Legislative Weekly Summary
Note: The following is a recap of the week’s actions in the Mississippi State Senate and Mississippi House of Representatives. Information is provided by the Senate and House Press Offices.
State Senate Weekly Summary
In the 16th week of the Legislative Session, the Senate met a Tuesday, April 16 deadline for original floor action on appropriation and revenue bills originating in the House, a Wednesday, April 17 deadline for reconsideration and passage of appropriation and revenue bills originating in the House, a Thursday, April 18 deadline to dispose of motions to reconsider appropriation and revenue bills originating in the House, and a Friday, April 19 deadline to concur or not concur in amendments from the House to appropriation and revenue bills, and a deadline for introduction of local and private bills that are revenue bills.
The Senate faces a Monday, April 22 deadline to dispose of motions to reconsider concurrence or nonconcurrence in appropriation and revenue bills, a Thursday, April 25 deadline to concur or not concur in amendments from other house to general bills and constitutional amendments, a Friday, April 26 deadline for introduction of local and private bills that are not revenue bills, and a Saturday, April 27 deadline for conference reports on appropriation and revenue bills to be filed, and deadline to dispose of motions to reconsider concurrence or nonconcurrence on general bills and constitutional amendments.
The Senate advised and consented to appointments to boards and agencies.
The Senate concurred in House changes to several measures including:
- Senate Bill 2425, defines ballot harvesting and gives exceptions for when persons can receive assistance in voting and by whom they can be helped.
- Senate Bill 2858, allows patients with life-threatening or debilitating illnesses to receive individualized investigative treatment.
- Senate Bill 2727, creates and provides membership and duties for a Mississippi Youth Mental Health Task Force.
- House Bill 1471, prohibits officers and employees of the Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM), from accepting or receiving “any gratuity, gift, gift in-kind, money, emolument, or any other pecuniary benefit, either directly or indirectly, from any broadband service provider, vendor, contractor, subcontractor, nonprofit organization or association that does business with or contracts with BEAM, or any designee, employee, agent, officer, or representative of such broadband service provider, vendor, contractor, subcontractor, nonprofit organization or association.”
- Senate Bill 3070, authorizes an income tax and insurance premium tax credit for certain investments in qualified community development entities.
- Senate Bill 2196, provides an additional five-year prison term for persons convicted of making terroristic threats to an airport.
Other bills passed included:
House Bill 1983, that authorizes $86.375 million in bonds for various state and Institutions of Higher Learning projects.
House Bill 1984, authorized tax credits for “persons, firms, or corporations operating a refinery for the refining of oil, gas or petroleum products and owning oil, gas, or petroleum products.
House Bill 1378, increases homestead exemption; for honorably discharged veterans 90 years of age or older.
The Senate honored exemplary Mississippians with floor presentations.
Senator Josh Harkins on Tuesday, April 16 led the Mississippi Senate’s presentation of Senate Resolution 39, to the Hartfield Academy “Hawks” Football Team and Head Coach Craig Bowman, (shown), for winning their first ever MAIS 6A State Football Championship. The Hartfield Academy “Hawks” football team solidified an undefeated season with a flawless 14-0 record with their November 18, 2023, defeat of Jackson Prep, at Mississippi College.
Senator Lydia Chassaniol on Tuesday, April 16 led the Mississippi Senate’s presentation of Senate Concurrent Resolution 541 to Taiwan’s Director General Yvonne Shiao, encouraging greater cooperation and business dealings between the United State and Taiwan, and between Mississippi and Taiwan. Mississippi has had a sister-state relationship with Taiwan, Republic of China, for 41 years. Other senators involved in the presentation were (from left), Senators Ben Suber, Hillman T. Frazier, Albert Butler, Chad McMahan, Joey Fillingane, Chuck Younger, Kevin Blackwell, and Dr. David Parker.
Senator Sollie B. Norwood on Wednesday, April 17 led the Mississippi Senate’s honors for the Jackson State University “Lady Tigers” Women’s Basketball Team and Head Coach Tomekia Reed for winning the SWAC Championship for a 5th straight year with presentation of Senate Resolution 71, and also honoring with a Senate Proclamation, JSU center, and SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, Angel Jackson, who was 36th overall pick in the WNBA draft by the reigning WNBA Champions, the Las Vegas Aces.
Senator Juan Barnett and Senator Robin Robinson on Wednesday, April 17 led the Mississippi Senate’s presentation of Senate Resolution 92 to Family Health Center, Inc. of Laurel for being among the best community health centers in the United States, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Senator Bart Williams on Wednesday, April 17 led the Mississippi Senate in honoring Rocky Vaughan of Ackerman with Senate Resolution 65 for his contributions in designing the new Mississippi State Flag. In 2013, inspired by a news story regarding the history of the Mississippi flag, Rocky became determined to create a less controversial state flag.
Senator Joey Fillingane and Senator Chris Johnson on Thursday, April 18 led presentation of Senate Resolution 69 to the Sumrall High School “Lady Bobcats” Cheer Team and Coach Kim Blount for winning back-to-back Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) National Championships and presented Senate Resolution 70 to the Sumrall High School “Lady Bobcats” Girls Soccer Team and Coach Todd Siders for winning their first Class 4A State Championship.
Senator Sarita Simmons on Thursday, April 18 led the presentation of Senate Concurrent Resolution 540 honoring Rosie S. Simmons, first elected in 1988, as the first African American and the first African American woman since Reconstruction to serve as Bolivar County Circuit Clerk. Rosie S. Simmons, who served 20 consecutive years as Bolivar County Circuit Clerk, is the mother of Senator Sarita Simmons and the wife of Central District Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons, who is a former state senator.
Senator Robin Robinson on Friday, April 19 led a presentation of House Resolution 48 to Escatawpa resident William Jarrell, a World War II Navy veteran, upon the occasion of his 100th birthday.
House of Representatives Weekly Summary
This was the 16th week of the 2024 legislative session. At this point in the session, bills have either been sent to the governor to be signed or are being discussed in conference.
Conference on a bill occurs when further discussion is needed to reach the best solution. A conference consists of three representatives and three senators who work together to finalize a bill. More than 250 bills are currently in conference, including those that deal with the state budget. Once a bill is out of conference, it must go to both the House and the Senate for a vote before being sent to the governor.
Along with holding conferences all week, the House did meet to discuss local and private bills, to invite a conference on some remaining bills and to honor special guests.
On Friday, the House honored Mr. William Jarrell, a 100-year-old World War II Navy veteran and a resident of Escatawpa. He was presented with House Resolution 48 commending him on his service and celebrating his 100th birthday.
The House also honored Jackson State Women’s Basketball Head Coach Tomekia Reed and player Angel Jackson for their many accomplishments this season. Coach Reed was presented with House Resolution 113 for being named SWAC Coach of the Year, while Jackson was presented with House Resolution 111 for being named SWAC Women’s Defensive Player of the Year and being drafted to the WNBA.
Other visitors this week included Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Moss Point High School, Charleston High School, Florence High School, West Jones High School, Winona High School, Sumrall High School, Hartfield Academy, Clergy for Medicaid Expansion and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.
