House Bill 149

AN ACT TO CREATE THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE ON THE ELECTRIFICATION OF TRANSPORTATION, TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE AND STRATEGIC STATEWIDE PLAN THAT SETS POLICY OBJECTIVES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, ECONOMIC PREPAREDNESS, TRANSPORTATION FUNDING, INNOVATION, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SUCCESSFUL ELECTRIC VEHICLE MARKET IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE AND TIME BY WHICH APPOINTMENTS MUST BE MADE; TO STIPULATE THAT MEMBERS OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE SHALL SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION EXCEPT FOR ACTUAL EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, the market for electric vehicles is poised for significant growth in the near future and such growth will expand the need for a more robust public charging network; and

WHEREAS, the implementation of statewide public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is vital for this state to remain economically competitive, a leader in transportation and logistics, and the number one state in which to do business; and

WHEREAS, the State of Mississippi needs to establish a comprehensive, strategic plan that sets policy objectives for infrastructure, economic preparedness, transportation funding, innovation, and the development of a successful electric vehicle market in the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, it would be beneficial to examine how to accelerate economic growth and directly engage stakeholders in the development and implementation of initiatives that best position and prepare this state and its citizens for transportation electrification; and

WHEREAS, subject to availability of funds from the Contingent Funds of the Senate and the House of Representatives, such study may include a contract for the provision of private consulting services and any other services deemed necessary for purposes of addressing the areas identified in this resolution; NOW, THEREFORE,

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

SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Joint Study Committee on the Electrification of Transportation, which shall consist of the following members:

(a) Four (4) members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, including the chairmen of the Senate Transportation and Energy Committees, and the President of the Senate shall designate one (1) of such members to serve as co-chairmen of the committee with the House designee;

(b) Four (4) members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, including the chairmen of the House Transportation, Energy and Public Utilities Committees, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one (1) of such members to serve as co-chairmen of the committee with the Senate designee;

(d) The three (3) Public Service Commissioners, or his or her designees;

(e) The executive director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, or his or her designee;

(f) The executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority, or his or her designee; and

(g) The executive director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, or his or her designee.

All appointments to the committee shall be made not later than thirty (30) days after the date this act becomes effective. The committee shall meet as soon as practicable after the appointments have been made upon the joint call of the Speaker and the Lieutenant Governor, and shall organize for business. A majority of the membership shall be necessary for the establishment of a quorum of the committee, and a majority vote of the committee members present to establish a quorum shall be required for the adoption of any reports and recommendations.

(2) The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation that the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

(3) The co-chairmen shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee may conduct the meetings at any place and any time it deems necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.

(4) Members of the committee shall receive no compensation for their service on the committee, but may receive reimbursement for mileage and actual expenses as provided in Section 25-3-41, to the extent that funds are available for that purpose.

(5) (a) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that include suggestions for proposed legislation, the co-chairmen shall file a report of the same prior to the date of committee's dissolution specified in subsection (6), subject to paragraph (c) of this subsection.

(b) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for proposed legislation, the co-chairmen shall file the report, subject to paragraph (c) of this subsection.

(c) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of the committee's dissolution as specified in this act by a majority vote of a quorum of the committee. A report so approved shall be signed by the co-chairmen of the committee and filed with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

(d) In the absence of an approved report, the co-chairmen may file, with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, copies of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.

(6) The committee shall stand dissolved on June 30, 2024.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.