation, liquidation, conservation or dissolution of an insurer doing business in both states.

(x) To exercise all powers now held or hereafter conferred upon receivers by the laws of this state not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.

(2) (a) If a company placed in liquidation issued liability policies on a claims-made basis, which provided an option to purchase an extended period to report claims, then the liquidator may make available to holders of such policies, for a charge, an extended period to report claims as stated herein. The extended reporting period shall be made available only to those insureds who have not secured substitute coverage. The extended period made available by the liquidator shall begin upon termination of any extended period to report claims in the basic policy and shall end at the earlier of the final date for filing of claims in the liquidation proceeding or eighteen (18) months from the order of liquidation.

(b) The extended period to report claims made available by the liquidator shall be subject to the terms of the policy to which it relates. The liquidator shall make available such extended period within sixty (60) days after the order of liquidation at a charge to be determined by the liquidator subject to approval of the court. Such offer shall be deemed rejected unless the offer is accepted in writing and the charge is paid within ninety (90) days after the order of liquidation. No commissions, premium taxes, assessments or other fees shall be due on the charge pertaining to the extended period to report claims.

(3) The enumeration, in this section, of the powers and authority of the liquidator shall not be construed as a limitation upon him, nor shall it exclude in any manner his right to do such other acts not herein specifically enumerated or otherwise provided for, as may be necessary or appropriate for the accomplishment of or in aid of the purpose of liquidation.

(4) Notwithstanding the powers of the liquidator as stated in subsections (1) and (2) above, the liquidator shall have no obligation to defend claims or to continue to defend claims subsequent to the entry of a liquidation order.

SECTION 145. Section 83-30-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

83-30-43. (1) All assets shall be held, invested and disbursed for the use and benefit of the society and no member or beneficiary shall have or acquire individual rights therein or become entitled to any apportionment on the surrender of any part thereof, except as provided in the benefit contract.

(2) A society may create, maintain, invest, disburse and apply any special fund or funds necessary to carry out any purpose permitted by the laws of such society.

(3) A society may, pursuant to resolution of its supreme governing body, establish and operate one or more separate accounts and issue contracts on a variable basis, subject to the provisions of law regulating life insurers establishing such accounts and issuing such contracts. To the extent the society deems it necessary in order to comply with any applicable federal or state laws, or any rules issued thereunder, the society may adopt special procedures for the conduct of the business and affairs of a separate account, may, for persons having beneficial interests therein, provide special voting and other rights, including without limitation special rights and procedures relating to investment policy, investment advisory services, selection of certified public accountants, and selection of a committee to manage the business and affairs of the account, and may issue contracts on a variable basis to which Section 83-30-37(2) and (4) shall not apply.

SECTION 146. Section 83-34-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

83-34-3. (1) From and after March 22, 2007, the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association, as created by Chapter 459, Laws of 1987, shall be a separate and independent entity as provided for herein. At its option, the association may incorporate. All assets belonging to the association on or before March 22, 2007, shall hereinafter belong to and remain with the association. There shall be no distribution of income or assets other than for the benefit of the association, which shall have the right to invest and reinvest assets.

(2) From and after March 22, 2007, the association shall no longer have members. Former "members" of the association shall be "assessable insurers" and shall have no rights to the assets and profits of the association, but shall have the obligation for regular assessments as provided herein. Former members shall continue to have the obligations provided in this chapter before March 22, 2007, for all policyholder claims, costs, damages of any kind and expenses in any manner resulting from losses that occurred before March 22, 2007, for which the association may assess as needed the former members in the manner provided in this chapter before March 22, 2007. As a condition of its authority to continue to transact the business of insurance in this state and by transacting business in this state, each licensed insurer agrees to be bound by the provisions of this statute and the plan of operation as approved by the commissioner, and all amendments and revisions thereto.

(3) Any licensed insurer first authorized to write insurance after March 22, 2007, shall become an assessable insurer on the first day of January immediately following such authorization. The determination of such insurer's participation in the association shall be made based upon writings in the prior year in the same manner as for all other assessable insurers of the association.

(4) Except as provided for in Section 83-34-4(6), the premiums, assessments, fees, investment income and other revenue of the association are funds received for the sole purpose of providing insurance coverage, paying claims for Mississippi citizens insured by the association, securing and repaying debt obligations issued by the association, and conducting all other activities of the association, all as required or permitted by this chapter. Such revenue shall not be considered taxes, fees, licenses or charges for services imposed by the State of Mississippi on individuals, businesses, or agencies, and shall not be used for other purposes.

(5) It is the intent of the Legislature that the association be and act as a nonprofit entity. The association shall be free from taxation of every kind by the state and any political subdivision or other instrumentality thereof. It is the intent of the Legislature that the association be tax exempt from all taxes, including federal taxes, and the association is granted the authority to take those steps necessary to obtain federal tax exempt status.

(6) Any debt obligations issued by the association, their transfer, and the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free from taxation of every kind by the state and any political subdivision or other instrumentality thereof.

(7) In the event of the termination of the association by act of the Legislature, or other means, the assets of the association shall be applied first to pay all debts, liabilities and obligations of the association, including the establishment of reasonable reserves for any contingent liabilities or obligations, and all remaining assets of the association shall become property of the state.

(8) The association shall operate as a private enterprise and shall not be subject to the procurement provisions of Section 31-7-13, and policies and decisions of the association, including, but not limited to, decisions relating to incurring debt, levying of assessments, the issuance and sale of bonds, claims decisions under association policies, hiring and firing of employees, and all services relating to the operation of the association shall not be subject to the provisions of Section 25-9-101 et seq. The association shall not be required to obtain or to hold a license or certificate of authority issued by the commissioner or any other office. The association shall not be required to participate as a member insurer of the Mississippi Insurance Guaranty Association.

SECTION 147. Section 83-51-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

83-51-31. No contract between a health care entity that offers a dental plan or plans and a dentist for the provision of services to subscribers may require that a dentist provide services to his subscribers at a fee set by the health care entity unless the services are covered services under the applicable subscriber agreement. For the purposes of this section, "covered services" means services that are reimbursable under the applicable subscriber agreement, notwithstanding any deductibles, waiting periods or frequency limitations that may apply. For the purposes of this section, "dental plan" means any policy of insurance that is issued by a health care entity that provides for coverage of dental services not in connection with a medical plan.

SECTION 148. Section 93-21-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

93-21-33. (1) There is established the Domestic Violence Task Force, which will be made up of not more than twenty-six (26) members as follows:

(a) The Governor shall appoint the following appointees who shall possess a practicing knowledge of domestic violence as follows:

(i) Four (4) executive directors of domestic violence shelters representing the geographical divisions of the Delta, South, Central and North Mississippi;

(ii) Two (2) batterer's intervention program managers;

(b) The Attorney General, or his designee;

(d) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Police Chiefs, or his designee;

(e) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Prosecutor's Association, or his designee;

(f) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Sheriff's Association, or his designee;

(g) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Judicial College, or his or her designee;

(h) A practicing member of the Mississippi State Medical Association appointed by the Governor;

(i) A seated or retired justice court judge appointed by the Governor;

(j) A seated or retired chancery court judge appointed by the Governor;

(k) A seated or retired municipal court judge appointed by the Governor;

(l) A seated or retired county court judge appointed by the Governor;

(m) One (1) licensed social worker appointed by the Governor;

(n) One (1) attorney with lobbying experience appointed by the Governor;

(o) Two (2) victims of domestic violence appointed by the Governor;

(p) One (1) practicing municipal prosecutor appointed by the Governor;

(q) One (1) member of the faith-based community to be appointed by the Governor;

(r) One (1) statistical expert appointed by the Governor;

(s) One (1) information technology professional appointed by the Governor; and

(t) The Director of the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence, or her designee.

The members of the task force shall serve at the pleasure of their respective appointing authorities; ten (10) members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The members shall elect a chairman and committees whose duties shall be established by the task force.

(2) The Chairmen of the House Public Health and Welfare Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, or their designees, two (2) members of the State Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and one (1) member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House, shall serve as ex officio nonvoting members of the task force.

(3) In addition to the committee members required by subsection (2), the task force shall consist of such other members as are necessary to meet the requirements of any federal regulation applicable to the task force.

(4) The chairman of the task force shall be elected by the voting members of the committee annually and shall not serve more than two (2) consecutive years as chairman. The chair shall call the meetings of the task force.

(5) The members of the task force shall serve without compensation.

(6) The task force shall meet not less than quarterly, and task force members shall be furnished written notice of the meetings at least ten (10) days before the date of the meeting. The first meeting of the task force shall be called by the Governor within sixty (60) days of March 20, 2013.

(7) The task force shall provide recommendations and advice regarding the following:

(a) Streamlining funding to domestic violence shelters resulting in uniform and objective funding and auditing standards;

(b) Providing recommendations regarding the Victims of Domestic Violence Fund under Section 93-21-117 and its disbursement to shelters;

(d) Creating standards for confidentiality of client records;

(e) Updating training requirements for grant monitors, law enforcement and court personnel;

(f) Providing uniform reporting and automation options;

(g) Implementing the formation of a domestic violence commission with the charge of executing recommendations made by this task force;

(h) Recommending whether the administration of federal grant funds, including, but not limited to, the grant funds known as VOCA and VOWA, should be relocated to the Office Against Interpersonal Violence under the umbrella of the Department of Health.

(8) The Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) will provide support and recommendations to the task force.

(9) (a) The task force will develop a report with legislative recommendations to the Governor and to the 2014 Regular Session of the Legislature to be submitted no later than October 1, 2013.

(b) The task force will develop an additional report with legislative recommendations to the Governor and to the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature to be submitted no later than October 15, 2014.

SECTION 149. Section 99-18-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

99-18-7. The Capital Defense Counsel Division shall limit its activities to representation of defendants accused of death-eligible offenses and ancillary matters related directly to death-eligible offenses and other activities expressly authorized by statute. Representation by the division or by other court-appointed counsel under this chapter shall terminate upon completion of trial or direct appeal. The attorneys appointed to serve in the Capital Defense Counsel Division shall devote their entire time to the duties of the division, shall not represent any persons in other litigation, civil or criminal, nor in any other way engage in the practice of law, and shall in no manner, directly or indirectly, engage in lobbying activities for or against the death penalty. Any violation of this provision shall be grounds for termination from employment by the State Defender.

SECTION 150. Section 99-39-107, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

99-39-107. The Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel shall limit its activities to the representation of inmates under sentence of death in post-conviction proceedings and ancillary matters related directly to post-conviction review of their convictions and sentences and other activities explicitly authorized in statute. Representation by the office or by private counsel under appointment by the office will end upon the filing of proceeding for federal habeas corpus review or for appointment of counsel to represent the defendant in federal habeas corpus proceedings. However, the office may continue representation if the office or a staff attorney employed by the office shall be appointed by a federal court to represent the inmate in federal habeas corpus proceedings. In such event, the office or the employee attorney shall apply to the federal court for compensation and expenses and shall upon receipt of payments by the federal court pay all sums received over to the office for deposit in the Special Capital Post-Conviction Counsel Fund as provided in Section 99-39-117, from which all expenses for investigation and litigation shall be disbursed. Representation in post-conviction proceedings shall further include representation of the inmate from the exhaustion of all state and federal post-conviction litigation until execution of the sentence or an adjudication resulting in either a new trial or a vacation of the death sentence. The attorneys appointed to serve in the Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel shall devote their entire time to the duties of the office, shall not represent any persons in other litigation, civil or criminal, nor in any other way engage in the practice of law, and shall in no manner, directly or indirectly, participate in the trial of any person charged with capital murder or direct appeal of any person under sentence of death in the state, nor engage in lobbying activities for or against the death penalty. Any violation of this provision shall be grounds for termination from employment, in the case of the director, by the Governor, and in the case of other attorneys, by the director, with approval of the Chief Justice.

SECTION 151. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.