State Laws Establishing and Funding

House Bill No. 80

Mississippi Legislature Regular Session 1964 (Approved by Governor)

To: Forestry

By: Messrs. Geoghegan, DuBois, Hollinger, Mathis, Mitchell (Walthall), Lee, Holyfield, Hester, Graham (Lamar), Newman, Hooker, Love, Morrow, Bennett, Deaton, Gipson, Barefield, Jones (Forrest), Herrin, Harvey, Sturgeon, Wall, Burns, Scruggs, Case, Hughes, Branch, Carruth, Thompson, Mabry, Harned, Phillips (Noxubee), McGaughey, Allen, Swindoll, Wilburn, Mitchell (Monroe), Brister, Massey, Callicott, Moss, Barnett, Neal, McKinley, Davis, Miller (Sharkey), Kennedy, Anderson, Miller (Greene), Puckett, Steadman, Wilkerson, Comans, Chambliss, and Weems

An act to declare the public necessity of establishing a forest products utilization laboratory; to provide for the establishment and maintenance of the laboratory at Mississippi State University; to authorize the laboratory to conduct a program of research in the use of forest products; to provide for the financing of the laboratory; and to define and prescribe the duties and responsibilities of the laboratory.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Mississippi:

Short title.

This act may be cited as the "Forest Products Utilization Act of 1964."

Purpose of the act.

The Legislature hereby finds and declares:
(a) That the economic progress of Mississippi depends in large measure upon the development and wise use of the natural resources of the State;
(b) That the forest products grown and produced in this State constitute a vital segment of the natural resources available in Mississippi;
(c) That the forest resources when properly renewed, continually improved and effectively utilized can contribute substantially to the total economic development of Mississippi;
(d) That there is a tremendous need for additional knowledge of the basic qualities of forest products, the uses for which such products may be employed for the benefit of mankind, and the means of converting them to such uses; and
(e) That this act is specifically designed to establish a program for the discovery and dissemination of knowledge concerning forest products and the uses thereof.

Establishment of laboratory.

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is hereby authorized and directed to establish a Forest Products Utilization Laboratory at Mississippi State University under the direction of the President and such other administrative authorities within the University as said board of trustees may determine.

Maintenance of laboratory.

Said board of trustees shall provide for such laboratory such buildings, equipment, personnel, supplies and services as it shall determine to be necessary for the proper operation and maintenance of said laboratory, having due regard for the contributory facilities and programs already existing at Mississippi State University.

Functions.

It shall be the function of the laboratory to conduct a program of research in the properties and uses of forest products and the methods of converting forest products to useful purposes, and to disseminate its findings to the public and to all individuals and agencies for whom such knowledge will be helpful and useful.

Acceptance of gifts, grants and contributions.

In addition to appropriations made by the Mississippi Legislature for the operation and support of the laboratory, the said board of trustees is authorized and empowered to receive contributions, donations, gifts and grants of money and/or property, equipment, materials or manpower from persons, foundations, trust funds, corporations, organizations, the Federal Government or any subdivision or agency thereof, and the State Government or any subdivision or agency thereof, to be expended by said board in carrying out the purposes and objectives of this act.

Cooperation with State agencies.

The laboratory personnel shall cooperate fully with the various departments of State Government, with the colleges and universities of the State, with the Mississippi Industrial and Technological Research Commission and with the Mississippi Agricultural and Industrial Board in an effort to fully effectuate the purposes of this act. All State agencies and departments are hereby authorized and directed to give the laboratory and its personnel their full cooperation in every possible manner.

Work for other organizations.

The laboratory personnel may, at their discretion, and subject to the approval of the proper administrative authorities at Mississippi State University, do research on a contract or project basis for industries, governmental agencies, public or private organizations or corporations, or any others, at a price and on a basis to be determined by the aforesaid personnel. The proceeds derived from such research projects shall be used, in addition to other funds provided therefor, for the operation and support of the laboratory.

Saving clause.

If any section, paragraph, sentence or clause of this act shall be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, the same shall not affect any other part, portion or provision of this act, but such other part shall remain in full force and effect.

Effective date.

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

Appropriation Act

To Defray Maintenance and Operation Expenses Of The Forest Products Utilization Laboratory

House Bill No. 1112

Mississippi Legislature Regular Session 1964 (As sent to Governor)
By: Messrs. Junkin and Stephens
To: Appropriations

An act making an appropriation from the state general fund for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred in the maintenance and operation of the Forest Products Laboratory as created by House Bill No. 80 of the 1964 Regular Session of the legislature for the fiscal biennium beginning July 1, 1964.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Mississippi:

That the following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the state general fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning for the purpose of paying the expenses incurred in the operation and maintenance of the Forest Products Laboratory as authorized under the provisions of House Bill No. 80 of the 1964 Regular Session of the Legislature for the fiscal biennium, beginning July 1, 1964 and ending June 30, 1966. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$60,000.00.

That the funds appropriated hereby shall not be available for expenditure until a quarterly budget of expenditures has been submitted to and approved by the commission of budget and accounting, and all other applicable provisions of Chapter 496, Laws of 1962, and amendments thereto, are complied with.

That the money appropriated herein shall be paid by the state treasurer out of any money in the state general fund not otherwise appropriated, upon warrants issued by the state auditor of public accounts; and the said auditor shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law.

That this act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1964.

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