JACKSON — Wednesday marked the Mississippi Legislature’s latest deadline of the 90-day session. It was the final day for the House and Senate to pass general bills that originated in and already passed the opposite chamber.
Here’s a look at the status of selected bills, with HB to designate a House Bill and SB to designate a Senate Bill:
Alive
TRANSPORTATION — SB 3046 would put some state money into local roads and bridges if the state tax collections increase. HB 354 is similar.
MEDICAID RULES — Both the House and the Senate are considering proposals to renew parts of the state’s Medicaid health insurance program, as they’re legally mandated to do this year. SB 2836 mandates studies of whether more spending should be controlled by managed care groups and whether payments to health care providers should be cut. The bill would change current limits on doctors’ office visits and prescriptions for Medicaid recipients.
OIL SPILL MONEY — HB 1185 would create a separate account in the state treasury for the state’s $750 million economic damage settlement from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
TOBACCO TAX — SB 3048 makes no change to current taxes, but could be amended to change taxes later.
UTILITY LAWSUITS — SB 2295 would block the attorney general from suing over certain utility matters.
ISRAEL INVESTMENTS — SB 2051 would allow the state to use excess general funds to invest in bonds issued by Israel.
Signed by the governor
ALCOHOL TO GO — SB 2588, which becomes law July 1, will allow the creation of “leisure and recreation districts” in cities where alcohol is legal. This would allow people to carry to-go cups of alcohol outside restaurants.
Awaiting governor’s consideration
LEFT LANE DRIVING — HB 80 would set a punishment of $5 to $50 for people who linger in the left lane of traffic.
Dead
EDUCATION FUNDING REWRITE — HB 957 would have replaced the state’s current public school funding formula with a new method.
FELON VOTING — HB 774 would have required a study of whether the state should allow people convicted of certain crimes to automatically regain their voting rights without having to seek legislative permission.
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