Bill Text: MS SC684 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

Mississippi Senate Concurrent Resolution 684 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Create a study committee to study economic development in low-income census tracts.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)

Status: (Failed) 2012-05-03 - Died In Committee [SC684 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2012-SC684-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2012 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Horhn, Simmons (13th), Simmons (12th), Butler (36th), Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Butler (38th), Jordan, Jones, Frazier, Dawkins

Senate Concurrent Resolution 684

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO CREATE A STUDY COMMITTEE TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY ACT, TO STUDY METHODS TO ENCOURAGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN LOW-INCOME CENSUS TRACTS AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS THEREON TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That:

(1) There is hereby created a study committee to assess the effectiveness of the Growth and Prosperity Act and to study methods to encourage economic growth in census tracts in which thirty percent (30%) or more of the population in such tracts is at or below the federal poverty level according to the latest official data compiled by the United States Census Bureau. The committee shall make a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature during the 2013 Regular Session, including any recommended legislation.

(2) The committee shall be composed of the following members:

(a) The Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, or his designee;

(b) The Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, or his designee;

(d) The Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, or his designee;

(e) Three (3) members of the Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, two (2) of whom shall represent a district that contains census tracts in which thirty percent (30%) or more of the population in such tracts is at or below the federal poverty level according to the latest official data compiled by the United States Census Bureau; and

(f) Three (3) members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two (2) of whom shall represent a district that contains census tracts in which thirty percent (30%) or more of the population in such tracts is at or below the federal poverty level according to the latest official data compiled by the United States Census Bureau.

Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the adoption of this resolution by the Legislature, and, within fifteen (15) days thereafter on a day to be designated jointly by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House, the committee shall meet and organize by selecting from its membership a chairman and a vice chairman. The vice chairman shall also serve as secretary and shall be responsible for keeping all records of the committee. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. In the selection of its officers and the adoption of rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the committee shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, such notices to be mailed at least five (5) days prior to the date on which a meeting is to be held.

(3) The committee shall assess the effectiveness of the Growth and Prosperity Act and shall study and make recommendations with respect to the Growth and Prosperity Act and with respect to methods to encourage economic growth in census tracts in which thirty percent (30%) or more of the population in such tracts is at or below the federal poverty level according to the latest official data compiled by the United States Census Bureau.

(4) Members of the committee shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same manner as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem or expense for attending meetings of the committee will be paid while the Legislature is in session. No committee member may incur per diem, travel or other expenses unless previously authorized by vote, at a meeting of the committee, which action shall be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting.

(5) The committee shall utilize clerical and legal staff already employed by the Legislature, including, but not limited to, the staff of the Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review Committee (PEER), and any other staff assistance made available to it. To effectuate the purpose of this resolution, any department, division, board, bureau, commission or agency of the state, including, but not limited to, the Mississippi Development Authority shall, at the request of the chairman of the committee, provide to the committee such facilities, assistance and data as will enable the committee properly to carry out its task.

(6) Upon presentation of its report to the 2013 Regular

Session, the committee shall be dissolved.