MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE |
HELPFUL LINKS |
|
Welcome to the Mississippi Legislature Page!
We are very excited about the use of this web page and its resources. It is for the use of EVERY MISSISSIPPIAN to assist you as an active citizen, to be informed about the laws being passed in YOUR State Legislature, to encourage you to stay in touch with your Representative and Senator, and to hold them accountable to the folks who elected them! WATCH THIS SECTION for current news and alerts about the 2020 Mississippi Legislature. We will continually monitor the Legislative process and its members as we lobby for the Patriots. The 2020 Mississippi Legislature began its session on Tuesday January 7 at noon. We are here to keep up with happenings. We have many helpful links and reference tools on this page. Follow us throughout the session and stay tuned. . . . You will want to stay engaged as a citizen watchdog who keeps the new Legislature on target for important legislation "for the people"! If you want to receive our email ALERTS on the Legislature and other MS news, please sign up here! 
2020 MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE2019 MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATUREWe are starting the tenth week of the 2019 Legislative Session. The most recent DEADLINE was Tuesday March 5 at 8 p.m. for COMMITTEES TO REPORT general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the OTHER House. The next deadline is March 19 - floor action on appropriations and revenue bills from the other chamber. Below is list of several bills dead/alive for your review. For complete lists and the status of all bills, see links below.
BILLS Still alive AS OF 3-5-19 ABORTION HB 732. The bill prohibits an abortion of a fetus once a heartbeat is detected, except if the mother’s life or health is in danger. A heartbeat is usually detected around the sixth week of a pregnancy, which would make this law, if enacted, one of the earliest abortion bans in the country. Proponents of the bill said that this would be a victory for the pro-life movement and the unborn in Mississippi. Opponents argued that the bill put harsh restrictions on women and their right to choose. It was also said that bills similar to this one have been struck down by courts around the United States, so there would be an added expense of court costs. HB 732 passed 81-36. SB 2116 has passed 34-14 and is the companion bill in the Senate. AIRPORT SB 2802 amends the Airport Authorities Law which would limit the ad valorem tax exemption to facilities on airport property as a result of airport-related contracts and leases. Passed and signed by Governor. CONVENTION OF STATES RESOLUTION SC 590 Article V Constitutional Convention; urge Congress to call for requiring single-purpose legislation. CORRECTIONS SB 2781. Fresh Start Act, would eliminate the practice of “good character” or “moral turpitude” clauses from occupational licensing regulations, which prohibit ex-offenders from receiving an occupational license and starting a new post-incarceration career. Sponsored by Sen. John Polk (R-Hattiesburg) CRIMINAL JUSTICE HB 1352 the Criminal Justice Reform Act. The bill would clear obstacles for the formerly incarcerated to find work, prevents driver’s license suspensions for controlled substance violations and unpaid legal fees and fines, and updates drug court laws to allow for additional types of what are known as problem solving courts. LOCAL HB 1268 - clarify state law regarding constitutional challenges to local ordinances. With local circuit courts acting as both the appellate body for appeals on specific decisions (such as bid disputes) and the court of original jurisdiction, there’s been confusion among judges regarding the law that governs challenges of local decisions, which are required within 10 days. City and county attorneys have used this 10-day requirement on decisions to get new constitutional challenges — which are new lawsuits and not appeals — thrown out of circuit courts. This law would add language that would prevent application of the 10-day requirement to constitutional challenges. GOOD BILL, supports Constitution. MEDICAL EXAMINER SB 2161 - State Medical Examiner and its deputies. Discussion about the lengthy autopsy process in MS; proponents said bill would be a step in the right direction to repair that process. The bill on its way to Governor. MOTION PICTURE SB 2603 (BAD BILL) and HB 1128 (BAD BILL) would reauthorize motion picture and television production incentives for out-of-state firms that expired in 2017. Unlike the previous incentives, both bills would cap them at $10 million. (Mississippi is losing 49¢ on each dollar investment!) BAD BILL PROPERTY SB 2901 - Landowner Protection Act, would exempt property owners and their employees from civil liability if a third party injures someone else on their property. SALARIES, PUBLIC OFFICIALS SB 2827 - local public officials’ salaries would increase, includes chancery and circuit clerks, tax assessors, county supervisors and others. If enacted into law, certain fees collected by city and county entities would increase to pay for the pay raises. Passed House and sent back to the Senate. TAXING AUTHORITY HB 1612 - authorize cities to create special improvement assessment districts (like a homeowner’s association) that would be authorized to levy up to 6 mills of property tax (the amount per $1,000 of assessed value of the property) to fund parks, sidewalks, streets, planting, lighting, fountains, security enhancements and even private security services. The tax would require the approval of 60 percent of property owners in the district. Sponsored by Rep. Mark Baker (R-Brandon), passed House 93-22 after failing to get a two-thirds majority on its first pass on the floor; then referred to Senate Finance Committee. (Do we want another taxing authority imposed on us?) TRANSPARENCY HB 1205 - provides that a public agency cannot request or release personal information to an entity organized under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Most of these organizations are considered nonprofits. (GOOD BILL) VICTIMS RIGHTS - CONSTITUTION House Concurrent Resolution 47 proposes an amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 that would ensure rights to victims throughout the criminal and juvenile justice systems. According to the proposed amendment, crime victims would be notified of all proceedings involving their perpetrator. Opponents of the legislation said that the proposed amendment did not address hate crimes in the state, while supporters said the legislation does address all crimes. (GOOD BILL) # # # # # BILLS DEAD AS OF 3-5-19 BONDS HB 60 - sponsored by Rep. Earl Banks (D-Jackson) and would’ve authorized $2 million in bond funds for the Jackson Zoo for capital improvements. CORRECTIONS HB 1284, known as the Fresh Start Act, is sponsored by state Rep. Mark Baker (R-Brandon) and would eliminate the practice of “good character” or “moral turpitude” clauses from occupational licensing regulations, which prohibit ex-offenders from receiving an occupational license and starting a new post-incarceration career. The bill passed the House by a margin of 114-2. DIED IN COMMITTEE. -- A companion bill, SB 2781, (ALIVE) is sponsored by state Sen. John Polk (R-Hattiesburg) and passed the Senate 41-10. Any differences between the bills would likely be resolved in conference later in the session. EDUCATION
LAW ENFORCEMENT The House Judiciary A Committee introduced HB 1289, or the Law Enforcement Identity Protection Act. The act would prohibit the public release of officers’ identities who are involved in fatalities until the investigation is complete. Supporters said that the bill would protect police officers and their families from scrutiny by the media and the public. Those opposed to the bill complained that media outlets usually report the identities of officers, and that investigations can sometimes take years to finish. BAD BILL, decreases govt. transparency, free speech concerns. DEAD OPEN MEETINGS ACT HB 1296 - Open Meetings Act; revise to require that minutes kept shall be posted on public body's website within certain time after the meeting. (Increases transparency) TOBACCO (No tobacco tax bill survived, all died in committee)
TAXES HB 67 - sponsored by state Rep. Ashley Henley (R-Southaven) and would’ve eliminated the state sales tax on food and increased the diversion of sales tax revenue to municipalities from 18.5 to 20 percent. # # # # #
On January 8, 2019, the 134th Mississippi State Legislature began the fourth and final session in its four year term. Over 3,000+ bills have been filed and we are now dealing with less than 700 bills. The last deadline was February 14 (Deadline for ORIGINAL FLOOR ACTION on general bills and constitutional amendments originating in OWN House). Please note the lists below which include some of the bills of interest and visit this website often for updates of Legislative action.
BILLS ALIVE – AS OF FEB. 14, 2019 ABORTION House Bill 732. The bill prohibits an abortion of a fetus once a heartbeat is detected, except if the mother’s life or health is in danger. A heartbeat is usually detected around the sixth week of a pregnancy, which would make this law, if enacted, one of the earliest abortion bans in the country. Proponents of the bill said that this would be a victory for the pro-life movement and the unborn in Mississippi. Opponents argued that the bill put harsh restrictions on women and their right to choose. It was also said that bills similar to this one have been struck down by courts around the United States, so there would be an added expense of court costs. HB 732 passed 81-36. SB 2116 has passed 34-14 and is the companion bill in the Senate. BIDDING PROCESS HB 1204 and SB 2759 would allow a municipality or county to execute the winning bid in a sealed bidding process if a judge hasn’t ruled on a protection request for bids within 90 days. CONVENTION OF STATES RESOLUTION SC 590 Article V Constitutional Convention; urge Congress to call for requiring single-purpose legislation. CORRECTIONS HB 1284, known as the Fresh Start Act, is sponsored by state Rep. Mark Baker (R-Brandon) and would eliminate the practice of “good character” or “moral turpitude” clauses from occupational licensing regulations, which prohibit ex-offenders from receiving an occupational license and starting a new post-incarceration career. The bill passed the House by a margin of 114-2. A companion bill, SB 2781, is sponsored by state Sen. John Polk (R-Hattiesburg) and passed the Senate 41-10. Any differences between the bills will be likely resolved in conference later in the session. CRIMINAL JUSTICE House Bill 1352 the Criminal Justice Reform Act. The bill would clear obstacles for the formerly incarcerated to find work, prevents driver’s license suspensions for controlled substance violations and unpaid legal fees and fines, and updates drug court laws to allow for additional types of what are known as problem solving courts. EDUCATION HB 688 This bill relaxes school regulations by allowing schools within districts of innovation to be graded by the Cambridge Assessment or other nationally recognized assessment standards in lieu of the Mississippi Assessment Program or the State Subject Area Testing Program. This decreases the regulatory burden on the State. HB 816 This bill seeks to reduce the tax burden on recent college graduates who stay in Mississippi. The state should always seek to lower the aggregate tax burden on all individuals, and create an environment that our children can grow and prosper. HB 623 would exempt school districts with A and B accountability ratings from the Mississippi Department of Education from certain mandates, including grade reporting and annual auditing of the district’s official discipline plan and code of student conduct. Under this bill, any licensed teacher employed at one of these districts would be exempt from continuing education requirements as a condition of their license renewal. SB 2675 would reauthorize the Education Scholarship Account program until 2024 and was sponsored by state Sen. Gray Tollison (R-Oxford). The bill was amended to have the ESA funds transferred to the home district if a participating student returns to his or her local school district. FOOD HB 702 would allow cottage food operators to increase their maximum sales to $35,000 and advertise their products on the web. LAW ENFORCEMENT The House Judiciary A Committee introduced HB 1289, or the Law Enforcement Identity Protection Act. The act would prohibit the public release of officers’ identities who are involved in fatalities until the investigation is complete. Supporters said that the bill would protect police officers and their families from scrutiny by the media and the public. Those opposed to the bill complained that media outlets usually report the identities of officers, and that investigations can sometimes take years to finish. LOCAL HB 1268 would clarify state law regarding constitutional challenges to local ordinances. With local circuit courts acting as both the appellate body for appeals on specific decisions (such as bid disputes) and the court of original jurisdiction, there’s been confusion among judges regarding the law that governs challenges of local decisions, which are required within 10 days. City and county attorneys have used this 10-day requirement on decisions to get new constitutional challenges — which are new lawsuits and not appeals — thrown out of circuit courts. This law would add language that would prevent application of the 10-day requirement to constitutional challenges. MOTION PICTURE SB 2603 and HB 1128 would reauthorize motion picture and television production incentives for out-of-state firms that expired in 2017. Unlike the previous incentives, both bills would cap them at $10 million. The House version is sponsored by state Rep. Jeff Smith (R-Columbus). It passed the House by a 95-19 margin. The Senate version is sponsored by state Sen. Joey Fillingane (R-Sumrall) and passed by a 43-6 margin. (Mississippi is losing 49¢ on each dollar investment !!) PROPERTY SB 2901, known as the Landowner Protection Act, would exempt property owners and their employees from civil liability if a third party injures someone else on their property. TRANSPARENCY HB 1205 also caused much debate on the House floor. If enacted into law, the act provides that a public agency cannot request or release personal information to an entity organized under Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. Most of these organizations are considered nonprofits. The bill passed the House 69-47. VICTIMS RIGHTS House Concurrent Resolution 47 proposes an amendment to the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 that would ensure rights to victims throughout the criminal and juvenile justice systems. According to the proposed amendment, crime victims would be notified of all proceedings involving their perpetrator. Opponents of the legislation said that the proposed amendment did not address hate crimes in the state, while supporters said the legislation does address all crimes. The concurrent resolution passed the House 84-33 and will now be considered by the Senate. # # # # # BILLS DEAD -- FEB. 14, 2019 House: Bills That Have Died 2-14-19 HB 100 Children's Advocacy Centers Fund; provide an additional assessment on drug/alcohol violations for foster care programs. Child services Ladner HB 337 The Landowners Protection Act; create. Landowners Protection White HB 480 Rights of youth taken into custody for delinquent act, certain; require legal counsel be consulted before waiver of certain rights may occur. Youth Court Dixon HB 528 Contracts; provide additional penalties for a person who splits to avoid competitive purchasing procedures. Transparency Turner HB 536 Artificial reefs; prohibit the publication of location data associated with. Marine Resources Byrd HB 696 Small Business and Grocer Investment Act; extend repealer. Small business act White HB 704 Jointly held property; authorize to be sold by broker in a commercially reasonable manner. Property Reynolds HB 706 Cremation; prohibit until approved by county medical examiner. Cremation Oliver HB 723 Nuclear High School Academy; authorize certain school district to enter into partnership for the establishment of. Education Staples HB 792 State Board of Public Contractors; exempt nonprofit corporations, associations and churches from certain licensing provisions. Accountability Staples HB 867 Heroin and fentanyl; add penalties for possession, or death resulting from use of. Drugs Baker HB 871 Parole to a detainer; codify and prescribe process for use. Corrections Baker HB 881 Opioid Crisis Intervention Act; create. Opioid Brown HB 937 Commissioner of Banking and Consumer Finance; provide for salary. Banking Smith HB 964 Post-conviction relief; authorize successive application when new state law would have adversely affected outcome. Corrections Scott HB1013 Child endangerment; include sell, possession or manufacture of controlled substance, except marijuana, as. Child protection Baker HB1148 Submerged logs; provide requirements for removal and require funds from sale to be deposited into the school trust lands principal fund for the county. Education Ladner HB1246 Mississippi Teacher Leadership Program; establish to provide stipend to teacher assuming leadership positions while remaining in the classroom. Education Bennett HB1250 Regional solid waste management authority; include president of the board of supervisors of the county where facility is located on board of commissioners. Waste Mgmt. Bennett HB1302 Veterans; provide for the disposition of unclaimed cremated remains of certain veterans. Veterans Bounds HB1317 Dual enrollment; require community colleges to provide first 15 credit hours free of charge to juniors and seniors. Colleges Barton HB1335 Jackson State University; authorize to sell certain real property in its possession. Colleges - JSU Cockerham HB1349 "Mississippi Great Teachers Act of 2019"; enact to incentive individuals to enter teaching profession and address critical teacher shortage. Education - Teachers Busby HB1357 The Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act; create procedures to enact. Heirship Dortch HB1367 Appraisal management companies; prohibit criminal background check as a condition of employment. Appraisal Mgmt. Bell (21st) HB1412 Open Meeting Law; revise reasons for executive sessions to include certain discussions by boards of trustees of public hospitals. Open Meeting law McLeod HB1449 Roads and bridges; bring forward section of law providing for methods of constructing, reconstructing and maintaining. Roads, bridges Mims HB1470 County regional correctional facilities; require DOC to utilize for housing of state offenders before utilizing private facilities. Corrections Hood * HB1472 Air bow; authorize use during certain open seasons for individuals exempt from hunting license requirement by reason of disability. Hunting Hood HB1510 Department of Corrections; exempt personnel actions from State Personnel Board for purposes of realignment. Corrections Kinkade HB1551 Operation of vessel in reckless or negligent manner; include wakeboarding restrictions. Marine Resources Willis Senate: Bills That Have Died 2-14-19 SB2092 Natchez-Adams Special Municipal Separate School District; elect members of school board. Education - Natchez Dearing SB2182 Towing of vehicle; wrecker company allowed to retain personal property pending payment of towing bill. Motor Vehicles Fillingane SB2482 Teacher and administrator licenses; clarify grounds for disciplinary action and reinstatement. Education - licensure Tollison SB2496 Practice of surveying; exclude certain activities from the definition of.Surveying Hill SB2736 Student financial aid; require FAFSA for MTAG and MESG applications. Education - Financial aid Harkins SB2791 Re-entry and employability; implement mechanisms to provide. Employment Barnett SB2866 Districts of Innovation; require SDE to recognize use of Cambridge Assessment for purposes of accountability rating. Education - Dist. Of Innovation, testing Parks SB2894 Harvest permits; extend repeal date to July 1, 2022, and authorize for vehicles carrying bulk feed and wood pellets. Agriculture Branning # # # #January 8, 2019 -- On January 8, 2019, the 134th Mississippi State Legislature began the fourth and final session in its four year term. Over 3,000+ bills have been filed and the first deadline for review was February 6 – this narrowed the list to about 730 bills. The next deadline is February 14, the last day that general (non-revenue) bills can be passed by the originating chamber. Please note the lists below which include some of the bills of interest and visit this website often for updates of Legislative action
BILLS PASSED – AS OF FEB. 6, 2019HB 366 Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act; To Provide Definitions For The Act; To Provide For Ownership And/or Operation Of Broadband Systems By Electric Cooperatives Through Affiliates Or Operators; Approved by Governor
HB 325 Authorize City Of Columbus, Mississippi, To Levy A Tax On Retail Sales Of Beer, Alcoholic Beverages And Prepared Food Sold By Restaurants, Approved by Governor BILLS ALIVE – as of FEB. 6, 2019BIDDING – CITIES AND COUNTIES
HB 1204 and SB 2759 would allow a municipality or county to execute the winning bid in a sealed bidding process if a judge hasn’t ruled on a protection request for bids within 90 days. The House version is sponsored by state Rep. Jerry Turner (R-Baldwyn) and the Senate version is sponsored by state Sen. John Polk (R-Hattiesburg). CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM Senate Bill 2791 and House Bill 1352 are two criminal justice reform measures that have made it out of committee. SB 2791 would mandate evidence-based solutions to reduce incarceration and eliminate obstacles for ex-offenders to find work. The Reentry and Employability Act is sponsored by state Sen. Juan Barnett (D-Heidelberg). State Rep. Jason White (R-West) sponsored the Criminal Justice Reform Act, which would clear obstacles for the formerly incarcerated to find work. EDUCATION HB 623 would exempt school districts with A and B accountability ratings from the Mississippi Department of Education from certain mandates, including grade reporting and annual auditing of the district’s official discipline plan and code of student conduct. Under this bill, any licensed teacher employed at one of these districts would be exempt from continuing education requirements as a condition of their license renewal. SB 2675 would reauthorize the Education Scholarship Account program until 2024 and was sponsored by state Sen. Gray Tollison (R-Oxford). FOOD HB 702 would allow cottage food operators to increase their maximum sales to $35,000 and advertise their products on the web. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Casey Eure (R-Saucier), has been passed by the House and has already been transmitted to the Senate. LITIGATION – CONSTITUTIONAL HB 1268 would clarify some confusion in the law regarding time limitations for constitutional litigation brought by those whose rights have been threatened by government action. This would protect and advance constitutional rights in Mississippi. It was introduced by Rep. Dana Criswell (R-Olive Branch). MOTION PICTURE HB 1128 would reauthorize motion picture and television production incentives for out-of-state firms that expired in 2017. The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Jeff Smith (R-Columbus). PROPERTY HB 337 and SB 2901 are bills that would exempt property owners and their employees from civil liability if a third party injures someone else on their property. The House version was sponsored by state Rep. White, while the Senate version was sponsored by state Sen. Josh Harkins (R-Flowood). BILLS DEAD -- AS OF FEB. 6, 2019AGRICULTURAL
HB 625 and SB 2767 would’ve allowed the farming of agricultural hemp in the state. The U.S. Congress passed a farm bill in December that authorized states to start growing the plant, which can be made into thousands of products such as clothing, paper, shampoos and even insulation. The House version was sponsored by state Rep. Joel Bomgar (R-Madison) and the Senate version was sponsored by state Sen. Willie Simmons (D-Cleveland). BOND COUNSEL HB 19 would’ve required bond counsel to be selected through competitive requests for proposal process and was sponsored by state Rep. David Baria (D-Bay St. Louis). EDUCATION HB 173 would limit the salaries of the State Superintendent of Public Education, the Commissioner of Higher Education and the Executive Director of the Mississippi Community College Board to a pay scale of 150 percent of the governor’s salary, and was sponsored by state Rep. Bill Shirley (R-Quitman). HB 118 and SB 2912 would’ve allowed homeschooled students to participate in extracurricular activities. At present, Mississippi law prevents homeschooled students from participating in extracurricular activities, such as athletics, in their respective school districts. A similar bill in the Senate by state Sen. Michael Watson (R-Pascagoula) also died without a floor vote. HB 1113, SB 2825 and SB 2826 were all bills that would’ve changed the state’s Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program. HB 1113 was sponsored by state Rep. Becky Currie (R-Brookhaven) and would’ve revised the eligible expenses under the program, eliminated the lottery for selecting eligible students for the program from the wait list and established an appeals process. SB 2825 would’ve added ESA funding to the Mississippi Adequate Education Program, the funding formula for K-12 education and was sponsored by state Sen. Chris Caughman (R-Mendenhall). SB 2826 was sponsored by state Sen. Videt Carmichael (R-Meridian) and would’ve also eliminated the lottery method for selecting eligible students for the ESA program from the wait list, required the Mississippi Department of Education to enact an accountability program and established an appeals process. LAW ENFORCEMENT HB 85 would’ve required a warrant for law enforcement agencies to use cell site simulator devices except to prevent loss of life or injury. It was authored by state Rep. Steve Hopkins (R-Southaven). MEDICAL HB 1491 and SB 2248 would’ve allowed out-of-state, licensed healthcare providers such as doctors, nurses, optometrists and dentists to practice for a non-profit in Mississippi on a charitable basis. The Senate bill was sponsored by state Sen. Angela Burks Hill (R-Picayune), while the House version was sponsored by state Rep. Shane Aguirre (R-Tupelo). NURSE PRACTITIONERS HB 31 would’ve eliminated the requirement for a supervising physician for nurse practitioners with 3,600 or more hours in clinical practice and was sponsored by state Rep. Jay Hughes (D-Oxford). VACATION RENTALS SB 2693 would’ve pre-empted local regulation of short-term vacation rentals, such as Airbnb, and was sponsored by state Senator Hill. WINE SB 2183 and HB 708 would’ve allowed direct sales and shipments of wine to state residents. The Senate version was authored by state Sen. Bob Dearing (D-Natchez), while the House version was sponsored by state Rep. Charles Busby (R-Pascagoula). SOURCES:
Mississippi Legislature - https://www.legislature.ms.gov/Pages/default.aspx Legiscan https://legiscan.com/MS/legislation Legislative tracker of bills by Mississippi Center for Public Policy - https://mspolicyvotes.org Mississippi Center for Public Policy - https://www.mspolicy.org Mississippi Tea Party – Legislature webpage - https://www.themsteaparty.com/ms-legislature.html Article: https://www.clarionledger.com/story/opinion/columnists/2019/02/04/if-these-bills-become-law-mississippi-less-safe/2766727002/ DEADLINES FOR BILLS: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/htms/timetable.xml 
April 1, 2018
The 132nd Mississippi State Legislature just completed its third session of its four-year term. To view all of the 2018 bills that have been filed, failed, etc. - click on the Legislative website here. The budget year begins July 1. A review of the good and bad bills is also found in this article. 2018 MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
| |||
| list_-_bills_dead_alive_2-5-18.pdf |
