*Note: This page will be continuously updated as votes are taken and posted. By clicking on the bill number, you can view the full text of the bill, current status, and vote totals. Vote totals are preliminary and may differ from the final totals. To view the vote by party, copy and paste the names from the vote totals pdf here.
Monday March 28, 2016
- SB 2663: This bill makes a small change to the bail bond statute allowing the Commissioner of Insurance to revoke licenses of those who commit crimes related to their jobs. I vote Yes, the bill passed 113-5.
- SB 2161: This bill expands school choice by allowing for students in lower-performing districts to cross district lines to attend charter schools. Every child deserves access to a quality education, and every parent deserves a choice in where their child attends school. I voted Yes, the bill passed 65-51.
- SB 2587: This bill prevents a municipal officer from serving in an “interim” role in perpetuity. I voted Yes, the bill passed 82-36.
- SB 2603: This bill allows smaller municipalities to have only three alderman if the voters choose to do so. I voted Yes, the bill passed 117-2.
- SB 2799: This bill allows municipalities to contract with private partners for naming rights to buildings. This could be a significant revenue source for some cities. I voted Yes, the bill passed 109-7.
- SB 2801: This bill allows for Hinds County to lease the former state crime lab building. I voted Yes, the bill passed 116-2.
- SB 2297: This bill defines freestanding emergency rooms and subjects them to regulation by the State Department of Health. While this bill is not ideal in its regulatory approach, it does allow these facilities to operate in the state, whereas they are not currently allowed at all. Consequently, this bill expands the market and allows for the expansion of private healthcare facilities in the state. I voted Yes, the bill passed 80-35.
- SB 2571: This bill requires state agencies to review their supplemental insurance offerings to ensure that they are using the most efficient offerings. I voted Yes, the bill passed 115-4.
- SB 2346: This bill relaxes regulations on small loans by allowing issuers to offer premiums in certain circumstances. I voted Yes, the bill passed 112-4.
- SB 2520: This bill expands the regulatory power of the Commissioner of Banking by allowing him to join in federal investigations. This bill will result in the growth of government. I voted No, 112-3.
- SB 2198: This bill requires annexing cities to cede regulatory power to the Board of Supervisors if less than half of the people in the census block being annexed will actually be included in the annexation. I voted Yes, the bill passed 78-40.
- SB 2374: This bill establishes a study committee that will offer recommended changes to the state’s campaign finance laws. I voted Yes, the bill passed 92-24.
- SB 2114: This bill modernizes the traffic code statute by allowing departments to file more misdemeanor affidavits electronically. I voted Yes, the bill passed 120-0.
- SB 2732: This bill makes a change to the criminal statute for fondling of a child to ensure that any potential loopholes are closed. I voted Yes, the bill passed 113-1.
- SB 2032: This bill allows funeral escort vehicles to use special lights for military funerals. It relaxes a regulation to allow special recognition for military funeral processions. I voted Yes, the bill passed 116-0.
- SB 2629: This bill allows Jackson State University to enter into a lease to construct new student housing. I voted Yes, the bill passed 118-2.
Tuesday March 29, 2016
- SB 2361: This bill calls for the consolidation of the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission to generate cost savings. I voted Yes, the bill passed 116-0.
- SB 2384: This bill establishes a study committee to make recommendations on the potential consolidation of the Divisions of Medicaid and Human Services. I voted Yes, the bill passed 112-1.
- SB 2387: This bill requires state agencies to disclose all I voted Yes, the bill passed 116-0.
- SB 2398: This bill allows to Department of Education to swap a tract of 16th Section Land with a private landowner to obtain another piece of land. I voted Yes, the bill passed 119-0.
- SB 2364: This bill provides oversight to the state’s juvenile detention centers to improve their operation and the treatment of juvenile detainees. I voted Yes, the bill passed 118-1.
- SB 2183: This bill allows the local board of supervisors to direct the cremation or burial of unclaimed bodies, whereas currently only the coroner has this power. This bill has a reverse repealer and cannot become law in its current form. I voted Yes, the bill passed 117-0.
- SB 2238: This bill prevents Medicaid from reimbursing facilities that perform elective abortions. It includes a reverse repealer and cannot become law in its current form. I voted Yes, the bill passed 77-37.
- SB 2070: This bill creates new regulatory requirements on healthcare providers concerning breastfeeding, and expands the role of the Department of Health to institute a new program dealing with breastfeeding. I voted No, the bill passed 104-15.
- SB 2158: This bill revises the calculation of student attendance used for the MAEP formula. This bill could make it more difficult for the Auditor’s Office to determine exactly how many students are actually attending public schools in our state. I voted No, the bill passed 97-20.
- SB 2314: This bill requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to report case data to the Public Defender so they can assess the quality of defense provided to individuals in the state. I voted Yes, the bill passed 119-0.
- SB 2211: This bill makes a number of technical corrections to the trust statute that cleans up language and minor errors in the law. I voted Yes, the bill passed 114-2.
- SB 2447: This bill officially establishes the due date for charitable registration forms and allows the SOS to set extension guidelines, with administrative penalties for those who fail to file. I voted Yes, the bill passed 114-1.
- SB 2649: This bill establishes an avenue of appeal for individuals who are affected by an order of the Secretary of State. This bill expands the rights of individuals in the state. I voted Yes, the bill passed 119-0.
- SB 2493: This bill makes it easier for parents to transfer power of attorney over a child to another individual. This model has been implemented in other parts of the country to help families who might be experiencing a crisis. I voted Yes, the bill passed 118-0.
- SB 2418: This bill adds domestic violence as a grounds for divorce in the state. I voted Yes, the bill passed 115-1.
- SB 2119: This bill makes a few small changes to the regulations governing public accountants, including reducing the hours required to sit for the exam and making it more difficult for the board to outright suspend the license of someone without first taking some action. This relaxes regulations on individuals and expands individual rights. I voted Yes, the bill passed 119-0.
- SB 2541: This bill creates a study committee to examine the state’s laws related to fantasy gaming in order to make recommendations on potential changes to the state’s law to impose regulations on fantasy gaming in Mississippi. An amendment was passed to authorize a state lottery for Mississippi. Aside from being outside the scope of the original bill, this is not within the proper role of government. I voted No, the bill passed 84-35.
- SB 2524: This bill allows for those who manage bingo competitions to receive compensation for their services. While this was a good bill, it was amended on the floor to allow for the implementation of a state lottery. This is outside the proper role of government. I voted No, the bill passed 78-41.
- SB 2362: This bill moves all special fund agencies to the general fund. Funding agencies through special funds is preferable, and this bill eliminates this setup. It also contains concerning provisions that consolidate IT services. I voted No, the bill passed 115-5.
- SB 2469: This bill does not currently make any changes to state law, but contains code sections that will allow for changes to the way funds are transferred between state funds to meet budgetary needs. I voted Yes, the bill passed 117-0.
- SB 2504: This bill extends a number of government regulations governing those who offer mortgages in the state. The regulations and licensing requirements limit new entrants into the market, and employment. I voted No, the measure passed 112-5.
Wednesday March 30, 2016
- SB 2725: This bill was previously passed by the House and reconsidered after some technical amendments were removed from the bill. The primary subject of the bill, which places regulations on those selling real estate, remained intact. I voted No, the bill passed 114-2.
- SB 2161: The House voted on whether to table a motion to reconsider this bill which expands access to charter schools. I voted Yes, the motion passed 59-56.
- HB 525: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this law previously passed by the House. This bill ensures that those who are convicted of a DUI maintain insurance coverage before their license is reinstated. I voted Yes, the motion passed 85-31. The bill now heads to the Governor.
- HB 732: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this law previously passed by the House. This bill increases fines for court-martials. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0. The bill now heads to the Governor.
- HB 767: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this law previously passed by the House. This bill protects property owners against trespassers. I voted Yes, the motion passed 112-3. The bill now heads to the Governor.
- HB 1130: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this law previously passed by the House. The bill expands regulations that mandate government inspectors examine petroleum products. I voted No, the motion passed 115-1. The bill now heads to the Governor.
- HB 1292: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this law previously passed by the House. This bill increases penalties for those who violate the social host law, from 90 days to 6 months. I voted No, the motion passed 111-4. The bill now heads to the Governor.
- HB 1300: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this law previously passed by the House. This bill helps protect the operation of sport shooting ranges in the state. I voted Yes, the motion passed 110-7. The bill now heads to the Governor.
- HB 1328: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this law previously passed by the House. This bill makes the expungement process easier by allowing justice court judges to participate. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0. The bill now heads to the Governor.
- HB 1514: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this law previously passed by the House. This bill renames a memorial highway. I voted Yes, the motion passed 115-0. The bill now heads to the Governor.
- HB 26: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this law previously passed by the House. This bill allows the Sports Hall of Fame and Museum to continue its lease and operation by a nonprofit. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0. The bill now heads to the Governor.
- HB 475: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this law previously passed by the House. This bill renews the audit requirement for the Boll Weevil program. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0. The bill now heads to the Governor.
- HB 845: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this law previously passed by the House. This bill relaxes regulations on the sale of alcohol in some areas by expanding qualified resort areas. I voted Yes, the motion passed 85-31. The bill now heads to the Governor.
- HB 1189: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s changes to this law previously passed by the House. The bill allows for background checks on state IT personnel that handle sensitive data. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0. The bill now heads to the Governor.
- The House voted to adopt a block of resolutions honoring the accomplishments of citizens of our state. I voted Yes, the block passed 119-0. You can view each of the resolutions here: HCRs 97, 100, 101, 102, 103, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111.
- HCR 98: This resolution congratulates Columbus High School’s basketball team on a recent victory. I voted Yes, the resolution passed 119-0.
- HCR 99: This resolution congratulates Robert Woodard II on his athletic accomplishments. I voted Yes, the resolution passed 119-0.
- The House voted to adopt a block of resolutions honoring the accomplishments of citizens of our state. I voted Yes, the block passed 119-0. You can view each of the resolutions here: SCRs 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 637, 638, 639, 640, 642, 643, 645, 646, 647.
Thursday March 31, 2016
- HB 899: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which makes revisions to the PERS statutes as requested by PERS. I voted Yes, the motion passed 115-0.
- HB 479: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which allows for state inmates to continue to be housed in county jails. This helps disperse the population and provide cost savings. I voted Yes, the motion passed 114-1.
- HB 819: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which extends a commission to examine the burden of state laws on small businesses. This commission works to reduce the government’s regulatory burden on our citizens. I voted Yes, the motion passed 111-0.
- HB 1504: The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which clarifies the manner in which the state shall review and approve engineering contracts. I voted Yes, the motion passed 114-0.
The House considered a number of appropriation bills that were passed by the Senate. Each of these bills were amended by the House to add repealers. This means that, in their current form, these Appropriations cannot become law. These are effectively procedural votes that allow the bills to move forward. The actual appropriation will be determined in conference with the Senate, at which point we will vote to approve the final versions. A number of these bills were considered individually, and I’ve listed those below.
- SB 2913: Appropriation for the Department of Audit. I voted Yes, the bill passed 115-2.
- SB 2912: Appropriation for the Governor’s Office. I voted Yes, the bill passed 115-2.
- SB 2916: Appropriation for the Secretary of State. I voted Yes, the bill passed 114–1.
- SB 2885: Appropriation for the Department of Revenue. I voted Yes, the bill passed 114–1.
- SB 2886: Appropriation for the Tax Appeals Board. I voted Yes, the bill passed 116-0.
- SB 2882: Appropriation for the Judicial Performance Commission. I voted Yes, the bill passed 117-0.
- SB 2917: Appropriation for the Treasurer’s Office. I voted Yes, the bill passed 115-1.
- SB 2918: Appropriation for Debt Service. I voted Yes, the bill passed 115-0.
- SB 2880: Appropriation for the Department of Public Safety. I voted Yes, the bill passed113-0.
- SB 2877: Appropriation for the Department of Corrections. I voted Yes, the bill passed 113-0.
- SB 2883: Appropriation for the Ethics Commission. I voted Yes, the bill passed 118-0.
- SB 2875: Appropriation for the Community and Junior Colleges Board Administration. I voted Yes, the bill passed 115-0.
- SB 2876: Appropriation for the Community and Junior Colleges. I voted Yes, the bill passed 117-0.
- SB 2866: Appropriation for the Institutions of Higher Learning. I voted Yes, the bill passed 117-0.
- SB 2867: Appropriation for subsidiary programs of Institutions of Higher Learning. I voted Yes, the bill passed 117-0.
- SB 2868: Appropriation for student aid for Institutions of Higher Learning. I voted Yes, the bill passed 117-0.
- SB 2870: Appropriation for Alcorn State’s agricultural programs. I voted Yes, the bill passed 117-0. An amendment was offered to insert an addition $400,000 for a new program at Alcorn State University. I voted No, the amendment failed.
- SB 2884: Appropriation for the Deparmtent of Employment Security. I voted Yes, the bill passed 116-2.
- SB 2893: Appropriation for the Funeral Services Board. I voted Yes, the bill passed 112-0.
- SB 2923: Appropriation for the Department of Child Protection Services. I voted Yes, the bill passed 117-0.
In an effort to save time on procedural votes for these appropriations bills, the House considered the remainder in a block. I voted Yes, the block passed 117-0. You can view each of these Senate Bills (SB) below:
- SB 2874 MSU Vet Clinic
- SB 2873 MSU Wildlife Research Center
- SB 2872 MSU Extension Service
- SB 2871 MSU Forestry Experiment Station
- SB 2869 University of Mississippi Medical Center
- SB 2890 Office of State Aid Road Construction
- SB 2919 Mississippi Development Authority
- SB 2914 Department of Information Technology Services
- SB 2878 Emergency Management Agency
- SB 2915 Personnel Board
- SB 2911 Department of Finance and Administration
- SB 2888 Department of Mental Health
- SB 2904 Department of Agriculture and Commerce
- SB 2905 Egg Marketing Board
- SB 2906 Board of Animal Health
- SB 2907 Fair and Coliseum Commission
- SB 2908 Fair and Coliseum Commission (Livestock shows)
- SB 2889 Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority
- SB 2898 Gaming Commission
- SB 2881 Veterans Affairs Board
- SB 2887 Workers’ Compensation Commission
- SB 2910 Department of Banking and Consumer Finance
- SB 2899 Board of Architecture
- SB 2895 Board of Pharmacy
- SB 2902 Board of Public Accountancy
- SB 2891 Board of Chiropractic Examiners
- SB 2903 Board of Contractors
- SB 2894 Board of Massage Therapy
- SB 2897 Board of Veterinary Examiners
- SB 2900 Board of Registered Professional Geologists
- SB 2879 Military Department
- SB 2892 Board of Dental Examiners
- SB 2893 Funeral Services Board
- SB 2896 Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors
- SB 2901 Motor Vehicle Commission
- SB 2923 Department of Child Protection Services
- SB 2924 Deficit Appropriation
Friday April 1, 2016
- HB 1523 The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which protects those with sincerely held religious beliefs from facing government retribution for those beliefs. I voted Yes, the bill passed 69-45.
- HB 1151 The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which increases the fees charged for hunting and fishing licenses. I voted No, the bill passed 84-23.
- HB 506 The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which extends the authority of the State Port Authority to use a certain contracting method. I voted Yes, the bill passed 116-0.
- HB 809 The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which allows for online voter registration. I voted Yes, the bill passed 119-0.
- HB 489 The House voted to concur with the Senate’s amendments to this bill, which extends regulations on how healthcare providers may market their businesses. I voted No*, the bill passed 115-1.
- *My vote on this bill was initially recorded as a Yes due to an error on my part. Preliminary vote totals might reflect this. I corrected the vote with the Clerk’s office and this will be reflected in the House journal.
