MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2015 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representative Brown (66th)

House Bill 1120

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF STATE AGENCIES FROM USING PUBLIC FUNDS TO PURCHASE AND SEND GREETING CARDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  An elected or appointed officer, executive head or other employee of an agency may not use public funds for the purpose of purchasing or sending, or both, a greeting card or any other similar article of value to any person.  Upon learning of a person making a purchase in violation of this section, the Department of Finance and Administration shall require the improper purchasing practice to be ceased immediately.  In addition, a person expending public funds in violation of this section may be held individually liable for an amount equal to the improper expenditure, as authorized under Section 31-7-57, and subject to the penalties prescribed under Section 31-7-55.

     SECTION 2.  Section 1 of this act shall be codified as a new section in Chapter 7, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.