*This article will be updated throughout deadline day as bills survive and die in committee*
Tuesday is deadline day and by 8:00 p.m. tonight most likely 75% of general and constitutional bills will have been left to die in committee without making it to the floor.
UPDATE 7:45:
The end of the day is here, check out the Report of All Measures left after deadline day. The list has gotten significantly shorter.
UPDATE 4:15:
The if it’s not vaccinations or Medicaid, Mississippians are wondering what will happen to education specifically school choice. After the House Education Committee didn’t pick up any bills this morning that deal with school choice vouchers. SB 2623 was taken up in the Senate Education Committee, and brought in a crowd.
The bill would allow for any eligible student to participate in the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program. The swiftness of the discussion sparked debate with senators like Sen. Blount who was in “disbelief” that such big decisions about education were to be made in such a small amount of time.
Sen. Gray Tollison also claimed a move like this was disruptive while Sen. Norwood raised concerns about children who move.
Despite hesitations the bill moves out of committee. No votes coming from Blount, Jordan, and Norwood. It will now move to the full Senate for a vote.
Another bill relating to education saw a different fate. HB 411, which would make schools accept the ACT test scores of the states high schools as a standard to judge graduation readiness died in committee after it was not picked up the the House.
UPDATE 2:30:
Here are a few bills that will survive the Tuesday committee deadline:
- HB 801 – Authorize emergency placement or a child in a home of a relative
- HB 1202 – Creation of the Kaelin Kersh Act
- HB 1350 – Delete repealers on lower rate for production from horizontally drilled wells on oil and gas severance taxes
- HB 693 – Revise certain provisions regarding appeal of assessment with Ad valorem tax.
- SB 2010 – Authorize Commissioner of Insurance to conduct examinations of government self-insurance programs
- SB 2836 – Revise services, rates and managed- care conditions and extend repealer of Mississippi Medicaid program
- SB 2051 – State Funds, Authorize excess to be invested in bonds issued, assumed or guaranteed by the State of Israel
- SB 2295 – Public Service Commission; extend repealers on its creation and authority to hire attorneys for certain proceedings.
- SB 2555 – MS Transportation Commission; authorize to receive payment for the enforcement of traffic laws in work zones.
- SB 2912 – Mississippi Medicaid Program; extend repealer on provider assessments
You can see a full report of what happens at the end of the day on the MS Legislature’s DAILY ACTION REPORT
UPDATE 1:45:
In the House Insurance Committee the took up discussion on HB 1198 which would require private insurance companies to provide up to $20,000 of infertility treatments. However, the policy would only require that the the coverage be offered to married couples, but could be offered to singles.
This not only includes the actual treatments, but tests, and access to FDA approved medications.
The bill passed 11 to 6 in committee.
UPDATE 11:30:
The House Education Committee took up two bills on deadline day. HB 526 and HB 829.
HB 526 which would develop a study committee to see what skills businesses in the workforce want to have added to high school student curriculum. This legislation primarily caters to students who do not pursue college and go straight into the workforce. It was passed with minimal discussion
HB 829 which would require or suggest eye exams at an early age, in order to help ensure better reading levels by 4th grade was passed on a reverse repealer so that the committee can iron out financial details.
So far we know HB 1505 will not be considered by lawmakers. This is the Religious Exemption for Vaccinations bill authored by Rep. Andy Gipson who posted on Facebook Monday night that more research needed to be done before lawmakers could make a decision on passing an exemption.
It also doesn’t look like any bills to encourage equal pay for men and women will make it out of Judiciary A committee that met this morning. Those include:
Just to name a few.
The Appropriations, Ways and Means, and Educations Committees are all still scheduled to meet today with more bills on the chopping block.
This article will be updated throughout the day as bills pass and die.
Sarah Ulmer
