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.

 

Monday, February 4, 2019

 

 

• • HB 694: This bill extends a tax credit to promote the increased use of ports and related facilities in this state, particularly by those taxpayers which would not otherwise use such ports and related facilities without the benefit of such tax credit. I voted No, the motion passed 116-2.

 

 

• • HB 695: This bill seeks to extend a tax credit on businesses which choose to move their headquarters to the state. The state should seek to decrease the tax burdens on citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the motion passed 116-2.

 

 

• • HB 713: This bill seeks to divert taxes from the Local Government Capital Improvements Revolving Loan Fund to the Mississippi Development Authority for general support. The state should prioritize existing tax dollars for infrastructure projects and reduce the debt. I voted No, the motion passed 116-2.

 

• • HB 808: This bill extends a tax credit for enterprises that own or operate upholstered household furniture manufacturing facilities. This is a tacit admission that taxes are too high for business growth. The state should seek to decrease the tax burdens on citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the motion passed 116-2.

 

• • HB 1126: This bill seeks to allow the Mississippi Home Corporation to issue bonds to finance home buying and renting. This results in moral hazard by creating an incentive to purchase or rent what would otherwise be unaffordable by increasing housing prices and loans. I voted No, the motion passed 116-2.

 

• • HB 1132: This bill wants to justify public taxes for private use. The state should seek to decrease spending on special projects and pay down the state’s debt. When consumers decide which businesses will succeed or fail, the resulting profit motive will greatly reduce bad business practices and reward those who put the interest of their customers first. I voted No, the motion passed 116-2.

 

• • HB 1167: This bill seeks to extend a tax credit on businesses which choose to move their headquarters to the state. This is a tacit admission that taxes are too high for business growth. The state should seek to decrease the tax burdens on citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the motion passed 116-2.

 

• • HB 1463: This bill allocates land of the state to be used for industrial development in Marion County. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 1533: This bill expands government by transferring land to a government agency. I voted No, the motion passed 115-1.

 

• • The House also considered commemorative resolution HR 34. I voted Yes, the resolution was adopted.

 

 

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

 

• • The house considered these commemorative resolutions. I voted Yes, they were all adopted: HC37, HC39, HC41, HC42, HC49, HC50, HC52, HC53, HC54, HR18, HR21, HR22, HR23, HR24, HR26, HR27, HR28, HR29, HR30, HR31, HR32, HR33, SC541, SC543, SC547, SC548, SC549, SC550, SC552, SC554, SC555, SC556, SC557, SC558, SC559, SC560, and SC561.

 

 

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

 

• • HB 39: This bill seeks to honor the family of fallen soldiers by allowing them to purchase special gold star tags in remembrance of their loved ones and our veterans. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 103: This bill creates a Workforce Development Study Committee to examine current public school curricula and make recommendations on how they can be improved to meet the needs of a modern workforce. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0.

 

• • HB 233: This bill increases the scope of government by creating a fund to repair ports and puts it under the authority of the MDA. This creates unnecessary hurdles as the funds could be allocated from the legislature directly to the ports in need of repair. The state should seek to streamline regulations not overwhelm regulators. I voted No, the motion passed 111-5.

 

• • HB 535: This bill authorizes MDOT to sell certain land assets in Neshoba County. This decreases costs on maintaining the land and decreases the burden on tax payers. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 572: This bill allows school employees to use personal leave without penalty in the event of the death of an immediate family member. The law expands the time that can be taken for person leave to the first day of the school term, the last day of the school term, and on a day previous to a holiday or a day after a holiday. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0.

 

• • HB 576: This bill expands the power of the the State Superintendent of Public Education and the Commissioner of Insurance by allowing them to designate individuals in their place to the State and School Employees Health Insurance Management Board. The state should seek to streamline regulations not overwhelm regulators. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0.

 

• • HB 578: This bill changes how the State Board of Education is run and how hearings for revoking licenses are to be administered. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0.

 

• • HB 580: This bill requires MS Transportation Commission contractors to provide for law enforcement safety operations in work zones that the commission determines are on high-volume roadways. It also adds additional penalties for causing bodily or property damage in work zones. The State should seek to minimize regulations, not add additional penalties to actions which are already illegal. I voted No, the motion passed 112-3.

 

• • HB 613: This bill exempts sensitive information such as source codes and security policies from the MS Public Records Act of 1983. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 623: This bill reduces regulations for school districts that have A or B ratings. The State should seek to streamline regulations whenever possible. I voted Yes, the motion passed 85-28.

 

• • HB 677: This bill allows for anyone who sees someone passing a stopped school bus to report the incident. I voted No, the motion passed 113-4.

 

• • HB 754: This bill seeks to extend a fee on permits to hauling heavy loads of bulk feed. While taxes are necessary for roads, the state should seek to decrease the tax burdens on citizens at all levels of government and issue permits without fees if possible. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-1.

 

• • HB 763: This bill creates a violation which allows the Mississippi Public Services Commission to issue fines without affording the accused due process. This creates Constitutional concerns with regard to violating due process. I voted No, the motion passed 110-6.

 

• • HB 779: This bill allows MDOT to combine funding for road and bridge repairs. Any available sources of funding may be combined to fund any project covered by the program. This includes state aid road funds and/or Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program funds, which may be used in conjunction with Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund monies within the discretion of the department. I voted Yes, the motion passed 98-14.

 

• • HB 806: This undermines the conservative principles of limited government and free enterprise by extending a repealer on a regulatory board for water utilities. I voted No, the motion passed 113-5.

 

• • HB 816: This bill seeks to reduce the tax burden on recent college graduates. The state should always seek to lower the aggregate tax burden on all individuals. I voted Yes, the motion passed 111-2.

 

• • HB 943: This bill allows the Commissioner of Revenue to recommend to the Governor that doubtful claims be settled at a lesser rate than the tax rate if the tax has not been paid due to inability. This bill streamlines regulations and makes tax collection more efficient. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0.

 

• • HB 963: This bill streamlines regulations regarding the sale of state bonds by allowing for bids to be submitted electronically. I voted No, the motion passed 111-5.

 

• • HB 991: This could have a number of unintended consequences that lead to abuse of government power. I voted No, the motion passed 86-28.

 

• • HB 1045: This bill doubles the penalties for telemarketing cold calls without affording due process to the accused. This creates Constitutional concerns with regard to violating due process. I voted No, the motion passed 115-3.

 

• • HB 1065: This bill seeks to reduce the tax burden on water transportation enterprises. The state should always seek to lower the aggregate tax burden on all individuals. I voted Yes, the motion passed 115-0.

 

• • HB 1102: This bill seeks to increase tax burdens on residents and tourists by creating an advisory board which can use sales taxes to advertise tourism. The state should seek to decrease the tax burdens on citizens at all levels of government. I voted No, the motion passed 113-5.

 

• • HB 1128: Film incentives have shown a terrible return-on-investment for taxpayers in Mississippi, and across the country. Motion picture incentives should not be extended. I voted No, the motion passed 95-19.

 

• • HB 1129: This bill gives the state the flexibility to borrow more money to pay off existing debt. The state should seek to decrease spending and pay down the state’s debt. This undermines the conservative principle of limited government. I voted No, the motion passed 112-6.

 

• • HB 1131: This bill seeks to sell bonds to the taxpayers of the USA. The State should seek to decrease the tax burdens on citizens at all levels of government and not depend on the financial well being of the taxpayers of the other States. I voted No, the motion passed 110-5.

 

• • HB 1151: This bill seeks to attract teachers to poor areas of the state by deleting the repealer on canceling their student loans. I voted No, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 1161: This bill allows for the sale of government land to private development. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0.

 

• • HB 1162: This bill exempts the government from certain contracts involving airports. I voted No, the motion passed 109-4.

 

• • HB 1183: This bill reapportions funds in the budget to the general fund. I voted Yes, the motion passed 115-1.

 

• • HB 1258: This bill changes the language to say that the Marine Resources Enforcement Officers Reserve Unit may serve without pay instead of stating that they will serve without pay. If pay is an issue for retention, the state should seek to decrease taxes and regulations driving up costs, not add additional expenditures to tax payers. I voted Yes, the motion passed 118-0.

 

• • HB 1262: This bill expands the power of the Commission on Marine Resources to re-designate natural/public reefs and establish a regulatory program for the purpose of private leases. The legislative power should stay with the legislature and all regulations should be voted on in the legislature. I voted Yes, the motion passed 108-6.

 

• • HB 1264: This bill allows for the Department of Revenue and the Department of Marine Resources to apply to the governor for the use of unmarked vehicles if it will hinder an official investigation. I voted No, the motion passed 110-5.

 

• • HB 1283: This bill mandates that schools train for the possible event of a school shooter, creates a pilot program to teach children how to manage stress, and makes 3 people monitor social media for potential threats through Homeland Security. I voted No, the motion passed 115-3.

 

• • HB 1307: This bill protects the rights of property owners in situations they are not notified of sale due to nonpayment. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-1.

 

• • HB 1329: This bill relaxes State regulations on loads that project from the rear of a vehicle by conforming with more liberal Federal regulations. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-1.

 

• • HB 1456: This bill seeks to lower taxes for timberland and land used for hunting or fishing. While a step in the right direction, the tax code needs to be simplified. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

Thursday, February 7, 2019

 

• • HB 84: This bill creates the position of Curator of the New Capitol building. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0.

 

• • HB 260: This bill proposes to join municipal police departments within the same county. The sheriff already has power over the county. This could create additional tax burdens on one municipality to serve the interests of the other. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0.

 

• • HB 273: This bill allows for the board of trustees to participate in healthcare plans offered to employees of the hospital. This raises costs as previous language had offered medical benefit plans which were supposed to be cost neutral. Specifically, “so that no expenditure of hospital funds is required,” was struck from the text. I voted No, the motion passed 110-4.

 

• • HB 334: This bill seeks to reduce the unintended consequences of harsh punishments on people with mental illness. This bill seeks to rehabilitate rather than incarcerate people with mental illnesses by reducing their potential punishment with rehabilitation. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 397: This law seeks to sell firearms confiscated during a crime after a conviction in a court of law. Originally, the proceeds could only be used for bullet proof vests. This expands the power of the state by allowing the seizing law enforcement agency to use the proceeds in any way they see fit. Law enforcement should be funded by the legislature, not from confiscations. I voted No, the motion passed 105-4.

 

• • HB 584: This bill seeks to solve the problems of increasingly higher healthcare costs by leaving residents dependent on a decreasing revenue stream of taxes. The State should seek to reduce costly taxes and regulations on healthcare, not limit contracts and willing business opportunities through licensing, regulations, and taxation. I voted Yes, the motion passed 114-2.

 

• • HB 701: This bill renames the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s Highway Patrol Troop K Command Center as the “George Landon Philips District Office.” I voted Yes, the motion passed 115-0.

 

• • HB 714: This bill extends repealers on additional regulations on information technology for DHS and CPS. The purpose is to protect sensitive personal information. I voted Yes, the motion passed 78-35.

 

• • HB 724: This bill renames part of Highway 537 as the “Winnie Frost Morgan Memorial Highway.” I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 725: This bill renames part of Highway 11 as the “Coach Phillip James Jr. Memorial Highway.” I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 726: This bill renames part of Highway 15 as the “Glade Memorial Highway.” I voted Yes, the motion passed 115-0.

 

• • HB 740: This bill allows for the Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board Supervisor to request funds from the Capital Expense Fund, at the discretion of the Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, for the emergency plugging of any oil or gas well that has been determined by the board to represent an imminent threat to the environment and that has been determined by the board to be an orphan well. Financing is currently appropriated from the General Fund. I voted Yes, the motion passed 115-2.

 

• • HB 761: Regardless of the issue, this bill handicaps portfolio managers from making prudent financial decisions for state employees and retirees. Additionally, it raises 1st Amendment issues. I voted Yes, the motion passed 92-2.

 

• • HB 798: This bill seeks to increase the number of licensed physicians assistants by extending a repealer so that people in a masters program can use a temporary license. I voted Yes, the motion passed 114-0.

 

• • HB 799: This bill extends a repealer that raises the price of appraisals by limiting people to being licensed by the state first. The state should enforce contracts and rights, not limit contracts and willing business opportunities through licensing and regulations. I voted No, the motion passed 110-4.

 

• • HB 800: This bill increases the costs of managing debt services and increases the costs of regulators overseeing the industry. The State should seek to reduce costly taxes and regulations on businesses, not limit contracts and willing business opportunities through licensing, regulations, and taxation or fees. I voted No, the motion passed 109-5.

 

• • HB 801: This bill uses monies collected from tobacco settlements to fund public healthcare. The State should seek to reduce costly taxes and regulations on healthcare while using the settlement money to pay down the debt. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-1.

 

• • HB 836: This bill states that children not younger than 12 who are ordered to the Youth Development Center shall be admitted within 5 days. Also all persons admitted to the practice of law in Mississippi shall be permitted to observe youth court hearings but all such persons must sign an oath of confidentiality upon entering the courtroom. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 850: This bill extends a repealer for the MDA to determine who is prequalified energy service provider for public entities and private nonprofit hospitals. This bill adds an extra layer of cost for public entities and private nonprofit hospitals to employ energy saving devices and suppliers. I voted No, the motion passed 110-5.

 

• • HB 869: This bill creates private bonds so that construction contractors can get paid based on the proceeds of the bond. This is supposed to reduce instances of nonpayment. The state should enforce contracts and rights, not limit contracts and willing business opportunities through licensing and regulations. I voted Yes, the motion passed 112-0.

 

• • HB 870: This bill allows county prosecutors to practice civil law. I voted Yes, the motion passed 114-0.

 

• • HB 872: This bill seeks to have the state manage the legal activities of its residents. The state should enforce contracts and rights, not limit contracts and willing business opportunities through licensing and regulations. I voted No, the motion passed 110-4.

 

• • HB 913: This bill would include the Office of the Medical Examiner with the Office of Forensics Laboratories. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-1.

 

• • HB 962: This bill clarifies which associations are allowed to collect fees on an owners property. While this is a step in the right direction, the state should enforce contracts and rights, not limit contracts and willing business opportunities through regulations. I voted Yes, the motion passed 113-0.

 

• • HB 977: This bill authorizes physicians from out-of-state athletic teams to provide medical treatment. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 980: This bill requires that all state agencies have cancellation clauses in their contracts in case there are not enough taxes to cover the expense. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 981: This bill deletes requirements on deposits into the working cash-stabilization reserve fund and provide for certain transfers to the capital expense fund during fiscal year 2019. I voted Yes, the motion passed 115-0.

 

• • HB 1004: This bill creates concerns in regards to property rights. I voted No, the motion passed 71-33.

 

• • HB 1048: This bill changes the authority to grant licenses from the State Board of Nursing to the State Board of Health. The State should seek to reduce costly taxes and regulations on healthcare, not restrict access to healthcare providers. I voted Yes, the motion passed 112-0.

 

• • HB 1096: This bill increases the courts discretion to award attorneys fees to the prevailing party. Previously, the grandparents could not be awarded attorneys fees. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 1108: This bill renames part of Highway 51 as the “Deputy Donald William Durr Memorial Highway.” I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 1136: This bill allows for state employees to use administrative leave with pay when called up to serve in the National Guard or Reserves. I voted Yes, the motion passed 116-0.

 

• • HB 1147: This bill extends the repealers on certain government offices. I voted No, the motion passed 113-1.

 

• • HB 1173: This bill adds additional roads to be repaired. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0.

 

• • HB 1182: This bill prohibits the use of corporal punishment in public schools for students with certain disabilities. I voted Yes, the motion passed 114-0.

 

• • HB 1226: The state should seek to reduce costly taxes and regulations on healthcare, not subject employment to the conditional approval of the state. Criminals should be in prison already. When consumers decide which businesses will succeed or fail, the resulting profit motive will greatly reduce bad business practices and reward those who put the safety of their patients first. I voted No, the motion passed 111-4.

 

• • HB 1288: This bill allows for engineers and land surveyors to have the choice between a license for one or two years. This decreases regulatory burdens. I voted Yes, the motion passed 113-1.

 

• • HB 1309: This bill clarifies that the decision to grant a trial before a summary courts-martial is reserved to that convening authority. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0.

 

• • HB 1311: This bill increases fines under the Mississippi Code of Military Justice. I voted No, the motion passed 115-1.

 

• • HB 1313: This bill changes the regulatory framework to remove the specifications for an emergency medical technician- advanced. It is not clear whether this decreases or increases regulations. I voted Yes, the motion passed 115-1.

 

• • HB 1328: This bill seeks to protect vulnerable people from being scammed by allowing bank employees to put a hold on withdrawals for 15 days based on good faith. While well intentioned, banks should not stop anyone from accessing their money by a simple statement of good faith. I voted No, the motion passed 115-2.

 

• • HB 1352: This bill renames Drug Courts as Intervention Courts and seeks to use corrections resources more effectively by redirecting prison-bound offenders whose criminal conduct is driven in part by drug and alcohol dependence to intensive supervision and clinical treatment available in the intervention court. The goal is to have less people prosecuted for vices in prison and instead rehabilitate them to be productive members of society. I voted Yes, the motion passed 110-5.

 

• • HB 1362: This bill seeks to extend a repealer on energy efficiency regulations. This adds to construction costs through regulations. When consumers decide which businesses will succeed or fail, the resulting profit motive will greatly reduce bad business practices and reward those who put the interest of their customers first. I voted No, the motion passed 111-5.

 

• • HB 1378: This bill modifies definitions related to the appropriations process. I voted Yes, the motion passed 113-0.

 

• • HB 1386: This bill uses taxes to pay for a memorial for a private citizens. The state should use taxes to pay down the debt and let private citizens fund the memorial. I voted No, the motion passed 103-2.

 

• • HB 1387: This bill uses taxes to pay for a memorial for a private citizen. The state should use taxes to pay down the debt and let private citizens fund the memorial. I voted Yes, the motion passed 109-2.

 

• • HB 1393: This bill seeks to clean property that has been left vacant or uncared for. Certain provisions allow for the governing authority to have access to the property for 2 years and put a lien against the property for maintenance costs and sell the property. This leaves concerns for abuse or corruption. The state should seek to reduce taxes and regulations that depress local economies, not take care of vacant properties once people leave for better opportunity. I voted No, the motion passed 109-7.

 

• • HB 1460: This bill allows the experts to do their job in prescribing medication for terminally ill patients who are in pain. I voted Yes, the motion passed 115-0.

 

• • HB 1468: This bill allows the MDA to transfer industrial park property to the state military. The military is a legitimate function of the state. However, the military can not function without a strong economy to fund it. Industrial parks should be leased or sold to the military cautiously. I voted Yes, the motion passed 117-0.

 

• • HB 1507: This bill decreases the scope of government by allowing an occupational licensing board to establish exemptions for military spouses to reduce the fees normally required. While this is a step in the right directions, the state should seek to decrease these regulations on everyone, equally, whenever possible. I voted Yes, the motion passed 115-0.

 

 

• • HB 1519: This bill seeks to retain licensed nurses with drug or mental health problems by having them going through an alternative disciplinary program not more than once every five years. The purpose is for rehabilitation. I voted Yes, the motion passed 114-1.

 

 

• • HB 1548: This bill would allow for daylights savings time to be followed in Mississippi if the Federal government permits the States to do that generally. I voted Yes, the motion passed 113-0.

 

 

• • The house considered these commemorative resolutions. I voted Yes, they were all adopted: HC 24, HR 37, HR 38, and HR 39.

Friday, February 8, 2019

 

 

• • The house considered this commemorative resolution. I voted Yes, it was adopted: HR 43.

 

 

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