Mississippi HB 712: Natural Resource Camp; establish pilot program for students in Lee and Monroe Counties.

Bill Text

HB 712 (As Introduced) - 2020 Regular Session 

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2020 Regular Session

To: Conservation and Water Resources; Appropriations

By: Representatives Thompson, McLean, Gibbs (36th)

House Bill 712

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE NATURAL RESOURCE CAMP PILOT PROGRAM� 
FOR STUDENTS IN LEE AND MONROE COUNTIES; TO PROVIDE THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM; 
TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROGRAM SHALL BE A THREE-YEAR PROGRAM ADMINISTERED JOINTLY 
BY THE BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS OF LEE AND MONROE COUNTIES; TO REQUIRE THE BOARDS 
TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT ON THE PROGRAM TO THE LEGISLATURE; TO PROVIDE THAT 
THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO RECEIVING FUNDS APPROPRIATED BY THE LEGISLATURE; AND 
FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

���� SECTION 1.� 
This act shall be known, and may be cited, as the "Natural Resource Camp 
Pilot Program Act of 2020."

���� SECTION 2.� 
(1)� There is established for the students of Lee and Monroe counties a Natural 
Resource Camp pilot program.� The program shall be for the purpose of teaching 
students the importance of the soil, water, plants, animals and air; the need 
to maintain a healthy environment; and the importance of land ownership and the 
wealth that is obtained through owning property.

���� (2)� The program shall be 
administered jointly by the boards of supervisors of Lee and Monroe Counties.

���� (3)� The program shall be 
implemented within sixty (60) days after the effective date of this act and 
shall continue for three (3) years, subject to the availability of funds 
appropriated by the Legislature for that purpose, or funds received by the 
counties as a gift, donation or bequest for such purposes.

���� SECTION 3.� By 
July 1, 2021, and annually thereafter for the duration of the pilot program, 
the boards of supervisors of Lee and Monroe counties shall prepare and submit 
to the Legislature a report of the data collected on the status of the 
program.� The report shall include:

��������� (a)� The number of 
students involved in the program;

��������� (b)� The number of 
staff required to implement and operate the program;

��������� (c)� The cost of 
operating the program;

��������� (d)� An analysis of the 
effectiveness of the program; 

��������� (e)� Recommendations to 
improve the program; and

��������� (f)� Projections as to 
the cost of implementing and expanding the pilot program to a permanent program 
to meet the needs of the entire state. 

���� SECTION 4.� This act 
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.