SEC. 69-41-5. Composition of council; co-participation with other persons and organizations; authorization of contracts and agreements; per diem, mileage and other expenses.

(1) The council shall be composed of the following members:

(a) The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and five (5) additional members of the Senate, no more than two (2) members from one (1) congressional district. Upon recommendation by the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Lieutenant Governor shall appoint such five (5) additional members.

(b) The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee and five (5) additional members of the House, no more than two (2) members from one (1) congressional district. Upon recommendation by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee, the Speaker shall appoint such five (5) additional members.

(2) The chairmen of these two (2) legislative committees shall serve as co-chairmen of the council.

(3) In conducting the studies and formulating the recommendations required of it, the council may elicit the support of and participation by any commercial, industrial, governmental, agricultural, minority and public interest organizations or associations, or individual members thereof, and any federal, state and local agencies and political subdivisions as may be necessary, or appropriate in the furtherance of the activities of the council.

(4) In addition, the council shall be authorized to contract or enter into agreements with other agencies or private research centers that it may deem necessary to carry out its duties and functions.

(5) For attending meetings of the council, each legislative member shall be paid per diem in the amount authorized by Section 25-3-69, and a mileage allowance and an expense allowance in the amount authorized by Section 5-1-47. However, no per diem, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid for attending meetings of the council while the Legislature is in session, and no per diem, mileage allowance or expense allowance shall be paid without prior approval of the proper committee in the member's respective house. All expenses incurred by and on behalf of the committee shall be paid from funds appropriated therefor. If such appropriated funds are not sufficient to pay the committee's expenses, then the expenses shall be paid from a sum to be provided in equal portion from the contingency funds of the Senate and House of Representatives.

SOURCES: Laws, 1993, ch. 619, Sec. 3, eff from and after passage (approved April 20, 1993).

1997 Amendment:

SECTION 1. Section 69-41-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

 69-41-5. (1) The council shall be composed of the following members:

 (a) The Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce;

(b) The Director of Cooperative Extension Service, Mississippi State University;

(c) The Dean of Agriculture Science at Alcorn State University;

(d) The Chairman of the Agriculture Development Committee; and

 (e) The Manager of the Agribusiness Investment Program, Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development, or his designee.

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 (2) In conducting the studies and formulating the recommendations required of it, the council may elicit the support of and participation by any commercial, industrial, governmental, agricultural, minority and public interest organizations or associations, or individual members thereof, and any federal, state and local agencies and political subdivisions as may be necessary, or appropriate in the furtherance of the activities of the council.

 (3) In addition, the council shall be authorized to contract or enter into agreements with other agencies or private research centers that it may deem necessary to carry out its duties and functions.

 (4) Members of the council shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for any travel expenses in the amount provided by Section 25-3-41. Travel expenses incurred for attending meetings shall be reimbursed by each member's respective institution or agency, and all other travel expenses may be reimbursed by the council from funds appropriated therefor.

SOURCE:  1997 Laws, Chapter 589, Sec. 1, SB2228, Effective July 1, 1997.