Bill Text: MS HC5 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Constitution; amend to provide that the Legislature shall meet in regular session only once every two years for 125 days.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2017-01-31 - Died In Committee [HC5 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2017-HC5-Introduced.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2017 Regular Session

To: Constitution

By: Representative Wilson

House Concurrent Resolution 5

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 36, MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890, TO PROVIDE THAT BEGINNING IN 2024, THE LEGISLATURE SHALL MEET IN REGULAR SESSION ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS RATHER THAN ANNUALLY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE BIENNIAL SESSIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE SHALL LAST FOR 125 CALENDAR DAYS; 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 * * * A.D., 19702024, and * * * annuallyevery two (2) years thereafter, unless sooner convened by the Governor; * * *, andprovided, however, * * * that such those sessions shall be limited to a period of one hundred twenty-five (125) calendar days * * * for the regular * * * 1972 session in 2020 and every fourth year thereafter, * * * butand ninety (90) calendar days for * * * every other the regular session in 2022 and every fourth year thereafter.  * * * Provided furtherHowever, thatthe 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 * * * such limited any regular 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 2018 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 2024, the Legislature shall meet in regular session once every two (2) years rather than annually and each such biennial session shall last for one hundred twenty-five (125) calendar days."