House Bill 1043

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 17-3-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT WHENEVER COUNTIES AND CITIES ADVERTISE THEIR RESPECTIVE OPPORTUNITIES, POSSIBILITIES AND RESOURCES, SUCH ADVERTISING SHALL BE LIMITED TO PUBLICATIONS OR SPONSORSHIPS OF TRADE OR BUSINESS MEETINGS HELD WITHIN THE COUNTIES AND CITIES; TO AMEND SECTION 17-3-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 17-3-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

17-3-1. (1) The board of supervisors of any county in Mississippi, and the mayor and board of aldermen or board of commissioners of any municipality in the State of Mississippi, may in their discretion, set aside, appropriate and expend * * * ~~moneys~~ monies, not to exceed one (1) mill of their respective valuation and assessment for the purpose of advertising and bringing into favorable notice the opportunities, possibilities and resources of such municipality or county.

(2) The advertising prescribed in subsection (1) of this section shall be limited to publications or sponsorships of trade or business meetings held within a county or municipality.

SECTION 2. Section 17-3-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

17-3-3. Advertising pursuant to Section 17-3-1, subject to the limitations prescribed in subsection (2) of that section, shall include newspaper and magazine advertising and literature, publicity, expositions, public entertainment or other form of advertising or publicity, which in the judgment of such board or boards will be helpful toward advancing the moral, financial and other interests of such municipality or county; however, such advertising shall not include advertisements in publications sponsored by political parties, political committees or affiliated organizations, as such terms are defined in Section 23-15-801.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.