Lawmakers wrapped up their fourth week of the session as we really begin to really see committees send bills to the floor in their respective chambers ahead of a February 1 deadline for action.
If a bill does not make it out of committee by Tuesday, it is (likely) dead.
At best, the governor's response to the medical marijuana conference report has been lukewarm.
In both chambers, it was approved with veto-proof majorities.
Due to a Supreme Court decision this summer, the legislature was given authority over this significant subject, and they acted swiftly.
On a similar note, House Concurrent Resolution 39, introduced by Speaker Philip Gunn and Rep. Fred Shanks, would create a new ballot initiative process to add, amend, or repeal state laws.
House Bill 1509, another of Gunn's bills, was swiftly passed by the House. It would forbid any Mississippi government agency from requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for employment or other purposes, such access to healthcare. Based on recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, there is a carve-out for healthcare institutions. Additionally, the measure requires all employers, whether public or private, to acknowledge legitimate religious objections to vaccination.
We also saw legislative action on a couple of bills we’re following:
– House Bill 1196, sponsored by Rep. Nick Bain, would prevent those who want to be barbers, nurses, or social workers from being denied an occupational license simply because of a criminal conviction. This has cleared out of Judiciary B and heads to the floor.
– Senate Bill 2600, sponsored by Sen. Daniel Sparks is designed to increase positive outcomes in supervision for parole and probations offices, provide more services and programs to those currently on supervision, increase public safety, and reinvest monies saved from lowering the number of individuals incarcerated in correctional facilities in the state. This passed out of Corrections and heads to the floor.
– Senate Bill 2422, sponsored by Sen. Dennis DeBar, will ensure that teacher supply cards are issued by September 1. This has passed out of Education and heads to the floor.
