MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency
By: Senator(s) Younger, Chassaniol, Kirby, Blackwell, McMahan, Norwood, Polk
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-104-231, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AMEND THE ADDITIONAL DEFICIT OR SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION REQUEST PROCEDURE; TO REQUIRE A STANDARDIZED REQUEST FORM PROMULGATED BY THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 27-104-231, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
27-104-231. (1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Deficit Prevention Act."
(2) It is the responsibility
of each state agency, department and institution to operate within the limits of
its annual appropriations by the Legislature and any other approved expenditures
of monies. A state agency, department or institution shall not operate in a manner
that results in * * * an additional deficit or supplemental appropriation, except
as provided in this act.
(3) If it is determined by a
state agency, department or institution that the likelihood of * * * an additional deficit or
supplemental appropriation for the current fiscal year exists, the state agency,
department or institution shall use a standardized request form promulgated
by the Legislative Budget Office and the Department of Finance and
Administration to notify the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, * * *
Chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the Legislative Budget
Office and the Department of Finance and Administration within fifteen (15)
days of this determination. The standardized request form must include a
description of the need, an explanation of why the agency cannot cover the
expenses with their existing appropriation, the impact of disapproval and a plan
to avoid or limit any additional deficit or supplemental appropriation. The
agency shall also include in the report a listing of all funds the entity is
authorized to expend, the appropriate authority from each fund, the amount of
funds expended at the time of the request and the current cash balance of the
fund.
(4) After the determination
of the likelihood of a deficit, the state agency, department or institution shall
work with the Legislative Budget Office and the Department of Finance and Administration
to develop a plan to avoid or limit any deficit. Such plan * * *
may include limiting travel and conference attendance to that deemed essential
by the director of the agency, department or institution, and restricting the purchase
of equipment, vehicles and other nonnecessities. * * *
(5) For purposes of this section, the term "state agency" shall have the same meaning as provided in Section 27-103-103.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.