Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-7 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 53 / Section 59-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-7
Status: in_force

There is hereby created the state records committee to be composed of the governor, state registrar of vital records, state auditor of public accounts, secretary of state and the director of the department of archives and history, or their designated representatives. It shall be the duty of the committee to review, approve, disapprove, amend or modify records control schedules submitted by agency heads or appointed and elected state officials through the department for the disposition of records based on administrative, legal, fiscal or historical value. Such records control schedules, once approved, shall be authoritative and directive, and shall have the force and effect of law. A records schedule may be determined by three (3) members of the committee. Records control schedules may be amended by the committee on change of program mission, legislative change or other actions affecting the basic mission of the agency and in turn affecting the records. The director of the department shall serve as chairman of the committee and shall schedule meetings of the committee as required. Each agency has the right of appeal to the committee for actions taken.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-47 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 34-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-34-47
Status: in_force

(1) A commission as a notary public does not authorize an individual to:

(a) Assist persons in drafting legal records, give legal advice or otherwise practice law;

(b) Act as an immigration consultant or an expert on immigration matters;

(c) Represent a person in a judicial or administrative proceeding relating to immigration to the United States, United States citizenship or related matters; or

(d) Receive compensation for performing any of the activities listed in this subsection.

(2) A notary public may not engage in false or deceptive advertising.

(3) A notary public who is not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state may not use the term “ notario ” or “ notario publico .”

(4) A notary public who is not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state may not advertise or represent that the notary public may assist persons in drafting legal records, give legal advice or otherwise practice law. If a notary public who is not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state in any manner advertises or represents that the notary public offers notarial services, whether orally or in a record, including broadcast media, print media and the Internet, the notary public must include the following statement, or an alternate statement authorized or required by the Secretary of State, in the advertisement or representation, prominently and in each language used in the advertisement or representation: “I am not an attorney licensed to practice law in this state. I am not allowed to draft legal records, give advice on legal matters, including immigration, or charge a fee for those activities.” If the form of advertisement or representation is not broadcast media, print media or the Internet and does not permit inclusion of the statement required by this subsection because of size, it must be displayed prominently or provided at the place of performance of the notarial act before the notarial act is performed.

(5) Except as otherwise allowed by law, a notary public may not withhold access to or possession of an original record provided by a person that seeks performance of a notarial act by the notary public.

(6) Failure to comply with subsections (1) through (5) constitutes an unfair or deceptive act under Section 75-24-5 .

(7) A person who knowingly and willfully violates subsections (1) through (5) is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be fined in an amount not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

(8) Upon a second conviction of any person under subsections (1) through (5), the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed one (1) year or a fine in an amount not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

(9) Upon a third or subsequent conviction of any person for violation of subsections (1) through (5), the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, the person is guilty of a felony, and upon conviction, shall be punished by confinement in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections for a period not to exceed five (5) years or a fine in an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both.

(10) Criminal convictions in other jurisdictions for violations of substantially similar provisions to those contained in subsections (1) through (5) are counted in computing whether a violation under subsections (1) through (5) is a first, second, third or subsequent offense.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-19 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 17 / Section 55-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-19
Status: in_force

Whenever any outstanding bond or warrant of this state or any county, city, town, village, or levee board shall become so far mutilated as to be unfit for circulation, or shall be lost or destroyed, a duplicate thereof may be issued by the officer authorized by law to issue such bonds or warrants, under the regulations and restrictions prescribed in the next section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-23 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 51 / Section 65-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-23
Status: in_force

(1) The state or other external auditor, in connection with planning independent postaudits of the same agency, shall give appropriate consideration to internal audit reports and the resolution of findings therein.

(2) Appropriate legislative committees may inquire into the reasons or justifications for failure of the university, community/junior college or agency to correct the deficiencies reported in internal audits.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-32-4 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 17 / 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. § 25-60-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 60-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-60-3
Status: in_force

Counties and municipalities are hereby authorized to establish regional records centers for the storage, preservation and use of permanently valuable county and municipal records and of inactive county and municipal records which are required to be retained for a prescribed period of time but which are not needed to be kept in the creating office. Such regional records centers may be jointly established and maintained pursuant to agreements executed under the Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1974. Any center established under this section must either be certified by the Department of Archives and History as provided for historical or archival groups or public libraries in Section 25-59-25(2) , or be administered by the Department of Archives and History pursuant to a contract between the department and the local government which established the center.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-60-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 41 / Section 60-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-60-5
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any county or municipal official or employee who accepts documents for filing as public records shall, in addition to any other fee provided elsewhere by law, collect a fee of One Dollar ($1.00) for each document so filed. In municipalities and counties that collect Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) or more per month from the filing fee, the official or employee collecting the fee shall, on or before the last day of each month, deposit the avails of Fifty Cents (50¢) of the fee into the general fund of the county or municipality, as appropriate, and remit the remainder to the State Treasurer who shall deposit it to the credit of a statewide local government records management fund which is hereby created in the State Treasury. In municipalities and counties that collect less than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per month from the filing fee, the avails of Fifty Cents (50¢) of the fee shall be remitted to the State Treasurer on a quarterly basis for deposit as provided in the previous sentence. Any monies remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the General Fund of the State Treasury. Counties and municipalities shall expend monies derived from the fee hereinabove imposed solely to support proper management of their official records in accordance with records management standards established by the Department of Archives and History. Monies in the Local Government Records Management Fund shall be expended by the Department of Archives and History, pursuant to legislative appropriation, to support the Local Government Records Office of the department and to support a local records management grant program as funds permit.

(2) The fee provided in subsection (1) of this section shall not be collected in any county until the board of supervisors, by resolution spread upon its minutes, determines that it will collect the fee.

(3) Each municipality and participating county may collect the filing fee provided for in this section on filings in any court subject to their respective jurisdiction.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 15 / Section 61-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5
Status: repealed

(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided by Sections 25-61-9 , 25-61-11 , 25-61-11.2 and 37-153-7 , all public records are hereby declared to be public property, and any person shall have the right to inspect, copy or mechanically reproduce or obtain a reproduction of any public record of a public body in accordance with reasonable written procedures adopted by the public body concerning the cost, time, place and method of access, and public notice of the procedures shall be given by the public body, or, if a public body has not adopted written procedures, the right to inspect, copy or mechanically reproduce or obtain a reproduction of a public record of the public body shall be provided within one (1) working day after a written request for a public record is made. No public body shall adopt procedures which will authorize the public body to produce or deny production of a public record later than seven (7) working days from the date of the receipt of the request for the production of the record.

(b) If a public body is unable to produce a public record by the seventh working day after the request is made, the public body must provide a written explanation to the person making the request stating that the record requested will be produced and specifying with particularity why the records cannot be produced within the seven-day period. Unless there is mutual agreement of the parties, in no event shall the date for the public body's production of the requested records be any later than fourteen (14) working days from the receipt by the public body of the original request.

(2) If any public record contains material which is not exempted under this chapter, the public agency shall redact the exempted material and make the nonexempted material available for examination. Such public agency shall be entitled to charge a reasonable fee for the redaction of any exempted material, not to exceed the agency's actual cost.

(3) Denial by a public body of a request for access to or copies of public records under this chapter shall be in writing and shall contain a statement of the specific exemption relied upon by the public body for the denial. Each public body shall maintain a file of all denials of requests for public records. Public bodies shall be required to preserve such denials on file for not less than three (3) years from the date such denials are made. This file shall be made available for inspection or copying, or both, during regular office hours to any person upon written request.

(4) Where any public body is preparing or conducting a competitive procurement, the time limitations contained in this section shall be tolled until the public body determines it will not issue the procurement, cancels the procurement or issues a notice naming its intended awardee.

(5) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2028.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.103 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 17 / Section 43-4.103
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.103
Status: in_force

(1) There is established a Small Business Regulatory Review Committee.

(2) The duties of the committee shall be to:

(a) Provide agencies with input regarding proposed permanent rules which may have an economic impact upon small business and for which a notice of intended action is published by the Secretary of State on or after July 1, 2012;

(b) Review any rule promulgated by a state agency for which notice has been given by the agency to the committee that the proposed rule has or may have an economic effect upon small business and make recommendations to the agency and or the Legislature regarding the need for a rule or legislation;

(c) Petition an agency to amend, revise, or revoke an existing regulation based on an economic impact on small business; and

(d) Advise and assist agencies in complying with the provisions of and perform any and all acts and duties set forth and authorized in the Mississippi Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act.

(3) The committee is assigned to the Mississippi Development Authority for administrative purposes only. The department shall act as a coordinator for the committee, and shall not be required to provide legal counsel for the committee.

(4) The committee shall consist of twelve (12) members, appointed as follows:

(a) Four (4) members to be appointed by the Governor, one (1) of whom shall be the Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, or his designee;

(b) Four (4) members to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, two (2) of whom may be State Senators who own small businesses; and

(c) Four (4) members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two (2) of whom may be State Representatives who own small businesses.

Any legislative member appointed to the committee shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.

(5) The appointing authorities shall appoint members of the committee for which no qualifications are specified under subsection (4) from:

(a) Lists of nominees, which may include small business owners, association representatives and small business regulatory advisors who have legal or accounting experience, submitted by the following business organizations:

(i) National Federation of Independent Business;

(ii) Mississippi Manufacturers Association;

(iii) Mississippi Retail Association;

(iv) Mississippi Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Stores Association;

(v) Mississippi Minority Contractors Association;

(vi) Mississippi Economic Council;

(vii) Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation; and

(viii) Any local chamber of commerce; and/or

(b) Small business owners or operators not affiliated with or nominated by the business organizations listed in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(6) Appointments to the committee shall be representative of a variety of small businesses in this state. Except as otherwise provided in this section, appointed members shall be either current or former owners or principal officers of a small business.

(7) The initial appointments to the committee shall be made within sixty (60) days from July 1, 2012. The Mississippi Development Authority shall provide the name and address of each appointee to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of State.

(8)(a) Members initially appointed to the committee shall serve for terms ending December 31, 2014. Thereafter, appointed members shall serve two-year terms that expire on December 31 of the second year.

(b) The Governor shall appoint the initial chair of the committee from the appointed members for a term ending December 31, 2014. Subsequent chairs of the committee shall be elected by the committee from the appointed members for two-year terms that expire on December 31 of the second year.

(9) Members of the committee shall not receive any compensation.

(10) The committee shall meet as determined by the chair of the committee.

(11) A majority of the voting members of the committee shall constitute a quorum to do business. The concurrence of a majority of the members of the committee present and voting shall be necessary to make any action of the committee valid.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-27 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 31 / Section 55-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-27
Status: in_force

(1) Any officer issuing duplicates of bonds shall keep a record showing:

(a) The numbers, dates and amounts of such mutilated, lost or destroyed bonds and of the coupons thereto attached;

(b) The date of the issuance of the duplicate;

(c) The name of the person to whom the duplicate was issued; and

(d) The name of the sureties and penalty of the indemnity bond, if a bond is required.

The officer issuing duplicates of bonds shall preserve the bond and affidavit taken in each case.

(2) Any officer issuing duplicates of warrants shall keep a record showing:

(a) The numbers, dates and amounts of such mutilated, lost, or destroyed warrants;

(b) The date of issuance of the duplicate; and

(c) The name of the person to whom issued.

The officer issuing duplicates of warrants shall preserve the affidavit taken in each case.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-3
Status: in_force

(1) The term “total assessed valuation” as used in this section only refers to the ad valorem assessment for the county and, in addition, in counties where oil or gas is produced, the actual value of oil at the point of production, as certified to the counties by the Department of Revenue under the provisions of Sections 27-25-501 through 27-25-525 , and the actual value of gas as certified by the Department of Revenue under the provisions of Sections 27-25-701 through 27-25-723 .

(2) The salary of assessors and collectors of the various counties is fixed as full compensation for their services as county assessors or tax collectors, or both if the office of assessor has been combined with the office of tax collector. The annual salary of each assessor or tax collector, or both if the offices have been combined, shall be based upon the total assessed valuation of his respective county for the preceding taxable year in the following categories and for the following amounts:

(a) For counties having a total assessed valuation of Three Billion Dollars ($3,000,000,000.00) or more, a salary of Seventy-five Thousand Five Hundred Sixty Dollars ($75,560.00);

(b) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Two Billion Dollars ($2,000,000,000.00) but less than Three Billion Dollars ($3,000,000,000.00), a salary of Seventy-two Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($72,200.00);

(c) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least One Billion Dollars ($1,000,000,000.00) but less than Two Billion Dollars ($2,000,000,000.00), a salary of Sixty-nine Thousand Five Hundred Seventy-five Dollars ($69,575.00);

(d) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000.00) but less than One Billion Dollars ($1,000,000,000.00), a salary of Sixty-six Thousand Four Hundred Twenty-five Dollars ($66,425.00);

(e) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00) but less than Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000.00), a salary of Sixty-three Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($63,800.00);

(f) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000.00) but less than Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00), a salary of Sixty-one Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($61,700.00);

(g) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Seventy-five Million Dollars ($75,000,000.00) but less than One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000.00), a salary of Sixty Thousand One Hundred Twenty-five Dollars ($60,125.00);

(h) For counties having a total assessed valuation of less than Seventy-five Million Dollars ($75,000,000.00), a salary of Fifty-five Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-nine Dollars ($55,929.00).

(3) In addition to all other compensation paid pursuant to this section, the board of supervisors shall pay to a person serving as both the tax assessor and tax collector in their county an additional Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per year.

(4) The annual salary established for assessors and tax collectors shall not be reduced as a result of a reduction in total assessed valuation. The salaries shall be increased as a result of an increase in total assessed valuation.

(5) In addition to all other compensation paid to assessors and tax collectors in counties having two (2) judicial districts, the board of supervisors shall pay such assessors and tax collectors an additional Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00) per year. In addition to all other compensation paid to assessors or tax collectors, in counties maintaining two (2) full-time offices, the board of supervisors shall pay the assessor or tax collector an additional Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00) per year.

(6) In addition to all other compensation paid to assessors and tax collectors, the board of supervisors of a county shall allow for such assessor or tax collector, or both, to be paid additional compensation when there is a contract between the county and one or more municipalities providing that the assessor or tax collector, or both, shall assess or collect taxes, or both, for the municipality or municipalities; and such assessor or tax collector, or both, shall be authorized to receive such additional compensation from the county and/or the municipality or municipalities in any amount allowed by the county and/or the municipality or municipalities for performing those services.

(7) When any tax assessor holds a valid certificate of educational recognition from the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service or is a licensed appraiser under Section 73-34-1 et seq. , he shall receive an additional One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) annually beginning the next fiscal year after completion. When any tax assessor is a licensed state certified Residential Appraiser (RA) or licensed state certified Timberland Appraiser (TA) under Section 73-34-1 et seq. , or when any tax assessor holds a valid designation from the International Association of Assessing Officers as a Cadastral Mapping Specialist (CMS) or Personal Property Specialist (PPS) or Residential Evaluation Specialist (RES), he shall receive an additional Six Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($6,500.00) annually beginning the next fiscal year after completion. When any tax assessor holds the valid designation of Certified Assessment Evaluator (CAE) from the International Association of Assessing Officers or is a state certified General Real Estate Appraiser (GA) under Section 73-34-1 et seq. , he shall receive an additional Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($8,500.00) annually beginning the next fiscal year after completion.

(8) The salaries provided for in this section shall be the total funds paid to the county assessors and tax collectors and shall be full compensation for their services, with any fees being paid to the county general fund.

(9) The salaries provided for 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 or every two (2) weeks pursuant to Section 25-3-29 . 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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.104 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 34 / Section 43-4.104
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.104
Status: in_force

(1) Prior to submitting proposed permanent rules for adoption, amendment, revision or revocation pursuant to the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, the agency shall comply with Section 25-43-3.105(2)(d) in order to determine whether the proposed rules affect small business by preparing an economic impact statement that includes the following:

(a) An identification and estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the proposed regulation;

(b) The projected reporting, recordkeeping and other administrative costs required for compliance with the proposed regulation, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report or record;

(c) A statement of the probable effect on impacted small businesses;

(d) A description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the proposed regulation, including the following regulatory flexibility analysis:

(i) The establishment of less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses;

(ii) The establishment of less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses;

(iii) The consolidation or simplification of compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses;

(iv) The establishment of performance standards for small businesses to replace design or operational standards required in the proposed regulation; and

(v) The exemption of some or all small businesses from all or any part of the requirements contained in the proposed regulations.

(2) If the economic impact statement reflects that a proposed rule may have an economic effect upon small business, the agency shall submit a copy of the proposed rules and the economic impact statement to the committee for its review and comment pursuant to the review and comment provisions of the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law. During the committee review process, the director or the director's designee of the promulgating agency shall be available at the request of the committee for comment on the proposed regulation.

(3) Within the review and comment period, if the committee determines that the proposed rules may have an economic effect upon small business, the committee may submit to the agency its comments concerning the proposed regulation including its specific recommendations.

(4) A small business that is affected or aggrieved by final agency action to enforce a rule or regulation is entitled to review of agency compliance with the requirements of this act.

(5) To ensure that any final rule continues to minimize economic impact on small businesses in a manner consistent with the stated objectives of applicable statutes, each agency shall, during any periodic review required by this chapter, consider the following factors:

(a) The continued need for the rule;

(b) The nature of complaints or comments received concerning the rule from the public;

(c) The complexity of the rule;

(d) The extent to which the rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other federal, state and local governmental law or rules; and

(e) The length of time since the rule has been evaluated or the degree to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the area affected by the rule.

(6) If an agency's economic impact statement reflects that a proposed rule will have no economic impact upon a small business, or if an agency fails to file an economic impact statement and the committee otherwise determines that the agency's proposed rule will have an economic impact, then the committee may file its own economic impact statement for the agency's proposed rule with the Secretary of State and notify the appropriate agency that the economic impact statement was filed. When the committee files its economic impact statement, if an agency has not completed the regulatory process that is required for the applicable proposed rule to become final, the committee shall have an additional sixty (60) days from the date of filing its economic impact statement with the Secretary of State to submit its comments concerning the proposed regulation and any specific recommendations to the agency, for its consideration. During the additional sixty (60) days' committee review process, the director of the promulgating agency, or his or her designee, shall be available at the request of the committee to comment on the proposed regulation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-58-1 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 58-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-58-1
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a) “ Geographic information system ” means a computerized, spatial coordinate mapping and relational data base technology which (i) captures, assembles, stores, converts, manages, analyzes, amalgamates and records, in the digital mode, all kinds and types of information and data; (ii) transforms such information and data into intelligence; and subsequently (iii) retrieves, presents and distributes that intelligence to a user for use in making the intelligent decisions necessary for sound management of private or political affairs.

(b) “ Data base ” means a collection of available information and data assembled into electronic files for efficient and timely management of county and municipal affairs and functions and the exercise of the powers, duties and responsibilities placed upon the governing authorities of a county or municipality by Mississippi law and the Mississippi Constitution.

(c) “ Multipurpose cadastre ” means a uniformly accepted base map registered to the Mississippi State Plane Coordinate System and depicting boundaries of all public properties.

(d) “ Mississippi State Plane Coordinate System ” means the system of plane rectangular coordinates established by the National Geodetic Survey which system is further identified as North American Datum (NAD) 1983.

(2) The board of supervisors of any county and the governing authorities of any municipality are hereby authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to do all things necessary and desirable to create a geographic information system for the county or municipality, as appropriate. Data bases for such a system shall be created under the direct supervision of persons who are experienced in and possess a demonstrated knowledge of the preparation of geographic information systems and of the data bases and the other requirements and activities related thereto.

(3) The board of supervisors of any county and the governing authorities of any municipality are further authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to prepare, or have prepared, a multipurpose cadastre registered to the accuracy standards promulgated by the Federal Geodetic Control Committee established under the provisions of the United States Office of Management and Budget Memoranda A-16.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-19 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 34 / Section 55-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-19
Status: in_force

Whenever any outstanding bond or warrant of this state or any county, city, town, village, or levee board shall become so far mutilated as to be unfit for circulation, or shall be lost or destroyed, a duplicate thereof may be issued by the officer authorized by law to issue such bonds or warrants, under the regulations and restrictions prescribed in the next section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-2 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 34 / 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. § 25-15-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-15-5
Status: in_force

(1) The board shall administer the plan and is authorized to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for its administration, subject to the terms and limitations contained in this article.

(2) The board shall develop a five-year strategic plan for the insurance plan established by Section 25-15-3 et seq. The strategic plan shall address, but not be limited to:

(a) Changing trends in the health care industry, and how they effect delivery of services to members of the plan.

(b) Alternative service delivery systems.

(c) Any foreseeable problems with the present system of delivering and administering health care benefits in Mississippi.

(d) The development of options and recommendations for changes in the plan.

(3) To carry out the requirements of subsection (2) of this section, the board may conduct formal research, including questionnaires and attitudinal surveys of members' needs and preferences with respect to service delivery.

(4) After the board has complied with all provisions of Section 25-15-9 regarding the establishment of the plan, it shall be responsible for fully disclosing to plan members the provisions of the plan. Such disclosure shall consist of the dissemination of educational material on the plan and any proposed changes thereto. The board shall provide members with complete educational materials at least thirty (30) days before the date upon which the plan's members must select a plan option for health care services. The board shall further use the resources of the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television or other state agency, university or college to provide information on proposed changes. The board may also use other state-owned media, as well as public service announcements on private media to disseminate information regarding proposed changes in the plan.

(5) The board shall develop and make available for public review at its offices a comprehensive plan document which documents all benefits for which members of the plan created by Section 25-15-3 et seq. are eligible. This document shall be typed and maintained also at the offices of any administrator contracted with in accordance with Section 25-15-301 .

(6)(a) The board may enter into contracts with accountants, actuaries and other persons from the private sector whose skills are necessary to carry out the purposes of Section 25-15-3 et seq.

(b) Before the board enters into any contract for services as provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the board shall first determine that the services are required, and that the staff of the board and personnel of other state agencies are not sufficiently experienced to provide the services.

(c) If the service is to be rendered for a period of in excess of six (6) months, the board shall seek and obtain bids for the service in a manner identical to that provided for in Section 25-15-301, subsection (1)(a) and (b) except for those provisions which specifically state criteria which are applicable only to third-party administrators contracted with in accordance with Section 25-15-3 et seq.

(d) The board is also authorized to procure legal services if it deems these services to be necessary to carry out its responsibilities under Section 25-15-3 et seq.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 55 / Section 61-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.” It is the policy of the Legislature that public records must be available for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by Chapter 453, Laws of 1996. 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 agency increases its use of and dependence on electronic record keeping, each agency must ensure reasonable access to records electronically maintained, subject to the rules of records retention.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-45-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 34 / 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. § 25-55-15 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 51 / 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. § 25-31-17 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 31-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-17
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the district attorney, when requested by the county depository or the board of supervisors, or the clerk thereof, to give his opinion in writing upon all cases concerning the revenue or expenses of the county, and with the approval of the Attorney General to institute and prosecute to effect, before the proper court, all persons indebted to the state or any county within his district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-21 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 59-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-21
Status: in_force

No person may destroy, sell, loan or otherwise dispose of any public record without the consent of the director. The department shall adopt reasonable rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this chapter, which shall be binding on all state agencies and appointed and elected state officials, relating to the destruction and disposal of records. Such rules and regulations shall include, but not be limited to: procedures for complying and submitting to the department lists and schedules of records proposed for disposal; procedures for the physical destruction or other disposal of records; and standards for the reproduction of records for security and with a view to the disposal of the original record.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-69 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-69
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise provided by law, all officers and employees of state agencies, boards, commissions, departments and institutions authorized by law to receive per diem compensation for each day or fraction thereof occupied with the discharge of official duties shall be entitled to Forty Dollars ($40.00) per diem compensation. When the Governor, Lieutenant Governor or Speaker of the House of Representatives appoints a person to a board, commission or other position that requires confirmation by the Senate, the person may receive per diem compensation for the performance of official duties before such appointment is confirmed by the Senate, as such per diem compensation is authorized under this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-21 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 53 / Section 53-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-21
Status: in_force

The executive director shall have the following duties, responsibilities and authority:

(a) He shall conduct continuing studies of all information technology activities carried out by all agencies of the state and shall develop a long-range plan for the efficient and economical performance of such activities in state government. Such plan shall be submitted to the authority for its approval and, having been approved by the authority, shall be implemented by the executive director and all state agencies. Such plan shall be continuously reviewed and modifications thereof shall be proposed to the authority by the executive director as developments in information technology techniques and changes in the structure, activities, and functions of state government may require.

(b) He shall review the purchasing practices of all state agencies in the area of the purchasing of supplies for information technology and make recommendations to the authority and to the Public Procurement Review Board for the institution of purchasing procedures which will ensure the most economical procurement of such supplies commensurate with the efficient operation of all departments and agencies of state government.

(c) He shall see that all reports required of all agencies are promptly and accurately made in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted by the authority. Either in person or through his authorized agents, he shall make such inspections of information technology operations being conducted by any of the agencies of the state as may be necessary for the performance of his duties.

(d) He shall suggest and cause to be brought about cooperation between the several state agencies in order to provide efficiency in information technology operation. He shall, together with the heads of the agencies involved, reduce to writing and execute cooperative plans for the acquisition and operation of information technology equipment, and any such plan so adopted shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of such plan unless the same shall be amended by the joint action of the executive director and the heads of agencies involved. The executive director shall report to the authority the details of any plan so adopted and all amendments or modifications thereof, and shall otherwise report to the authority and to the Public Procurement Review Board any failure on the part of any agency to carry out the provisions of such plan. In the event the head of any agency involved or the executive director shall propose amendments to a plan so adopted and such amendment is disapproved by the head of another agency involved or the executive director, an appeal may be taken to the authority which may, after full consideration thereof, order the adoption of the proposed amendment or any modification thereof. The executive director shall make decisions on all questions of the division of the cost of information technology operations among the several agencies, but his findings shall be subject to the approval or modification by the authority on appeal to it.

(e) He shall review all contracts for acquisition of computer and/or telecommunications equipment or services now or hereafter in force and may require the renegotiation, termination, amendment or execution of any such contracts in proper form and in accordance with the policies and rules and regulations and subject to the direction of the authority. In the negotiation and execution of such contracts, the executive director may negotiate a limitation on the liability to the state of prospective contractors provided such limitation affords the state reasonable protection and the limitation is approved by the state entity for whom the acquisition is being made.

(f) He shall act as the purchasing and contracting agent for the State of Mississippi in the negotiation and execution of all contracts for the acquisition of computer equipment or services. He shall receive, review, and promptly approve or disapprove all requests of agencies of the state for the acquisition of computer equipment or services, which are submitted in accordance with rules and regulations of the authority. In the event that any such request is disapproved, he shall immediately notify the requesting agency and the members of the authority in writing of such disapproval, stating his reasons therefor. The disapproval of any request by the executive director of the authority may be appealed to the authority or to the Public Procurement Review Board, respectively, in such manner as may be authorized by such reasonable rules and regulations hereby authorized to be adopted by the authority and by the Public Procurement Review Board to govern the same. The executive director shall report the approval of all such requests to the authority in such manner as may be directed by the authority, and shall execute any such contracts only after complying with rules and regulations which may be adopted by the authority in relation thereto. Any contracts for personal or professional services entered into by the executive director shall be exempted from the requirements of Section 25-9-120(3) relating to submission of such contract to the State Personal Service Contract Review Board.

(g) He shall suggest and cause to be brought about cooperation between the several state agencies, departments and institutions in order that work may be done by one agency for another agency, and equipment in one agency may be made available to another agency, and suggest and cause to be brought about such improvements as may be necessary in joint or cooperative information technology operations.

(h) He shall be designated as the “Chief Information Confidentiality Officer” after being duly sworn to the oath of this office by the chairman of the authority and shall be responsible for administering the oath to other qualified officers he may designate.

(i) He shall appoint employees of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, or at his discretion, employees of other state agencies and institutions that are responsible for handling or processing data for any agency or institution other than that for which they are employed, to a position of information custodial care that shall be known as “Information Confidentiality Officer.” The selection and swearing of all officers shall be reported to the authority at the next regular meeting and names, affirmation dates and employment dates shall be recorded in the permanent minutes of the authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-27 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 65 / 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. § 25-61-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 61 / Section 61-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-5
Status: repealed

(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided by Sections 25-61-9 , 25-61-11 , 25-61-11.2 and 37-153-7 , all public records are hereby declared to be public property, and any person shall have the right to inspect, copy or mechanically reproduce or obtain a reproduction of any public record of a public body in accordance with reasonable written procedures adopted by the public body concerning the cost, time, place and method of access, and public notice of the procedures shall be given by the public body, or, if a public body has not adopted written procedures, the right to inspect, copy or mechanically reproduce or obtain a reproduction of a public record of the public body shall be provided within one (1) working day after a written request for a public record is made. No public body shall adopt procedures which will authorize the public body to produce or deny production of a public record later than seven (7) working days from the date of the receipt of the request for the production of the record.

(b) If a public body is unable to produce a public record by the seventh working day after the request is made, the public body must provide a written explanation to the person making the request stating that the record requested will be produced and specifying with particularity why the records cannot be produced within the seven-day period. Unless there is mutual agreement of the parties, in no event shall the date for the public body's production of the requested records be any later than fourteen (14) working days from the receipt by the public body of the original request.

(2) If any public record contains material which is not exempted under this chapter, the public agency shall redact the exempted material and make the nonexempted material available for examination. Such public agency shall be entitled to charge a reasonable fee for the redaction of any exempted material, not to exceed the agency's actual cost.

(3) Denial by a public body of a request for access to or copies of public records under this chapter shall be in writing and shall contain a statement of the specific exemption relied upon by the public body for the denial. Each public body shall maintain a file of all denials of requests for public records. Public bodies shall be required to preserve such denials on file for not less than three (3) years from the date such denials are made. This file shall be made available for inspection or copying, or both, during regular office hours to any person upon written request.

(4) Where any public body is preparing or conducting a competitive procurement, the time limitations contained in this section shall be tolled until the public body determines it will not issue the procurement, cancels the procurement or issues a notice naming its intended awardee.

(5) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2028.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-11.2 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 51 / Section 61-11.2
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-11.2
Status: in_force

The following information technology (IT) records shall be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983:

(a) IT infrastructure details, including network architecture, schematics, and IT system designs;

(b) Source code;

(c) Detailed hardware and software inventories;

(d) Security plans;

(e) Vulnerability reports;

(f) Security risk assessment details;

(g) Security compliance reports;

(h) Authentication credentials;

(i) Security policies and processes;

(j) Security incident reports; and

(k) Any audit, assessment, compliance report, work papers or any combination of these that if disclosed could allow unauthorized access to the state's IT assets.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-45-17 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 32 / 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. § 25-61-1 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 45 / Section 61-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.” It is the policy of the Legislature that public records must be available for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by Chapter 453, Laws of 1996. 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 agency increases its use of and dependence on electronic record keeping, each agency must ensure reasonable access to records electronically maintained, subject to the rules of records retention.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-43 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 15 / Section 31-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-43
Status: in_force

Any district attorney, legal assistant to a district attorney or criminal investigator employed by a district attorney who retires under the Public Employees' Retirement System for superannuation or for reason of disability shall be allowed to retain, as his personal property, one (1) sidearm which was issued under authority of Section 97-37-7 . The replacement cost of the sidearm shall come from funds appropriated to the district attorney other than those funds appropriated from State General Funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-27 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 32 / 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. § 25-53-1 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / Section 53-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-1
Status: in_force

The Legislature recognizes that in order for the State of Mississippi to receive the maximum use and benefit from information technology and services now in operation or which will in the future be placed in operation, there should be full cooperation and cohesive planning and effort by and between the several state agencies and that it is the responsibility of the Legislature to provide statutory authority therefor. The Legislature, therefore, declares and determines that for these and other related purposes there is hereby established an agency of state government to be known as the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS). The Legislature further declares that the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS) shall provide statewide services that facilitate cost-effective information processing and telecommunication solutions. State agencies shall work in full cooperation with the board of MDITS to identify opportunities to minimize duplication, reduce costs and improve the efficiency of providing common technology services across agency boundaries. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the Department of Human Services for a period of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2017. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the Department of Child Protection Services for a period of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2017. Through June 30, 2024, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the Department of Health and the Department of Revenue for the purposes of implementing, administering and enforcing the provisions of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-29 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 45 / 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. § 25-1-111 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-1-111
Status: in_force

When any state agency mails, delivers, circulates, publishes, distributes, transmits, or otherwise disseminates, in any form or manner, information or material that contains the social security number of an individual, the agency shall take such steps as may be reasonably necessary to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of the individual's social security number to members of the general public or to persons other than those persons who, in the performance of their duties and responsibilities, have a lawful and legitimate need to know the individual's social security number. State agencies shall be in compliance with this section on or before July 1, 2003.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-10.1 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 31 / Section 31-10.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-10.1
Status: in_force

In addition to the salaries, expenses and fringe benefits of district attorneys and legal assistants authorized by Section 25-3-35(5) and (6) and criminal investigators authorized by Section 25-31-10(5) , the salary of a district attorney may be supplemented in an amount not to exceed Eight Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($8,300.00) per year; the salary of a legal assistant may be supplemented in an amount not to exceed Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) per year; and the salary of a criminal investigator may be supplemented in an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per year, payable monthly. The supplemental salary, expenses and fringe benefits authorized herein may be paid from office-generated funds, funds from a county, a combination of counties, a municipality, a combination of municipalities, a county and a municipality, a combination of counties and municipalities, federal funds, grants from private foundations, or by means of an Interlocal Cooperative Agreement authorized by Section 17-13-1 . The district attorney shall report to the board of supervisors of each county comprising the circuit court district the amount and source of the supplemental salary, expenses and fringe benefits, and the board in each county shall spread the same on its minutes. The district attorney shall also report such information to the Department of Finance and Administration who shall make such information available to the Legislative Budget Office. The supplemental salary, expenses and fringe benefits may either be paid from district attorney accounts, transferred by the district attorney to the Department of Finance and Administration or to one or more of the separate counties comprising the circuit court district, and such funds shall be disbursed to the employees in the same manner as state-funded criminal investigators and full-time legal assistants.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-23 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 53 / Section 65-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-23
Status: in_force

(1) The state or other external auditor, in connection with planning independent postaudits of the same agency, shall give appropriate consideration to internal audit reports and the resolution of findings therein.

(2) Appropriate legislative committees may inquire into the reasons or justifications for failure of the university, community/junior college or agency to correct the deficiencies reported in internal audits.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-10 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / Section 31-10
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-31-10
Status: in_force

(1) Any district attorney may appoint a full-time criminal investigator.

(2) The district attorneys of the Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Twentieth and Twenty-first Circuit Court Districts may appoint one (1) additional full-time criminal investigator for a total of two (2) full-time criminal investigators.

(3) The district attorneys of the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Nineteenth and Twenty-third Circuit Court Districts may appoint two (2) additional full-time criminal investigators for a total of three (3) full-time criminal investigators.

(4) The district attorney of the Seventh Circuit Court District may appoint one (1) additional full-time criminal investigator for a total of four (4) full-time criminal investigators.

(5) No district attorney or assistant district attorney shall accept any private employment, civil or criminal, in any matter investigated by such criminal investigators.

(6) The full and complete compensation for all public duties rendered by the criminal investigators shall be not more than Sixty-three Thousand Dollars ($63,000.00) per annum, to be determined at the discretion of the district attorney based upon the qualifications, education and experience of the criminal investigator, plus necessary travel and other expenses, to be paid in accordance with Section 25-31-8 . However, the maximum salary under this subsection for a criminal investigator who has a law degree may be supplemented by the district attorney from other available funds, but not to exceed the maximum salary for a legal assistant to a district attorney.

(7) Any criminal investigator may be designated by the district attorney to attend the Law Enforcement Officers Training Program set forth in Section 45-6-1 et seq. The total expenses associated with attendance by criminal investigators at the Law Enforcement Officers Training Program shall be paid out of the funds of the appropriate district attorney.

(8) The district attorney shall be authorized to assign the duties of criminal investigators regardless of the source of funding for such criminal investigators.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-9 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 4 / Section 4-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-4-9
Status: in_force

The commission shall annually elect one (1) member to serve as chairman of the commission and one (1) member to serve as vice chairman. The vice chairman shall act as chairman in the absence or upon the disability of the chairman or in the event of a vacancy of the office of the chairman.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-29 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 55-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-29
Status: in_force

The mutilation, loss, or destruction of the registration or poll-books in any county shall be remedied as provided in the chapter on “Registration and Elections.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-15 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 51 / 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. § 25-3-15 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-15
Status: in_force

It is hereby further provided that, in any county of the state having producing oil or gas wells, the total valuation of such oil or gas produced, as reported by the State Tax Commission for the last preceding calendar year, may be combined with the total assessed valuation of said county in computing its category for the purpose of fixing the salary of the members of the board of supervisors of said county; provided that in any county wherein twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the real property of the county is owned by an agency of the federal government, and consequently exempt from ad valorem taxes, the salary of the members of the board of supervisors in each such county shall be that established by the next highest rate from that determined by the total assessed value of the property of the county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-201 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 53 / 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. § 25-65-17 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 59 / 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. § 25-7-21 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-21
Status: in_force

(1) From and after October 1, 1985, there will be no fees for the services of the tax collector, with the exception of taxes collected for taxing authorities other than the board of supervisors. For collecting taxes for authorities other than the board of supervisors, the fee shall be five percent (5%) of the taxes collected or an amount authorized by contract between the county and the outside taxing authority. A tax collector shall keep a complete account of every such fee collected and shall file an itemized statement thereof monthly, under oath, with the clerk of the board of supervisors of the county who shall preserve same as a part of the records of the office. The tax collector shall make a remittance to the clerk of the board of supervisors of the county on or before the twentieth of each month for deposit into the general fund of the county of all said fees collected during the preceding month.

(2) For the purpose of the limitations set forth in Section 27-39-321 , commissions for levies set by the board of supervisors shall be added to base collections of the general county fund for the 1984-1985 year only.

(3) Fees of publisher for publication--to the publishers, payable by the delinquent taxpayer, and to be collected and paid over by the tax collectors; or if the land be sold to the state to be paid by the state:

For each separate publication advertising lands for sale for taxes, for each separately described subdivision, as described and set out in the assessment rolls for the county․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ $ 1.50

(4) Fees of chancery clerk for collection of delinquent taxes:

(a) For abstracting the list of lands sold for taxes, for each separately described section or subdivision lot․․․․․․․․․․․․ $ 1.00

(b) For filing and recording deed to land sold for taxes the fee provided in Section 25-7-9(1)(b) .

(c) For abstracting each deed in the sectional index, per section or subdivision lot․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․.. $ 1.00

(d) For each recording redemption the fee provided in Section 25-7-9(1)(b) .

(e) For abstracting each redemption in the sectional index, per section or subdivision lot․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․ $ 1.00

(f) And, in addition, three percent (3%) on the amount necessary to redeem.

The several officers' fees shall be collected by the tax collector or chancery clerk and paid over to those entitled to same.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.105 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 43-3.105
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-3.105
Status: in_force

(1) Prior to giving the notice required in Section 25-43-3.103 , each agency proposing the adoption of a rule or significant amendment of an existing rule imposing a duty, responsibility or requirement on any person shall consider the economic impact the rule will have on the citizens of our state and the benefits the rule will cause to accrue to those citizens. For purposes of this section, a “ significant amendment ” means any amendment to a rule for which the total aggregate cost to all persons required to comply with that rule exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00).

(2) Each agency shall prepare a written report providing an economic impact statement for the adoption of a rule or significant amendment to an existing rule imposing a duty, responsibility or requirement on any person, except as provided in subsection (7) of this section. The economic impact statement shall include the following:

(a) A description of the need for and the benefits which will likely accrue as the result of the proposed action;

(b) An estimate of the cost to the agency, and to any other state or local government entities, of implementing and enforcing the proposed action, including the estimated amount of paperwork, and any anticipated effect on state or local revenues;

(c) An estimate of the cost or economic benefit to all persons directly affected by the proposed action;

(d) An analysis of the impact of the proposed rule on small business;

(e) A comparison of the costs and benefits of the proposed rule to the probable costs and benefits of not adopting the proposed rule or significantly amending an existing rule;

(f) A determination of whether less costly methods or less intrusive methods exist for achieving the purpose of the proposed rule where reasonable alternative methods exist which are not precluded by law;

(g) A description of reasonable alternative methods, where applicable, for achieving the purpose of the proposed action which were considered by the agency and a statement of reasons for rejecting those alternatives in favor of the proposed rule; and

(h) A detailed statement of the data and methodology used in making estimates required by this subsection.

(3) No rule or regulation shall be declared invalid based on a challenge to the economic impact statement for the rule unless the issue is raised in the agency proceeding. No person shall have standing to challenge a rule, based upon the economic impact statement or lack thereof, unless that person provided the agency with information sufficient to make the agency aware of specific concerns regarding the statement in an oral proceeding or in written comments regarding the rule. The grounds for invalidation of an agency action, based upon the economic impact statement, are limited to the agency's failure to adhere to the procedure for preparation of the economic impact statement as provided in this section, or the agency's failure to consider information submitted to the agency regarding specific concerns about the statement, if that failure substantially impairs the fairness of the rule-making proceeding.

(4) A concise summary of the economic impact statement must be properly filed with the Secretary of State for publication in the administrative bulletin and the period during which persons may make written submissions on the proposed rule shall not expire until at least twenty (20) days after the date of such proper filing.

(5) The properly filed summary of the economic impact statement must also indicate where persons may obtain copies of the full text of the economic impact statement and where, when and how persons may present their views on the proposed rule and demand an oral proceeding on the proposed rule if one is not already provided.

(6) If the agency has made a good-faith effort to comply with the requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of this section, the rule may not be invalidated on the ground that the contents of the economic impact statement are insufficient or inaccurate.

(7) This section does not apply to the adoption of:

(a) Any rule which is required by the federal government pursuant to a state/federal program delegation agreement or contract;

(b) Any rule which is expressly required by state law; and

(c) A temporary rule adopted pursuant to Section 25-43-3.108 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-28 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 53 / Section 55-28
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-28
Status: in_force

When a state warrant has been lost or destroyed before having been paid by the State Treasurer, and a photocopy of such warrant is presented for payment to the State Treasurer by a qualified state depository bank or a Federal Reserve bank, a duplicate warrant need not be issued in order for payment to be made. The State Treasurer may treat the photocopy as the warrant or certificate of the State Auditor or State Fiscal Management Board issued pursuant to law and may pay the same, provided the photocopy is presented in accordance with applicable Federal Reserve Board rules and such regulations as the State Treasurer may prescribe.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-29 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 51 / 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. § 25-15-15 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-15-15
Status: repealed

(1) The board is authorized to determine the manner in which premiums and contributions by the state agencies, local school districts, colleges, universities, community/junior colleges and public libraries shall be collected to provide the self-insured health insurance program for employees as provided under this article. The state shall provide fifty percent (50%) of the cost of the above life insurance plan for all active full-time employees. The state shall provide one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of the health insurance plan for active full-time employees initially employed before January 1, 2006, except as otherwise provided in this section. For active full-time employees initially employed on or after January 1, 2006, the state shall provide one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of a basic level of health insurance, except as otherwise provided in this section, and the employees may pay additional amounts to purchase additional benefits or levels of coverage offered under the plan. The board, if determined to be necessary, may assess active full-time employees a portion of the active employee premium in an amount not to exceed Twenty Dollars ($20.00) per month, notwithstanding any language in this section to the contrary. All active full-time employees shall be given the opportunity to purchase coverage for their eligible dependents with the premiums for such dependent coverage, as well as the employee's fifty percent (50%) share for his life insurance coverage, to be deductible from the employee's salary by the agency, department or institution head, which deductions, together with the fifty percent (50%) share of such life insurance premiums of such employing agency, department or institution head from funds appropriated to or authorized to be expended by the employing agency, department or institution head, shall be deposited directly into a depository bank or special fund in the State Treasury, as determined by the board. These funds and interest earned on these funds may be used for the disbursement of claims and shall be exempt from the appropriation process.

(2) The state shall provide annually, by line item in the Mississippi Library Commission appropriation bill, such funds to pay one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of health insurance under the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan, or any lesser percentage of the cost that is not assessed to the employees by the board, for full-time library staff members in each public library in Mississippi initially employed before January 1, 2006. For full-time library staff members initially employed on or after January 1, 2006, the state shall provide one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of a basic level of health insurance under the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan, or any lesser percentage of the cost that is not assessed to the employees by the board, and the employees may pay additional amounts to purchase additional benefits or levels of coverage offered under the plan. The commission shall allot to each public library a sufficient amount of those funds appropriated to pay the costs of insurance for eligible employees. Any funds so appropriated by line item which are not expended during the fiscal year for which such funds were appropriated shall be carried forward for the same purposes during the next succeeding fiscal year. If any premiums for the health insurance and/or late charges and interest penalties are not paid by a public library in a timely manner, as defined by the board, the Mississippi Library Commission, upon notice by the board, shall immediately withhold all subsequent disbursements of funds to that public library.

(3) The state shall annually provide one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of the health insurance plan, or any lesser percentage of the cost that is not assessed to the employees by the board, for public school district employees who work no less than twenty (20) hours during each week and regular nonstudent school bus drivers, if such employees and school bus drivers were initially employed before January 1, 2006. For such employees and school bus drivers initially employed on or after January 1, 2006, the state shall provide one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of a basic level of health insurance under the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan, or any lesser percentage of the cost that is not assessed to the employees by the board, and the employees may pay additional amounts to purchase additional benefits or levels of coverage offered under the plan. Where federal funding is allowable to defray, in full or in part, the cost of participation in the program by district employees who work no less than twenty (20) hours during the week and regular nonstudent bus drivers, whose salaries are paid, in full or in part, by federal funds, the allowance under this section shall be reduced to the extent of such federal funding. Where the use of federal funds is allowable but not available, it is the intent of the Legislature that school districts contribute the cost of participation for such employees from local funds, except that parent fees for child nutrition programs shall not be increased to cover such cost.

(4) The state shall provide annually, by line item in the community/junior college appropriation bill, such funds to pay one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of the health insurance plan, or any lesser percentage of the cost that is not assessed to the employees by the board, for community/junior college district employees initially employed before January 1, 2006, who work no less than twenty (20) hours during each week. For such employees initially employed on or after January 1, 2006, the state shall provide one hundred percent (100%) of the cost of a basic level of health insurance under the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan, or any lesser percentage of the cost that is not assessed to the employees by the board, and the employees may pay additional amounts to purchase additional benefits or levels of coverage offered under the plan.

(5) When the use of federal funding is allowable to defray, in full or in part, the cost of participation in the insurance plan by community/junior college district employees who work no less than twenty (20) hours during each week, whose salaries are paid, in full or in part, by federal funds, the allowance under this section shall be reduced to the extent of the federal funding. Where the use of federal funds is allowable but not available, it is the intent of the Legislature that community/junior college districts contribute the cost of participation for such employees from local funds.

(6) Any community/junior college district may contribute to the cost of coverage for any district employee from local community/junior college district funds, and any public school district may contribute to the cost of coverage for any district employee from nonminimum program funds. Any part of the cost of such coverage for participating employees of public school districts and public community/junior college districts that is not paid by the state shall be paid by the participating employees, which shall be deducted from the salaries of the employees in a manner determined by the board.

(7) Any funds appropriated for the cost of insurance by line item in the community/junior colleges appropriation bill which are not expended during the fiscal year for which such funds were appropriated shall be carried forward for the same purposes during the next succeeding fiscal year.

(8) The board may establish and enforce late charges and interest penalties or other penalties for the purpose of requiring the prompt payment of all premiums for life and health insurance permitted under this chapter. All funds in excess of the amount needed for disbursement of claims shall be deposited in a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the State and School Employees Insurance Fund. The State Treasurer shall invest all funds in the State and School Employees Insurance Fund and all interest earned shall be credited to the State and School Employees Insurance Fund. Such funds shall be placed with one or more depositories of the state and invested on the first day such funds are available for investment in certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements or in United States Treasury bills or as otherwise authorized by law for the investment of Public Employees' Retirement System funds, as long as such investment is made from competitive offering and at the highest and best market rate obtainable consistent with any available investment alternatives; however, such investments shall not be made in shares of stock, common or preferred, or in any other investments which would mature more than one (1) year from the date of investment. The board shall have the authority to draw from this fund periodically such funds as are necessary to operate the self-insurance plan or to pay to the insurance carrier the cost of operation of this plan, it being the purpose to limit the amount of participation by the state to fifty percent (50%) of the cost of the life insurance program and not to limit the contracting for additional benefits where the cost will be paid in full by the employee. The state shall not share in the cost of coverage for retired employees.

(9) The board shall also provide for the creation of an Insurance Reserve Fund and funds therein shall be invested by the State Treasurer with all interest earned credited to the State and School Employees Insurance Fund.

(10) Any retired employee electing to purchase retired life and health insurance will have the full cost of such insurance deducted monthly from his State of Mississippi retirement plan check or direct billed for the cost of the premium if the retirement check is insufficient to pay for the premium. If the board determines actuarially that the premium paid by the participating retirees adversely affects the overall cost of the plan to the state, then the board may impose a premium surcharge, not to exceed fifteen percent (15%), upon such participating retired employees who are under the age for Medicare eligibility and who were initially employed before January 1, 2006. For participating retired employees who are under the age for Medicare eligibility and who were initially employed on or after January 1, 2006, the board may impose a premium surcharge in an amount the board determines actuarially to cover the full cost of insurance.

(11) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2026.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.102 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 15 / Section 43-4.102
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.102
Status: in_force

As used in this article:

(a) “Agency” is defined in Section 25-43-1.102 .

(b) “ Department ” means the Mississippi Development Authority.

(c) “ Committee ” means the Small Business Regulatory Review Committee.

(d) “Rule” is defined in Section 25-43-1.102 , except that the term “rule” shall not include emergency or preemptive rules.

(e) “ Small business ” means a for-profit business entity employing fewer than one hundred (100) full-time employees or having gross annual sales or revenues of less than Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 41 / Section 41-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-3
Status: in_force

For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed herein, to wit:

(a) “ Public body ” means any executive or administrative board, commission, authority, council, department, agency, bureau or any other policymaking entity, or committee thereof, of the State of Mississippi, or any political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state, whether the entity be created by statute or executive order, which is supported wholly or in part by public funds or expends public funds, and any standing, interim or special committee of the Mississippi Legislature. The term “public body” includes the governing board of a charter school authorized by the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board and the board of trustees of a community hospital as defined in Section 41-13-10 . The term “public body” includes the Mississippi Lottery Corporation. There shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:

(i) The judiciary, including all jury deliberations;

(ii) Law enforcement officials;

(iii) The military;

(iv) The State Probation and Parole Board;

(v) The Workers' Compensation Commission;

(vi) Legislative subcommittees and legislative conference committees;

(vii) The arbitration council established in Section 69-3-19 ;

(viii) License revocation, suspension and disciplinary proceedings held by the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners; and

(ix) Hearings and meetings of the Board of Tax Appeals and of the hearing officers and the board of review of the Department of Revenue as provided in Section 27-77-15 .

(b) “ Meeting ” means an assemblage of members of a public body at which official acts may be taken upon a matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power, including an assemblage through the use of video or teleconference devices that conforms to Section 25-41-5 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 41 / Section 53-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-3
Status: in_force

(1) Whenever the term “ Central Data Processing Authority ” or the term “ authority ,” when referring to the Central Data Processing Authority, is used in any law, rule, regulation, document or elsewhere, it shall be construed to mean the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.

(2) For the purposes of this chapter the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) “Central Data Processing Authority” and “CDPA” mean “Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS)” and the term “authority” means “board of the MDITS.”

(b) “Bureau of Systems Policy and Planning,” “Bureau of Telecommunications,” “Bureau of Central Data Processing” and “bureau” mean “Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.”

(c) “ Computer equipment or services ” means any information technology, computer or computer related telecommunications equipment, electronic word processing and office systems, or services utilized in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, all phases of computer software and consulting services, and insurance on all state-owned computer equipment.

(d) “ Acquisition ” of computer or telecommunications equipment or services means the purchase, lease, rental, or acquisition in any other manner of any such computer or telecommunications equipment or services.

(e) “ Agency ” means and includes all the various state agencies, officers, departments, boards, commissions, offices and institutions of the state.

(f) “ Governing authority ” means boards of supervisors, governing boards of all school districts, all boards of directors of public water supply districts, boards of directors of master public water supply districts, municipal public utility commissions, governing authorities of all municipalities, port authorities, commissioners and boards of trustees of any public hospitals and any political subdivision of the state supported wholly or in part by public funds of the state or political subdivisions thereof.

(g) “ Bid ” means any of the valid source selection techniques and competitive procurement methods appropriate to information technology procurement in the public sector, including, but not limited to, competitive sealed bidding, competitive sealed proposals, simplified small purchase procedures, sole source procurements, and emergency procurements.

(h) “ Telecommunications transmission facility ” means any transmission medium, switch, instrument, inside wiring system or other facility which is used, in whole or part, to provide any transmission.

(i) “ Equipment support contract ” means a contract which covers a single, specific class or classes of telecommunications equipment or service and all features associated with that class, through which state agencies may purchase or lease the item of equipment or service specified by issuing a purchase order under the terms of the contract without the necessity of further competitive bidding.

(j) “ Inside wiring system ” means any wiring which:

(i) Directly or indirectly, interconnects any terminal equipment with any other terminal equipment or with any regulated facility or common carrier services; and

(ii) Is located at the premises of the customer and is not inside any terminal equipment.

(k) “ Procurement ” means the selling, buying, purchasing, renting, leasing or otherwise obtaining telecommunications equipment, system or related services, as well as activities engaged in, resulting in or expected to result in selling, buying, purchasing, renting, leasing or otherwise obtaining telecommunications equipment.

(l) “ Telecommunications equipment, systems, related services ” are limited to the equipment and means to provide:

(i) Telecommunications transmission facilities.

(ii) Telephone systems, including voice processing systems.

(iii) Facsimile systems.

(iv) Radio paging services.

(v) Mobile telephone services, including cellular mobile telephone service.

(vi) Intercom and paging systems.

(vii) Video teleconferencing systems.

(viii) Personal communications networks and services.

(ix) Any and all systems based on emerging and future telecommunications technologies relative to (i) through (viii) above.

(m) “ Telecommunications system lease contract ” means a contract between a supplier of telecommunications systems, including equipment and related services, and the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services through which telecommunications systems, including equipment and related services, may be leased for a term which shall not exceed sixty (60) months for a system lease valued less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) and shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) months for a system lease valued One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) or more.

(n) “ Tariffed or regulated service ” means telecommunications service offered by common carriers and subject to control by the Mississippi Public Service Commission or the Federal Communications Commission.

(o) “ State Data Center ” means one or more facilities operated by the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services to provide information technology resources requiring enterprise computing resources or any other centrally managed information resources.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-15-23 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 25-65-29 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 61 / 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. § 25-53-107 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 51 / Section 53-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-107
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the manner in which the authority and duties prescribed by Sections 25-53-101 through 25-53-125 shall be carried out. It shall employ competent personnel necessary to carry out its purposes, under rules promulgated by the State Personnel Board.

(2) The bureau, during a fiscal year, may utilize time-limited escalated positions in order to implement telecommunications enterprise decisions that yield cost avoidance, cost reductions or revenue increases and so long as the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services can provide the necessary funds without such action causing a telephone service rate increase to agency customers. Such employees of the bureau shall be considered nonstate service employees, shall be highly qualified telecommunications professionals and may be compensated at a rate comparable to the prevailing rate of telecommunications personnel 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 legislation. The compensation and classification of such positions and qualifications of employees shall be set by the State Personnel Board upon recommendation by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services. Nonstate service positions can be recommended for conversion to permanent state service on a case by case basis if the supported function appears long-term in duration, if accomplished in accordance with State Personnel Board procedures, and if properly identified in the state budgetary process.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-2.102 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / Section 43-2.102
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-2.102
Status: in_force

(1) In addition to other requirements imposed by any provision of law, and subject to any confidentiality provisions established by law, each agency shall make all written final orders available for public inspection and copying and index them by name and subject.

(2) A written final order available for public inspection pursuant to subsection (1) may not be relied on as precedent by an agency to the detriment of any person until it has been made available for public inspection and indexed in the manner described in subsection (1) of this section. This provision is inapplicable to any person who has actual, timely knowledge of the order. The burden of proving that knowledge is on the agency.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-1-23 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-1-23
Status: in_force

The officers by whom official bonds of public officials and employees are to be approved shall have the right to inspect the land described in the affidavit made by a surety on any such bond, and shall have the right to orally examine the surety and others touching the description and value of such land. If the approving officers shall fail or refuse to approve any such official bond within fifteen (15) days after it is presented to them by any duly elected or appointed officer or employee and such officer or employee is debarred of his office or position by reason of such failure or refusal, the officer or employee thus debarred may, within ten (10) days after the expiration of the said fifteen-day period, appeal to the chancery court of the county, upon giving bond with sufficient sureties in a penalty of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), payable to the state and conditioned that he will perform the decree of the chancery court. The appeal bond, if sufficient, shall be approved by the clerk of the chancery court and forthwith delivered to the officers who have failed or refused to approve the official bond.

When the appeal bond has been approved and delivered to the approving officers, they shall immediately file it, together with the official bond and the affidavits by the sureties that are annexed to it, in the office of the clerk of the chancery court; and the cause shall be immediately entered on the issue docket of the chancery court as a suit in equity in the name of the aggrieved officer or employee, as complainant, and in the names of the approving officers, as defendants, which cause shall then be at issue and shall be a preference case. The controversy shall be tried de novo, either in term or in vacation, at a time to be fixed by an order made by the chancellor, and no other or further notice of the trial shall be necessary. The issue shall be the sufficiency vel non of the official bond, and the burden of proof shall be upon the appealing officer or employee.

If the bond be adjudged to be sufficient and the approving officers are still unwilling to approve it, the appealing officer or employee may deliver to the approving officers certified copies of the bond, the affidavits of the sureties annexed to it, and the decree of the chancery court; and he shall thereupon be entitled to have the oath of office administered to him and to occupy the office to which he was theretofore elected or appointed.

If the bond be adjudged to be insufficient, a decree shall be rendered against the appealing officer or employee and the sureties on the appeal bond, requiring them to pay the costs of the proceeding in the chancery court; but such adjudication shall not preclude the appealing officer or employee from furnishing a sufficient bond, and the approval thereof by the approving officers, at any time before another person has been duly elected or appointed to the office or position.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-1 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 31 / Section 41-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-1
Status: in_force

It being essential to the fundamental philosophy of the American constitutional form of representative government and to the maintenance of a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner, and that citizens be advised of and be aware of the performance of public officials and the deliberations and decisions that go into the making of public policy, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Mississippi that the formation and determination of public policy is public business and shall be conducted at open meetings except as otherwise provided herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-19 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 45 / Section 55-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-19
Status: in_force

Whenever any outstanding bond or warrant of this state or any county, city, town, village, or levee board shall become so far mutilated as to be unfit for circulation, or shall be lost or destroyed, a duplicate thereof may be issued by the officer authorized by law to issue such bonds or warrants, under the regulations and restrictions prescribed in the next section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-25 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 53 / Section 59-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-25
Status: in_force

(1) No person acting in compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall be held personally liable. If it becomes necessary for archivists or records analysts on the staff of the department to inspect closed or restricted records in order to appraise them for archival significance those archivists or records analysts shall not be held liable under law for such inspection. It shall be unlawful for such archivists or records analysts to divulge any information contained in the closed or restricted records.

(2) Whenever laws and regulations prescribe where a record series must be kept, the custodian of such records shall be considered in compliance with those laws, rules and regulations if he transfers the records to a local holding area, a records center or the Mississippi State Archives when he does so in accordance with an approved records control schedule. All local governmental bodies in this state are hereby authorized and empowered, in their discretion, to transfer records, after the expiration of time when such bodies no longer have to retain the records, to a public library or to a local historical or archival group which has been incorporated and operates as a private, nonprofit corporation. Any local governmental body which desires to transfer records to a local historical or archival group or public library shall have certification from the department prior to the records being transferred indicating that such entity has satisfied all the rules and regulations of the department and that the department has officially approved such entity as a records depository. The title to all records transferred to any local historical or archival group or public library shall remain in the local governmental body which transfers the records to such entity, and the ultimate authority over the records shall continue to reside with the person charged with the responsibility for making and keeping the records. Any local governmental body may also request certification from the department of the body's own record storage area for records which the body determines to retain in its custody.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-7 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 55 / 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. § 25-34-37 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 25-53-1 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 45 / Section 53-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-1
Status: in_force

The Legislature recognizes that in order for the State of Mississippi to receive the maximum use and benefit from information technology and services now in operation or which will in the future be placed in operation, there should be full cooperation and cohesive planning and effort by and between the several state agencies and that it is the responsibility of the Legislature to provide statutory authority therefor. The Legislature, therefore, declares and determines that for these and other related purposes there is hereby established an agency of state government to be known as the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS). The Legislature further declares that the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS) shall provide statewide services that facilitate cost-effective information processing and telecommunication solutions. State agencies shall work in full cooperation with the board of MDITS to identify opportunities to minimize duplication, reduce costs and improve the efficiency of providing common technology services across agency boundaries. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the Department of Human Services for a period of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2017. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the Department of Child Protection Services for a period of three (3) years beginning July 1, 2017. Through June 30, 2024, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the Department of Health and the Department of Revenue for the purposes of implementing, administering and enforcing the provisions of the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-27 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 19 / Section 55-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-55-27
Status: in_force

(1) Any officer issuing duplicates of bonds shall keep a record showing:

(a) The numbers, dates and amounts of such mutilated, lost or destroyed bonds and of the coupons thereto attached;

(b) The date of the issuance of the duplicate;

(c) The name of the person to whom the duplicate was issued; and

(d) The name of the sureties and penalty of the indemnity bond, if a bond is required.

The officer issuing duplicates of bonds shall preserve the bond and affidavit taken in each case.

(2) Any officer issuing duplicates of warrants shall keep a record showing:

(a) The numbers, dates and amounts of such mutilated, lost, or destroyed warrants;

(b) The date of issuance of the duplicate; and

(c) The name of the person to whom issued.

The officer issuing duplicates of warrants shall preserve the affidavit taken in each case.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.106 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 15 / Section 43-4.106
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.106
Status: in_force

The committee shall make an annual report by January 15 of each year to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and provide detailed information on the committee's activities during the previous calendar year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-171 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 51 / 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. § 25-41-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 14 / Section 41-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-3
Status: in_force

For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed herein, to wit:

(a) “ Public body ” means any executive or administrative board, commission, authority, council, department, agency, bureau or any other policymaking entity, or committee thereof, of the State of Mississippi, or any political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state, whether the entity be created by statute or executive order, which is supported wholly or in part by public funds or expends public funds, and any standing, interim or special committee of the Mississippi Legislature. The term “public body” includes the governing board of a charter school authorized by the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board and the board of trustees of a community hospital as defined in Section 41-13-10 . The term “public body” includes the Mississippi Lottery Corporation. There shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:

(i) The judiciary, including all jury deliberations;

(ii) Law enforcement officials;

(iii) The military;

(iv) The State Probation and Parole Board;

(v) The Workers' Compensation Commission;

(vi) Legislative subcommittees and legislative conference committees;

(vii) The arbitration council established in Section 69-3-19 ;

(viii) License revocation, suspension and disciplinary proceedings held by the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners; and

(ix) Hearings and meetings of the Board of Tax Appeals and of the hearing officers and the board of review of the Department of Revenue as provided in Section 27-77-15 .

(b) “ Meeting ” means an assemblage of members of a public body at which official acts may be taken upon a matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power, including an assemblage through the use of video or teleconference devices that conforms to Section 25-41-5 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.104 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 41 / Section 43-4.104
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-4.104
Status: in_force

(1) Prior to submitting proposed permanent rules for adoption, amendment, revision or revocation pursuant to the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, the agency shall comply with Section 25-43-3.105(2)(d) in order to determine whether the proposed rules affect small business by preparing an economic impact statement that includes the following:

(a) An identification and estimate of the number of small businesses subject to the proposed regulation;

(b) The projected reporting, recordkeeping and other administrative costs required for compliance with the proposed regulation, including the type of professional skills necessary for preparation of the report or record;

(c) A statement of the probable effect on impacted small businesses;

(d) A description of any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the proposed regulation, including the following regulatory flexibility analysis:

(i) The establishment of less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses;

(ii) The establishment of less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses;

(iii) The consolidation or simplification of compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses;

(iv) The establishment of performance standards for small businesses to replace design or operational standards required in the proposed regulation; and

(v) The exemption of some or all small businesses from all or any part of the requirements contained in the proposed regulations.

(2) If the economic impact statement reflects that a proposed rule may have an economic effect upon small business, the agency shall submit a copy of the proposed rules and the economic impact statement to the committee for its review and comment pursuant to the review and comment provisions of the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law. During the committee review process, the director or the director's designee of the promulgating agency shall be available at the request of the committee for comment on the proposed regulation.

(3) Within the review and comment period, if the committee determines that the proposed rules may have an economic effect upon small business, the committee may submit to the agency its comments concerning the proposed regulation including its specific recommendations.

(4) A small business that is affected or aggrieved by final agency action to enforce a rule or regulation is entitled to review of agency compliance with the requirements of this act.

(5) To ensure that any final rule continues to minimize economic impact on small businesses in a manner consistent with the stated objectives of applicable statutes, each agency shall, during any periodic review required by this chapter, consider the following factors:

(a) The continued need for the rule;

(b) The nature of complaints or comments received concerning the rule from the public;

(c) The complexity of the rule;

(d) The extent to which the rule overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with other federal, state and local governmental law or rules; and

(e) The length of time since the rule has been evaluated or the degree to which technology, economic conditions, or other factors have changed in the area affected by the rule.

(6) If an agency's economic impact statement reflects that a proposed rule will have no economic impact upon a small business, or if an agency fails to file an economic impact statement and the committee otherwise determines that the agency's proposed rule will have an economic impact, then the committee may file its own economic impact statement for the agency's proposed rule with the Secretary of State and notify the appropriate agency that the economic impact statement was filed. When the committee files its economic impact statement, if an agency has not completed the regulatory process that is required for the applicable proposed rule to become final, the committee shall have an additional sixty (60) days from the date of filing its economic impact statement with the Secretary of State to submit its comments concerning the proposed regulation and any specific recommendations to the agency, for its consideration. During the additional sixty (60) days' committee review process, the director of the promulgating agency, or his or her designee, shall be available at the request of the committee to comment on the proposed regulation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-9 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 19 / 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. § 25-53-7 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 17 / Section 53-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-7
Status: in_force

(1) The membership of the authority shall be composed of five (5) members to be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. The initial terms of the members shall be for one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4) and five (5) years, respectively, and thereafter all terms shall be for five (5) years. Each member may continue to serve for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months after the expiration of his term if his successor is not duly appointed. The initial appointments to the reconstituted authority shall be made no later than June 30, 1984, for terms to begin on July 1, 1984. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments for the unexpired portion of the term vacated. Each member of the authority shall have a minimum of four (4) years' experience in an information technology-related executive position or prior service as a member of the authority.

(2) Each member of the authority shall be required to furnish a surety bond in the minimum amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) to be approved by the Secretary of State, conditioned according to law and payable to the State of Mississippi, before entering upon his duties. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid from any funds available to the authority for such purpose.

(3) No member of the authority, nor its executive director, shall, during his term as such member or director, have any substantial beneficial interest in any corporation or other organization engaged in the information technology business either as manufacturer, supplier, lessor, or otherwise. All members and the executive director shall fully disclose in writing any such beneficial interest, and such disclosure shall be entered on the minutes of the authority.

(4) The Lieutenant Governor may designate one (1) Senator and the Speaker of the House of Representatives may designate one (1) Representative to attend any meeting of the authority. The appointing authorities may designate an alternate member from their respective houses to serve when the regular designee is unable to attend such meetings of the authority. Such legislative designees shall have no jurisdiction or vote on any matter within the jurisdiction of the authority. For attending meetings of the authority, such 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 authority will be paid while the Legislature is in session. No per diem and expenses will be paid except for attending meetings of the authority without prior approval of the proper committee in their respective houses.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-35 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-7-35
Status: in_force

The court in which the cause is pending, or the chancellor or judge thereof in vacation, shall fix and allow reasonable compensation for commissioners, referees, auditors, and arbitrators; and such compensation shall be taxed and collected as costs in the suit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-15 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 32 / Section 41-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-15
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. 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.

After a hearing, the Ethics Commission may order the public body to take whatever reasonable measures necessary, if any, to comply with this chapter. If the Ethics Commission finds that a member or members of a public body has willfully and knowingly violated the provisions of this chapter, the Ethics Commission may impose a civil penalty upon the individual members of the public body found to be in violation of the provision of this chapter in a sum not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for a first offense and One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for a second or subsequent offense, plus all reasonable expenses incurred by the person or persons in bringing the complaint to enforce this chapter.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the Ethics Commission from mediating or otherwise resolving disputes arising under this chapter 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 .

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.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-201 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 41 / 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. § 25-53-151 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 41 / Section 53-151
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-53-151
Status: in_force

(1) There is established in the State Treasury the “Electronic Government Services Fund,” into which shall be deposited specific funds appropriated by the Legislature for developing and providing electronic government services within the State of Mississippi. Any funds in the Electronic Government Services Fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, but shall be available for expenditure in the subsequent fiscal year. The funds in the Electronic Government Fund shall be available for expenditure pursuant to specific appropriation by the Legislature beginning in fiscal year 2002, to the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.

(2) There is hereby established an Electronic Government Oversight Committee to oversee the implementation of E-Government and related technology initiatives. Duties of this committee would include: (a) prioritize and make recommendations for all electronic government services, in order to cut across state and local governmental organizational structures; (b) address policy issues such as privacy, security, transaction fees and accessibility; (c) review ongoing fiscal and operational management and support of portal; (d) provide a mechanism for gathering input from citizens, businesses and government entities; (e) encourage self-service models for citizens through state websites and other electronic services; and (f) promote economic development and efficient delivery of government services by encouraging governmental and private sector entities to conduct their business and transactions using electronic media. The Electronic Government Oversight Committee shall be composed of the following: (a) the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, or his designee; (b) the State Auditor, or his designee; (c) the State Treasurer, or his designee; (d) the Secretary of State, or his designee; (e) the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, or his designee; (f) the Commissioner of Public Safety, or his designee; (g) the Commissioner of Revenue, or his designee. The committee shall annually elect one (1) member to serve as chairman and one (1) member to serve as vice chairman, who shall act as chairman in the absence of the chairman. The committee shall meet monthly or upon the call of the chairman, and shall make necessary reports and recommendations to the Legislature and the appropriate agencies of state government. All agencies of state government shall cooperate with the committee in providing requested information, shall work closely with and provide information to the committee and shall report to the committee at its request. The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall provide administrative support for the committee. Nonlegislative members of the committee shall serve without compensation.

(3) The Electronic Government Oversight Committee shall advise and provide direction to the Department of Finance and Administration to develop a procurement portal that will enable potential vendors of goods and services to access relevant and necessary information related to the sale of the following types of goods and services to the State of Mississippi and its agencies:

(a) Commodities, as defined by Section 31-7-1 ;

(b) Contract personnel, as defined by Sections 25-9-107 and 25-9-120 ; and

(c) Computer equipment and services, as defined by Section 25-53-3 .

(4) The procurement portal provided for in subsection (3) must provide potential vendors with the following:

(a) A searchable database of business procurement opportunities with the state which includes a breakdown by product or service and by the organization seeking the product or service;

(b) Listings of the published date and closing date for each business procurement opportunity;

(c) A “Frequently Asked Questions” section regarding doing business with the respective agencies;

(d) A breakdown of “Frequently Asked Questions” regarding the selection process with the respective agencies;

(e) An open-air forum for questions and answers relating to the procurement process, in general, as well as specifically relating to a single contract; and

(f) Links to individual agency websites and contacts to enable potential vendors to obtain more specific information, if necessary.

(5) The procurement portal must be linked to the Transparency Mississippi website established in accordance with Sections 27-104-151 through 27-104-163 . The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services shall develop and maintain a link to the procurement portal from the state website.

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. § 25-34-33 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 25-59-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 32 / Section 59-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-59-5
Status: in_force

The archival and records management agency of the state of Mississippi shall be the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-60-5 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 13 / Section 60-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-60-5
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any county or municipal official or employee who accepts documents for filing as public records shall, in addition to any other fee provided elsewhere by law, collect a fee of One Dollar ($1.00) for each document so filed. In municipalities and counties that collect Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) or more per month from the filing fee, the official or employee collecting the fee shall, on or before the last day of each month, deposit the avails of Fifty Cents (50¢) of the fee into the general fund of the county or municipality, as appropriate, and remit the remainder to the State Treasurer who shall deposit it to the credit of a statewide local government records management fund which is hereby created in the State Treasury. In municipalities and counties that collect less than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) per month from the filing fee, the avails of Fifty Cents (50¢) of the fee shall be remitted to the State Treasurer on a quarterly basis for deposit as provided in the previous sentence. Any monies remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the General Fund of the State Treasury. Counties and municipalities shall expend monies derived from the fee hereinabove imposed solely to support proper management of their official records in accordance with records management standards established by the Department of Archives and History. Monies in the Local Government Records Management Fund shall be expended by the Department of Archives and History, pursuant to legislative appropriation, to support the Local Government Records Office of the department and to support a local records management grant program as funds permit.

(2) The fee provided in subsection (1) of this section shall not be collected in any county until the board of supervisors, by resolution spread upon its minutes, determines that it will collect the fee.

(3) Each municipality and participating county may collect the filing fee provided for in this section on filings in any court subject to their respective jurisdiction.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-5-25 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-5-25
Status: in_force

The council shall keep minutes of its final judgments, and the disposition of each petition shall be recorded therein. If it be the judgment of the council that sufficient cause has not been shown to justify the removal of the officer, then the petition shall be dismissed and no new petition shall be filed or entertained for a period of one (1) year from the date of the order dismissing the petition.

If, however, the council shall be of the opinion that sufficient cause has been shown to justify the removal of the officer, then notice to the qualified electors of the county involved shall be given, in accordance with the general election laws of the State of Mississippi in the matter of filling vacancies in county offices, that an election shall be held in said county to determine the question of whether or not said county official shall be removed from office.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-1-98 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-98
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-1-98
Status: repealed

(1)(a) In addition to any other times required by statute, all state offices shall be open and staffed for the normal conduct of business from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on legal holidays as set forth in Section 3-3-7 . The Governor may designate certain state offices and institutions as providers of essential services and require that they be open and staffed on legal holidays. The Board of Directors of the Mississippi Industries for the Blind may, in its discretion, require that its offices and operations be open and staffed on legal holidays. Employees required to work on legal holidays shall earn compensatory leave under the provisions of Section 25-3-92 . No employee shall receive additional vacation or sick leave benefits for working on a legal holiday, nor shall this section be construed to authorize any additional compensation as an alternative to the accrual of compensatory leave except as specifically provided for in a legislative appropriation. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to limit the hours of operation of any agency or to abrogate any action taken during hours other than those stated, nor shall these provisions apply to any offices that do not customarily stay open five (5) days a week. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the military department of the State of Mississippi or to the armories, field training sites, air bases or other installations of the Mississippi National Guard.

(b) A workday for a state employee in a full-time employment position shall be eight (8) hours in duration at a minimum exclusive of time off for meals. The appointing authority shall develop work schedules which ensure that each full-time employee works a full workday and shall provide the State Auditor with a copy of the regular work schedule of the appointing authority.

(2) An appointing authority of any state service agency within the meaning of Section 25-9-107 may authorize telework for one or more of its employees in accordance with a telework policy, approved by the State Personnel Board, as provided in subsection (3) of this section.

(3) In order to implement a telework policy for one or more of its employees, an appointing authority shall:

(a) Determine whether or not telework is in the best interest of the agency. In doing so, the appointing authority may seek guidance from the State Personnel Board in determining what forms of work activities can be effectively and efficiently managed through a telework arrangement;

(b) Establish procedures to protect any information that is privileged or confidential under state or federal law;

(c) Require all teleworking employees to sign a telework agreement that includes their work schedule, provides for supervisory oversight through the review of work product and deliverables on a regular basis, requires the protection of privileged or confidential information that is managed remotely on an agency computer or other devices, establishes protocols for accessibility to coworkers and clients, workplace safety, and any other matters deemed appropriate by the appointing authority; and

(d) Establish work schedules that ensure that some personnel are at the appointing authority's offices to provide direct contact with the public.

(4) For purposes of subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the term “ telework ” shall mean a work flexibility arrangement under which an employee performs duties, responsibilities, or other authorized activities from an approved worksite other than the location from which the employee would otherwise work.

(5) All agencies that allow employees to telework shall report to the State Personnel Board the names of the employees, their job titles, office schedule and telework schedule, who are performing telework for their agencies. On or before December 31 of each year, the State Personnel Board shall make a report related to the utilization of telework policies to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committees, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review.

(6) The State Personnel Board may promulgate rules for the administration of this section which shall be binding upon state service agencies within the meaning of Section 25-9-107 .

(7) Subsections (2) through (6) of this section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2025.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-1.102 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 32 / Section 43-1.102
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-1.102
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) “ Agency ” means a board, commission, department, officer or other administrative unit of this state, including the agency head, and one or more members of the agency head or agency employees directly or indirectly purporting to act on behalf or under the authority of the agency head. The term does not include the Legislature or any of its component units, the judiciary or any of its component units or the Governor. The term does not include a political subdivision of the state or any of the administrative units of a political subdivision. To the extent it purports to exercise authority subject to any provision of this chapter, an administrative unit otherwise qualifying as an “agency” must be treated as a separate agency even if the unit is located within or subordinate to another agency.

(b) “ Agency head ” or “ head of the agency ” means an individual or body of individuals in whom the ultimate legal authority of the agency is vested by any provision of law.

(c) “ Agency proceeding ” or “ proceeding ” means the process by which an agency considers:

(i) A declaratory opinion pursuant to Section 25-43-2.103 , or

(ii) A rule pursuant to Article III of this chapter.

(d) “ Agency record ” means the official rule-making record of an agency pursuant to Section 25-43-3.112 .

(e) “ Declaratory opinion ” means an agency opinion rendered in accordance with the provisions of Section 25-43-2.103 .

(f) “ Order ” means an agency action of particular applicability that determines the legal rights, duties, privileges, immunities or other legal interests of one or more specific persons. An order shall be in writing signed by a person with authority to render the order, or if more than one (1) person has such authority by at least that number of such persons as jointly have the authority to render the order, or by a person authorized to render the order on behalf of all such persons. The term does not include an executive order issued by the Governor pursuant to Section 25-43-1.104 , an opinion issued by the Attorney General pursuant to Section 7-5-25 , an opinion issued by the Ethics Commission pursuant to Section 25-4-17 , or a declaratory opinion rendered in accordance with Section 25-43-2.103 .

(g) “ Person ” means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental subdivision or unit thereof, or public or private organization or entity of any character, and includes another agency.

(h) “ Provision of law ” or “ law ” means the whole or a part of the federal or state Constitution, or of any federal or state (i) statute, (ii) case law or common law, (iii) rule of court, (iv) executive order, or (v) rule or order of an administrative agency.

(i) “ Rule ” means the whole or a part of an agency regulation or other statement of general applicability that implements, interprets or prescribes:

(i) Law or policy, or

(ii) The organization, procedure or practice requirements of an agency. The term includes the amendment, repeal or suspension of an existing rule. “Rule” does not include:

1. A regulation or statement concerning only the internal management of an agency which does not directly and substantially affect the procedural or substantive rights or duties of any segment of the public;

2. A regulation or statement that establishes criteria or guidelines to be used by the staff of an agency in performing audits, investigations or inspections, settling commercial disputes, negotiating commercial arrangements or in the defense, prosecution or settlement of cases, if disclosure of the criteria or guidelines would:

a. Enable law violators to avoid detection;

b. Facilitate disregard of requirements imposed by law; or

c. Give a clearly improper advantage to persons who are in an adverse position to the state;

3. A regulation or statement that only establishes specific prices to be charged for particular goods or services sold by an agency;

4. A regulation or statement concerning only the physical servicing, maintenance or care of agency owned or operated facilities or property;

5. A regulation or statement relating only to the use of a particular facility or property owned, operated or maintained by the state or any of its subdivisions, if the substance of the regulation or statement is adequately indicated by means of signs or signals to persons who use the facility or property;

6. A regulation or statement directly related only to inmates of a correctional or detention facility, students enrolled in an educational institution or patients admitted to a hospital, if adopted by that facility, institution or hospital;

7. A form whose contents or substantive requirements are prescribed by rule or statute, and instructions for the execution or use of the form;

8. An agency budget;

9. A compact or agreement between an agency of this state and one or more agencies of another state or states; or

10. An opinion of the Attorney General pursuant to Section 7-5-25 , an opinion of the Ethics Commission pursuant to Section 25-4-17 , or an Executive Order of the Governor.

(j) “ Rule-making ” means the process for formulation and adoption of a rule.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-17 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 15 / Section 61-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-17
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as denying the Legislature the right to determine the rules of its own proceedings and to regulate public access to its records. However, notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Legislature shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 27-104-151 through 27-104-159 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-17 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 51 / Section 61-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-61-17
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as denying the Legislature the right to determine the rules of its own proceedings and to regulate public access to its records. However, notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Legislature shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 27-104-151 through 27-104-159 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-2.104 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 34 / Section 43-2.104
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-43-2.104
Status: in_force

In addition to other rule-making requirements imposed by law, each agency shall:

(a) Adopt as a rule a description of the organization of the agency which states the general course and method of its operations and where and how the public may obtain information or make submissions or requests;

(b) Adopt rules of practice setting forth the nature and requirements of all formal and informal proceedings available to the public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-29 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 41 / 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. § 25-41-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 34 / Section 41-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-41-3
Status: in_force

For purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the meaning ascribed herein, to wit:

(a) “ Public body ” means any executive or administrative board, commission, authority, council, department, agency, bureau or any other policymaking entity, or committee thereof, of the State of Mississippi, or any political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state, whether the entity be created by statute or executive order, which is supported wholly or in part by public funds or expends public funds, and any standing, interim or special committee of the Mississippi Legislature. The term “public body” includes the governing board of a charter school authorized by the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board and the board of trustees of a community hospital as defined in Section 41-13-10 . The term “public body” includes the Mississippi Lottery Corporation. There shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:

(i) The judiciary, including all jury deliberations;

(ii) Law enforcement officials;

(iii) The military;

(iv) The State Probation and Parole Board;

(v) The Workers' Compensation Commission;

(vi) Legislative subcommittees and legislative conference committees;

(vii) The arbitration council established in Section 69-3-19 ;

(viii) License revocation, suspension and disciplinary proceedings held by the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners; and

(ix) Hearings and meetings of the Board of Tax Appeals and of the hearing officers and the board of review of the Department of Revenue as provided in Section 27-77-15 .

(b) “ Meeting ” means an assemblage of members of a public body at which official acts may be taken upon a matter over which the public body has supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power, including an assemblage through the use of video or teleconference devices that conforms to Section 25-41-5 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-65-27 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 61 / 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. § 25-3-3 — MS Code / Title 25 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 25-3-3
Status: in_force

(1) The term “total assessed valuation” as used in this section only refers to the ad valorem assessment for the county and, in addition, in counties where oil or gas is produced, the actual value of oil at the point of production, as certified to the counties by the Department of Revenue under the provisions of Sections 27-25-501 through 27-25-525 , and the actual value of gas as certified by the Department of Revenue under the provisions of Sections 27-25-701 through 27-25-723 .

(2) The salary of assessors and collectors of the various counties is fixed as full compensation for their services as county assessors or tax collectors, or both if the office of assessor has been combined with the office of tax collector. The annual salary of each assessor or tax collector, or both if the offices have been combined, shall be based upon the total assessed valuation of his respective county for the preceding taxable year in the following categories and for the following amounts:

(a) For counties having a total assessed valuation of Three Billion Dollars ($3,000,000,000.00) or more, a salary of Seventy-five Thousand Five Hundred Sixty Dollars ($75,560.00);

(b) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Two Billion Dollars ($2,000,000,000.00) but less than Three Billion Dollars ($3,000,000,000.00), a salary of Seventy-two Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($72,200.00);

(c) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least One Billion Dollars ($1,000,000,000.00) but less than Two Billion Dollars ($2,000,000,000.00), a salary of Sixty-nine Thousand Five Hundred Seventy-five Dollars ($69,575.00);

(d) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000.00) but less than One Billion Dollars ($1,000,000,000.00), a salary of Sixty-six Thousand Four Hundred Twenty-five Dollars ($66,425.00);

(e) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00) but less than Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000.00), a salary of Sixty-three Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($63,800.00);

(f) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000.00) but less than Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00), a salary of Sixty-one Thousand Seven Hundred Dollars ($61,700.00);

(g) For counties having a total assessed valuation of at least Seventy-five Million Dollars ($75,000,000.00) but less than One Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($150,000,000.00), a salary of Sixty Thousand One Hundred Twenty-five Dollars ($60,125.00);

(h) For counties having a total assessed valuation of less than Seventy-five Million Dollars ($75,000,000.00), a salary of Fifty-five Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty-nine Dollars ($55,929.00).

(3) In addition to all other compensation paid pursuant to this section, the board of supervisors shall pay to a person serving as both the tax assessor and tax collector in their county an additional Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per year.

(4) The annual salary established for assessors and tax collectors shall not be reduced as a result of a reduction in total assessed valuation. The salaries shall be increased as a result of an increase in total assessed valuation.

(5) In addition to all other compensation paid to assessors and tax collectors in counties having two (2) judicial districts, the board of supervisors shall pay such assessors and tax collectors an additional Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00) per year. In addition to all other compensation paid to assessors or tax collectors, in counties maintaining two (2) full-time offices, the board of supervisors shall pay the assessor or tax collector an additional Three Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00) per year.

(6) In addition to all other compensation paid to assessors and tax collectors, the board of supervisors of a county shall allow for such assessor or tax collector, or both, to be paid additional compensation when there is a contract between the county and one or more municipalities providing that the assessor or tax collector, or both, shall assess or collect taxes, or both, for the municipality or municipalities; and such assessor or tax collector, or both, shall be authorized to receive such additional compensation from the county and/or the municipality or municipalities in any amount allowed by the county and/or the municipality or municipalities for performing those services.

(7) When any tax assessor holds a valid certificate of educational recognition from the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service or is a licensed appraiser under Section 73-34-1 et seq. , he shall receive an additional One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) annually beginning the next fiscal year after completion. When any tax assessor is a licensed state certified Residential Appraiser (RA) or licensed state certified Timberland Appraiser (TA) under Section 73-34-1 et seq. , or when any tax assessor holds a valid designation from the International Association of Assessing Officers as a Cadastral Mapping Specialist (CMS) or Personal Property Specialist (PPS) or Residential Evaluation Specialist (RES), he shall receive an additional Six Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($6,500.00) annually beginning the next fiscal year after completion. When any tax assessor holds the valid designation of Certified Assessment Evaluator (CAE) from the International Association of Assessing Officers or is a state certified General Real Estate Appraiser (GA) under Section 73-34-1 et seq. , he shall receive an additional Eight Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($8,500.00) annually beginning the next fiscal year after completion.

(8) The salaries provided for in this section shall be the total funds paid to the county assessors and tax collectors and shall be full compensation for their services, with any fees being paid to the county general fund.

(9) The salaries provided for 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 or every two (2) weeks pursuant to Section 25-3-29 . 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.