Blog

*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. You can view upcoming votes, along with my explanation, on my House Calendar page here.

 

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

 

• SB 2675: This bill restructures the Department of Child Protective Services. It also includes a number of changes that help protect the interests of families and help the agency operate more efficiently. I voted Yes, the measure passed 100-18. 

 

• SB 2773: This bill does not make any changes to existing law. It brings forward the section that deals with BP settlement funds for possible amendment later in the process. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-1. 

 

• SB 2855: This bill expands the scope of local governments. It allows governments to exceed budgets and increase spending for special benefit plans. I voted No, the measure passed 109-3.

 

 

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

 

• SB 2051: This bill gives the state Treasurer more flexibility to invest excess state funds in bonds. This bill allows them to invest in bonds guaranteed by Israel. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-2.

 

• SB 2209: This bill allows a number of organizations to apply for and get distinctive license plates. The organizations must bear the expense of the license plates. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• SB 2578: This bill states that if a property was illegally exempted from taxation, then the taxpayer is liable only for the taxes owed and not subject to penalties and interest because of the error. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• SB 2588: This bill decreases the scope of government by allowing cities to establish exemptions to regulations on alcohol. The state should seek to decrease these regulations whenever possible. I voted Yes, the measure passed 88-28.

 

• SB 2618: This bill expands freedom by allowing a particular resort area to sell alcoholic beverages. The state should seek to undo these regulations whenever possible. I voted Yes, the measure passed 85-30.

 

• SB 2854: This bill grows the size of government by allowing the state to purchase more property in downtown Jackson for potential use by the State Fair Commission. I voted No, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• SB 2225: This bill reenacts a current law which allows for an alcohol and drug treatment program at a state prison. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• SB 2646: This bill reenacts a current law which allows the Department of Corrections to expand release options in the event of a prison overcrowding emergency. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• SB 2654: This bill reenacts a law which allows the State Parole Board to operate. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• SB 2647: This bill reenacts a current law which allows the Department of Corrections to monitor individuals how have been released on parole or probation. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• SB 2655: This bill extends a law which determines how individuals on parole may pay parole fees. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• SB 2295: This bill clarifies that the Public Service Commission has jurisdiction over matters relating to utilities. This eliminates confusion and provides an alternative legal venue for businesses.  An amendment was offered to remove these changes, I voted no, the amendment failed 41-72. Another amendment was offered to extend the commission further into the future. I voted No, the amendment failed 49-64. I voted Yes on the bill, the measure passed 89-27.

 

• SB 2484: This bill creates criminal penalties for people who misuse cemetery trust funds. Current penalties are up to 1 year in jail and up to $1,000. This would add the option of incarcerating them up to 10 years in prison. Apparently, these individuals cannot be prosecuted under current criminal law for property crimes. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

• SB 2568: This bill removes the requirement that DNA samples from those accused of violent offenses be destroyed if the person is not found guilty. They could still request the materials be destroyed, but otherwise, they will be maintained for reference in future offenses. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• SB 2178: This bill updates election laws to ensure that all elected offices have a residency requirement. This means that district attorneys would have to live in the area they are elected to represent. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• SB 2480: This bill extends the scope of government. It reenacts an occupational licensing law which places restrictions on who may practice psychology. These licensing restrictions make it more difficult for individuals to enter the workforce, limit competition, and drive up prices for consumers. I voted No, the measure passed 116-1.

 

• SB 2091: This bill expands freedom by reducing regulatory burdens on EMTs. It allows them to carry police dogs in their vehicles if they were injured in the line of duty. I voted Yes, the measure passed.

 

• SB 2460: This bill requires that in cases of reported child abuse, if the parent is a member of the military, Child Protection Services must notify the military family advocacy program. This will help protect the interests and safety of children. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• SB 2495: This bill extends the scope of government. It reenacts an occupational licensing law which places restrictions on who may use x-ray machines. These licensing restrictions make it more difficult for individuals to enter the workforce, limit competition, and drive up prices for consumers. I voted No, the measure passed 114-1.

 

• SB 2485: This bill ensures that there’s a hearing procedure in place for municipalities seeking permits for local dumps. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-1.

 

• SB 2526: This bill requires occupational licensing boards to review their rules and regulations to find any that should be removed and submit them to a review commission. These boards often make it difficult for individuals to enter the workforce, and this bill helps reduce these burdensome regulations. I voted Yes, the measure passed 95-23.

 

• SB 2614: This bill defines conflicts of interest for individuals who serve on public hospital boards. This is intended to prevent corruption in these entities. Government should leave the private sector to manage healthcare to prevent these problems. I voted Yes, the measure failed 53-56.

 

 

Thursday, March 1, 2018

 

• HB 1520: This bill increases the tax burden on citizens of Richland. The House voted to concur on the Senate’s amendments to the bill, which didn’t substantively change its impact. I voted No, the motion passed 101-6.

 

• SB 2051: This bill gives the state Treasurer more flexibility to invest excess state funds in bonds. This bill allows them to invest in bonds guaranteed by Israel. The House moved to reconsider this bill for an amendment. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-1.

 

• HCR 26: The House considered this ceremonial resolution. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

• HCRs 70, 71, 72, 73: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 118-0.

 

• SCRs 583, 598, 599, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 609, 610: The House considered these ceremonial resolutions in a block. I voted Yes, the measures passed 118-0.

 

• SB 2213: This bill makes technical corrections to the law. It clarifies that the state’s Department of Transportation is responsible for motor carrier regulations. They have already assumed these responsibilities. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• SB 2034: This bill allows local governments to transfer road equipment to other county departments. The transfer would have to serve the best interests of the county and be approved by a majority vote of the board of supervisors. This will allow local governments to increase efficiency. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2892: This bill aims to help make CBD oil available to children as a medicine. It exempts this substance from the controlled substance statute. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2527: This bill provides civil liability to individuals who make reports of insurance fraud. This protects these individuals from frivolous suits with the intent of helping detect insurance fraud. I voted Yes, the measure passed 87-24.

 

• SB 2459: This bill clarifies procedures for when National Guard members are activated. It ensures that members’ employment situations are not harmed when the unit is activated by another state. The state should seek to limit the use of our military forces to matters of state need and security, but the individual service members should not be held responsible when they are activated for other purposes. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-0.

 

• SB 2463: This bill allows state agencies and public hospitals to share information with one another on rare diseases for compilation in an educational report for physicians. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• SB 2609: This bill aims to increase efficiency and decrease costs by allowing public magnet schools to have business operations handled by the state department of education. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

 

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