Senate Bill 2793

AN ACT TO REQUIRE APPOINTMENTS TO STATE AGENCIES, BOARDS AND COMMISSION POSITIONS TO REFLECT THE DEMOGRAPHIC OF THE AREA THEY ARE APPOINTED TO SERVE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Findings. Over the past four (4) years, PEER staff has conducted background checks on two hundred seventy-six (276) individual appointments to eighty-eight (88) different state agencies, boards and commission positions. The following lists the gender and race of these appointees:

(a) Eighty percent (80%) female appointees:

(i) Thirteen (13) black;

(ii) Sixty-five (65) white; and

(iii) Two (2) with no ethnicity data.

(b) One hundred ninety-six (196) male appointees:

(i) Twenty (20) black;

(ii) One hundred seventy-four (174) white; and

(iii) Two (2) with no ethnicity data.

This data illustrates the massive disparity in representation in relation to the racial and gender make-up of government appointments across Mississippi.

SECTION 2. Intent. It is the intent of this legislature to require individuals and entities with appointment powers to strongly consider the racial and gender demographics of the region for which an appointee will represent, and create more diverse and inclusive representation in government positions.

SECTION 3. Database. To determine the correct percentage of representation that should be present within state agency, board and commission appointments, individuals and entities with appointment powers must consider the data from the most current census as provided by the United States Census Bureau, in conjunction with the PEER database concerning race and gender of appointed individuals. PEER shall update the data concerning the racial and gender makeup of appointment once a year.

SECTION 4. Application. (1) Individuals and entities with appointment power must strongly consider the racial and gender demographics of the region for which an appointee will represent, and create more diverse and inclusive representation in government positions.

(2) To determine the correct percentage of representation that should be present within state agency, board and commission appointments, individuals and entities with appointment powers must consider the data from the most current census as provided by the United States Census Bureau, in conjunction with the PEER database concerning race and gender of appointed individuals.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.