MS HC31

Amends Section 213-A of the Mississippi Constitution to give the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House of Representatives joint authority to appoint members to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, replacing the Governor's sole appointment power.

Maintains the 12-member board composition with four members appointed from each of the three Mississippi Supreme Court districts, with appointments made as vacancies occur.

Establishes a rotating appointment schedule beginning in 2021 where the Governor and Lieutenant Governor each receive one appointment and the Speaker receives two appointments in 2021; the distribution rotates among the three officials every three years.

Requires all appointees to be qualified electors, at least 25 years old, and of high character, intelligence, and fitness, with selections made from the district having the fewest board members.

Applies new appointment procedures to vacancies occurring after January 1, 2020, with the election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November 2020.