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In the 15th week of the Legislative Session, the Senate met three deadlines, passed House
Appropriation bills, Local and Private bills, tabled motions to reconsider, and passed a Rules
calendar commending exemplary Mississippians, among other actions.
The Senate met a Wednesday, April 10, 2024, deadline for original floor action on general bills
and constitutional amendments originating in the House, a Thursday, April 11, 2024, deadline
for reconsideration and passage of general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the
House, and a Friday, April 12, 2024, deadline to dispose of motions to reconsider general bills
and constitutional amendments originating in the House.
The Senate faces a Tuesday, April 16, 2024, deadline for original floor action on appropriation
and revenue bills originating in the House, a Wednesday, April 17, 2024, deadline for
reconsideration and passage of appropriation and revenue bills originating in the House, a
Thursday, April 18, 2024, deadline to dispose of motions to reconsider appropriation and
revenue bills originating in the House, and a Friday, April 19, 2024, deadline to concur or not
concur in amendments from the House to appropriation and revenue bills, and deadline for
introduction of local and private bills that are revenue bills.
The Senate passed House Bill 1823 – the education appropriations bill which includes the
additional $206 million toward education. The bill also includes $50 million for a teacher pay
raise.
Passage of House Bill 765, makes technical changes to the Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage
Act required to give a $1,000 pay raise for every K-12 teacher in the state. With the raise, teachers
with a bachelor’s degree would start in Mississippi at $42,500.
House Bill 1669, revises qualifications for assistant teachers to get more employed and into the
classroom. It was sent to the Governor.
Senators agreed to a House Amendment of Senate Bill 2470, which extends the Sales tax holiday
from two days, to three days, removing sales tax on school supplies, and individual items of
clothing and foot apparel costing less than $100. It also sets the date Sales Tax Holiday date to the
second weekend of July, giving Mississippi businesses an advantage over neighboring states
whose residents are likely to travel here to shop for children’s back to school items.
Mississippi State Senate – P.O. Box 1018 – Jackson, MS 39215-1018
Passage of House Bill 1126, establishes the “Walker Montgomery Protecting Children Online
Act” to protect minors from harmful online content. It will go to conference. A companion bill,
House Bill 1196, creates the crime of sextortion and will be called “Walker’s Law.”
House Bill 1618, gives the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS), access
to more actuaries to assist in future decisions.
House Bill 331, would allow certain counties and municipalities to allow construction projects by
skilled workers/contractor, who are not licensed. It will go to conference.
The Senate agreed to House changes to Senate Bill 2142, which designates the American Quarter
Horse as the “Official State Horse of the State of Mississippi,” and designates the Kemp’s Ridley
sea turtle, the most endangered sea turtle in the world, which is native to Mississippi, the “Official
Sea Turtle of the State of Mississippi.”
Bills passed that were sent to the Governor for consideration:
• House Bill 299, would allow the Mississippi Forestry Commission to electronically
accept bids for timber sales. It was sent to the Governor.
• House Bill 922, would have election commissioners run for office nonpartisan.
• House Bill 846, allows chancery clerks to increase fees for recording deeds to land sold
for taxes and for redemption of the land.
• House Bill 873, establishes the “Purple Alert” system as an additional means to aid
search of missing persons with cognitive disabilities.
• House Bill 1023, allows Department of Human Services fraud investigators to drive
unmarked vehicles.
• House Bill 1664, prohibits any public service commissioner, any candidate for public
service commissioner, or any employee of the Public Service Commission or Public
Utilities Staff to knowingly accept any gift, pass, money, campaign contribution or any
emolument or other pecuniary benefit whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, from a
covered person.
All bills except those sent to the Governor now go back for House review and or approval.
Senator John Polk and Senator Chris Johnson led the body on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, in
honoring:
• The Oak Grove High School “Warriors,” football team with Senate Resolution 22, for
winning their first MHSAA Class 7A State Championship.
• The Oak Grove High School “Golden Spirits” Dance Team and Coach Sarah Williams
with Senate Resolution 54 for winning the 2023 Large Varsity Jazz and Pom State
Championship.
• The Oak Grove High School “Lady Warriors” Cheer Team and Coach Ashley Burdine
Senate Resolution 53, for winning the 2024 Universal Cheerleaders Association, (UCA),
National Large Varsity Game Day Live Championship, and their amassing a total of 15
state championships
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