Bill Text: MS HB1131 | 2016 | Regular Session | Engrossed


Bill Title: MS Agricultural Promotions; revise Dept. of Ag & Commerce to authority to administer for marketing purposes.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Failed) 2016-03-30 - Died On Calendar [HB1131 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2016-HB1131-Engrossed.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2016 Regular Session

To: Agriculture

By: Representatives Pigott, Dixon

House Bill 1131

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 69-45-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE AUTHORITY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE WITH RESPECT TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURAL PROMOTIONS PROGRAM; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO CHARGE AN ANNUAL MARKETING ASSESSMENT ON TO DEFRAY PROGRAM COSTS AND EXPENSES; TO PERMIT THE DEPARTMENT TO ALLOW CERTAIN ENTITIES TO PUBLISH OR ADVERTISE THE ENTITY'S NAME ON DEPARTMENT PROPERTY AND IN ITS PUBLICATIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEPOSIT OF ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER FUNDS TO BE DEPOSITED TO THE CREDIT OF THE MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURAL PROMOTION FUND FOR USE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE; TO AMEND SECTION 69-45-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE STIPULATION FOR WHICH MONIES IN THE FUND MAY BE USED AND TO AUTHORIZE USE OF SUCH FUND TO INCLUDE MARKETING AND PROMOTIONS EFFORTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 69-45-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

69-45-11.  Any person or business * * *who that participates in the Mississippi Agricultural Promotions Program shall register annually with the department * * *in a on forms * * *and manner as required prescribed by the department.  * * *Each person shall renew his registration by July 1 of each year. The department is authorized to charge an annual marketing assessment to defray costs and expenses associated with the program.  The department has no legal liability by registering these persons or businesses, but only serves to promote agriculture products, as defined in Section 69-45-5(e), in the state. 

(2)  (a)  The department may accept, budget, receive and expend funds from any source for the implementation, marketing and promotion of the program, whether such funds are received by appropriation of the Legislature for such purpose, gift, bequest, donation or grant.

     (b)  The department may allow a federal, state or local governmental entity or a public, private, commercial or charitable entity to use, publish or advertise the entity's name on department property and in its publications.  Any funds received from the advertising authorized in this paragraph shall be deposited to the credit of the Mississippi Agricultural Promotions Fund, established under Section 69-45-13, to be used and expended by the department for improvements to its property, and marketing and promotion programs. 

          (c)  The department may accept, budget, receive and expend funds collected under the authority of this section in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in the manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds.

     SECTION 2.  Section 69-45-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     69-45-13.  There is created a special fund to be designated as the "Mississippi Agricultural Promotions Fund" within the State Treasury to receive all monies related to the Mississippi Agricultural Promotions Program.  Monies deposited in the fund shall be expended * * *, upon legislative appropriations, and upon requisition therefor by the Commissioner of Agriculture * * *, for the sole purpose of implementing the Mississippi Agricultural Promotions Program and for any marketing and promotions of the program.  Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.


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