Bill Text: MS HB139 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced

Mississippi House Bill 139

Introduced

Bill Title: Commission to Redesignate Confederate County Names in Mississippi; establish.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-10 - Referred To State Affairs [HB139 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2025-HB139-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2025 Regular Session

To: State Affairs

By: Representative Bell (65th)

House Bill 139

AN ACT TO CREATE THE COMMISSION TO REDESIGNATE CONFEDERATE COUNTY NAMES IN MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION; TO SPECIFY THE MEDICAID AND OTHER HEALTH TOPICS AND MATTERS FOR THE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL PREPARE AND SUBMIT ITS INITIAL REPORT WITH A DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 1, 2025; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL CONTINUE IN EXISTENCE AND SHALL PREPARE AND SUBMIT A FOLLOW-UP REPORT ANNUALLY NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 1 OF THE YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Commission to Redesignate Confederate County Names in Mississippi.

(2) The commission shall consist of eleven (11) members as follows:

(a) Three (3) members of the Mississippi House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(b) Three (3) members of the Mississippi Senate appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(d) Two (2) representatives from the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History; and

(e) Two (2) members from the state at large appointed by the Governor, one (1) of whom shall be from business and industry.

All appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act.

(3) With the goal of increasing the economic viability and appeal of counties within the state, the commission shall review the names of confederacy related counties and shall make recommendations as to (a) whether to change the names of such counties and (b) if such a recommendation is made, provide recommendations on proposed alternative names.

(4) The commission shall meet monthly and shall have its first meeting no later than July 1, 2025. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History who shall serve as its chairman. At that first meeting, the commission shall elect from among its membership a chairman and other officers, if any, determined to be necessary. A majority of the membership of the commission shall constitute a quorum, and an affirmative vote of a majority of the commission shall be required for all actions taken. All members must be notified in writing of all meetings at least five (5) days before the date on which a meeting of the commission is scheduled.

(5) The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, except the legislative members shall be reimbursed at the same rate as for attending committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session.

(6) The Department of Archives and History shall provide appropriate staff support to assist the commission in carrying out its duties, and the commission may consult with employees of any state agency necessary to accomplish its responsibilities.

(7) The commission is authorized and encouraged to create subcommittees and working groups whose membership includes noncommission members.

(8) The commission shall prepare and submit its initial report that contains a detailed statement of findings, conclusions and recommendations of the commission to the Legislature and the Governor not later than December 1, 2025. After the initial report, the commission shall continue in existence and shall prepare and submit a follow-up report to the Legislature and the Governor annually not later than December 1 of the year.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.