Senate Weekly Report

In the 11th week of the Legislative Session, the Mississippi State Senate debated bills on the floor, met in committees and met three deadlines.

The Senate met the Tuesday, March 14 deadline for original floor action on appropriation and revenue bills originated in the House, the Wednesday, March 15 deadline for reconsideration and passage of appropriation and revenue bills originated in the House, the Thursday, March 16 deadline to dispose of motions to reconsider appropriation and revenue bills originated in the House, and the Friday, March 17 deadline to concur or not concur in amendments from the House to appropriation and revenue bills and for introduction of local and private bills that are revenue bills.

Passage of Senate Bill 2152 gives the City of Byram authority to proceed with plans for a referendum to seek citizens’ approval of up to a 2-percent restaurant tax for parks and recreation, to “promote, construct, finance, operate, equip, lease and maintain new and existing parks and recreation facilities and equipment with the city.” A referendum would require 60-percent voter approval to pass. The bill goes next to the House.

House Bill 1725 authorizes Lowndes County Board of Supervisors to contribute $890,000 of its Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, from the American Rescue Plan Act – (ARPA) – to Prairie Land Water Association.

Other bills passed included: 

• House Bill 549 exempts certain businesses from paying sales tax on property transported from Mississippi and first used in another state.
• House Bill 1723, authorizes up to $1 million in tax credits for certain organizations supporting community food pantries or soup kitchens.
•  Senate Bill 2892 authorizes the City of Vicksburg to create, develop and promote for tourism/economic development, the Dr. Jane McAllister Museum, commemorating the accomplishments of the first African American woman to earn a doctorate degree.
• Senate Bill 3108 allows Lowndes County officials to lease 65-acres to the Palmer Home for Children for nonprofit use for the benefit of disadvantaged children.
• Senate Bill 2150 allows Warren County to enter a 30-year lease or lease purchase agreement for a jail.
• Senate Bill 2922 authorizes DeSoto County to transfer property to Olive Branch for construction of an animal shelter.
• House Bill 1561 amends current law to allow tax exemption eligibility to “controlled environment agriculture enterprises meeting minimum criteria established by the Mississippi Development Authority.”
• Senate Bill 2449, amends existing law to allow taxation of certain computer software. “Sales of computer software, computer software services, specified digital products, or other products delivered electronically, including, but not limited to, music, games, reading materials or ring tones, shall be taxed as provided in other sections of this chapter.”