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.

 

Monday February 6, 2017

 

• The House considered a motion to table the motion to reconsider on HB 480, the Internet sales tax. This would allow the bill to move forward to the Senate. I voted No, the motion passed 68-47. 

 

• HB 461: This bill extends the law authorizing the Department of Mental Health to operate. Most of the functions of the department should be handled by the private sector. This bill would continue to extend and grow the role of government in the state. I voted No, the measure passed 114-4.

 

• HB 1039: This bill imposes a number of new regulations on universities for providing services and training related to sexual violence. While sexual violence is a crime, this bill includes a number of mandates unrelated to prosecuting the actual crime and applies to public and private universities. It also raises some significant due process concerns undermining individual rights in the justice process. I voted No, the measure passed 117-2.

 

• HB 1356: This bill establishes a type of restraining order for individuals who are victims of sexual assault to file against perpetrators. This will help protect individuals who are victims of sexual assault. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HB 866: This bill prevents school districts from spending more than 3 days testing individual students. This helps reduce bureaucratic testing requirements that lead to over-testing and diminish educational outcomes. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-6.

 

• HB 1224: This bill rewards high-achieving public schools by exempting them from bureaucratic reporting requirements and expanding their freedom to operate locally. The state should seek to decrease bureaucratic requirements across state government and expand freedom and choice in education. I voted Yes, the measure passed 79-40.

 

Tuesday February 7, 2017

 

• HB 6: This bill allows to state to transfer a portion of land in Marion County to the local airport authority. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• HB 1413: This bill prevents a school from suspending a student for activity outside school property, and limits due process hearings to suspensions of 5 days or more, whereas they currently apply to any suspensions. I voted Yes, the measure failed 57-62.

 

• HB 1227: This bill eliminates a bureaucratic state evaluation system and expands local control by allowing local districts to establish their own teacher evaluation systems. I voted Yes, the measure passed 94-25.

 

• HB 926: This bill has the potential to dramatically grow the size of government by allowing for universities to create new health care collaboratives, which are vested with the power to borrow money and issue bonds as public entities. I voted No, the measure passed 91-22. 

 

• HB 1426: This bill increases transparency in asbestos proceedings by requiring that asbestos trusts are discoverable in civil suits. This bill helps further the interests of justice by mandating that these funds be disclosed in a trial. I voted Yes, the measure passed 73-43.

 

• HB 373: This bill allows first time voters to register online. This will expand the right to vote and give voters more options. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-4.

 

• HB 1054: This bill creates a task force to examine way to extend the franchise to those who have lost it due to a criminal conviction. This is a problem when those who have paid for their offenses and still cannot participate years later, especially for nonviolent offenders who have paid their debt to society. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• HB 805: Grants exclusive jurisdiction to supreme court to hear claims against the state, and allows the Chief Justice to designate circuit judges to hear cases. This will improve the efficiency of the judicial system regarding these cases. I voted Yes, the measure passed 79-43.

 

• HB 824: This bill allows the president of a board of supervisors to declare an emergency. Currently, only the mayor and board can declare an emergency. This is a simple fix that allows counties to manage emergency situations more effectively. I voted Yes, the measure passed 122-0.

 

• HB 467: This bill makes a number of updates to the election code recommended by the Secretary of State. The bill staggers the terms of election commissioners, reduces the number of paper ballots required to be printed, and makes a number of other improvements to the existing law. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HB 299: This bill prohibits the altering of election districts in-between redistricting. This ensures continuity of existing boundary lines and certainty among voters. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• HB 497: This allows individuals contesting the results of a primary election to file directly with circuit courts  instead of first going through the local party committee. This expands access to justice for these individuals.  I voted Yes, the measure passed 70-52.

 

• HB 240: This bill imposes additional criminal penalties on citizens by adding causes to the contributing to the delinquency of a minor statute, stating that parents can be charged if they knowingly cause their kids to violate the Controlled Substance statute, or encourage them to participate in gangs. This bill widely interprets “gang activity” and could have numerous unintended consequences. I voted No, the measure passed 96-21.

 

• HB 236: This bill clarifies the habitual offender statute to ensure that individuals are only charged for crimes arising out of separate incidents, to protect the original intent of the law while preventing abusive over-prosecution. I voted Yes, the measure passed 122-0.

 

• HB 1031: This bill adds several new substances to the list of controlled substances, further extending state regulations on the availability of medicines and pharmaceuticals. I voted No, the measure passed 117-1.

 

• HB 704: This bill increases government spending by authorizing additional payments to members of a local utility board. I voted No, the measure passed 81-34.

 

• HB 652: This bill deals with the standard of proof required to issue a custody order for a child in Youth Court. It prohibits a finding of probable cause based solely on a positive parental drug test. It must be based on an actual finding of harm to child or an inability to care for the child. It protects the interest of children and implements safeguards to ensure that families are only separated as a last resort when there is an actual danger to the child.  I voted Yes, the measure passed 108-9.

 

• HB 511: This bill applies an additional criminal penalty with fines on Mississippians. The state should reduce regulations and penalties on individual behavior without a victim.  I voted No, the measure passed 86-32.

 

• HB 539: This bill imposes additional criminal penalties on individuals who don’t wear seat belts in the back seat of a vehicle. While wearing seat belts is a smart choice, it should be an individual choice, not a mandate by the state. I voted No, the measure passed 79-38.

 

• HB 1032: This bill requires healthcare providers to register with the prescription monitoring program. This places  an additional regulatory requirement on health care, which will lead to increased cost of services. The state should not regulate how private services are provided. States that restricted access to prescriptions have been shown to have higher instances of drug overdoses as individuals turned to other substances when the supply was restricted. This bill is not only an instance of over-regulation, it poses a danger to public health. I voted No, the measure passed 120-2.

 

• HB 1149: This bill expands the authority of local governments to impose new fees on trash collection. I voted No, the measure passed 105-12.

 

• HB 551:This bill allows the state courts to develop and make available forms that individuals may use to represent themselves in state courts. Individuals should always have the right to represent themselves in court. This bill will expand individual liberty and access to justice. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-3.

 

• HB 1116: This bill requires public bodies to post notice of special meetings on their website at least two hours prior to the meeting. This bill strengthens the Open Meetings law and increases transparency in government. I voted Yes, the measure passed 65-53.

 

• HB 1119: This bill removes a 5 day notice requirement for public meetings held via teleconference. This would shorten notice for these meetings and limit transparency. I voted No, the measure passed 117-3.

 

• HB 1120: This bill simply reinserts technical definitions into the purchasing law that were mistakenly deleted last session. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• HB 1127: This bill requires public bodies to post meeting minutes on their website within 35 days following the meeting. This bill will increase transparency in government meetings. I voted Yes, the measure passed 91-30.

 

• HB 476: This bill requires the Department of Child Protective Services to notify the armed forces of an allegation of abuse in the event that the parent is a member of the armed forces. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HB 481:  This bill clarifies the definition of medical expenses to ensure that only actual expenses  are included in a judgment. I voted Yes, the measure passed 65-54.

 

• HB 1089: This bill requires parental notification before any individual under 21 may be released after an arrest for DUI or controlled substance violations. This bill raises constitutional concerns about due process for an individual who is over 18 years old, but also establishes needed protections on minors participating in informant work. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HCR 53: The House considered this ceremonial resolution. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

Wednesday February 8, 2017

 

• The House considered a motion to table the motion to reconsider HB 974, which promotes efficiency and flexibility in state hiring. I voted Yes, the motion failed 59-62. 

 

• The House considered a motion to table the motion to reconsider HB 481, which clarifies that only actual medical costs are considered in lawsuits. I voted Yes, the motion passed 69-51.

 

• HB 1076: This bill updates Mississippi’s Growth and Prosperity Districts that provide a mechanism for local areas to nullify bureaucratic regulations and taxes to spur economic development. I voted Yes, the measure passed 122-0.

 

• HB 638: This bill adds two new methods of execution if the current injection drugs are not available for death penalty cases. There are serious questions about the use of the death penalty in cases where guilt is not 100% certain, and the methods of execution used. I voted No, the measure passed 76-42.

 

• HB 1026: This bill creates a special fund to hold money that’s appropriated for emergency actions of the Mississippi National Guard. This is a core function of state government, and these funds should exist outside of general fund restrictions to ensure they are available in the event of an emergency. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HB 1416: This bill sets forth procedures for how the state handles titles for manufactured and mobile homes. I voted Yes, the measure passed 112-0.

 

• HB 909: This bill expands coverage mandates for state insurance, which will incur additional costs. I voted No, the measure passed 118-2.

 

• HB 957: This bill expands options for individuals to receive insurance licenses. The state should seek to decrease the burden of occupational licensing, and this bill makes it easier for more people to obtain licenses. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HB 1109: This bill effectively rewrites the procedures for procurement by establishing the standard method for advertising and accepting bids for state services. This bill clarifies and streamlines procedures that protect taxpayer dollars. I voted Yes, the measure passed 98-16.

 

• HB 1106: This bill increases efficiency in bidding by requiring governmental entities to accept bids electronically. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-1.

 

• HB 1330: This bill abolishes a number of defunct task forces and study committees that are authorized in the code. This will help simplify the law and reduce the number of statutes on the books. I voted Yes, the measure passed 85-35.

 

• HB 939: This bill authorizes a replacement bridge project in Attala County using existing funds. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HB 1210: This bill increases transparency by requiring youth courts to provide copies of a child’s records to their parents at the request of the parent. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HB 1211: This bill requires that prosecutors appointed by Youth Courts must reside in the county of the court. This helps ensure accountability to the citizens of the county. A motion was made to table the bill, I voted No, the motion failed 51-57. I voted Yes, the measure failed 36-78. 

 

• HB 1213: This bill will expand freedom and help protect children by allowing for volunteer, certified advocates to advocate for children in youth court proceedings. I voted Yes, the measure passed 122-0.

 

• HB 1092: This bill expands the qualifications for Medicaid director, which will give future governors more discretion to appoint directors to this position. I voted Yes, the measure passed 83-39.

 

• HB 1340: This bill deals with the true value of land that is taxed for agricultural purposes. It limits the capitalization value of land from rising more than 2% annually as assessed by the Department of Revenue. Currently, it can rise up to 10%. This would slow the rate of tax increases on farmers in the state. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-2.

 

• HB 243: This bill increases regulations on tax preparers by establishing a new insurance mandate. I voted No, the measure passed 90-24.

 

• HB 1090: This bill promotes accountability and tempts to rein in government welfare programs by identifying fraud disbursements from these programs. I voted Yes, the measure passed 77-45.

 

• HB 743: This bill helps protect property rights by ensuring that organized retail theft rings are criminalized as part of the criminal conspiracy statutes. I voted Yes, the measure passed 108-7.

 

• HB 348: This bill allows students to drink water on school buses. This increases individual freedom and helps protect students on these buses by allowing them to drink water. I voted Yes, the measure passed 107-8.

 

• HB 263: This bill increases regulations on public schools by setting forth the policies they are required to adopt regarding bullying, including providing counseling services to bullying victims and prohibiting disciplinary actions against students who act in self-defense. This applies only to district schools, not private schools. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-2.

 

• HB 567: This bill increases the compulsory education age from 17 to 18. This limits the freedom of individuals in Mississippi to make their own decisions regarding education and work. An amendment was proposed to remove the freedom of parents to decide when children attend kindergarten. I voted No on the amendment, it failed 50-68. I voted No, the measure passed 76-36. 

 

• HB 645: This bill increases penalties for murder of emergency responders to capital murder, which means they can be subject to the death penalty or life in prison without parole for the murder. An amendment was offered to mandate salary increases for all municipal departments in the state. I voted no, and the amendment failed 47-71. I voted Yes, the measure passed 85-31.

 

• HB 918: This bill increases the allowed compensation for bingo operators in the state. The government should not place these regulations on gaming, and this bill expands the freedom of these operators to determine their compensation. I voted Yes, the measure passed 92-24. 

 

• HB 967: This bill vastly expands regulations on fantasy sports businesses. This is far outside the proper role of government. The state should seek to reduce regulatory burdens on businesses, not increase them. An amendment was offered to add a state lottery to the bill. I voted No, the amendment failed 40-74. I voted No, the measure failed 65-53.

 

Thursday February 9, 2017

 

• HB 1226: The House reconsidered an amended version of this bill, which creates an improvement district to make improvements to the capitol complex in Jackson, funded from existing tax revenue in the city. I voted Yes, the measure passed 106-10.

 

• HB 361: The House reconsidered an amendment to this bill which adds another agency to the exceptions for unmarked state vehicles. I voted No on the amendment, it passed -. The House reconsidered the amended bill, which inhibits transparency and accountability by exempting the commission from these requirements. I voted No, the measure passed 103-16.

 

• HB 974: The House voted on a motion to table the motion to reconsider this bill, which will allow it to move forward. I voted Yes, the motion passed 62-58.

 

• HB 1088: The House considered an amended version of this bill which renames highways. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• HB 1127: The House considered an amended version of this bill which excludes small municipalities from an online reporting requirement for meetings. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• HB 967: The House reconsidered this bill which places new regulations on fantasy sports contests. I voted No, the measure passed 92-21.

 

• HB 1321: This bill allows municipalities located within three miles of a city or county that sells alcohol to vote to sell alcohol. This bill increases freedom by allowing individual municipalities to authorize alcohol sales. I voted Yes, the measure passed 90-30.

 

• HB 1425: This bill imposes new supervision requirements on occupational licensing boards. Occupational licensing restrictions serve to diminish employment and suppress competition. This bill imposes new oversight measures from the Governor on the commissions. I voted Yes, the measure passed 61-57.

 

• HB 1392: This bill makes a needed change to the expungement statute to allow for expungement to cover all eligible offenses arising out of a single incident. This bill will increase employment prospects for those reentering society after an interaction with the criminal justice system. I voted Yes, the measure passed 116-4.

 

• HB 1100: This bill requires state agencies that aren’t complying with energy reporting and emergency management planning requirements must cooperate with MDA and DFA to become compliant. These reports assist the state in reducing energy consumption. I voted Yes, the measure passed 122-0.

 

• HB 1101: This bill revises public contract laws regarding energy services to ensure that cost savings are prioritized and to assemble a list of approved providers with a record of cost efficiency. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

• HB 544: This bill expands options for teachers to obtain licensure. The state should not place burdensome regulations on who may and may not provide services in the state, including educational services. I voted Yes, the measure passed 114-4.

 

• HB 509: This bill modified the driver’s ed program to include instructions on how to deal with law enforcement officers, and their rights when dealing with law enforcement. I voted Yes, the measure passed 122-0.

 

• HB 920: This bill furthers the interests of justice by providing judges more sentencing options for juvenile offenders. These individuals would be subject to a minimum of 25 years in prison, and a maximum of 50 years. This conforms with a recent Supreme Court opinion. I voted Yes, the measure passed 93-26.

 

• HB 1001: In its current form, this bill makes no changes but simply brings forward code sections for possible amendment to the statute governing the state ITS department. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• HB 849: This bill places new regulations on the way that individuals can interact with brokers concerning electronic accounts. The state should not dictate how private businesses handle these matters. I voted No, the measure passed 118-2.

 

• HB 843: This bill revises to tenant law to require judges and law enforcement to cooperate with landlords to help remove tenants who have not paid rent – currently, the law doesn’t require them to cooperate. It also allows landlords to provide written notice to tenants via text message or email. This bill simplifies the current law regarding landlords and tenants. I voted Yes, the measure passed 95-24.

 

• HB 1186: This bill creates new licensing requirements for adult daycare facilities. Licensing requirements only serve to stack more rules and regulations on healthcare facilities which will in turn drive up costs. I voted No, the measure passed 107-8.

 

• HB 1367: This bill strengthens maximum penalties for witness intimidation from 2 years to 10 years. I voted Yes, the measure passed 108-14.

 

• HB 753: This bill provides stronger protection of vulnerable adults by allowing for relocation of the adult or removal of the caretaker following an allegation of abuse. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-1.

 

• HB 1337: This bill allows for a diversion of tax revenue from a TIF district to be sent to the county in which the district is located. This allows counties to be bailed out for bad investments in Tax Increment Financed projects. I voted No, the measure passed 110-7.

 

• HB 1296: This bill increases transparency and accountability in government spending by requiring school districts to post spending on an online searchable website. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-1.

 

• HB 924: This bill authorizes an increase in fees charged to citizens by counties and municipalities. These entities are currently allowed to charge for payment processing fees, and this bill would expand that provision to allow them to charge more for “internal costs” associated with processing electronic payments. I voted No, the measure passed 110-10.

 

• HB 1240: This bill allows counties to circumvent reporting requirements for items purchased that cost between $1,000 and $1,500. Currently, reporting is required for anything over $1,000. This is a reasonable limit for small counties to make small purchases. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-5.

 

• HB 996: This bill would allow pharmacies to dispense naloxone, and opioid overdose prevention medicine, as a standing order, which would increase access to this life-saving medicine. I voted Yes, the measure passed 122-0.

 

• HB 1185: This bill would create a new code section expanding the responsibility of the state bond commission to enter into public-private partnerships. This bill would allow for the growth of government and state spending to finance projects that would distort the free market. I voted No, the measure passed 116-6.

 

• HB 679: This bill requires the state to lease out the Highway Patrol headquarters and use the income from the lease to finance the building of a new headquarters. The bill makes allowances for government assistance to developers on the property and new spending to finance the new building. I voted No, the measure passed 77-41.

 

• HB 1046: This bill expands choice in education by making the dyslexia therapy scholarship program available to students in 7-12 grades. Currently, it’s only available through 6th grade. The state should seek to expand choice in education, and this does that for a small number of students. I voted Yes, the measure passed 100-13.

 

• HB 347: This bill reduces the size of government by repealing a government program authorized by law. I voted Yes, the measure passed 101-17.

 

• HB 466: This bill extends the repeal date on the authority of the State board of education to appoint a conservator and appoint a new school board when the governor declares an emergency in the district. This promotes efficiency in government by allowing the state to reorganize chronically failing school districts. I voted Yes, the measure passed 90-27.

 

• HB 537: This bill expands the definition of teaching experience to include teaching at post-secondary institutions. Currently, only K-12 is counted as experience. This helps level the playing field for those entering the teaching profession. I voted Yes, the measure passed 117-0.

 

• HB 565: This bill allows school districts to classify students as present for the purpose of counting attendance if they are not in the classroom, but attending a school-sponsored activity like a sports competition or field trip. Currently, these are excused absences but not counted as part of Average Daily Attendance. An amendment was offered to lower the compulsory education age to 5, reducing the parent’s ability to choose when their child begins school. I voted No on the amendment, it passed 63-55. While the underlying bill is good, the amendment takes away freedom from parents. I voted No, the measure passed 104-14.

 

• HB 582: This bill expands eligibility for Education Enhancement Funds to ensure they are received equally by all government-employed teachers. I voted Yes, the measure passed 118-0.

 

• HB 872: This bill provides the board of school accreditation more options for accrediting schools with fewer licensed teachers. I voted Yes, the measure passed 119-0.

 

• HB 875: This bill modifies procedures for change in failing school districts to encourage positive reform for the students in the district. I voted Yes, the measure passed 103-17.

 

• HB 1033: This bill implements recommendations of the re-entry council to help promote employment among those who have had an interaction with the criminal justice system. It limits driver’s license suspensions for those convicted of controlled substance violations, and expands access to parole and drug court for nonviolent offenders. This bill will increase employment opportunities and provide significant cost savings to the state, upwards of $10 Million over 10 years. I voted Yes, the measure passed 120-0.

 

• HB 1028: This bill increases regulations on citizens and grows the size of government by requiring the MDWFP to create a deer tagging system. This will grow the size and scope of government and erode individual liberty. I voted No, the measure passed 82-31.

 

• HB 722: This bill establishes penalties for stealing cargo being carried by a conveyance. Currently, the value of cargo isn’t taken into consideration. This bill will help protect property owners in Mississippi and punish theft. I voted Yes, the measure passed 109-9.

 

• HB 596: This bill expands property rights by giving mobile home owners an opportunity to redeem the property after a tax sale. I voted Yes, the measure passed 115-0.

 

• HB 1412: This bill creates an exception to purchasing guidelines for the state by giving preference to certain businesses owned by veterans, even if the cost is up to 10% more expensive to taxpayers in the state. This will result in more spending of taxpayer dollars by the state. I voted No, the measure passed 117-2.

 

Friday February 10, 2017

 

• HB 1413: The House reconsidered this bill which previously failed. This bill prevents a school from suspending a student for activity outside school property, and limits due process hearings to suspensions of 5 days or more, whereas they currently apply to any suspensions. I voted Yes, the measure passed 87-33.

 

• The House considered a motion to table the motion to reconsider HB 1425, which allows the governor to reduce regulations on occupational licenses in the state. I voted Yes, the motion failed 31-85. 

 

• HB 1127: The House reconsidered this bill, which deals with open meeting act requirements for municipalities. I voted Yes, the measure passed 121-0.

 

 

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