The 2024 Legislative Session was in its fifth week during this time. There hasn't been much floor activity since committees are only now beginning to convene and bills are still being developed. It's early in the session. Before being debated by the whole House, bills need to be approved by their committee. Monday, February 19 is the deadline for introducing legislation, and Tuesday, March 5 is the deadline for measures to be out of committee. Despite most work still happening in committees, two bills reached the House floor.
Interestingly, House Bill 539 would allow presumptive eligibility for prenatal care under Medicaid for pregnant women whose household incomes are 194% below the federal poverty line. These women could receive care for 60 days while the Mississippi Division of Medicaid is reviewing their applications. A qualified provider (e.g., the Health Department, a doctor trained in the process, etc.) would have to deem the woman eligible to receive the benefits by confirming the pregnancy and determining her income level. Representative Otis Anthony II supported this bill and many others did resulting in it passing by a vote of 117-5.
Continuing, Online sports betting would become legal in Mississippi under House Bill 774, or the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act. The bill would require online sportsbooks like BetMGM, FanDuel, or DraftKings to partner with an existing casino in Mississippi. This would ensure that money is staying at brick-and-mortar locations. In-person sports betting at physical casinos is currently legal. Gaming Chairman Casey Eure (R – Saucier) introduced Amendment 1, which added that the revenue collected by the state would go towards the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund, and the amendment passed on a voice vote. Representative Robert L. Johnson, III introduced Amendment 2, which would have given the gross revenue from a wager to the casino within a 40-mile radius of the placed bet instead of the casino with which the platform has partnered. Amendment 2 was tabled by a vote of 77-35. The bill passed the House by a vote of 98-14.
In conclusion, our legislators are in the process of conversing and brainstorming to get things to the house floor in the coming weeks. Last week was filled with the majority of that. Please stay tuned in for this weekly series. Also, please feel free to find all bills named throughout this series at https://www.legislature.ms.gov/
A special thank you to Senator Sartia Simmons and Representative Otis Anthony, II for full and willing participation in this series.
