MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Ford (73rd), Yates, Anthony, Byrd, Creekmore IV, Darnell, Denton, Deweese, Kinkade, McLean, Oliver, Paden, Wallace
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 3-3-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DECLARE APRIL AS MISSISSIPPI NATIVE PLANT MONTH; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, a native plant is one that grows naturally in a particular region, ecosystem, or habitat without human introduction, are essential for healthy and diverse ecosystems and are critical for clean air, water and soil stability; and
WHEREAS, native plants are well-adapted to Mississippi's soils, wetlands, temperatures, precipitation and environmental conditions, and are the best at conserving and protecting our environment and adapting to its changes; and
WHEREAS, native plants preserve Mississippi's rich biological heritage, provide shelter, nectar, pollen and seeds that serve as food for native butterflies, insects, birds and other wildlife in ways that nonnative plants cannot provide, and they also provide diversity in form, texture, and color to fit any landscape style, are hardy and easy to grow once established, and are critical in preventing flooding and erosion through their deep root systems filtering groundwater; and
WHEREAS, nonnative plants do thrive in Mississippi, however, incorporating too many of them into Mississippi's landscapes has caused a sharp decline in pollinators and wildlife species, as native plants provide unique food at specific times for native wildlife; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi is home to more than 2,700 native plant species, including trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and wildflowers, but it is difficult to locate many of these native plant species in our Mississippi nurseries; and
WHEREAS, raising awareness of the importance of Mississippi's native plants will increase Mississippians' access to purchasing native plants, which will result in planting more native plants in the state; and
WHEREAS, it is essential to recognize the value of Mississippi's native plants and encourage public awareness of the many benefits they provide to Mississippi's economy, pollinators, and the health of Mississippi's environment; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 3-3-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
3-3-7. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, the following are declared to be legal holidays, viz: the first day of January (New Year's Day); the third Monday of January (Robert E. Lee's birthday and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday); the third Monday of February (Washington's birthday); the last Monday of April (Confederate Memorial Day); the last Monday of May (National Memorial Day and Jefferson Davis' birthday); the fourth day of July (Independence Day); the first Monday of September (Labor Day); the eleventh day of November (Armistice or Veterans' Day); the day fixed by proclamation by the Governor of Mississippi as a day of Thanksgiving, which shall be fixed to correspond to the date proclaimed by the President of the United States (Thanksgiving Day); and the twenty-fifth day of December (Christmas Day). In the event any holiday hereinbefore declared legal shall fall on Sunday, then the next following day shall be a legal holiday.
(2) In lieu of any one (1) legal holiday provided for in subsection (1) of this section, with the exception of the third Monday in January (Robert E. Lee's and Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday) and the eleventh day of November (Armistice or Veterans' Day), the governing authorities of any municipality or county may declare, by order spread upon its minutes, Mardi Gras Day or any one (1) other day during the year, to be a legal holiday.
(3) August 16 is declared to be Elvis Aaron Presley Day in recognition and appreciation of Elvis Aaron Presley's many contributions, international recognition and the rich legacy left to us by Elvis Aaron Presley. This day shall be a day of recognition and observation and shall not be recognized as a legal holiday.
(4) May 8 is declared to be Hernando de Soto Day in recognition, observation and commemoration of Hernando de Soto, who led the first and most imposing expedition ever made by Europeans into the wilds of North America and the State of Mississippi, and in further recognition of the Spanish explorer's 187-day journey from the Tombigbee River basin on our state's eastern boundary, westward to the place of discovery of the Mississippi River on May 8, 1541. This day shall be a day of commemoration, recognition and observation of Hernando de Soto and European exploration and shall not be recognized as a legal holiday.
(5) Armistice Day (Veterans' Day) shall be observed by appropriate exercises in all the public schools in the State of Mississippi. The superintendent of schools of each public school district is authorized to provide for the appearance of uniformed military personnel, uniformed veterans or the families of fallen military personnel/veterans at such public school exercises in honor of Armistice (Veterans') Day. The superintendent of schools is also authorized to permit the school band and its director(s) at any public school in the district to perform at Armistice (Veterans') Day exercises in the school district upon the request of public officials or veterans associations without loss of any program credit by participating students and without loss of leave by participating school personnel.
(6) The month of April is declared to be "Mississippi Native Plant Month" to increase public awareness of Mississippi's native plants and the many benefits they provide to pollinators, Mississippi's economy, and the health of Mississippi's environment.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.