Bills to watch for the 2020 Legislative Session

Hoping to keep up with what is happening at the State Capitol this year? Look no further than the Y’all Politics bills to watch list. This list will be updated throughout the 2020 Legislative Session as bills die and survive.

SENATE BILLS: 

SB 2001 – Teacher Pay Raise Bill

• The bill was filed by Chairman of the Education Committee, Dennis DeBar. It will increase the base pay for Single A teachers from $35,890 to $37,000, which is a $1,110 raise. Other teachers will see a $1,000 raise in the coming year.
• Passed in Senate Education and Appropriations Committees 
• Passed in the Senate, transmitted to the House. 
• Referred to Education and Appropriations
• DEAD

SB 2002 – Wildlife Trafficking Prevention Act

• This Act would prevent the purchase or sale of certain wildlife and tack on a civil penalty for doing so. The bill was authored by Sen. Jackson.
• DEAD

SB 2009 – Carly’s Law; Prevent future contact by sex offenders with victims

• This bill, authored by Sen. Blackwell would prevent any future contact by a sex offender with their victim. This includes but is not limited to telephone, mail or in person. It would exclude any allowances made by the court on behalf of the victim.
• Passed the Judiciary B Committee 
• Passed on the Senate Floor
• Transmitted to the House 
• Referred to Judiciary B
• Amended in Judiciary B 
• Passed in Judiciary B 
• Amended 
• Passed as Amended 
• Returned for concurrence
• Conference invited
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filed 

SB 2040 – Create a smaller Legislature

• This bill was filed by Sen. Blackwell and aims at reducing the number of Representatives from 122 to 99 and the number of Senators from 52 to 42. This would take effect in 2024, at the start of a new term.
• DEAD

SB 2045 – Flying of the Confederate Flag

• This bill, filed by Sen. Seymour would require that the state of Mississippi flag, which contains the Confederate Battle Emblem, be flown by all government organizations. This would include colleges and universities. It also protects private citizens who choose to fly the flag.
• DEAD

SB 2047 – Mississippi Minimum Wage Act

• Filed by Sen. Jackson, this bill would increase the current minimum wage of $7.25 to $7.50 on July 1 and then eventually moving to $10/hour by 2024.
• DEAD

SB 2055 – The Red Flag Law – firearms restraining order

• Authored by Sen. Jackson of the 11th, this bill would create the Red Flag Law, a process by which a persons right to possess firearms can be restrained if the person is a danger to themselves or others.
• DEAD

SB 2062 – Require attendance for kindergarten-age children

• Authored by Sen. Hopson, this bill would require that kindergarten-age children are required to follow compulsory school attendance at a licensed public, parochial, nonpublic or homeschool kindergarten program.
• DEAD

SB 2067 – Meritorious earned-time credited applied to parole eligibility

• This bill written by Sen. Hopson would allow for meritorious earned time may be used to reduce the time required to be served for parole eligibility. It would also specify that only those offenders who are otherwise eligible may be allowed this reduction in time.
• DEAD

SB 2070 –  Practice of optometry; require the Board of Optometry to define with certain exceptions.

• This bill would allow for optometrists to practice to the full extent of their training, including some non-invasive surgical procedures
• DEAD

SB 2080 – Probation and parole officers; limit number of cases that may be handled.

• This bill would cut down the number of cases and individuals a parole or probation officer could take on at one time. Authored by Sen. Hill, the bill would restrict that number to 100 max at any given time.
• Passed in Judiciary B, referred to Appropriations 
• DEAD

SB 2108 – Establish electronic application capability for college students in absentee voting

• Authored by Sen. Blount, a student absentee elector would have access to submit an electronic absentee ballot application under certain procedures. The Secretary of State’s office would also be required to establish a secure internet website to permit student absentee electors to submit an electronic absentee ballot application.
• DEAD

SB 2112 – Ban the Box; eliminate criminal background checks upon job application

• This bill would prohibit a public or private employer from inquiring or requiring the disclosure of a criminal record from an applicant for employment before that individual has been selected for an interview by the employer. If no interview is required before a conditional offer of employment is made, the bill would not apply. It was authored by Sen. Witherspoon.
• Referred to Judiciary B and Labor
• Passed in Judiciary B with a committee substitute
• Passed in the Senate 
• Transmitted to the House 
• Referred to Workforce Development and Judiciary B 
• Passed in committee
• Amended 
• Passed as Amended 
• Returned for concurrence 
• Conference invited
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filed 

SB 2115 – PERS; cap external investment management fees and require annual reporting

• This bill would be added to the code sections in Title 25, Chapter 11 in which investment contracts and the fees attached shall be cut in half, effective July 1, 2020. It also provides that the amount saved be paid into the PERS expense fund during the ensuing year. The bill was authored by Sen. Angela Hill.
• DEAD

SB 2148 – Create the Mississippi Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

• The intent of this bill is to combat pregnancy discrimination, promote public health and ensure full and equal participation for women in the labor force by requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to women with conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or other. The bill requires things like reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers and prevents them from discharging or transferring that employee. The bill was authored by Senator Turner-Ford.
• DEAD

SB 2162 – Juvenile offenders; provide alternative sentencing and early-release options when convicted of certain crimes.

• The bill would promote other ways to sentence criminal offenders under the age of 18, before sentencing to incarceration. The bill with authored by Sen. Turner-Ford.
• DEAD

SB 2174 – Evelyn Gandy Fair Pay Act

• Authored by Sen. Turner-Ford, this bill has been brought to the Senate before. The goal would be to prohibit discrimination by industries by paying an employee less based on gender. It says “no employer shall discriminate in any way against any employees on the basis of sex by paying a salary or wage to any employee at a rate less than the rate paid to its employee of the opposite sex for equal work on jobs that require equal skill, effort and responsibility to perform.”
• DEAD

SB 2180 – Medicaid eligibility; revise to include certain disabled children.

• Authored by Sen. McMahan this bill comes in light of many families being denied Medicaid coverage for their disabled children, after being approved in past years. It is unclear why these denials are suddenly happening by McMahan’s bill would increase the threshold to cover many of these families.
• DEAD

SB 2189– Vaping; prohibit possession of alternative nicotine products by those under 18.

• The bill by Sen. Branning would prohibit any possession of a vape pen by anyone under the age of 18.
• DEAD

SB 2257 – State Auditor; authorize to examine tax returns necessary for auditing certain federal benefits.

• This bill would authorize for the State Auditor’s office to have the authority to to access the tax records of individuals who draw on public assistance programs, as well as the entities themselves.
• Bill passed the Finance Committee 
• Bill was passed on the Senate Floor 
• Bill was transmitted to the House
• Passed in the House Ways and Means Committee
• Bill amended on the Floor 
• Bill passed in the House 
• Held on a motion to reconsider
• Reconsidered 
• Concurred in the Senate
• Concurred in Amend in the House 
• Held on a motion to reconsider
• Reconsidered 
• Concurred in the House 
• Passed without Governor’s signature 

SB 2521– Reform Alcoholic Beverage Control laws

• This bill would allow the shipment of wine to retailers without going through the ABC. It would also renounce the prohibition of intoxicating liquor. The bill was authored by Senator Carter.
• Referred to Finance 
• Passed in Finance with Committee Substitute 
• DEAD

SB 2594 – Education Scholarship Account, extend repealer

• This bill would extend the repealer for the ESA scholarships for students with disabilities. It would allow them to take that money and apply it to some schools that can better serve their needs.
• Bill passes in Senate Education Committee
• Bill passes in Senate Appropriations Committee with committee substitute
• Committee Substitute adopted 
• Passed on the Senate floor
• Transmitted to the House
• Referred to Education and Appropriations 
• Passed in committee
• Passed on the floor 
• Motion to reconsider entered
• Motion tabled 
• Returned for enrolling
• Bill signed 
• Approved by the Governor 

SB 2658 – Domesticated dogs and cats; revise offense of abuse of

• This bill would make it a felony offense on the first conviction of animal abuse against domesticated dogs and cats
• Passed in Judiciary B 
• Committee Substitute adopted 
• Amended
• Passed as Amended in the Senate 
• Transmitted to the House
• Referred to Judiciary B 
• Passed as amended in Judiciary B 
• Passed in committee
• Amended 
• Passed as amended 
• Returned for concurrence 
• Declined to concur, conference invited 
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filed 

SB 2772 – Coronavirus Relief Funds

• This bill appropriates dollars from the CARES Act to small businesses across the state of Mississippi
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed in Appropriations 
• Passed in the Senate 
• Transmitted to the House 
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Amended 
• Passed as amended in committee 
• Immediate release
• Returned for concurrence 
• Concurred in Amend in the House 
• Immediate release 
• Bill Signed 
• Recalled from Governor 
• Motion to reconsider entered 
• Reconsidered 
• Declined to concur, invite conference 
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filed 
• Point of order raised 
• Point of order not well taken 
• Conference report adopted 
• Motion to reconsider entered 
• Conference report adopted 
• Bill signed 
• Approved by Governor 

SB 3011 – Appropriation; Dept. of Health for COVID-19 expenses incurred by hospitals for FY20 and FY21.

• This bill would alleviate the costs incurred by the Department of Health by hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed in committee 
• Passed in the Senate 
• Transmitted to the House 
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed in committee
• Passed as amended 
• Returned for concurrence 
• Decline to concur, conference invited 
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filled 
• Recommitted for further conference 

SB 3012 – Appropriation; Dept. of Finance and Administration for COVID-19 expenses incurred by municipalities and counties for FY 20 and FY 21.

• This bill will alleviate the costs incurred by cities and counties during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed in committee 
• Passed in the Senate 
• Transmitted to the House 
• Passed in committee 
• Amended 
• Passed as amended 
• Returned for concurrence 
• Decline to concur, conference invited 
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filled 
• Recommitted for further conference 

SB 3013 – Appropriation; Dept. of Education, IHL and Community Colleges for COVID-19 expenses for FY20 and FY21.

• This bill will alleviate costs incurred by Universities, Colleges and the Department of Education during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed in committee 
• Passed in the Senate 
• Transmitted to the House 
• Passed in committee 
• Amended
• Passed as amended 
• Returned for concurrence 
• Decline to concur, invited conference 
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filled 
• Recommitted for further conference 

SB 3014 – Appropriation; Dept. of Finance and Administration for COVID 19 expenses for FY20 and FY21.

• This bill would alleviate costs incurred by the administration for the COVID-19 pandemic
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed in committee
• Passed in the Senate 
• Transmitted to the House 
• Passed in committee 
• Amended 
• Passed as amended 
• Returned for concurrence 
• Decline to concur, invited conference 
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filled 
• Recommitted for further conference 

SCR 575 -Revision of the design of the state flag 

• This bill would change the current design of the state committee
• Referred to Constitution 

HOUSE BILLS:

HB 21 – Increase salary of statewide elected officials

• Authored by Rep. Lamar, this bill would raise the salary for the Lt. Governor and the Speaker of the House to sixty-thousand dollars annually until January 1 of 2024. After that time the bill proposes that the salary for the two positions be raised to ninety-thousand dollars annually. It also calls for an increase of other statewide official salaries like the Governor, AG, Secretary of State, Commissioner of Insurance, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, Transportation and Public Service Commissioners after Jan. 1, 2024.
• Rep. Currie has a similar bill in HB 222.
• DEAD

HB 50– Restore right to vote after all sentencing completed

• This bill would allow for every person in the state to qualify again for county, municipality and voting precinct of his or her residence and shall be entitled to vote in any election they see fit after all sentencing requirements are met.
• DEAD

HB 69– More funding for State Department of Mental Health crisis units

• One bill authored by Rep. Clark would allow additional funding to the State Department of Mental Health for crisis stabilizing units and outpatient services in the sum of $10 million. This money would come in addition to the budget dollars for the department.
• Referred to Appropriations
• DEAD

HB 111- Remove statute of limitations for crimes against children

• This bill would remove the civil statute of limitations for abuse that is committed against a child. The would cover any misdemeanor or felony abuse or battery against a child including sexual assault. The bill was authored by Rep. Paden and Clark.
• DEAD

HB 166- Authorize firearm possession for nonviolent felons in their homes and cars

• This bill authored by Rep. Burnett would allow for nonviolent felony offenders to posses firearms or any other weapons like varying types of knives. This would exempt these individuals form the original statute that would not allow felons to poses a firearm.
• DEAD

HB 170– Require Governor and Division of Medicaid to negotiate and obtain federal waiver to expand Medicaid

• This bill, authored by Rep. Clark, would require those listed to enter into negotiations with the federal government to then gain a waiver of applicable provisions of the Medicaid laws and regulations to create a plan to allow for the expansion of coverage in the state.
• DEAD

HB 193– Mississippi River Delta Promise Zone Act of 2020

• This bill would establish the act which would provide counties that make up the ‘promise zone’ with the assistance of the Mississippi Development Authority and to use a regional approach to developing opportunities to increase job growth and offer new incentives for business development. The bill was authored by Rep. Hines.
• DEAD

HB 265 – Establish that state officials salaries shall not exceed those of adjacent states

• Authored by Rep. Read, this bill outlines what the annual salaries of elected officials shall be. It also instructs that all state position salaries, minus the governor, shall be set by the Legislature beginning July 1, 2021. It puts the responsibility of outlining these salaries on the State Board of Personal.
• Passed in Appropriations Committee
• Passed on the House Floor
• Held on a motion to reconsider
• Reconsidered 
• Amended
• Passed as Amended
• Transmitted to Senate 
• Referred to Appropriations and Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency 
• DEAD

HB 272 – Dog and cat abuse, reporting must meet FBI guidelines

• This bill would fall in line with Mississippi’s act to create a felony first offense on any dog or cat abuse. It would clarify the reporting requirements to meet those outlined by the FBI which include a second offense to require no less than three years in prison and a fine no less than $1,000. The bill was authored by Rep. Zuber.
• DEAD

HB 358 – Teacher salary; increase base salary of beginning teachers to $40,000/yr.

• This bill would increase the base pay of beginning teacher salaries to $40,000. The teacher pay raise bill in the Senate would increase that base pay to $37,000 while also providing a raise for all teachers of $1,000. The bill was authored by Rep. Hopkins.
• DEAD

HB 497 – Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol; increase salaries of sworn officers by $10,000.00.

• The bill authored by Rep. Harness would require for all officers of the Mississippi Highway Patrol be afforded a $10,000 raise. It would begin for the FY2021-2022 year and continue thereafter.
• DEAD

HB 813 – Establish State Correctional Facilities Monitoring Unit

• Authored by Rep. Cockerham, this bill would create a unit within the Department of Public Safety responsible for monitoring the operations of MDOC.
• DEAD

HB 838 – Driver’s license; require Department of Public Safety to allow official identifying document of MDOC to suffice for

• Authored by Rep. Bain, this would allow for the documentation given by the MDOC to released inmates to suffice as a drivers license for a year max.
• Passed in the Judiciary B Committee
• Passed in the Transportation Committee
• Passed on the House floor
• Transmitted to the Senate
• Referred to Highways and Transportation 
• Bill passed as amended in committee 
• Amended 
• Passed as amended 
• Returned for concurrence 
• Decline to concur, invited conference. 
• Conferees named

HB 981 – Alcoholic beverages; authorize the sale of wine at grocery stores.

• This bill would allow for the sale of alcohol in food retail stores
• DEAD

HB 1559 – Human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation; provide services for victims through approved services.

• This bill would address the gap in services for minors who are victims of human trafficking and require CPS to create a special team to address their care while in custody
• Passed in the Judiciary B Committee 
• Amended 
• Passed on the House Floor
• Transmitted to the Senate 
• Referred to Judiciary A
• Passed as amended 
• Amended 
• Passed as amended 
• Held on a motion to reconsider
• Motion to reconsider tabled 
• Returned for concurrence 
• Conference inited 
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filed 
• Conference report adopted

HB 1165 – Computer science curriculum; require State Department of Education to implement in K-12 public schools.

• This bill would require that all students k-12 receive course work related to computer science.
• Referred to Education 
• Passed in Education with Committee Substitute 
• Passed in the House
• Held on a motion to reconsider 
• Motion to reconsider withdrawn
• Transmitted to the Senate 
• Referred to Education and Appropriations 
• Bill passed in both committees 
• DEAD

HB 1749 – Appropriations; Dept. of Health for COVID-19 expenses incurred by hospitals for FY20 and FY21.

• This bill would help hospitals alleviate the costs incurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed in Committee 
• Passed in the House 
• Transmitted in the Senate 
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed in committee 
• Amended
•  Passed as amended 
• Returned for concurrence
• Decline to concur, invited conference. 
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filed 
• Returned for further conference 

HB 1750 – Appropriation; Dept of Finance and Administration for COVID-19 expenses incurred by municipalities and counties for FY20 and FY21.

• To alleviate the costs incurred by cities and counties through the Department of Finance during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed in Committee
• Passed in the House 
• Transmitted to the Senate 
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed out of committee
• Amended 
• Passed as amended
• Returned for concurrence 
• Decline to concur, invited conference 
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filed 
• Returned for further conference 

HB 1751 – Appropriations; Dept of Education, IHL, and Community Colleges for COVID-19 expenses for FY20 and FY21.

• To alleviate costs incurred by COVID-19 for the Department of Education, colleges and universities
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed in committee 
• Passed in the House 
• Transmitted to the Senate 
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed out of committee
• Amended 
• Passed as amended
• Returned for concurrence 
• Decline to concur, invited conference 
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filed 
• Returned for further conference 

HB 1752 – Appropriations; Dept. of Finance and Administration for COVID-19 expenses for FY20 and FY21.

• To alleviate administrative costs incurred for the COVID-19 pandemic
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed in committee 
• Passed in the House 
• Transmitted to the Senate 
• Referred to Appropriations 
• Passed out of committee
• Amended 
• Passed as amended
• Returned for concurrence 
• Decline to concur, invited conference 
• Conferees named 
• Conference report filed 
• Returned for further conference 

HB 1796- State Flag; revise with a commission and require words “In God We Trust.”

• To allow for the removal of the current state flag and create a commission to design a new flag incorporating “In God We Trust” to be placed on the ballot in November.
• Referred to Rules 
• Passed in committee 
• Passed in the House 
• Transmitted to Senate 
• Referred to Rules 
• Passed in Committee 
• Passed in the Senate 
• Sent to the Governor 

HCR 39 – Legislative ballot initiative for the legalization of medical marijuana

• To allow for a second ballot initiative for medical marijuana November 2020
• Referred to Rules 
• Passed in Rules
• Point of order raised 
• Point of order not well taken
• Passed in the House 
• Held on a motion to reconsider
• Motion to reconsider tabled 
• Transmitted to the Senate 
• Referred to Constitution 
• Passed in Constitution 
• Passed in the Senate 
• Signed by both chambers

HCR 69 – Allow Legislature to extend session

• This bill would allow for Legislature not to sine die in July but extend session to address COVID-19 related issues
• Referred to Rules 
• Passed in Rules 
• Passed in the House 
• Transmitted to the Senate 
• Referred to Rules 
• Passed in Rules 
• Amended 
• Passed as amended 
• Returned for concurrence 
• Concurred as amended in the Senate 

HCR 79 -Suspend deadlines for introduction; State Flag; revise with a Commission and require words “In God We Trust.”

• Referred to Rules 
• Passed in committee 
• Passed in the House 
• Transmitted to Senate 
• Referred to Rules 
• Passed in Committee 
• Passed in the Senate 

**UPDATED 6/9/2020**