House Concurrent Resolution 47

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 36, MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING IN 2014, THE LEGISLATURE SHALL MEET IN REGULAR SESSION ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS RATHER THAN ANNUALLY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the following amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 is proposed to the qualified electors of the state:

Amend Section 36, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to read as follows:

"Section 36. The Legislature shall meet at the seat of government in regular session on the Tuesday after the first Monday of January of the year 2014 and every two (2) years thereafter, unless sooner convened by the Governor; * * * however, those sessions shall be limited to a period of one hundred twenty-five (125) calendar days for the regular * * * session in 2016 and every fourth year thereafter, and ninety (90) calendar days for the regular session in 2014 and every fourth year thereafter. However, the House of Representatives, by resolution with the Senate concurring therein, and by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting in each house, may extend any limited session for a period of thirty (30) days with no limit on the number of extensions to each session."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this proposed amendment shall be submitted by the Secretary of State to the qualified electors at an election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2012 as provided by Section 273 of the Constitution and by general law.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the explanation of this proposed amendment for the ballot shall read as follows: "This proposed amendment provides that beginning in 2014, the Legislature shall meet in regular session once every two years rather than annually."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this resolution, immediately upon adoption by the Legislature and upon ratification by the qualified electors of this state, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.