Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-1.104 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 43-1.104
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-1.104
Status: in_force

(1) To the extent necessary to avoid a denial of funds or services from the United States which would otherwise be available to the state, the Governor, by executive order, may suspend, in whole or in part, one or more provisions of this chapter. The Governor, by executive order, shall declare the termination of a suspension as soon as it is no longer necessary to prevent the loss of funds or services from the United States.

(2) If any provision of this chapter is suspended pursuant to this section, the Governor shall promptly report the suspension to the Legislature. The report may include recommendations concerning desirable legislation that may be necessary to conform this chapter to federal law, including the exemption, if appropriate, of a particular program from the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-33 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 65-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-33
Status: in_force

If, during the course of an audit, an auditor determines that criminal activity may be involved, then investigative records shall be confidential until the audit is complete and shall be provided to the university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president or agency director and shall be forwarded to the Attorney General to determine if a criminal prosecution shall proceed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-1-49 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-1-49
Status: in_force

If any county officer or his deputy shall unlawfully purchase or become interested in any certificate or claim of any kind payable out of the county treasury or in any witness certificate issued in a civil case, the person selling any such claim or certificate may recover the face value thereof of such officer on his official bond; and he shall not be required to account for what he received when he sold.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-17 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 19 / Section 65-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-17
Status: in_force

(1) Audit reports shall be confidential but shall be provided on a quarterly basis to the governing board or commission of the university, the community/junior college or the state agency. State agencies without a governing board or commission shall have the quarterly report provided to the Governor and the State Auditor.

(2) When the university, community/junior college or agency internal audit director or a member of his or her staff receives from an individual a complaint or information protected by whistleblower or other legislation, the name or identity of the individual shall not be disclosed without the written consent of the individual, or unless required by law or judicial processes.

(3) The director and the internal audit staff shall have access to all personnel and any records, data and other information of the university, community/junior college or state agency deemed necessary to carry out assigned duties. The university, community/junior college or agency internal audit director shall maintain the confidentiality of any public records that are made confidential by law, and shall be subject to the same penalties as the custodian of those public records for violating confidentiality statutes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-11 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 15 / Section 55-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-11
Status: in_force

If the record lost, destroyed, or stolen be that of a pending suit, or a part thereof, process on the petition for its substitution may be returnable on any day of a term of court, and it may be served on the attorney of the party defendant to the petition; but in such case the plaintiff or complainant, if he so elect, may bring another suit on the same cause of action.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-33 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 32 / Section 34-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-33
Status: in_force

(1) Every notary public appointed and commissioned must procure, at his own expense, a suitable official seal. The official seal of a notary public must:

(a) Include the notary public's name, jurisdiction, commission expiration date and other information required by the Secretary of State; and

(b) Be capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed or attached or with which it is logically associated.

(2) The board of supervisors of every county must provide an official seal, with the inscription “notary public” around the margin and the image of an eagle in the center, which official seal must be kept in the office of the clerk of the circuit court. A judge, chancellor, clerk or deputy clerk of a court of this state, the Mississippi Secretary of State or an Assistant Secretary of State of this state may use the official seal to perform a notarial act under Section 25-34-21(1)(b) or (c) .

(3) On the death or adjudication of incompetency of a current or former notary public, the notary public's personal representative or guardian or any other person knowingly in possession of the official seal shall destroy or deface, as soon as reasonably practicable, all official seals of the notary public so that they may not be misused.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-53 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 15 / Section 34-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-53
Status: in_force

A commission as a notary public in effect on July 1, 2021, continues until its date of expiration. A notary public who applies to renew a commission as a notary public on or after July 1, 2021, is subject to and must comply with this chapter. A notary public, in performing notarial acts after July 1, 2021, must comply with this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.101 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / Section 43-3.101
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.101
Status: in_force

(1) In addition to seeking information by other methods, an agency, before filing of a notice of proposed rule adoption under Section 25-43-3.103 , may solicit comments from the public on a subject matter of possible rule-making under active consideration within the agency by causing notice to be filed with the Secretary of State for publication in the administrative bulletin of the subject matter and indicating where, when and how persons may comment.

(2) Each agency may also appoint committees of nonagency personnel or other members of the public to comment, before filing of a notice of proposed rule adoption under Section 25-43-3.103 , on the subject matter of a possible rule-making under active consideration within the agency. The membership of those committees must be filed with the Secretary of State for publication in the administrative bulletin.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-45-7 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 45-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-45-7
Status: in_force

Each agency of the state may consult with the Central Data Processing Authority created under the provisions of Section 25-53-1 et seq. in all instances where the Central Data Processing Authority may be of assistance in developing and/or implementing a plan or program for “one-stop permitting.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 65 / Section 65-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-3
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a full-time program of internal auditing to assist in improving university, community/junior college and agency operations, to verify the existence of assets and to identify opportunities for cost savings and revenue enhancement. The university, community/junior college or agency internal audit director shall furnish independent analyses, appraisals and recommendations concerning the adequacy of each university, community/junior college and state agency's systems of internal control, and the efficiency and effectiveness of university, community/junior college and agency management in carrying out assigned responsibilities in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. The internal auditing program shall evaluate and advise the organization in the establishment of controls necessary to accomplish university, community/junior college and agency goals and objectives at reasonable costs. The university, community/junior college or agency internal audit director shall be alert to the possibility of abuse or illegal acts, errors and omissions, and conflict of interest.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-29 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 34-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-29
Status: in_force

(1) In this section, “ foreign state ” means a government other than the United States, a state of the United States or a federally recognized Indian tribe.

(2) If a notarial act is performed under authority and in the jurisdiction of a foreign state or constituent unit of the foreign state or is performed under the authority of a multinational or international governmental organization, the act has the same effect under the law of this state as though performed by a notarial officer of this state.

(3) If the title of office and indication of authority to perform notarial acts in a foreign state appears in a digest of foreign law or in a list customarily used as a source for that information, the authority of an officer with that title to perform notarial acts is established conclusively.

(4) The signature and official seal of an individual holding an office described in subsection (3) are prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine and the individual holds the designated title.

(5) An apostille in the form prescribed by the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, and issued by a foreign state party to the Convention conclusively establishes that the signature of the notarial officer is genuine and that the officer holds the indicated office.

(6) A consular authentication issued by an individual designated by the United States Department of State as a notarizing officer for performing notarial acts overseas and attached to the record with respect to which the notarial act is performed conclusively establishes that the signature of the notarial officer is genuine and that the officer holds the indicated office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-15 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 34 / Section 61-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-15
Status: in_force

Any person who shall deny to any person access to any public record which is not exempt from the provisions of this chapter or who charges an unreasonable fee for providing a public record may be liable civilly in his personal capacity in a sum not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per violation, plus all reasonable expenses incurred by such person bringing the proceeding.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-4 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 19 / Section 32-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-4
Status: in_force

The public defender of the Seventh Circuit Court District may appoint three (3) full-time assistant public defenders who shall perform duties in the Seventh Circuit Court District and the Capitol Complex Improvement District (CCID) Inferior Court. Such appointments shall be made in addition to those authorized as of July 1, 2023 in Section 25-32-3 . The full-time assistant public defenders shall receive compensation in an amount equal to the compensation paid to full-time assistant public defenders in the Seventh Circuit Court District subject to available funds specifically appropriated by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-13 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 32-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-13
Status: in_force

(1) If the court finds that indigent defendants have such conflicts of interests that they all cannot be properly represented by the public defender, or when other good cause is shown in the trial court or on appeal, the court shall appoint separate counsel as provided in Section 99-15-15, Mississippi Code of 1972 . In such cases, the fees allowed appointed counsel in Section 99-15-17, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall apply.

(2) If the court finds that an indigent is a defendant in a case of such a nature that he cannot be properly represented by the public defender alone, the court shall appoint additional counsel to assist the public defender as provided in Section 99-15-15, Mississippi Code of 1972 . In such cases, the fees allowed appointed counsel in Section 99-15-17, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall apply.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-8 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 17 / Section 31-8
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-8
Status: in_force

From and after July 1, 2006, in all circuit court districts in this state existing now or hereafter created, the district attorney shall receive from sums appropriated for such purpose from the General Fund or any special fund of the State of Mississippi, an office operating allowance for the necessary expenses of operating the office of the district attorney, including stenographic help, and other items and expenditures necessary and incident to the investigation of criminal cases, the general expenses of the office of the investigation of criminal cases, the general expenses of the office of the district attorney for preparing and/or trying felony cases and all other cases requiring the services of the district attorney, the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) for each district, and an additional Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) for each assistant authorized by Section 25-31-5(1) . All expenditures made from such office operating allowances shall be upon written requisition of the duly elected district attorney to the State Auditor, as otherwise provided by law. The district attorney may delegate to the board of supervisors of any county in his district the responsibility and authority to employ and set the salary of not more than one (1) employee for the office of such district attorney, such salary to be paid as other expenditures are paid from the funds provided by this section. Such employee shall be deemed to be appointed and employed by the board of supervisors and the salary shall not be deemed to be a pecuniary benefit provided by the district attorney's office. The district attorney shall be authorized to assign the duties of any employees regardless of the source of funding for such employees.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-37 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 31 / Section 31-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-37
Status: in_force

(1) The District Attorney of the Seventh Circuit Court District may appoint two (2) full-time assistant district attorneys in addition to those authorized as of July 1, 2023, in Section 25-31-5 . The full-time assistant district attorneys shall receive compensation in an amount equal to the compensation paid to full-time assistant district attorneys in the Seventh Circuit Court District subject to available funds specifically appropriated therefor by the Legislature.

(2) The District Attorney of the Seventh Circuit Court District may appoint one (1) full-time criminal investigator in addition to the criminal investigators authorized as of July 1, 2023 in Section 25-31-10 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-11 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 19 / Section 32-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-11
Status: in_force

The duties of the public defender shall include the investigation of charges against the defendant and all facts surrounding the same, and shall include courtroom and appellate appearances on behalf of the defendant in all cases originating in state and county courts. The public defender shall have free access to the accused who shall have process to compel the attendance of witnesses in his favor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-231 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 53 / Section 53-231
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-231
Status: in_force

There is hereby created the “Cyber Security Review Board,” which shall be responsible for ensuring a collaborative effort is made to address the cybersecurity threat posed to the State of Mississippi. Responsibilities of the board include creating a system of reporting cybersecurity attacks within the state, researching and implementing best practices to mitigate cybersecurity risks, and connecting individuals and entities with federal and industry partners.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 59-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-3
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter:

(a) “Department” shall mean the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

(b) “Public records” shall mean all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings or other materials regardless of physical form or characteristics made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency or by any appointed or elected official. Books, periodicals and other published material normally found in a library are excluded from this definition.

(c) “State record” shall mean a record which normally is maintained within the custody or control of a state agency or by any appointed or elected state official or any other record which is designated or treated as a state record according to general law.

(d) “Vital record” shall mean any record vital to the resumption of the legal and financial status of government in the state or to the protection and fulfillment of obligations to the citizens of the state of Mississippi.

(e) “Agency” shall mean any state office, department, division, board, bureau, commission, institution of higher learning or other separate unit or institution of state government created or established by law.

(f) “Mississippi State Archives” shall mean an establishment maintained by the department for the preservation of those public records and other documentary materials that have been determined by the department to have sufficient historical or other enduring value to warrant their continued preservation by the state and that have been accepted by the department for deposit in its custody.

(g) “Records center” shall mean an establishment maintained by the department primarily for the processing, servicing and security of public records that must be retained for varying periods of time but need not be retained in an agency's office, equipment or space.

(h) “Records control schedule” shall mean a set of instructions prescribing how long, where or in what form records shall be kept.

(i) “Records management” shall mean the application of management techniques to the creation, utilization, maintenance, retention, preservation and disposal of records undertaken to reduce costs and improve efficiency of record-keeping. Records management includes management of filing and microfilm equipment and supplies, filing and information retrieval systems, historical documentation, micrographics, records system scheduling and vital records protection.

(j) “Director” shall mean the director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

(k) “State records committee” shall mean a committee established by this chapter whose duties are to review, approve, disapprove, amend or modify records control schedules submitted by agency heads.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-1-113 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-113
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-1-113
Status: in_force

(1) From and after July 1, 2013, the state and any county, municipality or any other political subdivision shall not employ a person who has been convicted or pled guilty in any court of this state, another state, or in federal court of any felony in which public funds were unlawfully taken, obtained or misappropriated in the abuse or misuse of the person's office or employment or money coming into the person's hands by virtue of the person's office or employment.

(2) From and after July 1, 2014, the state and any county, municipality or any other political subdivision shall not employ or continue to employ a person who has been convicted or pled guilty in any court of this state, another state, or in federal court of any felony in which public funds were unlawfully taken, obtained or misappropriated in the abuse or misuse of the person's office or employment or money coming into the person's hands by virtue of the person's office or employment.

(3) From and after July 1, 2023, the state and any county, municipality or any other political subdivision shall not hire any person who appears on the registry created in Sections Title 45, Chapter 51, Mississippi Code of 1972 for any position in accounting, or in a treasury or registrar office, or in any office where monies are collected or received directly from rate or fee payers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-115 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 4 / Section 4-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-115
Status: in_force

This article shall not bar, suspend or otherwise restrict any right or liability to damage, penalty, forfeiture, restitution or other remedy authorized by law to be recovered or enforced in a civil action, regardless of whether the conduct involved in the proceeding constituted an offense covered by this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-2.103 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 19 / Section 43-2.103
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-2.103
Status: in_force

(1) Any person with a substantial interest in the subject matter may make a written request of an agency for a declaratory opinion as to the applicability to specified circumstances of a statute, rule or order within the primary jurisdiction of the agency. Such written request must clearly set forth the specific facts upon which an opinion is asked for and shall be limited to a single transaction or occurrence. An agency, through the agency head or its designee(s) by rule, shall issue a declaratory opinion in response to a written request for that opinion unless the agency determines that issuance of the opinion under the circumstances would be contrary to a rule adopted in accordance with subsection (2) of this section.

(2) Each agency shall issue rules that provide for: (a) the form, contents and filing of written requests for declaratory opinions; (b) the procedural rights of persons in relation to the written requests; and (c) the disposition of the written requests. Those rules must describe the classes of circumstances in which the agency will not issue a declaratory opinion.

(3) Within forty-five (45) days after receipt of a written request for a declaratory opinion, an agency, in writing, shall:

(a) Issue an opinion declaring the applicability of the statute, rule or order in question to the specified circumstances;

(b) Agree to issue a declaratory opinion by a specified time but no later than ninety (90) days after receipt of the written request; or

(c) Decline to issue a declaratory opinion, stating the reasons for its action.

(4) A copy of all opinions issued in response to a written request for a declaratory opinion must be mailed promptly to the requesting person.

(5)(a) When any person receives a declaratory opinion from an agency and shall have stated all the facts to govern such opinion, the agency shall take no civil or criminal action against such person who, in good faith, follows the direction of such opinion and acts in accordance therewith unless a court of competent jurisdiction, after a full hearing, shall judicially declare that such opinion is manifestly wrong and without any substantial support. No declaratory opinion shall be given or considered if the opinion is requested after suit is filed or prosecution begun. Any declaratory opinion rendered pursuant to this chapter shall not be binding or effective for any third party or person other than the agency issuing the declaratory opinion and the person to whom the opinion is issued and shall not be used as precedent for any other transaction or occurrence beyond that set forth by the requesting person.

(b) The authority of persons to request and receive agency declaratory opinions in no way affects the ability of any person authorized by Section 7-5-25 to request a legal opinion from the Attorney General.

(c) Subject to any confidentiality provisions established by law, each agency shall make all declaratory opinions available for public inspection and copying and shall index them by name and subject, unless information contained within such opinions is confidential by statute or exempt from public disclosure pursuant to another provision of law.

(6) Without in any way limiting a person's right to request and receive a declaratory opinion under this section, or an agency's duty to issue a declaratory opinion under this section, nothing contained in this section shall prohibit an agency from providing informal responses or advice, orally or in writing, to any inquiries or requests for information submitted to the agency. Informal responses shall not be considered a declaratory opinion under this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-7 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 19 / Section 65-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-7
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall only apply (a) to the following universities: (i) Alcorn State University, (ii) Delta State University, (iii) Jackson State University, (iv) Mississippi State University, (v) Mississippi State University Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station, (vi) Mississippi State University Cooperative Extension Service, (vii) Mississippi State University Forest and Wildlife Research Center, (viii) Mississippi State University State Chemical Laboratory, (ix) Mississippi University for Women, (x) Mississippi Valley State University, (xi) The University of Mississippi, (xii) University of Mississippi Medical Center and the (xiii) University of Southern Mississippi; (b) to the following community/junior colleges: (i) Coahoma Community College, (ii) Copiah-Lincoln Community College, (iii) East Central Community College, (iv) East Mississippi Community College, (v) Hinds Community College, (vi) Holmes Community College, (vii) Itawamba Community College, (viii) Jones County Junior College, (ix) Meridian Community College, (x) Mississippi Delta Community College, (xi) Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, (xii) Northeast Mississippi Community College, (xiii) Northwest Mississippi Community College, (xiv) Pearl River Community College and (xv) Southwest Mississippi Community College; and (c) to the following agencies: (i) the Department of Finance and Administration, (ii) the State Tax Commission, (iii) the Department of Education, (iv) the State Department of Health, (v) the Department of Mental Health, (vi) the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, (vii) the Mississippi Development Authority, (viii) the Department of Environmental Quality, (ix) the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, (x) the Department of Corrections, (xi) the Division of Medicaid, (xii) the Department of Rehabilitation Services, (xiii) the Department of Public Safety, (xiv) the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, (xv) the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, (xvi) the Public Employees Retirement System, (xvii) the Mississippi Department of Transportation, (xviii) the Mississippi Gaming Commission and (xix) the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-37 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / Section 31-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-37
Status: in_force

(1) The District Attorney of the Seventh Circuit Court District may appoint two (2) full-time assistant district attorneys in addition to those authorized as of July 1, 2023, in Section 25-31-5 . The full-time assistant district attorneys shall receive compensation in an amount equal to the compensation paid to full-time assistant district attorneys in the Seventh Circuit Court District subject to available funds specifically appropriated therefor by the Legislature.

(2) The District Attorney of the Seventh Circuit Court District may appoint one (1) full-time criminal investigator in addition to the criminal investigators authorized as of July 1, 2023 in Section 25-31-10 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-45-17 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 15 / Section 45-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-45-17
Status: in_force

Each agency within the state shall cooperate to the greatest extent possible with other state agencies and the Department of Economic Development in carrying out the terms, provisions and intent of Sections 25-45-13 through 25-45-17 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-45-13 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / Section 45-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-45-13
Status: in_force

(1) It is the intent of the Legislature by Sections 25-45-13 through 25-45-17 to make permitting more effective in order to improve economic development within the State of Mississippi. In accordance with this intent, the Mississippi Department of Economic Development shall coordinate and implement the terms and provisions of Sections 25-45-1 through 25-45-9 , which provide for “one-stop permitting,” and serve as liaison between all agencies of the state affected by those sections in order to implement same, through the functions outlined as follows:

(a) Participating in the initial permit contact with industry;

(b) Providing general permit information;

(c) Arranging meetings with pertinent regulatory agencies;

(d) Acting as industry's advocate in obtaining environmental permits; and

(e) Considering various data bases and other relevant planning information to assist the industrial prospect in the location and permitting process.

(2) A Department of Economic Development representative shall:

(a) Attend all meetings of the permit board created by Section 49-17-28 and all permit considerations by agencies of the State of Mississippi; and

(b) Prepare reports as needed, including incidences of unusual delays in permit issuance, and make recommendations from time to time for improvement of the permit issuance process.

(3) The Department of Economic Development shall prepare and publish:

(a) A directory or inventory of business and industry permits;

(b) A guide to required environmental permits in Mississippi; and

(c) A master permit information form.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-233 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / Section 53-233
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-233
Status: in_force

The Cyber Security Review Board, hereafter referred to as the “board,” shall consist of the following seven (7) members:

(a) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, or his or her designee, as chairman of the board;

(b) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, or his or her designee, as vice chairman of the board;

(c) The Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, or his or her designee;

(d) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, or his or her designee;

(e) The Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, or his or her designee;

(f) The State Superintendent of Education, as appointed by the Mississippi Board of Education, or his or her designee; and

(g) The Attorney General of Mississippi, or his or her designee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-45 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-45
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to claim, receive, approve, or allow any item of expense for official travel in excess of that authorized by Section 25-3-41 .

If any person shall knowingly and wilfully violate any of the provisions of said section, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) and, in addition, shall be removed from the office or position which he holds. Such person shall also be civilly liable for the full amount of the expense account illegally received, allowed, or approved by him, and the person receiving same shall be so liable whether the violation be wilful or not.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-193 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 45 / Section 53-193
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-193
Status: in_force

(1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the “National Security on State Devices and Networks Act.”

(2) For the purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Prohibited technology ” means any information technology deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the security of the United States and/or the State of Mississippi by Mississippi and/or federal law, regulation, or guidance.

(b) “ State-issued devices ” means any desktop computer, laptop computer, cell phone, tablet or any other device capable of internet connectivity that is issued to a state employee pursuant to his or her employment and for use in carrying out his or her professional duties.

(c) “ State-operated networks ” means any telecommunications network, including, but not limited to, wireless local area networks, wireless guest networks, virtual private networks, or other information technology network systems owned or operated by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services or any other state agency.

(d) “ State agency ” means any agency, department, commission, board, bureau, institution or other instrumentality of the state.

(e) “ State employee ” means an employee or agent complying with and performing duties on behalf of the state.

(3) No state employee shall download, access, or use a prohibited technology on a state-issued device or a state-operated network.

(4) The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, or any other appropriate state agency, shall restrict the download, access or use of prohibited technologies on state-operated networks. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall maintain and timely update a publicly available list of such prohibited technologies on its website.

(5) The provisions of this section shall not apply to law enforcement agencies of the state or its political subdivisions when downloading, accessing, or using a prohibited technology is necessary to carry out their official duties for bona fide law enforcement, investigative or public safety purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.110 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 32 / Section 43-3.110
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.110
Status: in_force

(1) An agency shall maintain an official rule-making record for each rule it (a) proposes or (b) adopts. The agency has the exclusive authority to prepare and exclusive authority to certify the record or any part thereof, including, but not limited to, any transcript of the proceedings, and the agency's certificate shall be accepted by the court and by any other agency. The record must be available for public inspection.

(2) The agency rule-making record must contain:

(a) Copies of all notices of proposed rule-making or oral proceedings or other publications in the administrative bulletin with respect to the rule or the proceeding upon which the rule is based;

(b) Copies of any portions of the agency's public rule-making docket containing entries relating to the rule or the proceeding upon which the rule is based;

(c) All written requests, submissions and comments received by the agency and all other written materials considered by the agency in connection with the formulation, proposal or adoption of the rule or the proceeding upon which the rule is based;

(d) Any official transcript of oral presentations made in the proceeding upon which the rule is based or, if not transcribed, any tape recording or stenographic record of those presentations, and any memorandum prepared by a presiding official summarizing the contents of those presentations. The word “ transcript ” includes a written transcript, a printed transcript, an audible audiotape or videotape that is indexed and annotated so that it is readily accessible and any other means that the agency may have by rule provided for the reliable and accessible preservation of the proceeding;

(e) A copy of any economic impact statement prepared for the proceeding upon which the rule is based; and

(f) A copy of the rule and related information set out in Section 25-43-3.109 as filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.

(3) The agency shall have authority to engage such persons and acquire such equipment as may be reasonably necessary to record and preserve in any technically and practicably feasible manner all matters and all proceedings had at any rule-making proceeding.

(4) Upon judicial review, the record required by this section constitutes the official agency rule-making record with respect to a rule. Except as otherwise required by a provision of law, the agency rule-making record need not constitute the exclusive basis for agency action on that rule or for judicial review thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-17 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 41-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-17
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to chance meetings or social gatherings of members of a public body.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-31 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 58 / Section 65-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-31
Status: in_force

Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year, the university, community/junior college or agency internal audit director shall issue an annual report which separately lists audit reports issued, and other activities completed or in progress as of the end of the fiscal year. The annual report shall describe accomplishments of the internal audit activities. Copies of the report shall be provided to the governing board or commission and the university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president or the agency head and the audit committee. The annual report shall be provided upon request to the State Auditor or other external auditor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-27 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / Section 65-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-27
Status: in_force

The university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president or the agency director shall:

(a) Review and approve the annual internal audit plan and budget, internal and external audit reports, follow-up reports and quality assurance reviews;

(b) Periodically meet with the agency internal audit director to discuss pertinent matters, including whether there are any restrictions on the scope of audits; and
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-117 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 31 / Section 53-117
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-117
Status: in_force

No agency shall be permitted to obligate the state to any vendor source for a telecommunications system of any kind. All transactions dealing with a telecommunications system shall be conducted through the bureau, and any vendor found in violation of this policy may be prohibited from bidding on such systems for a period of time commensurate with the severity of the violation. Provided, however, that this period shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-1 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 3 / Section 4-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-1
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby declares it essential to the proper operation of democratic government that public officials and employees be independent and impartial; that governmental decisions and policy be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure; that public office not be used for private gain other than the remuneration provided by law; that there be public confidence in the integrity of government; and that public officials be assisted in determinations of conflicts of interest.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-17 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 15 / Section 32-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-17
Status: in_force

The compensation, administrative staff, office space and secretarial assistance shall not be reduced or diminished but may be increased during the term of the public defender.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-2.101 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 17 / Section 43-2.101
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-2.101
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the Secretary of State shall prescribe a uniform numbering system, form, style and transmitting format for all proposed and adopted rules caused to be published by him and, with prior approval of each respective agency involved, may edit rules for publication and codification without changing the meaning or effect of any rule.

(2) The Secretary of State shall cause an administrative bulletin to be published in a format and at such regular intervals as the Secretary of State shall prescribe by rule. Upon proper filing of proposed rules, the Secretary of State shall publish them in the administrative bulletin as expeditiously as possible. The administrative bulletin must contain:

(a) Notices of proposed rule adoption prepared so that the text of the proposed rule shows the text of any existing rule proposed to be changed and the change proposed;

(b) Any other notices and materials designated by law for publication therein; and

(c) An index to its contents by subject.

(3) The Secretary of State shall cause an administrative bulletin to be published in a format and at such regular intervals as the Secretary of State shall prescribe by rule. Upon proper filing of newly adopted rules, the Secretary of State shall publish them as expeditiously as possible. The administrative bulletin must contain:

(a) Newly filed adopted rules prepared so that the text shows the text of any existing rule being changed and the change being made;

(b) Any other notices and materials designated by law for publication therein; and

(c) An index to its contents by subject.

(4) The Secretary of State retains the authority to reject proposed and newly adopted rules not properly filed in accordance with the Secretary of State's rules prescribing the numbering system, form, style or transmitting format for such filings. The Secretary of State shall not be empowered to reject filings for reasons of the substance or content or any proposed or newly adopted rule. The Secretary of State shall notify the agency of its rejection of a proposed or newly adopted rule as expeditiously as possible and accompany such notification with a stated reason for the rejection. A rejected filing of a proposed or newly adopted rule does not constitute filing pursuant to Section 25-43-3.101 et seq. of this chapter.

(5)(a) The Secretary of State shall cause an administrative code to be compiled, indexed by subject and published in a format prescribed by the Secretary of State by rule. All of the effective rules of each agency must be published and indexed in that publication. The Secretary of State shall also cause supplements to the administrative code to be published in a format and at such regular intervals as the Secretary of State shall prescribe by rule.

(b) The Joint Legislative Committee on Compilation, Revision and Publication of Legislation is hereby authorized to contract with a reputable and competent publishing company on such terms and conditions and at such prices as may be deemed proper to digest, compile, annotate, index and publish the state agency rules and regulations.

(6)(a) Copyrights of the Mississippi Administrative Code, including, but not limited to, cross references, tables of cases, notes of decisions, tables of contents, indices, source notes, authority notes, numerical lists and codification guides, other than the actual text of rules or regulations, shall be taken by and in the name of the publishers of said compilation. Such publishers shall thereafter promptly assign the same to the State of Mississippi and said copyright shall be owned by the state.

(b) Any information appearing on the same leaf with the text of any rule or regulation may be incidentally reproduced in connection with the reproduction of such rule or regulation, if such reproduction is for private use and not for resale.

(7) The Secretary of State may omit from the administrative bulletin or code any proposed or filed adopted rule, the publication in hard copy of which would be unduly cumbersome, expensive or otherwise inexpedient, if:

(a) Knowledge of the rule is likely to be important to only a small class of persons;

(b) On application to the issuing agency, the proposed or adopted rule in printed or processed form is made available at no more than its cost of reproduction; and

(c) The administrative bulletin or code contains a notice stating in detail the specific subject matter of the omitted proposed or adopted rule and how a copy of the omitted material may be obtained.

(8) The administrative bulletin and administrative code with supplements must be furnished to designated officials without charge and to all subscribers at a reasonable cost to be determined by the Secretary of State. Each agency shall also make available for public inspection and copying those portions of the administrative bulletin and administrative code containing all rules adopted or used by the agency in the discharge of its functions, and the index to those rules.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-51 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 17 / Section 34-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-51
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State may adopt any rules necessary to implement this chapter after complying with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-25 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-25
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (2) through (3) of this section, the salaries of sheriffs of the various counties are fixed as full compensation for their services.

The annual salary for each sheriff shall be based upon the total population of his county according to the latest federal decennial census in the following categories and for the following amounts; however, no sheriff shall be paid less than the salary authorized under this section to be paid the sheriff based upon the population of the county according to the most recent federal decennial census:

(a) For counties with a total population of more than one hundred thousand (100,000), a salary of One Hundred Four Thousand Dollars ($104,000.00).

(b) For counties with a total population of more than forty-four thousand (44,000) and not more than one hundred thousand (100,000), a salary of Ninety-five Thousand Dollars ($95,000.00).

(c) For counties with a total population of more than thirty thousand (30,000) and not more than forty-four thousand (44,000), a salary of Ninety Thousand Dollars ($90,000.00).

(d) For counties with a total population of more than twelve thousand five hundred (12,500) and not more than thirty thousand (30,000), a salary of Eighty-five Thousand Dollars ($85,000.00).

(e) For counties with a total population of not more than twelve thousand five hundred (12,500), a salary of Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00).

(2) In addition to the salary provided in subsection (1) of this section, the board of supervisors of any county, in its discretion, may pay an annual supplement to the sheriff of the county in an amount not to exceed Thirty-five Thousand Dollars ($35,000.00). The amount of the supplement shall be spread on the minutes of the board.

(3) In addition to the salary provided in subsection (1) of this section and any supplements authorized in subsection (2) of this section, a sheriff may receive the premium pay provided for in Section 45-2-41 as part of the sheriff's compensation.

(4)(a) The salaries provided in this section shall be payable monthly on the first day of each calendar month by chancery clerk's warrant drawn on the general fund of the county; however, the board of supervisors, by resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes, may provide that such salaries shall be paid semimonthly on the first and fifteenth day of each month. If a pay date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, salary payments shall be made on the workday immediately preceding the weekend or legal holiday.

(b) At least Ten Dollars ($10.00) from each fee collected and deposited into the county's general fund under the provisions of paragraphs (a) , (c) and (g) of subsection (1) of Section 25-7-19 shall be used for the sheriffs' salaries authorized in Section 25-3-25 ; as such Ten Dollar ($10.00) amount was authorized during the 2007 Regular Session in Chapter 331, Laws of 2007, for the purpose of providing additional monies to the counties for sheriffs' salaries.

(5)(a) All sheriffs, each year, shall attend twenty (20) hours of continuing education courses in law enforcement. Such courses shall be approved by the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. Such education courses may be provided by an accredited law enforcement academy or by the Mississippi Sheriffs' Association.

(b) The Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training shall reimburse each county for the expenses incurred by sheriffs and deputy sheriffs for attendance at any approved training programs as required by this subsection.

(6) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, no sheriff shall receive for his services an annual salary less than the salary paid to that sheriff on July 1, 2024.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-11 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / Section 41-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-11
Status: in_force

(1) Minutes shall be kept of all meetings of a public body, whether in open or executive session, showing the members present and absent; the date, time and place of the meeting; an accurate recording of any final actions taken at such meeting; and a record, by individual member, of any votes taken; and any other information that the public body requests be included or reflected in the minutes. The minutes shall be recorded within a reasonable time not to exceed thirty (30) days after recess or adjournment and shall be open to public inspection during regular business hours.

(2) Minutes of a meeting conducted by teleconference or video means shall comply with the requirements of Section 25-41-5 .

(3) Minutes of legislative committee meetings shall consist of a written record of attendance and final actions taken at such meetings.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-29 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 31 / Section 65-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-29
Status: in_force

A State Interagency Internal Audit Forum may be established and composed of agency internal audit directors. The annual report may include a comparison of the annual audit plan for the year with the actual audit report issued and an explanation for any differences. The purpose of the forum will be to promote the exchange of communication, to identify professional development needs and/or conduct or coordinate training programs, to share audit techniques and approaches, and to address ways to improve agency operations and systems of internal control. The forum will elect officers from its membership and may meet periodically throughout the year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-9 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 11-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-9
Status: in_force

(1) Every employee of the state whose services are covered by an agreement entered into under Section 25-11-7 shall be required to pay for the period of such coverage, into the contribution fund established by Section 25-11-13 , contributions, with respect to wages (as defined in Section 25-11-5 of this article), equal to the amount of tax which would be imposed by section 1400 of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act 1 if such services constituted employment within the meaning of that act. Such liability shall arise in consideration of the employee's retention in the service, or his entry upon such service, after the enactment of Articles 1 and 3.

(2) The contribution imposed by this section shall be collected by the state by deducting the amount of the contributions from wages as and when paid, but failure to make such deduction shall not relieve the employee from liability for such contribution.

(3) If more or less than the correct amount of the contribution imposed by this section is paid or deducted with respect to any remuneration, proper adjustments, or refund if adjustment is impracticable, shall be made, without interest, in such manner and at such times as the board shall prescribe.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.101 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 43-4.101
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.101
Status: in_force

This article may be cited as the “Mississippi Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 55 / Section 65-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-5
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ University ” means and includes Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State University Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi University Cooperative Extension Service, Mississippi State University Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University State Chemical Laboratory, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, The University of Mississippi, University of Mississippi Medical Center and the University of Southern Mississippi.

(b) “ Community/Junior college ” means and includes Coahoma Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Central Community College, East Mississippi Community College, Hinds Community College, Holmes Community College, Itawamba Community College, Jones County Junior College, Meridian Community College, Mississippi Delta Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Pearl River Community College and Southwest Mississippi Community College.

(c) “ State agency ” means and includes the Department of Finance and Administration, the State Tax Commission, the Department of Education, the State Department of Health, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the Mississippi Development Authority, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Department of Corrections, the Division of Medicaid, the Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, the Public Employees Retirement System, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Mississippi Gaming Commission and the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

(d) “ Agency head ” means an elected official who heads an agency, an executive director or a governing board or commission responsible for heading an agency or a president or chancellor of a university or a president of a community/junior college.

(e) “ Agency internal audit director ” means the person appointed by the agency head to direct the internal audit function for the state agency. Where consistent with responsibilities described in this chapter, the term agency internal audit director may also be referred to as inspector general, audit director, chief auditor or similar internal audit administrator descriptions.

(f) “ Audit committee ” means a standing committee external to organization management that collectively has the expertise to provide effective guidance regarding the acquisition and provision of internal audit services and to provide guidance in the provision of those services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.104 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 43-3.104
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.104
Status: in_force

(1) For at least twenty-five (25) days after proper filing with the Secretary of State of the notice of proposed rule adoption, an agency shall afford persons the opportunity to submit, in writing, argument, data and views on the proposed rule.

(2)(a) An agency, in its discretion, may schedule an oral proceeding on any proposed rule. However, an agency shall schedule an oral proceeding on a proposed rule if, within twenty (20) days after the proper filing of the notice of proposed rule adoption, a written request for an oral proceeding is submitted by a political subdivision, an agency or ten (10) persons. At that proceeding, persons may present oral or written argument, data and views on the proposed rule.

(b) An oral proceeding on a proposed rule, if required, may not be held earlier than twenty (20) days after notice of its location and time is properly filed with the Secretary of State for publication in the administrative bulletin. Within three (3) days after its proper filing with the Secretary of State for publication in the administrative bulletin, the agency shall cause a copy of the notice of the location and time of the oral proceeding to be mailed to each person who has made a timely request to the agency to be placed on the mailing list maintained by the agency of persons who have requested notices of proposed rule adoptions.

(c) The agency, a member of the agency, or another presiding officer designated by the agency shall preside at a required oral proceeding on a proposed rule. Oral proceedings must be open to the public and may be recorded by stenographic or other means.

(d) An agency may issue rules for the conduct of oral rule-making proceedings or prepare reasonable guidelines or procedures for the conduct of any such proceedings. Those rules may include, but not be limited to, provisions calculated to prevent undue repetition in the oral proceedings.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-33 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 62 / Section 65-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-33
Status: in_force

If, during the course of an audit, an auditor determines that criminal activity may be involved, then investigative records shall be confidential until the audit is complete and shall be provided to the university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president or agency director and shall be forwarded to the Attorney General to determine if a criminal prosecution shall proceed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-53 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 19 / Section 53-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-53
Status: in_force

Information and data shall be considered public record information and data and receive normal handling and processing unless designated as “confidential information” by the agency and institution originating the data. Information and data designated as “confidential information” will receive special handling based on procedures agreed to by the executive director and the agency or institution head and shall be handled in accordance with the oath subscribed to by the confidentiality officer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-15-9 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 15-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-15-9
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The board shall design a plan of health insurance for state employees that provides benefits for semiprivate rooms in addition to other incidental coverages that the board deems necessary. The amount of the coverages shall be in such reasonable amount as may be determined by the board to be adequate, after due consideration of current health costs in Mississippi. The plan shall also include major medical benefits in such amounts as the board determines. The plan shall provide for coverage for telemedicine services as provided in Section 83-9-351 . The board is also authorized to accept bids for such alternate coverage and optional benefits as the board deems proper. The board is authorized to accept bids for surgical services that include assistance in locating a surgeon, setting up initial consultation, travel, a negotiated single case rate bundle and payment for orthopedic, spine, bariatric, cardiovascular and general surgeries. The surgical services may only utilize surgeons and facilities located in the State of Mississippi unless otherwise provided by the board. Any contract for alternative coverage and optional benefits shall be awarded by the board after it has carefully studied and evaluated the bids and selected the best and most cost-effective bid. The board may reject all of the bids; however, the board shall notify all bidders of the rejection and shall actively solicit new bids if all bids are rejected. The board may employ or contract for such consulting or actuarial services as may be necessary to formulate the plan, and to assist the board in the preparation of specifications and in the process of advertising for the bids for the plan. Those contracts shall be solicited and entered into in accordance with Section 25-15-5 . The board shall keep a record of all persons, agents and corporations who contract with or assist the board in preparing and developing the plan. The board in a timely manner shall provide copies of this record to the members of the advisory council created in this section and those legislators, or their designees, who may attend meetings of the advisory council. The board shall provide copies of this record in the solicitation of bids for the administration or servicing of the self-insured program. Each person, agent or corporation that, during the previous fiscal year, has assisted in the development of the plan or employed or compensated any person who assisted in the development of the plan, and that bids on the administration or servicing of the plan, shall submit to the board a statement accompanying the bid explaining in detail its participation with the development of the plan. This statement shall include the amount of compensation paid by the bidder to any such employee during the previous fiscal year. The board shall make all such information available to the members of the advisory council and those legislators, or their designees, who may attend meetings of the advisory council before any action is taken by the board on the bids submitted. The failure of any bidder to fully and accurately comply with this paragraph shall result in the rejection of any bid submitted by that bidder or the cancellation of any contract executed when the failure is discovered after the acceptance of that bid. The board is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this subsection.

The board shall develop plans for the insurance plan authorized by this section in accordance with the provisions of Section 25-15-5 .

Any corporation, association, company or individual that contracts with the board for the third-party claims administration of the self-insured plan shall prepare and keep on file an explanation of benefits for each claim processed. The explanation of benefits shall contain such information relative to each processed claim that the board deems necessary, and, at a minimum, each explanation shall provide the claimant's name, claim number, provider number, provider name, service dates, type of services, amount of charges, amount allowed to the claimant and reason codes. The information contained in the explanation of benefits shall be available for inspection upon request by the board. The board shall have access to all claims information utilized in the issuance of payments to employees and providers.

(b) There is created an advisory council to advise the board in the formulation of the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan. The council shall be composed of the State Insurance Commissioner, or his designee, an employee-representative of the institutions of higher learning appointed by the board of trustees thereof, an employee-representative of the Department of Transportation appointed by the director thereof, an employee-representative of the Department of Revenue appointed by the Commissioner of Revenue, an employee-representative of the Mississippi Department of Health appointed by the State Health Officer, an employee-representative of the Mississippi Department of Corrections appointed by the Commissioner of Corrections, and an employee-representative of the Department of Human Services appointed by the Executive Director of Human Services, two (2) certificated public school administrators appointed by the State Board of Education, two (2) certificated classroom teachers appointed by the State Board of Education, a noncertificated school employee appointed by the State Board of Education and a community/junior college employee appointed by the Mississippi Community College Board.

The Lieutenant Governor may designate the Secretary of the Senate, the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Insurance Committee, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives may designate the Clerk of the House, the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, the Chairman of the House Education Committee and the Chairman of the House Insurance Committee, to attend any meeting of the State and School Employees Insurance Advisory Council. The appointing authorities may designate an alternate member from their respective houses to serve when the regular designee is unable to attend the meetings of the council. Those designees shall have no jurisdiction or vote on any matter within the jurisdiction of the council. For attending meetings of the council, the legislators shall receive per diem and expenses, which shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem and expenses for attending meetings of the council will be paid while the Legislature is in session. No per diem and expenses will be paid except for attending meetings of the council without prior approval of the proper committee in their respective houses.

(c) No change in the terms of the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan may be made effective unless the board, or its designee, has provided notice to the State and School Employees Health Insurance Advisory Council and has called a meeting of the council at least fifteen (15) days before the effective date of the change. If the State and School Employees Health Insurance Advisory Council does not meet to advise the board on the proposed changes, the changes to the plan shall become effective at such time as the board has informed the council that the changes shall become effective.

(d) Medical benefits for retired employees and dependents under age sixty-five (65) years and not eligible for Medicare benefits . For employees who retire before July 1, 2005, and for employees retiring due to work-related disability under the Public Employees' Retirement System, the same health insurance coverage as for all other active employees and their dependents shall be available to retired employees and all dependents under age sixty-five (65) years who are not eligible for Medicare benefits, the level of benefits to be the same level as for all other active participants. For employees who retire on or after July 1, 2005, and not retiring due to work-related disability under the Public Employees' Retirement System, the same health insurance coverage as for all other active employees and their dependents shall be available to those retiring employees and all dependents under age sixty-five (65) years who are not eligible for Medicare benefits only if the retiring employees were participants in the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan for four (4) years or more before their retirement, the level of benefits to be the same level as for all other active participants. This section will apply to those employees who retire due to one hundred percent (100%) medical disability as well as those employees electing early retirement.

(e) Medical benefits for retired employees and dependents over age sixty-five (65) years or otherwise eligible for Medicare benefits. For employees who retire before July 1, 2005, and for employees retiring due to work-related disability under the Public Employees' Retirement System, the health insurance coverage available to retired employees over age sixty-five (65) years or otherwise eligible for Medicare benefits, and all dependents over age sixty-five (65) years or otherwise eligible for Medicare benefits, shall be the major medical coverage. For employees retiring on or after July 1, 2005, and not retiring due to work-related disability under the Public Employees' Retirement System, the health insurance coverage described in this paragraph (e) shall be available to those retiring employees only if they were participants in the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan for four (4) years or more and are over age sixty-five (65) years or otherwise eligible for Medicare benefits, and to all dependents over age sixty-five (65) years or otherwise eligible for Medicare benefits. Benefits shall be reduced by Medicare benefits as though the Medicare benefits were the base plan.

All covered individuals shall be assumed to have full Medicare coverage, Parts A and B; and any Medicare payments under both Parts A and B shall be computed to reduce benefits payable under this plan.

(f) Lifetime maximum: The lifetime maximum amount of benefits payable under the health insurance plan for each participant is Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00).

(2) Nonduplication of benefits--reduction of benefits by Title XIX benefits: When benefits would be payable under more than one (1) group plan, benefits under those plans will be coordinated to the extent that the total benefits under all plans will not exceed the total expenses incurred.

Benefits for hospital or surgical or medical benefits shall be reduced by any similar benefits payable in accordance with Title XIX of the Social Security Act or under any amendments thereto, or any implementing legislation.

Benefits for hospital or surgical or medical benefits shall be reduced by any similar benefits payable by workers' compensation.

No health care benefits under the state plan shall restrict coverage for medically appropriate treatment prescribed by a physician and agreed to by a fully informed insured, or if the insured lacks legal capacity to consent by a person who has legal authority to consent on his or her behalf, based on an insured's diagnosis with a terminal condition. As used in this paragraph, “ terminal condition ” means any aggressive malignancy, chronic end-stage cardiovascular or cerebral vascular disease, or any other disease, illness or condition which physician diagnoses as terminal.

Not later than January 1, 2016, the state health plan shall not require a higher co-payment, deductible or coinsurance amount for patient-administered anti-cancer medications, including, but not limited to, those orally administered or self-injected, than it requires for anti-cancer medications that are injected or intravenously administered by a health care provider, regardless of the formulation or benefit category determination by the plan. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “anti-cancer medications” has the meaning as defined in Section 83-9-24 .

(3)(a) Schedule of life insurance benefits--group term: The amount of term life insurance for each active employee of a department, agency or institution of the state government shall not be in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or twice the amount of the employee's annual wage to the next highest One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), whichever may be less, but in no case less than Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00), with a like amount for accidental death and dismemberment on a twenty-four-hour basis. The plan will further contain a premium waiver provision if a covered employee becomes totally and permanently disabled before age sixty-five (65) years. Employees retiring after June 30, 1999, shall be eligible to continue life insurance coverage in an amount of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) into retirement.

(b) Effective October 1, 1999, schedule of life insurance benefits--group term: The amount of term life insurance for each active employee of any school district, community/junior college, public library or university-based program authorized under Section 37-23-31 for deaf, aphasic and emotionally disturbed children or any regular nonstudent bus driver shall not be in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), or twice the amount of the employee's annual wage to the next highest One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), whichever may be less, but in no case less than Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00), with a like amount for accidental death and dismemberment on a twenty-four-hour basis. The plan will further contain a premium waiver provision if a covered employee of any school district, community/junior college, public library or university-based program authorized under Section 37-23-31 for deaf, aphasic and emotionally disturbed children or any regular nonstudent bus driver becomes totally and permanently disabled before age sixty-five (65) years. Employees of any school district, community/junior college, public library or university-based program authorized under Section 37-23-31 for deaf, aphasic and emotionally disturbed children or any regular nonstudent bus driver retiring after September 30, 1999, shall be eligible to continue life insurance coverage in an amount of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00) into retirement.

(4) Any eligible employee who on March 1, 1971, was participating in a group life insurance program that has provisions different from those included in this article and for which the State of Mississippi was paying a part of the premium may, at his discretion, continue to participate in that plan. The employee shall pay in full all additional costs, if any, above the minimum program established by this article. Under no circumstances shall any individual who begins employment with the state after March 1, 1971, be eligible for the provisions of this subsection.

(5) The board may offer medical savings accounts as defined in Section 71-9-3 as a plan option.

(6) Any premium differentials, differences in coverages, discounts determined by risk or by any other factors shall be uniformly applied to all active employees participating in the insurance plan. It is the intent of the Legislature that the state contribution to the plan be the same for each employee throughout the state.

(7) On October 1, 1999, any school district, community/junior college district or public library may elect to remain with an existing policy or policies of group life insurance with an insurance company approved by the State and School Employees Health Insurance Management Board, in lieu of participation in the State and School Life Insurance Plan. On or after July 1, 2004, until October 1, 2004, any school district, community/junior college district or public library may elect to choose a policy or policies of group life insurance existing on October 1, 1999, with an insurance company approved by the State and School Employees Health Insurance Management Board in lieu of participation in the State and School Life Insurance Plan. The state's contribution of up to fifty percent (50%) of the active employee's premium under the State and School Life Insurance Plan may be applied toward the cost of coverage for full-time employees participating in the approved life insurance company group plan. For purposes of this subsection (7), “ life insurance company group plan ” means a plan administered or sold by a private insurance company. After October 1, 1999, the board may assess charges in addition to the existing State and School Life Insurance Plan rates to such employees as a condition of enrollment in the State and School Life Insurance Plan. In order for any life insurance company group plan to be approved by the State and School Employees Health Insurance Management Board under this subsection (7), it shall meet the following criteria:

(a) The insurance company offering the group life insurance plan shall be rated “A-” or better by A.M. Best state insurance rating service and be licensed as an admitted carrier in the State of Mississippi by the Mississippi Department of Insurance.

(b) The insurance company group life insurance plan shall provide the same life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and waiver of premium benefits as provided in the State and School Life Insurance Plan.

(c) The insurance company group life insurance plan shall be fully insured, and no form of self-funding life insurance by the company shall be approved.

(d) The insurance company group life insurance plan shall have one (1) composite rate per One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) of coverage for active employees regardless of age and one (1) composite rate per One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) of coverage for all retirees regardless of age or type of retiree.

(e) The insurance company and its group life insurance plan shall comply with any administrative requirements of the State and School Employees Health Insurance Management Board. If any insurance company providing group life insurance benefits to employees under this subsection (7) fails to comply with any requirements specified in this subsection or any administrative requirements of the board, the state shall discontinue providing funding for the cost of that insurance.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-51-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 45 / Section 51-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-51-5
Status: in_force

Each agency of state government shall furnish annually to the director of the commission a list of all its publications made available for public distribution.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-62-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 45 / Section 62-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-62-3
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, and subject to subsection (3), a public agency shall not do any of the following:

(a) Require any entity organized under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code to provide the public agency with personal information.

(b) If in the possession of personal information, a public agency shall not release, publicize or otherwise disclose that personal information without the express written permission of every identified member, supporter, volunteer or donor of the Section 501(c) entity as well as the Section 501(c) entity that received their membership, support, volunteer time or donations.

(c) Request or require a current or prospective contractor with the public agency to provide the public agency with a list of entities organized under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code to which it has provided financial or nonfinancial support.

(2) Personal information shall be exempt from disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act.

(3) This chapter does not preclude either of the following:

(a) Any lawful warrant for personal information issued by a court of competent jurisdiction; or

(b) A lawful request for discovery of personal information in litigation if both of the following conditions are met:

(i) The requestor demonstrates a compelling need for the personal information by clear and convincing evidence; and

(ii) The requestor obtains a protective order barring disclosure of personal information to any person not directly involved in the litigation. As used in this subparagraph, “ person ” means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity or other legal entity.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-15-23 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-15-23
Status: in_force

No agency, board, school district, community/junior college, public library, university, institution or authority of the state shall withdraw, or authorize any agency or institution under its management and control to withdraw, from the State and School Employees Life and Health Insurance Plan established under this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-2 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 41 / Section 61-2
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-2
Status: in_force

It is the policy of this state that public records shall be available for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by this chapter; furthermore, providing access to public records is a duty of each public body and automation of public records must not erode the right of access to those records. As each public body increases its use of, and dependence on, electronic record keeping, each public body must ensure reasonable access to records electronically maintained, subject to records retention.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-123 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 53-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-123
Status: in_force

(1) The only method of procurement permitted for the acquisition of nonregulated telecommunications systems, including equipment and related services, shall be in conformity with the following requirements: All acquisitions of telecommunications equipment, systems and related services involving the expenditures of funds in excess of the dollar amount established in Section 31-7-13(c) , or rentals or leases in excess of the dollar amount established in Section 31-7-13(c) , for the term of the contract, shall be based upon competitive and open specifications, and contracts therefor shall be entered into only after advertisements for bids are published in one or more daily newspapers having a general circulation in the state not less than fourteen (14) days prior to receiving sealed bids therefor. The authority may reserve the right to reject any or all bids, and if all bids are rejected, the authority may negotiate a contract within the limitations of the specifications so long as the terms of any such negotiated contract are equal to or better than the comparable terms submitted by the lowest and best bidder, and so long as the total cost to the State of Mississippi does not exceed the lowest bid. If the authority accepts one (1) of such bids, it shall be that which is the lowest and best.

(2) When applicable, the bureau may procure equipment, systems and related services in accordance with the law or regulations, or both, which govern the Bureau of Purchasing of the Governor's Office of General Services or which govern the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services procurement of computer equipment, software and services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.103 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 32 / Section 43-3.103
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.103
Status: repealed

(1) At least twenty-five (25) days before the adoption of a rule an agency shall cause notice of its contemplated action to be properly filed with the Secretary of State for publication in the administrative bulletin. The notice of proposed rule adoption must include:

(a) A short explanation of the purpose of the proposed rule and the agency's reasons for proposing the rule;

(b) The specific legal authority authorizing the promulgation of rules;

(c) A reference to all rules repealed, amended or suspended by the proposed rule;

(d) Subject to Section 25-43-2.101(5) , the text of the proposed rule;

(e) Where, when and how persons may present their views on the proposed rule; and

(f) Where, when and how persons may demand an oral proceeding on the proposed rule if the notice does not already provide for one.

(2) Within three (3) days after its proper filing with the Secretary of State for publication in the administrative bulletin, the agency shall cause a copy of the notice of proposed rule adoption to be provided to each person who has made a timely request to the agency to be placed on the mailing list maintained by the agency of persons who have requested notices of proposed rule adoptions. An agency may mail the copy to the person and may charge the person a reasonable fee for such service, which fee may be in excess of the actual cost of providing the person with a mailed copy. Alternatively, the agency may provide the copy via the Internet or by transmitting it to the person by electronic means, including, but not limited to, facsimile transfer or e-mail at no charge to the person, if the person consents to this form of delivery.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 3 / Section 4-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-5
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the Mississippi Ethics Commission which shall be composed of eight (8) members, each of whom shall be a qualified elector of the State of Mississippi, of good moral character and integrity.

(2) Two (2) members of the commission shall be appointed by each of the following officers in strict accordance with the above standards: the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court. Not more than one (1) person appointed by each appointing authority shall be an elected official.

(3) The members of the initial commission shall be appointed for terms of office expiring one (1), two (2), three (3) and four (4) years, respectively, from November 15, 1979, the members appointed by the Governor having a one-year term and a four-year term, the members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor having a two-year term and a three-year term, the members appointed by the Speaker having a three-year term and a two-year term, and the members appointed by the Chief Justice having a four-year term and a one-year term.

(4) Successors to the members of the initial commission shall each be appointed for terms of four (4) years and until their successors are appointed and have been duly qualified.

(5) If any of the above-listed appointing authorities should fail to make his appointment to the initial commission within forty-five (45) days after November 15, 1979, fail to fill a vacancy within forty-five (45) days after such vacancy occurs, or fail to make his appointment for a full term to the commission, then the Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court shall make such appointment; provided, however, that the term of such appointee shall be for the period prescribed for the appointment by the authority who was to have made the appointment but who failed to do so. If at any time there should be a vacancy on the commission, a successor member to serve for the unexpired term applicable to such vacancy shall be appointed by the same appointing authority as the member whose unexpired term such successor is to fill.

(6) Any member of the commission who is indicted for any felony may be suspended by the commission from service on the commission. A commission member who is convicted of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or convicted of any felony shall be ineligible to serve and the member's position on the commission shall be vacant and subject to reappointment as for other vacancies. A registered lobbyist shall be ineligible to serve as a commission member while registered and until one (1) year after the end of such lobbying relationship that required registration.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-15 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 53-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-15
Status: in_force

Any member of the authority may have his vote on any question before the authority recorded on the minutes thereof at the time of the vote, and a member of the authority who votes against an illegal or unauthorized expenditure of funds may not be held liable therefor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-58-21 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 58 / Section 58-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-58-21
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the Mississippi Coordinating Council for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems, hereinafter referred to as the “council.” The council shall set and assure enforcement of policies and standards to make it easier for remote sensing and geographic information system users around the state to share information and to facilitate cost-sharing arrangements to reduce the costs of acquiring remote sensing and geographic information system data. The council shall not oversee or regulate the activities of higher education entities where it relates to the fields of teaching or research; however, the council shall be informed of these activities for the purpose of coordinating these higher education activities with other public remote sensing and GIS initiatives to achieve the maximum benefit for the State of Mississippi and its taxpayers. The council's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

(a) Coordination of remote sensing and geographic information system activities within Mississippi;

(b) Establishing policies and standards to guide Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS) in the review and approval of state and local government procurement of both hardware and software development relating to remote sensing and geographic information systems;

(c) Oversight of MDITS' implementation of these responsibilities;

(d) Preparing a plan, with proposed state funding priorities, for Mississippi's remote sensing and geographic information system activities, including development, operation and maintenance of the Mississippi Digital Earth Model;

(e) Oversight of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality's development and maintenance of the Mississippi Digital Earth Model, including establishing policies and standards for the procurement of remote sensing and geographic information system data by state and local governmental entities and establishing the order in which the seven (7) core data layers shall be developed;

(f) Designating Mississippi's official representative to the National States Geographic Information Council and to any other national or regional remote sensing or geographical information system organizations on which Mississippi has an official seat;

(g) Establishing and designating the members of an advisory committee made up of policy level officials from major state, local, regional and federal agencies, including, but not limited to, the National Association of Space Administration, the Mississippi Institute for Forestry Inventory, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff, the Department of Marine Resources, the county E911 coordinator, the State Health Officer, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, the State Tax Commission, the Council of Consulting Engineers and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, as well as members of the private sector;

(h) Creating a staff level technical users committee, in which any public or private sector entity in Mississippi interested in remote sensing and geographic information may be allowed to participate;

(i) Coordinating with the State Tax Commission to assure that state and local governmental entities do not have to comply with two (2) sets of requirements imposed by different organizations.

(2) The Mississippi Coordinating Council for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems will be composed of the following members:

(a) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality;

(b) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services;

(c) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation;

(d) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency;

(e) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority;

(f) The Secretary of State;

(g) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Forestry Commission;

(h) The Director of the Mississippi State Board of Registered Professional Geologists;

(i) A representative from the Institutions of Higher Learning, appointed by the Commissioner of the Institutions of Higher Learning;

(j) One (1) mayor, serving a municipality, appointed by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Municipal League;

(k) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Municipal League or his designee who will serve as the member;

(l) One (1) county supervisor appointed by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors;

(m) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors or his designee who will serve as the member;

(n) A member of the Tax Assessors/Collectors Association or the executive director of the association, to be appointed by the president of that association;

(o) A representative of the Planning and Development Districts, appointed by the Governor;

(p) A Senator, as a nonvoting member, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(q) A Representative, as a nonvoting member, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(r) A county surveyor who is a member of the Mississippi Association of Professional Surveyors, appointed by the president of the association; and

The members listed in paragraphs (a) through (g) may appoint a designee, but the designee must be the head of an office, bureau, division or branch within the member's agency.

The members of the council shall serve for a term concurrent with their service as an elected or appointed official or concurrent with the term of the appointing official.

The Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall serve as council chair and the Executive Director of Information Technology Services as vice chair for the first two (2) years. After the first two (2) years, the council shall elect from its members a chair and vice chair, for terms to be specified by the council.

With regard to the designee chosen by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Municipal League or the Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, the designee shall become a permanent member of the council for a term concurrent with the term of the appointing executive director.

(3) At the direction of the chairman of the council and contingent upon the availability of sufficient funds, each member may receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses in accordance with rates established pursuant to Section 25-3-41 , incurred in attending meetings of the council. Any member of the council who is also a state employee may not receive per diem compensation for attending meetings of the study committee, but may be reimbursed in accordance with Section 25-3-41 for mileage and actual expenses incurred in the performance of the duties, if authorized by vote, at a meeting of the council, which action must be recorded in the official minutes of the meeting. Legislative members of the council will be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session.

(4) The council may accept money from any source, public or private, to be expended in implementing the duties under this section.

(5) The council may utilize staff employed by the agencies affected by this section and any other assistance made available to it.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-171 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 53 / Section 53-171
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-171
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the Wireless Communication Commission, which shall be responsible for promoting the efficient use of public resources to ensure that law enforcement personnel and essential public health and safety personnel have effective communications services available in emergency situations, and to ensure the rapid restoration of such communications services in the event of disruption caused by natural disaster, terrorist attack or other public emergency.

(2) The Wireless Communication Commission, hereafter referred to as the “commission,” shall consist of the following:

(a) The Executive Director of the Department of Transportation or his designee;

(b) The Commissioner of Public Safety or his designee;

(c) The Executive Director of the Department of Public Health or his designee;

(d) The Executive Director of the Department of Information Technology Services or his designee;

(e) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency or his designee;

(f) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security or his designee;

(g) The President of the Mississippi Sheriffs' Association or his designee;

(h) The President of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors or his designee;

(i) The President of the Mississippi Municipal Association or his designee;

(j) The President of the Mississippi Association of Fire Chiefs or his designee;

(k) The President of the Mississippi Association of Police Chiefs or his designee;

(l) The Chief of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol or his designee;

(m) The Commissioner of the Department of Corrections or his designee;

(n) The Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard or his designee;

(o) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality or his designee; and

(p) The Executive Director of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks or his designee.

All members of the commission shall serve a term of not less than four (4) years.

(3) Within forty-five (45) days from April 21, 2005, the Executive Director of the Department of Information Technology Services shall call a meeting of the commission in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and organize by electing a chairman and other officers from its membership. The commission shall adopt rules which govern the time and place for meetings and governing the manner of conducting its business. The commission shall meet at least monthly and maintain minutes of such meetings. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the membership of the commission.

(4) The commission, in conjunction with the Department of Information Technology Services, shall have the sole authority to promulgate rules and regulations governing the operations of the wireless communications system described in paragraph (a) and shall be vested with all legal authority necessary and proper to perform this function including, but not limited to:

(a) Purchasing, leasing, acquiring and otherwise implementing a statewide wireless communications system to serve wireless users in state and local governments and those private entities that enter into a partnership with the commission. All purchases shall be made in accordance with public purchasing laws and, if required, shall be approved by the Department of Information Technology Services. This system shall enable interoperability between various wireless communications technologies.

(b) Ensuring that federal/state communications requirements are followed with respect to such wireless communications systems.

(c) Providing system planning with all public safety communications systems.

(d) Assisting with establishment of state and local wireless communications.

(e) In consultation with the Department of Information Technology Services, having the authority to permit state and local agencies use of the communications system under the terms and conditions established by the commission.

(f) Providing technical support to users and bearing the overall responsibility for the design, engineering, acquisition and implementation of the statewide communications system and for ensuring the proper operation and maintenance of all equipment common to the system.

(g) Seeking proposals for services through competitive processes where required by law and selecting service providers under procedures provided for by law.

(h) Establishing, in conjunction with the Department of Information Technology Services, policies, procedures and standards which shall be incorporated into a comprehensive management plan for the operation of the statewide communications system.

(i) Having sign-off approval on all wireless communications systems within the state which are owned or operated by any state or local governmental entity, agency or department.

(j) Creating a standard user agreement.

(5) The commission, in conjunction with the Department of Information Technology Services, shall exercise its powers and duties pursuant to this section to plan, manage and administer the wireless communications system. The commission may:

(a) In consultation with the advisory board and the Department of Information Technology Services, establish policies, procedures and standards to incorporate into a comprehensive management plan for use and operation of the communications system.

(b) Enter into mutual aid agreements among federal, state and local agencies for the use of the communications system.

(c) Establish the cost of maintenance and operation of the system and charge subscribers for access and use of the system.

(d) Assess charges for use of the system.

(e) Obtain space through rent or lease of space on any tower under state control. The commission may also rent, lease or sublease ground space as necessary to locate equipment to support antennae on the towers. The costs for use of such space shall be established by the owner/agent for each site when it is determined to be practicable and feasible to make space available.

(f) Provide space through rent or lease of space on any tower under the commission's control. The commission may also rent, lease or sublease ground space as necessary to locate equipment to support antennae on the towers. The costs for use of such space shall be established by the commission when it is determined to be practicable and feasible to make space available.

(g) Refuse to lease space on any tower at any site. All monies collected by the commission for such rents, leases or subleases shall be deposited directly into a special fund hereby created and known as the “Integrated Public Safety Communications Fund.” This fund shall be administered by the Department of Information Technology Services and may be used by the commission to construct, maintain and operate the system.

(h) Rent, lease or sublease ground space on lands acquired by the commission for the construction of privately owned or publicly owned towers. The commission, as part of such rental, lease or sublease agreement, may require space on such towers for antennae as may be necessary for the construction and operation of the wireless communications system.

(i) Enter into and perform use and occupancy agreements concerning the system.

(j) Exercise any power necessary to carry out the intent of this law.

(6) The Department of Transportation, the Department of Public Safety and other commission members may provide to the commission, on a full-time or part-time basis, personnel and technical support necessary and sufficient to effectively and efficiently carry out the requirements of this section.

(7)(a) Expenditures from the Integrated Public Safety Communications Fund shall be administered by the Department of Information Technology Services with expenditures approved jointly by the commission and the Department of Information Technology Services.

(b) The Integrated Public Safety Communications Fund may consist of the following:

(i) Appropriations from the Legislature;

(ii) Gifts;

(iii) Federal grants;

(iv) Fees and contributions from user agencies that the commission considers necessary to maintain and operate the system; and

(v) Monies from any other source permitted by law.

(c) Any monies remaining in the Integrated Public Safety Communications Fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the State General Fund, but shall remain in the Integrated Public Safety Communications Fund.

(8) Members of the commission shall not receive any compensation or per diem, but may receive travel reimbursement provided for under Section 25-3-41 .

(9) There is hereby created the Wireless Communication Advisory Board for the purpose of advising the Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission in performance of its duties. The advisory board shall be composed of the following:

(a) The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Senate Public Utilities Committee or their designees;

(b) The Chairman and Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Utilities Committee or their designees;

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

(d) The Chairman of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee or his designee;

(e) The Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee or his designee; and

(f) The Chairman of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee or his designee.

Members of the advisory board shall receive per diem and expenses which shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem and expenses for attending meetings of the advisory board shall be paid to legislative members while the Legislature is in session.

(10) It is the intent of the Legislature that all state and local government entities make available for purposes of this section all publicly owned wireless communications infrastructure, including, but not limited to, communications towers, transmission equipment, transmission frequencies and other related properties and facilities.

(11) Nothing in this section shall be construed or interpreted to provide for the regulation or oversight of commercial mobile radio services.

(12) Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede the authority of the Department of Information Technology Services provided in Section 25-53-1 et seq.

(13) From and after July 1, 2016, the expenses of this agency shall be defrayed by appropriation from the State General Fund and all user charges and fees authorized under this section shall be deposited into the State General Fund as authorized by law.

(14) From and after July 1, 2016, no state agency shall charge another state agency a fee, assessment, rent or other charge for services or resources received by authority of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-21 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 17 / Section 65-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-21
Status: in_force

(1) No later than six (6) months or less at the discretion of the university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president or state agency director after a financial, compliance, electronic data processing or performance audit is issued, the agency internal audit director shall inform the university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president or the agency head and audit committee of the status of corrective actions taken by the university, community/junior college or agency manager responsible for supervision of the program activity, function or organizational unit audited.

(2) If a follow-up report is issued, the university, community/junior college or agency internal audit director shall submit the report to the head of the university, community/junior college or agency and the audit committee. The follow-up report shall be provided upon request to any member of the Legislature, the State Auditor, the Attorney General, the Governor or other external auditor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-4 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 32-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-4
Status: in_force

The public defender of the Seventh Circuit Court District may appoint three (3) full-time assistant public defenders who shall perform duties in the Seventh Circuit Court District and the Capitol Complex Improvement District (CCID) Inferior Court. Such appointments shall be made in addition to those authorized as of July 1, 2023 in Section 25-32-3 . The full-time assistant public defenders shall receive compensation in an amount equal to the compensation paid to full-time assistant public defenders in the Seventh Circuit Court District subject to available funds specifically appropriated by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-9 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 59-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-9
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, with respect to the Mississippi Archives and Records Management Law, shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) The department may make and enter into contracts and agreements with other agencies, organizations, associations, corporations and individuals or federal agencies as it may determine are necessary, expedient or incidental to the performance of its duties or the execution of its powers under this chapter.

(b) The department shall adopt such rules and regulations deemed necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities under this chapter, which rules shall be binding on all agencies and the persons affected thereby. The department shall publish said rules and regulations in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Law, Section 25-43-1.101 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(c) Conduct a records management program including a records center and subject to the availability of staff and funds, conduct a centralized microfilming program for the benefit of all state agencies; and provide advice, assistance and training to all state agencies in matters pertaining to the economical and efficient management of public records.

(d) Cooperate with and assist, insofar as possible, state institutions, departments, agencies, counties, municipalities and individuals engaged in the field of state archives, manuscripts and history.

(e) Establish safeguards against unauthorized or unlawful removal or loss of records.

(f) Initiate appropriate action to recover records removed unlawfully or without authorization.

(g) Establish and maintain a program in cooperation with each agency for the selection and preservation of vital records considered essential to the operation of government and to the protection of the rights and privileges of citizens; make or have made preservation duplicates, or designate existing copies as preservation duplicates to be preserved in a place of safekeeping as prescribed by the department.

(h) Promulgate rules and regulations permitting the storage, use and dissemination of records which are transferred by any local governmental body in this state to a local historical or archival group which has been incorporated and operates as a private, nonprofit corporation. Such rules and regulations shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 25-59-25 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-62-1 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 31 / Section 62-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-62-1
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings as defined in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Personal information ” means any list, record, register, registry, roll, roster or other compilation of data of any kind that directly or indirectly identifies a person as a member, supporter or volunteer of, or donor of financial or nonfinancial support to, any entity organized under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code . Personal information does not include information reportable to the Secretary of State pursuant to Section 79-11-503(1)(b) .

(b) “ Public agency ” means any state or local governmental unit, however designated, including, but not limited to, this state; any department, agency, office, commission, board, division or other entity of this state; any political subdivision of this state, including, but not limited to, a county, city, township, village, school district, community college district or any other local governmental unit, agency, authority, council, board or commission; or any state or local court, tribunal or other judicial or quasi-judicial body.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-9 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 31 / Section 61-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-9
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Records furnished to public bodies by third parties which contain trade secrets or confidential commercial or financial information shall not be subject to inspection, examination, copying or reproduction under this chapter until notice to third parties has been given, but the records shall be released no later than twenty-one (21) days from the date the third parties are given notice by the public body unless the third parties have filed in chancery court a petition seeking a protective order on or before the expiration of the twenty-one-day time period. Any party seeking the protective order shall give notice to the party requesting the information in accordance with the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure.

(b) If a court determines that a person or entity has made duplicative requests for public records that are the subject of a protective order under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the court shall order the requesting person or entity to reimburse the third party's costs and attorney's fees for seeking additional protective orders for the same or substantially similar requests for public records.

(2) If any public record which is held to be exempt from disclosure pursuant to this chapter contains material which is not exempt pursuant to this chapter, the public body shall separate the exempt material and make the nonexempt material available for examination or copying, or both, as provided for in this chapter.

(3) Trade secrets and confidential commercial and financial information of a proprietary nature developed by a college, university or public hospital under contract with a firm, business, partnership, association, corporation, individual or other like entity shall not be subject to inspection, examination, copying or reproduction under this chapter.

(4) Misappropriation of a trade secret shall be governed by the provisions of the Mississippi Uniform Trade Secrets Act, Sections 75 - 26 -1 through 75-26-19.

(5) A waste minimization plan and any updates developed by generators and facility operators under the Mississippi Comprehensive Multimedia Waste Minimization Act of 1990 shall be retained at the facility and shall not be subject to inspection, examination, copying or reproduction under this chapter.

(6) Data processing software obtained by an agency under a licensing agreement that prohibits its disclosure and which software is a trade secret, as defined in Section 75-26-3 , and data processing software produced by a public body which is sensitive must not be subject to inspection, copying or reproduction under this chapter.

As used in this subsection, “ sensitive ” means only those portions of data processing software, including the specifications and documentation, used to:

(a) Collect, process, store, and retrieve information which is exempt under this chapter.

(b) Control and direct access authorizations and security measures for automated systems.

(c) Collect, process, store, and retrieve information, disclosure of which would require a significant intrusion into the business of the public body.

(7) For all procurement contracts awarded by state agencies, the provisions of the contract which contain the commodities purchased or the personal or professional services provided, the unit prices contained within the procurement contracts, the overall price to be paid, and the term of the contract shall not be deemed to be a trade secret or confidential commercial or financial information under this section, and shall be available for examination, copying or reproduction as provided for in this chapter. Any party seeking a protective order for a procurement contract awarded by state agencies shall give notice to and provide the reasons for the protective order to the party requesting the information in accordance with the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure. The notice and reasons for the protective order must be posted on the Mississippi procurement portal for a minimum of seven (7) days before filing the petition seeking the protective order in chancery court. Any party seeking a protective order in violation of this subsection may be barred by a state agency from submitting bids, proposals or qualifications for procurement for a period not to exceed five (5) years.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-9 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 53 / Section 65-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-9
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided by subsection (2) of this section, each university, community/junior college and state agency shall, subject to specific appropriation of available funding, employ an agency internal audit director who shall be appointed by the university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president, elected official or executive director or his counterpart of a state agency without a governing board or commission. The university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president of the agency head shall ensure that the university, community/junior college or agency shall employ, subject to specific funding being appropriated, a sufficient number of professional and support staff to implement an effective program of internal auditing. Compensation, training, job tenure and advancement of internal auditing staff shall be based upon the rules of the State Personnel Board for other business employees in the system. The internal audit organization shall have organizational status outside the agency's staff or line management functions or units subject to audit, and shall be free of operational and management responsibilities that would impair the ability to make independent audits of any aspects of the agency's operations. An agency, university or community/junior college internal audit director may be terminated by the appointing authority in accordance with State Personnel Board rules and regulations for any state employee after a seven (7) day notification period to the State Auditor.

(2) The university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president or agency head of a university, community/junior college or state agency, respectively, may outsource the internal audit function if he determines that it is more cost efficient than establishing the audit personnel and procedures provided in subsection (1) of this section. Internal audit services may not be outsourced to the same firm or individual who performs independent audit or other consulting services to the university, community/junior college or agency.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / Section 34-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-3
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Acknowledgment ” means a declaration by an individual in person before a notarial officer that the individual has signed a record for the purpose stated in the record and, if the record is signed in a representative capacity, that the individual signed the record with proper authority and signed it as the act of the individual or entity identified in the record.

(b) “ Electronic ” means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic or similar capabilities.

(c) “ Electronic signature ” means an electronic symbol, sound or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by an individual with the intent to sign the record.

(d) “ In a representative capacity ” means acting as:

(i) An authorized officer, manager, member, agent, partner, trustee or other representative for a person other than an individual;

(ii) A public officer, personal representative, guardian or other representative, in the capacity stated in a record;

(iii) An agent or attorney-in-fact for a principal; or

(iv) An authorized representative of another in any other capacity.

(e) “ Notarial act ” means an act, whether performed with respect to a tangible or electronic record, that a notarial officer may perform under this chapter and any other law of this state.

(f) “ Notarial officer ” means a notary public or other individual authorized to perform a notarial act.

(g) “ Notary public ” means an individual commissioned to perform a notarial act by the Secretary of State.

(h) “ Official seal ” means a physical image affixed to a tangible record or an electronic image attached to or logically associated with an electronic record.

(i) “ Record ” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

(j) “ Sign ” means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record:

(i) To execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or

(ii) To attach to or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound or process.

(k) “ Signature ” means a tangible symbol or an electronic signature that evidences the signing of a record.

(l) “ Stamping device ” means:

(i) A physical device capable of affixing to a tangible record an official seal; or

(ii) An electronic device or process capable of attaching to or logically associating an official seal with an electronic record.

(m) “ State ” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

(n) “ Verification on oath or affirmation ,” formerly known as a jurat, means a declaration, made by an individual on oath or affirmation before a notarial officer, that a statement in a record is true.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-51-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 45 / Section 51-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-51-3
Status: in_force

Each agency of state government shall furnish to the director of the commission the necessary information to provide its publications and public records in an electronic form for placement on the official website of the commission. The director of the commission shall transmit this information to each depository. These records shall be made accessible by the depository receiving them to any person desiring to examine the same.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-1.106 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 43-1.106
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-1.106
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Whenever, under this chapter, a party or any person is permitted or required to file with an agency any pleading, motion or other document, filing must be made by delivery of the document to the agency, by mailing it to the agency or by transmitting it to the agency by electronic means, including, but not limited to, facsimile transfer or e-mail. Filing by electronic means is complete when the electronic equipment being used by the agency acknowledges receipt of the material. If the equipment used by the agency does not automatically acknowledge transmission, service is not complete until the filing party obtains an acknowledgment from the agency. Filing by mail is complete upon receipt by the agency.

(b) The agency may implement this section by agency rule.

(2)(a) Whenever service is required by this chapter, and whether the service is made by a party, an agency or a presiding officer, service of orders, notices, pleadings, motions and other documents upon a party shall be made by delivering a copy to the party, by transmitting it to the party by electronic means, including, but not limited to, facsimile transfer or e-mail, or by mailing it to the party at the party's last known address. Delivery of a copy means handing it to a party, leaving it at the office of a party with a person in charge thereof, or leaving it at the dwelling house or usual place of abode of the party with some person of suitable age and discretion then residing therein. Service by electronic means is complete when the electronic equipment being used by the party being served acknowledges receipt of the material. If the equipment used by the party being served does not automatically acknowledge the transmission, service is not complete until the sending party obtains an acknowledgment from the recipient. Service by mail is complete upon mailing.

(b) Whenever service is required or permitted to be made upon a party who is represented by an attorney of record in the proceedings, the service shall be made upon such attorney.

(c) Whenever an agency issues an order or serves a notice or other document, the order or notice or other document shall be dated and shall be deemed to have been issued on the day it is served on the parties to the matter. If the order or notice or other document is to be served by mail, it shall be dated and shall be deemed to have been issued on the day it is mailed.

(3)(a) In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by this Article 1, by order of an agency, or by any applicable statute or agency rule, the day of the act, event or default from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the period so computed shall be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday, as defined by statute, or any other day when the agency's office is in fact closed, whether with or without legal authority, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday, a legal holiday or any other day when the agency's office is closed. When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than seven (7) days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation. In the event any legal holiday falls on a Sunday, the next following day shall be a legal holiday.

(b) Whenever a party has the right or is required to do some act or take some proceedings within a prescribed period after the service of a notice, order, pleading, motion or other paper upon him and the notice or paper is served upon him by mail, three (3) days shall be added to the prescribed period.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-11 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-11
Status: in_force

The chancery clerk shall itemize on the record, following the instrument recorded by him, a detailed fee bill of all charges due or paid for filing and recording same. A fee bill shall not be allowed him for a receipt given for the deed or other instrument unless the same shall be demanded, and such fee shall not be due until the clerk shall have complied with all the provisions of the law on the subject of the record of instruments.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-17 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 11-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-11-17
Status: in_force

The board shall make, adopt, and promulgate such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of Articles 1 and 3, as it finds necessary or appropriate to the efficient administration of the functions with which it is charged under said articles.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-33 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 34 / Section 34-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-33
Status: in_force

(1) Every notary public appointed and commissioned must procure, at his own expense, a suitable official seal. The official seal of a notary public must:

(a) Include the notary public's name, jurisdiction, commission expiration date and other information required by the Secretary of State; and

(b) Be capable of being copied together with the record to which it is affixed or attached or with which it is logically associated.

(2) The board of supervisors of every county must provide an official seal, with the inscription “notary public” around the margin and the image of an eagle in the center, which official seal must be kept in the office of the clerk of the circuit court. A judge, chancellor, clerk or deputy clerk of a court of this state, the Mississippi Secretary of State or an Assistant Secretary of State of this state may use the official seal to perform a notarial act under Section 25-34-21(1)(b) or (c) .

(3) On the death or adjudication of incompetency of a current or former notary public, the notary public's personal representative or guardian or any other person knowingly in possession of the official seal shall destroy or deface, as soon as reasonably practicable, all official seals of the notary public so that they may not be misused.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-62-7 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 62 / Section 62-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-62-7
Status: in_force

A person who knowingly violates this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of not more than ninety (90) days or a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-45-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 45-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-45-3
Status: in_force

In order to accomplish the policy set out in Section 25-45-1 , each agency of the state shall develop a plan for “one-stop permitting” to coordinate the processing and issuing of permits, licenses and other such instruments by the agency with other state or federal agencies which also require an applicant to obtain a permit, license or other instrument from it or to supply information to it before the applicant may perform certain activities or receive certain benefits. “One-stop permitting” shall enable an applicant for a permit, license or other instrument from an agency of the state to complete all necessary applications at one (1) time and location or to supply enough information to the agency at one (1) time and location so that such agency can process the application or information through any other state or federal agencies necessary for the applicant to obtain authorization to perform the particular activities that he wants to perform or receive the benefits for which he has applied. To the greatest extent possible, each plan for “one-stop permitting” shall provide for the following:

(a) Where practicable, a single application form for all required permits, licenses and other instruments from agencies which have separate but similar, related or interrelated jurisdiction or authority over certain activities performed by or benefits granted to persons or entities within the state; such application form shall contain sufficient information so that the necessary reviews of all affected agencies can be expeditiously carried out;

(b) Consolidated public hearings so that a single public hearing may serve to meet the requirements of the several public hearings as may now be provided by law for issuing permits, licenses and other such instruments by agencies which have separate but similar, related or interrelated jurisdiction or authority over certain activities performed by or benefits granted to persons or entities within the state;

(c) The shortest practicable review period for applications, proper allowances being made for all interested parties to become informed and to make their opinions heard by the appropriate agencies; and

(d) Joint permitting procedures for state and federal agencies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-1 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 51 / Section 65-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Internal Audit Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-15 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 55 / Section 65-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-15
Status: in_force

Audits shall be conducted in accordance with the Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing published by The Institute of Internal Auditors, Inc., and, when required by law, regulation, agreement, contract or policy, in accordance with Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States. All audit reports issued by internal audit staff shall include a statement that the audit was conducted pursuant to the appropriate standards.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-19 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 60 / Section 65-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-19
Status: in_force

(1) At the conclusion of each audit, the internal audit director shall submit preliminary findings and recommendations to the person responsible for supervision of the program, activity, function or organizational unit being audited who shall respond in writing to any findings of the internal audit director within forty-five (45) working days or less at the discretion of the university president or chancellor, the community/junior college president or state agency director after receipt of the findings. Such response and, if necessary, the agency internal audit director's response may be included in the final audit report.

(2) University, community/junior college or the agency internal audit director shall submit the final report, which shall be available to the State Auditor upon request, to the head of the university, community/junior college or agency and the State Auditor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 51 / Section 65-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-5
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ University ” means and includes Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State University Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi University Cooperative Extension Service, Mississippi State University Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University State Chemical Laboratory, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, The University of Mississippi, University of Mississippi Medical Center and the University of Southern Mississippi.

(b) “ Community/Junior college ” means and includes Coahoma Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Central Community College, East Mississippi Community College, Hinds Community College, Holmes Community College, Itawamba Community College, Jones County Junior College, Meridian Community College, Mississippi Delta Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Pearl River Community College and Southwest Mississippi Community College.

(c) “ State agency ” means and includes the Department of Finance and Administration, the State Tax Commission, the Department of Education, the State Department of Health, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the Mississippi Development Authority, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Department of Corrections, the Division of Medicaid, the Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, the Public Employees Retirement System, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Mississippi Gaming Commission and the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

(d) “ Agency head ” means an elected official who heads an agency, an executive director or a governing board or commission responsible for heading an agency or a president or chancellor of a university or a president of a community/junior college.

(e) “ Agency internal audit director ” means the person appointed by the agency head to direct the internal audit function for the state agency. Where consistent with responsibilities described in this chapter, the term agency internal audit director may also be referred to as inspector general, audit director, chief auditor or similar internal audit administrator descriptions.

(f) “ Audit committee ” means a standing committee external to organization management that collectively has the expertise to provide effective guidance regarding the acquisition and provision of internal audit services and to provide guidance in the provision of those services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-201 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / Section 53-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-201
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby established the Enterprise Security Program which shall provide for the coordinated oversight of the cybersecurity efforts across all state agencies, including cybersecurity systems, services and the development of policies, standards and guidelines.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS), in conjunction with all state agencies, shall provide centralized management and coordination of state policies for the security of data and information technology resources, which such information shall be compiled by MDITS and distributed to each participating state agency. MDITS shall:

(a) Serve as sole authority, within the constraints of this statute, for defining the specific enterprise cybersecurity systems and services to which this statute is applicable;

(b) Acquire and operate enterprise technology solutions to provide services to state agencies when it is determined that such operation will improve the cybersecurity posture in the function of any agency, institution or function of state government as a whole;

(c) Provide oversight of enterprise security policies for state data and information technology (IT) resources including, the following:

(i) Establishing and maintaining the security standards and policies for all state data and IT resources state agencies shall implement to the extent that they apply; and

(ii) Including the defined enterprise security requirements as minimum requirements in the specifications for solicitation of state contracts for procuring data and information technology systems and services;

(d) Adhere to all policies, standards and guidelines in the management of technology infrastructure supporting the state data centers, telecommunications networks and backup facilities;

(e) Coordinate and promote efficiency and security with all applicable laws and regulations in the acquisition, operation and maintenance of state data, cybersecurity systems and services used by agencies of the state;

(f) Manage, plan and coordinate all enterprise cybersecurity systems under the jurisdiction of the state;

(g) Develop, in conjunction with agencies of the state, coordinated enterprise cybersecurity systems and services for all state agencies;

(h) Provide ongoing analysis of enterprise cybersecurity systems and services costs, facilities and systems within state government;

(i) Develop policies, procedures and long-range plans for the use of enterprise cybersecurity systems and services;

(j) Form an advisory council of information security officers from each state agency to plan, develop and implement cybersecurity initiatives;

(k) Coordinate the activities of the advisory council to provide education and awareness, identify cybersecurity-related issues, set future direction for cybersecurity plans and policy, and provide a forum for interagency communications regarding cybersecurity;

(l) Charge respective user agencies on a reimbursement basis for their proportionate cost of the installation, maintenance and operation of the cybersecurity systems and services; and

(m) Require cooperative utilization of cybersecurity systems and services by aggregating users.

(3) Each state agency's executive director or agency head shall:

(a) Be solely responsible for the security of all data and IT resources under its purview, irrespective of the location of the data or resources. Locations include data residing:

(i) At agency sites;

(ii) On agency real property and tangible and intangible assets;

(iii) On infrastructure in the State Data Centers;

(iv) At a third-party location;

(v) In transit between locations;

(b) Ensure that an agency-wide security program is in place;

(c) Designate an information security officer to administer the agency's security program;

(d) Ensure the agency adheres to the requirements established by the Enterprise Security Program, to the extent that they apply;

(e) Participate in all Enterprise Security Program initiatives and services in lieu of deploying duplicate services specific to the agency;

(f) Develop, implement and maintain written agency policies and procedures to ensure the security of data and IT resources. The agency policies and procedures are confidential information and exempt from public inspection, except that the information must be available to the Office of the State Auditor in performing auditing duties;

(g) Implement policies and standards to ensure that all of the agency's data and IT resources are maintained in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, to the extent that they apply;

(h) Implement appropriate cost-effective safeguards to reduce, eliminate or recover from identified threats to data and IT resources;

(i) Ensure that internal assessments of the security program are conducted. The results of the internal assessments are confidential and exempt from public inspection, except that the information must be available to the Office of the State Auditor in performing auditing duties;

(j) Include all appropriate cybersecurity requirements in the specifications for the agency's solicitation of state contracts for procuring data and information technology systems and services;

(k) Include a general description of the security program and future plans for ensuring security of data in the agency long-range information technology plan;

(l) Participate in annual information security training designed specifically for the executive director or agency head to ensure that such individual has an understanding of:

(i) The information and information systems that support the operations and assets of the agency;

(ii) The potential impact of common types of cyber-attacks and data breaches on the agency's operations and assets;

(iii) How cyber-attacks and data breaches on the agency's operations and assets could impact the operations and assets of other state agencies on the Enterprise State Network;

(iv) How cyber-attacks and data breaches occur;

(v) Steps to be undertaken by the executive director or agency head and agency employees to protect their information and information systems; and

(vi) The annual reporting requirements required of the executive director or agency head.

(4) The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall evaluate the Enterprise Security Program. Such evaluation shall include the following factors:

(a) Whether the Enterprise Security Program incorporates nationwide best practices;

(b) Whether opportunities exist to centralize and coordinate oversight of cybersecurity efforts across all state agencies;

(c) A review of the minimum enterprise security requirements that must be incorporated in solicitations for state contracts for procuring data and information technology systems and services; and

(d) Whether opportunities exist to expand the Enterprise Security Program, including providing oversight of cybersecurity efforts of those governing authorities as defined in Section 25-53-3(f) .

In performing such evaluation, the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services may retain experts. This evaluation shall be completed by November 1, 2023. All records in connection with this evaluation shall be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, pursuant to Section 25-61-11.2(f) and (k) .

(5) For the purpose of this subsection, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Cyberattack ” shall mean any attempt to gain illegal access, including any data breach, to a computer, computer system or computer network for purposes of causing damage, disruption or harm.

(b) “ Ransomware ” shall mean a computer contaminant or lock placed or introduced without authorization into a computer, computer system or computer network that restricts access by an authorized person to the computer, computer system, computer network or any data therein under circumstances in which the person responsible for the placement or introduction of the ransomware demands payment of money or other consideration to remove the computer contaminant, restore access to the computer, computer system, computer network or data, or otherwise remediate the impact of the computer contaminant or lock.

(c) From and after July 1, 2023, all state agencies shall notify the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services of any cyberattack or demand for payment as a result of ransomware no later than the close of the next business day following the discovery of such cyberattack or demand. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall develop a reporting format to be utilized by state agencies to provide such notification. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall periodically analyze all such reports and attempt to identify any patterns or weaknesses in the state's cybersecurity efforts. Such reports shall be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, pursuant to Section 25-61-11.2(j) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-17 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 41 / Section 55-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-17
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors shall have power to re-establish any of its records that may be lost, destroyed, or stolen, in the same manner as other courts. It may, of its own motion and without petition or process, re-establish any levy for taxes or other public or legislative matter and make the same of record; and in all proceedings thereafter in respect thereto the same shall be conclusively presumed to have been correctly re-established, except in respect to rights which may have accrued before the order of re-establishment and, as to such rights, the same shall be prima facie correct.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-62-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 51 / Section 62-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-62-3
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, and subject to subsection (3), a public agency shall not do any of the following:

(a) Require any entity organized under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code to provide the public agency with personal information.

(b) If in the possession of personal information, a public agency shall not release, publicize or otherwise disclose that personal information without the express written permission of every identified member, supporter, volunteer or donor of the Section 501(c) entity as well as the Section 501(c) entity that received their membership, support, volunteer time or donations.

(c) Request or require a current or prospective contractor with the public agency to provide the public agency with a list of entities organized under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code to which it has provided financial or nonfinancial support.

(2) Personal information shall be exempt from disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act.

(3) This chapter does not preclude either of the following:

(a) Any lawful warrant for personal information issued by a court of competent jurisdiction; or

(b) A lawful request for discovery of personal information in litigation if both of the following conditions are met:

(i) The requestor demonstrates a compelling need for the personal information by clear and convincing evidence; and

(ii) The requestor obtains a protective order barring disclosure of personal information to any person not directly involved in the litigation. As used in this subparagraph, “ person ” means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity or other legal entity.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-29 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 17 / Section 53-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-29
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of this section the term “ bureau ” shall mean the “Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.” The authority shall have the following powers and responsibilities to carry out the establishment of policy and provide for long-range planning and consulting:

(a) Provide a high level of technical expertise for agencies, institutions, political subdivisions and other governmental entities as follows: planning; consulting; project management; systems and performance review; system definition; design; application programming; training; development and documentation; implementation; maintenance; and other tasks as may be required, within the resources available to the bureau.

(b) Publish written planning guides, policies and procedures for use by agencies and institutions in planning future electronic information service systems. The bureau may require agencies and institutions to submit data, including periodic electronic equipment inventory listings, information on agency staffing, systems under study, planned applications for the future, and other information needed for the purposes of preparing the state master plan. The bureau may require agencies and institutions to submit any additional data required for purposes of preparing the state master plan.

(c) Inspect agency facilities and equipment, interview agency employees and review records at any time deemed necessary by the bureau for the purpose of identifying cost-effective applications of electronic information technology. Upon conclusion of any inspection, the bureau shall issue a management letter containing cost estimates and recommendations to the agency head and governing board concerning applications identified that would result in staff reductions, other monetary savings and improved delivery of public services.

(d) Conduct classroom and on-site training for end users for applications and systems developed by the bureau.

(e) Provide consulting services to agencies and institutions or Mississippi governmental subdivisions requesting technical assistance in electronic information services technology applications and systems. The bureau may submit proposals and enter into contracts to provide services to agencies and institutions or governmental subdivisions for such purposes.

(2) The bureau shall annually issue a three-year master plan in writing to the Governor, available on request to any member of the Legislature, including recommended statewide strategies and goals for the effective and efficient use of information technology and services in state government. The report shall also include recommended information policy actions and other recommendations for consideration by the Governor and members of the Legislature.

(3) The bureau shall make an annual report in writing to the Governor, available on request to any member of the Legislature, to include a full and detailed account of the work of the authority for the preceding year. The report shall contain recommendations to agencies and institutions resulting from inspections or consulting contracts. The report shall also contain a summary of the master plan, progress made, and legislative and policy recommendations for consideration by the Governor and members of the Legislature.

(4) The bureau may charge fees to agencies and institutions for services rendered to them. The bureau may charge fees to vendors to recover the cost of providing procurement services and the delivery of procurement awards to public bodies. The amounts of such fees shall be set by the authority upon recommendation of the Executive Director of the MDITS, and all such fees collected shall be paid into the fund established for carrying out the purposes of this section.

(5) It is the intention of the Legislature that the employees of the bureau performing services defined by this section be staffed by highly qualified persons possessing technical, consulting and programming expertise. Such employees shall be considered nonstate service employees as defined in Section 25-9-107(c)(x) and may be compensated at a rate comparable to the prevailing rate of individuals in qualified professional consulting firms in the private sector. Such compensation rates shall be determined by the State Personnel Director. The number of such positions shall be set by annual appropriation of the Legislature. Qualifications and compensation of the bureau employees shall be set by the State Personnel Board upon recommendation of the Executive Director of the MDITS. The total number of positions and classification of positions may be increased or decreased during a fiscal year depending upon work load and availability of funds.

(6) The bureau may, from time to time, at the discretion of the Executive Director of the MDITS, contract with firms or qualified individuals to be used to augment the bureau's professional staff in order to assure timely completion and implementation of assigned tasks, provided that funds are available in the fund established for carrying out the purposes of this section. Such individuals may be employees of any agency, bureau or institution provided that these individuals or firms meet the requirements of other individuals or firms doing business with the state through the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services. Individuals who are employees of an agency or institution may contract with the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services only with the concurrence of the agency or institution for whom they are employed.

From and after July 1, 2018, the expenses of this agency shall be defrayed by appropriation from the State General Fund. In addition, in order to receive the maximum use and benefit from information technology and services, expenses for the provision of statewide shared services that facilitate cost-effective information processing and telecommunication solutions shall be defrayed by pass-through funding and shall be deposited into the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services Revolving Fund unless otherwise specified by the Legislature. These funds shall only be utilized to pay the actual costs incurred by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services for providing these shared services to state agencies. Furthermore, state agencies shall work in full cooperation with the Board of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS) to identify computer equipment or services to minimize duplication, reduce costs, and improve the efficiency of providing common technology services across agency boundaries.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-237 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 31 / Section 53-237
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-237
Status: in_force

Within forty-five (45) days of April 8, 2024, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security shall call a meeting of the board. The board shall adopt rules which govern the time of meetings, place of meetings, and the manner of conducting the business of the board. The board shall meet at least monthly and select one (1) of the ex officio nonvoting members of the board to serve as secretary, whose role it shall be to maintain minutes of each meeting of the board. After the conclusion of each meeting, the board shall send the minutes of the meeting to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the Chairmen of the Technology Committees of the Mississippi Senate and the Mississippi House of Representatives.

A quorum shall be a majority of the voting members of the board.

After twelve (12) consecutive monthly meetings, the board may vote to meet less frequently; however, the board shall meet at least once quarterly.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-29 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 19 / Section 34-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-29
Status: in_force

(1) In this section, “ foreign state ” means a government other than the United States, a state of the United States or a federally recognized Indian tribe.

(2) If a notarial act is performed under authority and in the jurisdiction of a foreign state or constituent unit of the foreign state or is performed under the authority of a multinational or international governmental organization, the act has the same effect under the law of this state as though performed by a notarial officer of this state.

(3) If the title of office and indication of authority to perform notarial acts in a foreign state appears in a digest of foreign law or in a list customarily used as a source for that information, the authority of an officer with that title to perform notarial acts is established conclusively.

(4) The signature and official seal of an individual holding an office described in subsection (3) are prima facie evidence that the signature is genuine and the individual holds the designated title.

(5) An apostille in the form prescribed by the Hague Convention of October 5, 1961, and issued by a foreign state party to the Convention conclusively establishes that the signature of the notarial officer is genuine and that the officer holds the indicated office.

(6) A consular authentication issued by an individual designated by the United States Department of State as a notarizing officer for performing notarial acts overseas and attached to the record with respect to which the notarial act is performed conclusively establishes that the signature of the notarial officer is genuine and that the officer holds the indicated office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-17 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 31 / Section 41-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-17
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to chance meetings or social gatherings of members of a public body.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 53 / Section 65-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-5
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ University ” means and includes Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State University Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi University Cooperative Extension Service, Mississippi State University Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University State Chemical Laboratory, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, The University of Mississippi, University of Mississippi Medical Center and the University of Southern Mississippi.

(b) “ Community/Junior college ” means and includes Coahoma Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Central Community College, East Mississippi Community College, Hinds Community College, Holmes Community College, Itawamba Community College, Jones County Junior College, Meridian Community College, Mississippi Delta Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Pearl River Community College and Southwest Mississippi Community College.

(c) “ State agency ” means and includes the Department of Finance and Administration, the State Tax Commission, the Department of Education, the State Department of Health, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the Mississippi Development Authority, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Department of Corrections, the Division of Medicaid, the Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, the Public Employees Retirement System, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Mississippi Gaming Commission and the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

(d) “ Agency head ” means an elected official who heads an agency, an executive director or a governing board or commission responsible for heading an agency or a president or chancellor of a university or a president of a community/junior college.

(e) “ Agency internal audit director ” means the person appointed by the agency head to direct the internal audit function for the state agency. Where consistent with responsibilities described in this chapter, the term agency internal audit director may also be referred to as inspector general, audit director, chief auditor or similar internal audit administrator descriptions.

(f) “ Audit committee ” means a standing committee external to organization management that collectively has the expertise to provide effective guidance regarding the acquisition and provision of internal audit services and to provide guidance in the provision of those services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-15-405 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 15 / Section 15-405
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-15-405
Status: in_force

(1) As an alternative to pursuing workers' compensation benefits, upon a diagnosis of cancer, a first responder is entitled to the following benefits:

(a) Provided the diagnosis occurs on or after the first responder's effective date of coverage, a lump-sum benefit of Thirty-five Thousand Dollars ($35,000.00) of coverage for each diagnosis payable to the first responder upon acceptable proof to the insurance carrier or other payor of a diagnosis by a board-certified physician in the medical specialty appropriate for the type of cancer diagnosed that the cancer was caused by an occupational hazard and that there are one or more malignant tumors characterized by the uncontrollable and abnormal growth and spread of malignant cells with invasion of normal tissue and that either:

(i) There is metastasis, and surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy is medically necessary;

(ii) There is a tumor of the prostate, provided that it is treated with radical prostatectomy or external beam therapy; or

(iii) The first responder has terminal cancer, his or her life expectancy is twenty-four (24) months or less from the date of diagnosis, and will not benefit from, or has exhausted, curative therapy.

(b) Provided the diagnosis occurs on or after the first responder's effective date of coverage, a lump-sum benefit of Six Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($6,250.00) for each diagnosis payable to the first responder upon acceptable proof to the insurance carrier or other payor of a diagnosis by a board-certified physician in the medical specialty appropriate for the type of cancer involved that:

(i) There is carcinoma in situ such that surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy has been determined to be medically necessary;

(ii) There are malignant tumors which are treated by endoscopic procedures alone; or

(iii) There are malignant melanomas.

(c) The combined total of benefits received by any first responder under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (1) during his or her lifetime shall not exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00).

(d) Provided the date of disability occurs on or after the first responder's effective date of coverage, a disability benefit payable as a result of a specific cancer to begin six (6) months after the date of disability and submission to the insurance carrier or other payor of acceptable proof of disability caused by the specified disease or events such that the illness precludes the first responder from serving as a first responder:

(i) For nonvolunteer first responders, a monthly benefit equal to sixty percent (60%) of the first responder's monthly salary as an employed first responder with a fire or police department or a monthly benefit of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), whichever is less, of which the first payment shall be made six (6) months after the total disability and shall continue for thirty-six (36) consecutive monthly payments unless the first responder regains the ability to perform his or her duties as determined by reevaluation under subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph, at which time the payments shall cease the last day of the month of reevaluation;

(ii) For volunteer firefighters, a monthly benefit of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) of which the first payment shall be made six (6) months after the total disability and shall continue for thirty-six (36) consecutive monthly payments unless the first responder regains the ability to perform his or her duties as determined by reevaluation under subparagraph (iv) of this paragraph, at which time the payments shall cease the last day of the month of reevaluation;

(iii) Such monthly benefit shall be subordinate to any other benefit actually paid to the first responder solely for such disability from any other source, not including private insurance purchased solely by the first responder;

(iv) Any first responder receiving the monthly benefits may be required to have his or her condition reevaluated. In the event any such reevaluation reveals that such person has regained the ability to perform duties as a first responder, then his or her monthly benefits shall cease the last day of the month of reevaluation; and

(v) In the event that there is a subsequent recurrence of a disability caused by a specified cancer, which precludes the first responder from serving as a first responder, he or she shall be entitled to receive any remaining monthly payments.

(e) An eligible first responder who dies as a result of a compensable type of cancer, or circumstances arising out of the treatment of a compensable type of cancer, but does not submit sufficient proof of claim prior to the first responder's death, is entitled to receive benefits specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (1) and made available to the deceased first responder's beneficiary or beneficiaries.

(f) Any first responder who was simultaneously a member of more than one (1) fire or police department at the time of diagnosis shall not be entitled to receive benefits from or on behalf of more than one (1) fire or police department. The first responder's primary place of employment shall maintain coverage for the eligible first responder; and

(g) An otherwise eligible first responder shall be precluded from the benefits listed under this section if he or she has filed for workers' compensation for the same diagnosis of cancer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-201 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 45 / Section 53-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-201
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby established the Enterprise Security Program which shall provide for the coordinated oversight of the cybersecurity efforts across all state agencies, including cybersecurity systems, services and the development of policies, standards and guidelines.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS), in conjunction with all state agencies, shall provide centralized management and coordination of state policies for the security of data and information technology resources, which such information shall be compiled by MDITS and distributed to each participating state agency. MDITS shall:

(a) Serve as sole authority, within the constraints of this statute, for defining the specific enterprise cybersecurity systems and services to which this statute is applicable;

(b) Acquire and operate enterprise technology solutions to provide services to state agencies when it is determined that such operation will improve the cybersecurity posture in the function of any agency, institution or function of state government as a whole;

(c) Provide oversight of enterprise security policies for state data and information technology (IT) resources including, the following:

(i) Establishing and maintaining the security standards and policies for all state data and IT resources state agencies shall implement to the extent that they apply; and

(ii) Including the defined enterprise security requirements as minimum requirements in the specifications for solicitation of state contracts for procuring data and information technology systems and services;

(d) Adhere to all policies, standards and guidelines in the management of technology infrastructure supporting the state data centers, telecommunications networks and backup facilities;

(e) Coordinate and promote efficiency and security with all applicable laws and regulations in the acquisition, operation and maintenance of state data, cybersecurity systems and services used by agencies of the state;

(f) Manage, plan and coordinate all enterprise cybersecurity systems under the jurisdiction of the state;

(g) Develop, in conjunction with agencies of the state, coordinated enterprise cybersecurity systems and services for all state agencies;

(h) Provide ongoing analysis of enterprise cybersecurity systems and services costs, facilities and systems within state government;

(i) Develop policies, procedures and long-range plans for the use of enterprise cybersecurity systems and services;

(j) Form an advisory council of information security officers from each state agency to plan, develop and implement cybersecurity initiatives;

(k) Coordinate the activities of the advisory council to provide education and awareness, identify cybersecurity-related issues, set future direction for cybersecurity plans and policy, and provide a forum for interagency communications regarding cybersecurity;

(l) Charge respective user agencies on a reimbursement basis for their proportionate cost of the installation, maintenance and operation of the cybersecurity systems and services; and

(m) Require cooperative utilization of cybersecurity systems and services by aggregating users.

(3) Each state agency's executive director or agency head shall:

(a) Be solely responsible for the security of all data and IT resources under its purview, irrespective of the location of the data or resources. Locations include data residing:

(i) At agency sites;

(ii) On agency real property and tangible and intangible assets;

(iii) On infrastructure in the State Data Centers;

(iv) At a third-party location;

(v) In transit between locations;

(b) Ensure that an agency-wide security program is in place;

(c) Designate an information security officer to administer the agency's security program;

(d) Ensure the agency adheres to the requirements established by the Enterprise Security Program, to the extent that they apply;

(e) Participate in all Enterprise Security Program initiatives and services in lieu of deploying duplicate services specific to the agency;

(f) Develop, implement and maintain written agency policies and procedures to ensure the security of data and IT resources. The agency policies and procedures are confidential information and exempt from public inspection, except that the information must be available to the Office of the State Auditor in performing auditing duties;

(g) Implement policies and standards to ensure that all of the agency's data and IT resources are maintained in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, to the extent that they apply;

(h) Implement appropriate cost-effective safeguards to reduce, eliminate or recover from identified threats to data and IT resources;

(i) Ensure that internal assessments of the security program are conducted. The results of the internal assessments are confidential and exempt from public inspection, except that the information must be available to the Office of the State Auditor in performing auditing duties;

(j) Include all appropriate cybersecurity requirements in the specifications for the agency's solicitation of state contracts for procuring data and information technology systems and services;

(k) Include a general description of the security program and future plans for ensuring security of data in the agency long-range information technology plan;

(l) Participate in annual information security training designed specifically for the executive director or agency head to ensure that such individual has an understanding of:

(i) The information and information systems that support the operations and assets of the agency;

(ii) The potential impact of common types of cyber-attacks and data breaches on the agency's operations and assets;

(iii) How cyber-attacks and data breaches on the agency's operations and assets could impact the operations and assets of other state agencies on the Enterprise State Network;

(iv) How cyber-attacks and data breaches occur;

(v) Steps to be undertaken by the executive director or agency head and agency employees to protect their information and information systems; and

(vi) The annual reporting requirements required of the executive director or agency head.

(4) The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall evaluate the Enterprise Security Program. Such evaluation shall include the following factors:

(a) Whether the Enterprise Security Program incorporates nationwide best practices;

(b) Whether opportunities exist to centralize and coordinate oversight of cybersecurity efforts across all state agencies;

(c) A review of the minimum enterprise security requirements that must be incorporated in solicitations for state contracts for procuring data and information technology systems and services; and

(d) Whether opportunities exist to expand the Enterprise Security Program, including providing oversight of cybersecurity efforts of those governing authorities as defined in Section 25-53-3(f) .

In performing such evaluation, the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services may retain experts. This evaluation shall be completed by November 1, 2023. All records in connection with this evaluation shall be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, pursuant to Section 25-61-11.2(f) and (k) .

(5) For the purpose of this subsection, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Cyberattack ” shall mean any attempt to gain illegal access, including any data breach, to a computer, computer system or computer network for purposes of causing damage, disruption or harm.

(b) “ Ransomware ” shall mean a computer contaminant or lock placed or introduced without authorization into a computer, computer system or computer network that restricts access by an authorized person to the computer, computer system, computer network or any data therein under circumstances in which the person responsible for the placement or introduction of the ransomware demands payment of money or other consideration to remove the computer contaminant, restore access to the computer, computer system, computer network or data, or otherwise remediate the impact of the computer contaminant or lock.

(c) From and after July 1, 2023, all state agencies shall notify the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services of any cyberattack or demand for payment as a result of ransomware no later than the close of the next business day following the discovery of such cyberattack or demand. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall develop a reporting format to be utilized by state agencies to provide such notification. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall periodically analyze all such reports and attempt to identify any patterns or weaknesses in the state's cybersecurity efforts. Such reports shall be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, pursuant to Section 25-61-11.2(j) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-9 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 41-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-9
Status: in_force

Any public body may make and enforce reasonable rules and regulations for the conduct of persons attending its meetings.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-9 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 17 / Section 34-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-9
Status: in_force

A notarial officer may charge a fee in an amount not to exceed Five Dollars ($5.00) for services rendered unless otherwise prohibited by law or by rules promulgated by the Secretary of State.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 15 / Section 55-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-3
Status: in_force

Whenever the record of deeds of any county, or any book or part of a book thereof shall be destroyed, stolen, or lost, the same may be remedied--

(a) By the re-record of the original of whatever may have been therein recorded; or

(b) By the recording of decrees adjudicating the execution of lost or destroyed or stolen instruments of all kinds, and perpetuating testimony, and of decrees confirming titles to land or cancelling titles thereto; or

(c) By the recording of certified copies of whatever may have been recorded in the lost, destroyed, or stolen record, which may have been taken from the said record, or which may be taken from the records of any other county in which the original may have been recorded, or from the files of any court of record in this state or any other state, or of the United States, or of any public office of this state or of the United States, in which the original or authenticated copies may be found.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 45 / Section 61-12
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-12
Status: in_force

(1) The home address, any telephone number of a privately paid account or other private information of any law enforcement officer, criminal investigator, judge or district attorney or the spouse or child of the law enforcement officer, criminal investigator, judge or district attorney shall be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983. This exemption does not apply to any court transcript or recording if given under oath and not otherwise excluded by law.

(2)(a) When in the possession of a law enforcement agency, investigative reports shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter; however, a law enforcement agency, in its discretion, may choose to make public all or any part of any investigative report.

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent any and all public bodies from having among themselves a free flow of information for the purpose of achieving a coordinated and effective detection and investigation of unlawful activity. Where the confidentiality of records covered by this section is being determined in a private hearing before a judge under Section 25-61-13 , the public body may redact or separate from the records the identity of confidential informants or the identity of the person or persons under investigation or other information other than the nature of the incident, time, date and location.

(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to exempt from public disclosure a law enforcement incident report. An incident report shall be a public record. A law enforcement agency may release information in addition to the information contained in the incident report.

(d) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require the disclosure of information that would reveal the identity of the victim.

(3) Personal information of victims, including victim impact statements and letters of support on behalf of victims that are contained in records on file with the Mississippi Department of Corrections and State Parole Board, shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.

(4) Records of a public hospital board relating to the purchase or sale of medical or other practices or other business operations, and the recruitment of physicians and other health care professionals, shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-2.105 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 19 / Section 43-2.105
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-2.105
Status: in_force

In accordance with the rule-making requirements of this chapter, the Secretary of State shall adopt model rules of procedure appropriate for use by as many agencies as possible. The model rules must deal with all general functions and duties performed in common by several agencies. Each agency may adopt as much of the model rules as is practicable under its circumstances. To the extent an agency adopts the model rules, it shall do so in accordance with the rule-making requirements of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-19 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 31-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-19
Status: in_force

The several district attorneys, with the Attorney General, are hereby authorized to institute or defend any suits arising out of any act or order of the tax commission or the public service commission affecting the laws and revenues of the state, and are also clothed with such other authority as is conferred upon them at common law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.111 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 41 / Section 43-3.111
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.111
Status: in_force

(1) A rule adopted after July 1, 2005, is invalid unless adopted in substantial compliance with the provisions of Sections 25-43-3.102 through 25-43-3.110 . Inadvertent failure to mail a notice of proposed rule adoption to any person as required by Section 25-43-3.103(2) does not invalidate a rule.

(2) An action to contest the validity of a rule on the grounds of its noncompliance with any provision of Sections 25-43-3.102 through 25-43-3.110 must be commenced within one (1) year after the effective date of the rule.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 31 / Section 65-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-3
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a full-time program of internal auditing to assist in improving university, community/junior college and agency operations, to verify the existence of assets and to identify opportunities for cost savings and revenue enhancement. The university, community/junior college or agency internal audit director shall furnish independent analyses, appraisals and recommendations concerning the adequacy of each university, community/junior college and state agency's systems of internal control, and the efficiency and effectiveness of university, community/junior college and agency management in carrying out assigned responsibilities in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. The internal auditing program shall evaluate and advise the organization in the establishment of controls necessary to accomplish university, community/junior college and agency goals and objectives at reasonable costs. The university, community/junior college or agency internal audit director shall be alert to the possibility of abuse or illegal acts, errors and omissions, and conflict of interest.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-37 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 32 / Section 34-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-37
Status: in_force

(1) A notary public must maintain a journal in which the notary public chronicles all notarial acts that the notary public performs.

(2) A journal must be created on a tangible or electronic medium. A notary public shall maintain only one (1) journal at a time to chronicle all notarial acts, whether those notarial acts are performed regarding tangible or electronic records. If the journal is tangible, it must be a permanent, bound register with numbered pages. An electronic journal must conform to specifications set forth in rules by the Secretary of State.

(3) An entry in a journal must be made contemporaneously with performance of the notarial act and contain the following information:

(a) The date and time of the notarial act;

(b) A description of the record, if any, and type of notarial act;

(c) The full name and address of each individual for whom the notarial act is performed;

(d) If identity of the individual is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect;

(e) If identity of the individual is based on satisfactory evidence, a brief description of the method of identification and the identification credential presented, if any, including the date of issuance and expiration of any identification credential;

(f) The address where the notarial act was performed if not the notary's business address; and

(g) The fee, if any, charged by the notary public.

(4) If the journal of notary public is lost or stolen, the notary public must notify promptly the Secretary of State upon discovery that the journal is lost or stolen.

(5) On resignation from, or the revocation or suspension of, a notary public's commission, the notary public must deposit all journal records with the circuit clerk of the county of residence of the notary public.

(6) Upon the death or adjudication of incompetency of a current or former notary public, the notary public's personal representative or guardian or any other person knowingly in possession of the journal shall:

(a) Notify the Secretary of State of the death or adjudication in writing; and

(b) Within thirty (30) days of death or adjudication of incompetency, transmit all journal records to the circuit clerk of the county of residence of the notary public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-13 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 61 / Section 61-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-13
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Ethics Commission shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter upon a complaint filed by any person denied the right granted under Section 25-61-5 to inspect or copy public records. Upon receiving a complaint, the commission shall forward a copy of the complaint to the head of the public body involved. The public body shall have fourteen (14) days from receipt of the complaint to file a response with the commission. After receiving the response to the complaint or, if no response is received after fourteen (14) days, the commission, in its discretion, may dismiss the complaint or proceed by setting a hearing in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Ethics Commission. The Ethics Commission may order the public body and any individual employees or officials of the public body to produce records or take other reasonable measures necessary, if any, to comply with this chapter. The Ethics Commission may also impose penalties as authorized in this chapter. The Ethics Commission may order a public body to produce records for private review by the commission, its staff or designee. The Ethics Commission shall complete its private review of the records within thirty (30) days after receipt of the records from the public body. Records produced to the commission for private review shall remain exempt from disclosure under this chapter while in the custody of the commission.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the Ethics Commission from mediating or otherwise resolving disputes arising under this chapter, from issuing an order based on a complaint and response where no facts are in dispute, or from entering orders agreed to by the parties. In carrying out its responsibilities under this section, the Ethics Commission shall have all the powers and authority granted to it in Title 25, Chapter 4, Mississippi Code of 1972 , including the authority to promulgate rules and regulations in furtherance of this chapter.

Any party may petition the chancery court of the county in which the public body is located to enforce or appeal any order of the Ethics Commission issued pursuant to this chapter. In any such appeal the chancery court shall conduct a de novo review. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit any party from filing a complaint in any chancery court having jurisdiction, nor shall a party be obligated to exhaust administrative remedies before filing a complaint. However, any party filing such a complaint in chancery court shall serve written notice upon the Ethics Commission at the time of filing the complaint. The written notice is for information only and does not make the Ethics Commission a party to the case.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 17 / Section 41-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-5
Status: in_force

(1) All official meetings of any public body, unless otherwise provided in this chapter or in the Constitutions of the United States of America or the State of Mississippi, are declared to be public meetings and shall be open to the public at all times unless declared an executive session as provided in Section 25-41-7 .

(2) A public body may conduct any meeting through teleconference or video means. A quorum of a public body as prescribed by law may be at different locations for the purpose of conducting a meeting through teleconference or video means provided that the equipment used is located at the place where the public body normally meets or at a public location specified in any notice of a special meeting, and provided that the equipment allows all members of the public body and members of the public who attend the meeting to hear the deliberations of the public body.

(3) An agenda and materials that will be distributed to members of the public body and that have been made available to the staff of the public body in sufficient time for duplication and forwarding to the members of the public body shall be made available to the public at the time of the meeting. Votes taken during any meeting conducted through teleconference or video means shall be taken in a manner that is clearly audible or visible to all members of the public body and to members of the public present at the public location.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-59 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 53-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-59
Status: in_force

Any information confidentiality officer who shall intentionally and wilfully violate his oath by releasing or divulging confidential information without proper authority shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and sentenced to not exceeding one (1) year in jail or a fine of not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-5-1 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-5-1
Status: in_force

If any public officer, state, district, county or municipal, shall be convicted or enter a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in any court of this state or any other state or in any federal court of any felony other than manslaughter or any violation of the United States Internal Revenue Code, of corruption in office or peculation therein, or of gambling or dealing in futures with money coming to his hands by virtue of his office, any court of this state, in addition to such other punishment as may be prescribed, shall adjudge the defendant removed from office; and the office of the defendant shall thereby become vacant. If any such officer be found by inquest to be of unsound mind during the term for which he was elected or appointed, or shall be removed from office by the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise lawfully, his office shall thereby be vacated; and in any such case the vacancy shall be filled as provided by law.

When any such officer is found guilty of a crime which is a felony under the laws of this state or which is punishable by imprisonment for one (1) year or more, other than manslaughter or any violation of the United States Internal Revenue Code, in a federal court or a court of competent jurisdiction of any other state, the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall promptly enter a motion for removal from office in the Circuit Court of Hinds County in the case of a state officer, and in the circuit court of the county of residence in the case of a district, county or municipal officer. The court, or the judge in vacation, shall, upon notice and a proper hearing, issue an order removing such person from office and the vacancy shall be filled as provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 61 / Section 61-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-7
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, each public body may establish and collect fees reasonably calculated to reimburse it for, and in no case to exceed, the actual cost of searching, reviewing and/or duplicating and, if applicable, mailing copies of public records. Any staff time or contractual services included in actual cost shall be at the pay scale of the lowest level employee or contractor competent to respond to the request. Such fees shall be collected by the public body in advance of complying with the request.

(2) A public body may establish a standard fee scale to reimburse it for the costs of creating, acquiring and maintaining a geographic information system or multipurpose cadastre as authorized and defined under Section 25-61-1 et seq. , or any other electronically accessible data. Such fees must be reasonably related to the costs of creating, acquiring and maintaining the geographic information system, multipurpose cadastre or other electronically accessible data, for the data or information contained therein or taken therefrom and for any records, papers, accounts, maps, photographs, films, cards, tapes, recordings or other materials, data or information relating thereto, whether in printed, digital or other format. In determining the fees or charges under this subsection, the public body may consider the type of information requested, the purpose or purposes for which the information has been requested and the commercial value of the information.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-23 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 59-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-23
Status: in_force

The theft, or deliberate alienation, alteration or destruction of records by any person or persons in a manner not authorized by an applicable records control schedule, or the unlawful divulging of restricted information under this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500.00) and not greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.108 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 32 / Section 43-4.108
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.108
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act shall not apply to proposed permanent rules by an agency to implement a statute or ordinance that does not require an agency to interpret or describe the requirements of the statute or ordinance, such as state legislative or federally mandated provisions which afford the agency no discretion to consider less restrictive alternatives.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-55 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-55
Status: in_force

When a special judge or special judges shall be commissioned to preside in any cause in the Supreme Court, or during any term thereof or during the disability or disqualification of any of the judges of said court, such special judge or judges shall each be entitled to the compensation provided for in Section 9-1-105 . Each judge so serving shall make out an itemized account of the number of days he in good faith served, and make affidavit to same and file it with the Clerk of the Supreme Court. The said clerk shall issue a certificate showing the length of time such special judge or judges served, and the Fiscal Management Board shall issue its warrant therefor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-11 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 55 / Section 59-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-11
Status: in_force

The central records storage facility shall become the state records center. The commission of budget and accounting is hereby authorized to transfer the responsibility for the operation of the facility to the department of archives and history. The commission shall also transfer title to the building, equipment and property associated with the facility to the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-15 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 53 / Section 55-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-15
Status: in_force

When the assessment rolls of a county, or either of them, shall be stolen, lost, or destroyed, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to obtain certified copies thereof from the office of the state tax commission or the proper custodian thereof, and to pay for the same out of the county treasury. If the assessment have been so recently made that copies thereof are not on file in the auditor's office, then the assessment roll or rolls of the county used the preceding year shall be in force and, if necessary, copies thereof shall in like manner be obtained, and the taxes of the current year collected thereon; but in such case new assessments shall be made for the following year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 60 / Section 65-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-5
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ University ” means and includes Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State University Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station, Mississippi University Cooperative Extension Service, Mississippi State University Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University State Chemical Laboratory, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, The University of Mississippi, University of Mississippi Medical Center and the University of Southern Mississippi.

(b) “ Community/Junior college ” means and includes Coahoma Community College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College, East Central Community College, East Mississippi Community College, Hinds Community College, Holmes Community College, Itawamba Community College, Jones County Junior College, Meridian Community College, Mississippi Delta Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Pearl River Community College and Southwest Mississippi Community College.

(c) “ State agency ” means and includes the Department of Finance and Administration, the State Tax Commission, the Department of Education, the State Department of Health, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the Mississippi Development Authority, the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Department of Corrections, the Division of Medicaid, the Department of Rehabilitation Services, the Department of Public Safety, the Mississippi Employment Security Commission, the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, the Public Employees Retirement System, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the Mississippi Gaming Commission and the Mississippi Department of Human Services.

(d) “ Agency head ” means an elected official who heads an agency, an executive director or a governing board or commission responsible for heading an agency or a president or chancellor of a university or a president of a community/junior college.

(e) “ Agency internal audit director ” means the person appointed by the agency head to direct the internal audit function for the state agency. Where consistent with responsibilities described in this chapter, the term agency internal audit director may also be referred to as inspector general, audit director, chief auditor or similar internal audit administrator descriptions.

(f) “ Audit committee ” means a standing committee external to organization management that collectively has the expertise to provide effective guidance regarding the acquisition and provision of internal audit services and to provide guidance in the provision of those services.