House Bill 21

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 73-3-120, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COMMISSION OF THE MISSISSIPPI BAR SHALL AWARD SIX HOURS OF CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION CREDIT ANNUALLY TO EACH ATTORNEY WHO CERTIFIES HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT WITH THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE OR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 73-3-120, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

73-3-120. (1) Members of the bar shall be divided into active and inactive membership classes which shall be defined as follows:

(a) "Active member" means any person admitted to practice law in this state and who is engaged in the practice of law in this state. Except as otherwise provided in Section 73-3-125, all active members shall be entitled to vote and hold office in the bar.

(b) "Inactive member" means any member, in good standing, who is not engaged in the practice of law in this state. A person may, upon written request, be enrolled as an inactive member. Inactive members shall not be entitled to vote and hold office in the bar.

(2) As used in this section, the "practice of law" shall include any person holding himself out as a practicing attorney or occupying any position in which he may be called upon to give legal advice or counsel or to examine the law or to pass upon the legal effect of any act, document or law.

(3) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the Mississippi Bar shall promulgate rules and regulations regarding continuing legal education requirements between active and inactive status.

(b) The Continuing Legal Education Commission of the Mississippi Bar shall award six (6) hours of continuing legal education credit annually to each attorney who certifies his or her employment with the Mississippi Senate or the House of Representatives. The commission shall provide the certification form.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.