Section 57-10-125 - Collection of debt to state(1) If either the guaranty fee fund or the small businessman's loan fund becomes liable for any principal due under any loan and any payment is made from either fund to the lender in payment of the balance of the principal remaining due under such loan, the amount thus paid shall become a debt due the State of Mississippi in favor of the fund from which said balance for the principal of the loan was paid, or prorate with the balance of the principal that was paid from the guaranty fee fund and the small businessman's loan fund, which debt shall bear interest at the legal rate. It shall be the duty of the attorney, selected pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, to collect said debt with interest and the attorney shall also collect the balance of the loan, representing interest due the lender over and above the principal which will likewise bear interest at the legal rate after the judgment is obtained. The committee may authorize the attorney to settle and compromise any debt due under the provisions of this section.(2) In order to effect a collection pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the committee is authorized and empowered, subject to the approval of the attorney general, to hire an attorney and compensate him on either a fixed or contingent fee basis.Codes, 1942, § 8940-143; Laws, 1972, ch. 441, § 13; Laws, 1979, ch. 366, eff. 3/15/1979.