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The Mississippi legislature adjourned for the week on Thursday, cutting another day from the session to save taxpayer dollars. This week, the House considered the remaining bills passed by the Senate.

Here are a few highlights of bills that were passed this week:

• HB 1122: This bill limits regulations on farms and agricultural businesses in our state. It prevents local governments from passing burdensome regulations that make it more difficult to do business. The bill was sent to the Governor for his signature this week.

• HB 387: This bill implements recommendations of the state Re-Entry Council to help promote employment among those who have had an interaction with the criminal justice system. This bill will increase employment opportunities and provide significant cost savings to the state. The House concurred on the Senate’s amendments to this bill, sending it to the Governor for his signature. You can read more about the bill here from Americans for Prosperity.

• SB 2568: This bill is called “Katie’s Law.” It requires the State Crime Lab to maintain DNA samples unless a defendant is found not guilty and asks that their samples be destroyed. This bill is intended to help solve more violent crimes by keeping DNA samples on file which can be referenced when investigating reports of violent offenses. The Senate concurred in the House’s amendments, sending the bill to the Governor for his signature. 

You can scroll through a list of all bills that are still alive here.

You can also read my weekly vote post here which includes a description of every bill we considered this week, a short explanation, and how I voted.

When the House and Senate cannot agree on the exact wording of a bill at this stage, the bill is often assigned to a conference committee. Conference committees consist of three members of the House and three members of the Senate. They will meet to iron out any final differences on the bill and approve a final version that both chambers can accept.

Currently, there are over 50 bills in conference, including many of the Appropriation bills that will determine the state’s budget. There are only two more weeks remaining in the 2018 regular legislative session. Most of that time will be spent in conference committees as members negotiate the final state budget.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about pending legislation, or if I can help you in any way, please let me know! You can always reach me by email at [email protected] or on my cell phone at (601) 207-0813.

It’s an honor to serve and represent you!