Bill Text: MS HB4 | 2017 | 1st Special Session | Introduced
Bill Title: FORTIFY Act; create.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2017-06-05 - Died In Committee [HB4 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-HB4-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 1st Extraordinary Session
To: Transportation
By: Representative Baker
House Bill 4
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-9-127, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT FROM JULY 1, 2017, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2020, THE PERSONNEL ACTIONS OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE STATE PERSONNEL BOARD RULES, REGULATION AND PROCEDURES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 25-9-127, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
25-9-127. (1) No employee of any department, agency or institution who is included under this chapter or hereafter included under its authority, and who is subject to the rules and regulations prescribed by the state personnel system, may be dismissed or otherwise adversely affected as to compensation or employment status except for inefficiency or other good cause, and after written notice and hearing within the department, agency or institution as shall be specified in the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board complying with due process of law; and any employee who has by written notice of dismissal or action adversely affecting his compensation or employment status shall, on hearing and on any appeal of any decision made in such action, be required to furnish evidence that the reasons stated in the notice of dismissal or action adversely affecting his compensation or employment status are not true or are not sufficient grounds for the action taken; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply (a) to persons separated from any department, agency or institution due to curtailment of funds or reduction in staff when such separation is in accordance with rules and regulations of the state personnel system; (b) during the probationary period of state service of twelve (12) months; and (c) to an executive officer of any state agency who serves at the will and pleasure of the Governor, board, commission or other appointing authority.
(2) The operation of a state-owned motor vehicle without a valid Mississippi driver's license by an employee of any department, agency or institution that is included under this chapter and that is subject to the rules and regulations of the state personnel system shall constitute good cause for dismissal of such person from employment.
(3) Beginning July 1, 1999, every male between the ages of eighteen (18) and twenty-six (26) who is required to register under the federal Military Selective Service Act, 50 USCS App. 453, and who is an employee of the state shall not be promoted to any higher position of employment with the state until he submits to the person, commission, board or agency by which he is employed satisfactory documentation of his compliance with the draft registration requirements of the Military Selective Service Act. The documentation shall include a signed affirmation under penalty of perjury that the male employee has complied with the requirements of the Military Selective Service Act.
(4) For a period of two (2) years beginning July 1, 2014, the provisions of subsection (1) shall not apply to the personnel actions of the State Department of Education that are subject to the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board, and all employees of the department shall be classified as nonstate service during that period. However, any employee hired after July 1, 2014, by the department shall meet the criteria of the State Personnel Board as it presently exists for employment. The State Superintendent of Public Education and the State Board of Education shall consult with the Office of the Attorney General before taking personnel actions authorized by this section to review those actions for compliance with applicable state and federal law.
It is not the intention or effect of this section to include any school attendance officer in any exemption from coverage under the State Personnel Board policy or regulations, including, but not limited to, termination and conditions of employment.
(5) (a) For a period of two (2) years beginning July 1, 2015, the provisions of subsection (1) shall not apply to the personnel actions of the Department of Corrections, and all employees of the department shall be classified as nonstate service during that period. However, any employee hired after July 1, 2015, by the department shall meet the criteria of the State Personnel Board as it presently exists for employment.
(b) Additionally, for a period of one (1) year beginning July 1, 2016, the personnel actions of the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections shall be exempt from State Personnel Board rules, regulations and procedures in order to give the commissioner flexibility in making an orderly, effective and timely reorganization and realignment of the department.
(c) The Commissioner of Corrections shall consult with the Office of the Attorney General before personnel actions authorized by this section to review those actions for compliance with applicable state and federal law.
(6) Through July 1, 2019, the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the personnel actions of the Department of Human Services that are subject to the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board, and all employees of the department shall be classified as nonstate service during that period. Any employee hired on or after July 1, 2019, by the department shall meet the criteria of the State Personnel Board as it presently exists for employment. The Executive Director of Human Services shall consult with the Office of the Attorney General before taking personnel actions authorized by this section to review those actions for compliance with applicable state and federal law.
(7) Through July 1, 2019, the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the personnel actions of the Department of Child Protection Services that are subject to the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board, and all employees of the department shall be classified as nonstate service during that period. Any employee hired on or after July 1, 2019, by the division shall meet the criteria of the State Personnel Board as it presently exists for employment. The Commissioner of Child Protection Services shall consult with the Office of the Attorney General before taking personnel actions authorized by this section to review those actions for compliance with applicable state and federal law.
(8) From July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2020, the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to the personnel actions of the Mississippi Department of Transportation. The personnel actions of the Mississippi Department of Transportation shall be exempt from State Personnel Board rules, regulations and procedures during that period, and all employees of the Mississippi Department of Transportation shall be classified as nonstate service during that period.
However, any employee hired from July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2020, by the Mississippi Department of Transportation shall meet the criteria of the State Personnel Board as it presently exists for employment. The executive director shall consult with the Office of the Attorney General before taking personnel actions authorized by this section to review those actions for compliance with applicable state and federal law.
( * * *9) (a) Any state agency whose
personnel actions are exempted in this section from the rules, regulations and
procedures of the State Personnel Board shall file with the Lieutenant
Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the members of the
Senate and House Accountability, Efficiency * * * and Transparency Committees an annual
report no later than July 1, 2016, and each year thereafter while under the
exemption. Such annual report shall contain the following information:
( * * *i) The number of current employees who
received an increase in salary during the past fiscal year and the amount of
the increase;
( * * *ii) The number of employees who were
dismissed from the agency or otherwise adversely affected as to compensation or
employment status during the past fiscal year, including a description of such adverse
effects; and
( * * *iii) The number of new employees hired
during the past fiscal year and the starting salaries of each new employee.
(b) The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall send the following information electronically to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the Legislative Budget Office at the end of each month while under the exemption:
(i) The number of current employees who received an increase in salary during the preceding month and the type and the amount of the increase;
(ii) The number of employees by job title and salary who were dismissed from the agency or otherwise adversely affected as to compensation or employment status during the preceding month, including a description of those adverse effects; and
(iii) The number of new employees hired during the previous month and the job title and the starting salary of each new employee.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.
