It’s no secret lawmakers have worked very quickly during the 2019 Legislative Session. The original schedule put Sine Die at April 7, but it is clear Senators and Representatives will be done long before April even arrives.
Spending the majority of the Session about a week ahead of schedule, both chambers have nearly completed both of their calendars two weeks before the estimated “quitting time”
On Tuesday, lawmakers faced an Appropriations deadline for any original floor action on bills originating in the opposite chamber. The House had wrapped up most of their appropriations bills the week before the deadline and moved ahead to the Concurrence or Non-Concurrence portion of the calendar, adjourning at 10:45 on the deadline day.
The Senate also worked through most of their Appropriations bills the week before the deadline, but had about 11 finance bills left on the calendar to consider. They moved through those quickly and tackled some of their Concurrence and non-concurrence calendar in the afternoon.
This seems to be the last deadline that follows the predicted schedule.
What’s left:
That leaves any Concurrence or Non-Concurrence bills and Conference reports agreed upon before lawmakers can head home for the year, pending any Special Sessions. If the rumors become true that means the 2019 Legislative Session could conclude by or before next Wednesday, March 27.
Several bills like the Teacher Pay Raise bill will be hammered out during conference where the final details will be solidified before the bills move on to the governor.
The only legislation that could present a hold up is legislation that would affect the redistricting of Senate District 22. This area is occupied by Senator Buck Clarke and includes Bolivar, Humphreys, Madison, Sharkey, Washington, and Yazoo counties. The bill has not been presented yet and if it is the rules would have to be suspended and it would require a two-thirds vote to pass.
Once bills are passed, they head to the Governor to be signed into law. However, that signing can occur after session has already ended.
Sarah Ulmer
