MS HB657

Amends Mississippi Code sections 21-35-5, 27-39-203, 27-39-207, and 37-61-9 to establish that public budget hearings for municipalities, counties, and school districts shall not commence before 5:30 p.m.

Requires municipal budget hearings to be held at least one week before budget adoption with advance notice, held outside normal working hours, and not before 5:30 p.m.

Mandates county and taxing entity budget hearings be advertised in newspapers with specific formatting requirements (at least 1/4 page, 18-point type, black border) and not commence before 5:30 p.m.

Requires school district budget hearings and ad valorem tax effort hearings to be scheduled not before 5:30 p.m. and prevents school boards from scheduling hearings to commence prior to that time.

Takes effect July 1, 2015.