MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) McDaniel

Senate Concurrent Resolution 539

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 36, MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO PROVIDE THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL MEET EVERY TWO YEARS; TO LIMIT THE LENGTH OF THE BIENNIAL SESSIONS; TO ALLOW THE LEGISLATURE TO EXTEND A BIENNIAL SESSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the following amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 is proposed to the qualified electors of the state:

     Amend Section 36, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to read as follows:

     Section 36.  The Legislature shall meet at the seat of government in regular session on the Tuesday after the first Monday of January of the year A.D., * * *1970 2020, and * * *annually every two (2) years thereafter, unless sooner convened by the Governor * * *; provided, however, that such.  The biennial sessions shall be limited to a period of * * *one hundred twenty‑five (125) calendar days for regular 1972 session and every fourth year thereafter, but ninety (90) calendar days * * *.for every other regular session thereafter.  Provided further that  The House of Representatives, by resolution with the Senate concurring therein, and by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting in each house, may extend * * *such limited the ninety-day session for a period of thirty (30) days * * *with no limit on the number of extensions to each session.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this proposed amendment shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the qualified electors at an election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2019, as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution and by general law.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of this proposed amendment for the ballot shall read as follows:  "This proposed constitutional amendment will require the Legislature to meet every two (2) years instead of annually.  The biennial sessions are limited to ninety (90) calendar days."