Opinion ID: 1737377
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the other boards and commissions.

Text: We turn now to the remaining eight boards and commissions in issue, first looking briefly at their functions and compositions.
(a) To formulate the policy of the department regarding the economic and tourist development of the state. (b) To use and expend any funds from state, federal or private sources coming into its hands for the purposes herein provided. State funds appropriated for the board shall be expended in accordance with the regulations governing the expenditures of other state funds. (c) To discharge such other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter. Appellants Newman, Powell and Hall serve on this board by authority of Section 57-1-3(1) (Supp. 1983). 2. The basic purpose of the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System is to administer the public employees' retirement law of 1952. Sections 25-11-3 and 25-11-15. Appellants Perry and Bodron are members of this board. Section 25-11-15(2). 3. The Central Data Processing Authority is composed of appellants Blount, Campbell, Walman, Gordon, Gresham and Smith, all legislators. Mississippi Code Annotated, § 25-53-7. The authority's duties, Sections 25-53-5 and 25-53-27 (Supp. 1983), include the following: To plan and implement acquisition and utilization of computer equipment by all agencies of state government; to contract with consulting firms; and to accept or reject bids for the acquisition of computer equipment and services. 4. The State Personnel Board consists of eight members, four of whom are appellants Waldrop, Overstreet, Brooks, and Huggins. Section 25-9-109 (Supp. 1983). The board's basic duty is to administer a state personnel system. Sections 25-9-101 and 25-9-115 (Supp. 1983). 5. The Medicaid Commission has the purpose of administering a statewide system of medical assistance. Section 43-13-103. Its specific duties include determining medical assistance eligibility as well as the scope, duration and amount of medical assistance to be provided by the state in accordance with the statute; to contract with other agencies; to sue in its own name; and to establish administrative methods. Sections 43-13-116 and 43-13-121 (Supp. 1983). Appellants DeWeese, Ellington, Richardson and Perry are members of this board. Section 43-13-107. 6. The Capitol Commission has the following primary duties: (a) To exercise general supervision and care over and keep in good condition the following state property located in the City of Jackson... . (b) To designate by order duly passed and spread upon its minutes suitable office space for the various state departments, officers and employees who are provided with an office in any of the buildings under the jurisdiction of the commission. .. . (c) To approve or disapprove any lease or rental agreements by any state agency or department ... Section 29-5-2 (Supp. 1983). Appellants Childre, Stringer, Beulow, Stubbs, Mulholland and Chambliss are six of the eight voting members of this commission. Section 29-5-1. 7. The Wildlife Heritage Committee has the statutory authority to acquire property interests; to administer and control the lands acquired; to employ engineers, lawyers, real estate counselors and appraisers; and to contract. Sections 49-5-71; -73; -75; -77; -87; and -88 (Supp. 1983). Appellants Gollott, Davis, Nix, Owens, Cates and Dubaz are members of this committee. Section 49-5-61 (Supp. 1983). 8. The Board of Corrections is composed of seven members who are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Section 47-5-12. The commission has the authority to approve proposals for the location of new facilities; to open bids; to hold hearings; to lease certain lands; and to enter into contracts and to sue. Sections 47-5-8; -20; -24; -31; -33; -37; -49; -56; -64; -66; -71; -75; -105; and -107. Appellant Young is a member of this board. Using the analysis we employed in our consideration of the Commission of Budget and Accounting, we are of the opinion the boards and commissions listed above exercise powers constitutionally vested in the executive department of government. Their primary functions, as revealed by their enacting legislation, are to carry out laws previously enacted. Once a law is enacted, the executive department has the duty to administer and enforce it. See INS v. Chadha, ___ U.S. ___, 103 S.Ct. 2764, 77 L.Ed.2d 317 (1983). We find no constitutional authority for appellants' contention that their service as legislators on these boards is made constitutional by the delegation of the executive duties, if any, to the directors of the boards. The directors are, of course, employed by the board and are subject to its every order. The primary functions of the boards and commissions are clearly the responsibility of their members, and since these duties are in essence executive duties, they may not be delegated by statute which would be contrary to the constitution. Accordingly with what we have said above, appellants Newman, Powell, Hall, Perry, Bodron, Blount, Campbell, Walmon, Gordan, Gresham, Smith, Waldrop, Overstreet, Brooks, Huggins, DeWeese, Ellington, Richardson, Childre, Stringer, Beulow, Stubbs, Mulholland, Chambliss, Nix, Gollott, Davis, Owens, Cates, Dubaz and Young may not constitutionally perform any of these executive functions. Similarly, so much of the following statutes as create executive boards and commissions with legislative members are declared unconstitutional: Section 57-1-3 (Supp. 1983); Section 25-11-15 (Supp. 1983); Section 25-53-7 (Supp. 1983); Section 25-9-109; Section 43-13-107; Section 29-5-1; and Section 49-5-61 (Supp. 1983).