Bill Text: MS HB1369 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Commission for Racial Reconciliation; create.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Failed) 2022-02-01 - Died In Committee [HB1369 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2022-HB1369-Introduced.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2022 Regular Session

To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

By: Representative Summers

House Bill 1369

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE COMMISSION FOR RACIAL RECONCILIATION; TO PRESCRIBE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION AND TO PROVIDE FOR ITS ORGANIZATION AND MEETINGS; TO PROVIDE THE COMMISSION'S FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES; TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION TO SUBMIT A WRITTEN REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE NOT LATER THAN ONE YEAR AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE COMMISSION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Commission for Racial Reconciliation Act."

     SECTION 2.  (1)  There is established the Commission for Racial Reconciliation.

     The commission shall work to eliminate discrimination, prejudice, intolerance and bigotry in housing, recreation, education, health, employment, public accommodations and justice, regardless of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic status, presence of children, or source of income, and promote goodwill, cooperation, understanding and human relations among all residents.

          (a)  The commission shall have the following functions and duties:

               (i)  Keep minutes of its meetings, and make those minutes available to the public;

               (ii)  Hold regular public meetings when and where it sees fit;

               (iii)  Receive written public comments in a manner and under the terms and conditions as it sees fit;

               (iv)  Consult with experts, representatives of organizations and associations, and others, as it sees fit, whose knowledge or expertise may assist the commission

in making its recommendations;

               (v)  Submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Mississippi Legislature not later than one (1) year after the date of the first meeting of the commission.

     SECTION 3.  (1)  The Commission for Racial Reconciliation shall be composed of thirteen (13) members to be appointed as follows:

          (a)  Three (3) members appointed by the Governor;

          (b)  Three (3) members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

          (c)  One (1) member appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate; and

          (d)  Six (6) members selected from major civil societies and reparations organizations that have historically championed the cause of reparatory justice for African Americans.

     All appointments to the commission shall be made not later than August 1, 2022.

     (2)  All members of the commission shall be persons who are especially qualified to serve on the commission by virtue of their education, training, activism or experience, particularly in the field of African-American studies and reparatory justice.

     (3)  A vacancy in the commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.

     (4)  The chair of the commission shall be chosen by majority vote of the members of the commission.  Seven (7) members of the commission shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number may hold hearings.  The commission 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.

     (5)  A majority vote of the members of the commission shall be required for the adoption of any reports and recommendations. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History shall provide meeting space and clerical support for the operation of the commission.

     (6)  Members of the commission shall receive no compensation for their service on the commission, 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.

     SECTION 4.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.