(1) There is created the Mississippi Sentencing Disparity Task Force. The purpose of the task force is to study and report the existence of possible disparity in sentencing for crimes as documented by the Mississippi Department of Corrections in order to promote the interest of uniform justice throughout the State of Mississippi.

(2) The Mississippi Sentencing Disparity Task Force shall be composed of the following fourteen (14) members, who shall serve for two-year terms:

(a) Two (2) members of the Mississippi House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(b) Two (2) members of the Mississippi State Senate, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(c) Two (2) members appointed by the Governor;

(d) The Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, or a designee;

(e) The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi, or his or her designee;

(f) The director of a faith-based organization involved in re-entry programs, or a designee appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;

(g) The Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, or a designee;

(h) The Chairman of the Parole Board, or a designee;

(i) A person who is a former offender appointed by the Chairman of the Parole Board;

(j) The President of the Mississippi Prosecutors Association, or a designee; and

(k) A sentencing circuit or county court judge, or a designee to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court.

(3) The Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court shall call the first meeting of the task force. The task force shall hold its first meeting no later than thirty (30) days after July 1, 2018. At its first meeting, the task force shall elect a chairman and vice chairman from its membership and adopt rules for transacting its business and keeping records. The chairman and vice chairman shall serve one-year terms or until such time as a successor is elected.