MHA's Legislative Liaison

Showtime Near on Redistricting

The new district maps for the House and Senate could be up for discussion later this week.The committees could  take up the maps on Wednesday, which would put the debate on the chamber floors on Thursday. 

Legislators redraw the district maps every ten years to keep district population totals roughly even. The Legislature also will redraw the state's congressional map, which is not expected to be as controversial or lead to a substantial shift in the lines.

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Hosemann Seeks a Second Term as Mississippi Secretary of State

Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann recently announced that he will seek re-election.  To date, he is the only candidate for the Secretary of State position. The qualifying deadline for statewide offices is Tuesday, March 1st.

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Open-Meetings Bill Signed by Governor

On Thursday, Governor Haley Barbour signed SB 2289 into law.  The legislation will stop taxpayers from covering fines for officials who break open meetings laws and will enforce stricter penalties for those offenses. The law, which takes effect on July 1, also increases the maximum fine for officials holding illegal closed meetings from the current $100 to a maximum of $500 for the first offense and up to $1,000 for the second offense.

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Redistricting Meeting Held in Hernando

A public meeting of the DeSoto Board of Supervisors was recently held in Hernando.  This marked the third meeting on a re-draw since 2010 Census numbers came out on Feb. 4. Four separate alternatives were presented. DeSoto officials are hoping to gain approval on a plan before the March 1st qualifying deadline.

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Senate Considers a Number of Bills Before Deadline Day

Last Thursday marked the deadline for original floor action on all general bills and constitutional amendments in both Houses. As deadline day approached, there was an increase in legislative activity.  Senator Chris McDaniel presented a recap of the issues.

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Redistricting could start in March

The state House and Senate could potentially discuss redistricting plans on the floor of each chamber by the first week of March.  The Standing Joint Legislative Committee on Reapportionment recently held a second round of public hearingsin Jackson, Oxford, Itta Bena and Perkinston to get input from community members.

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Senate Weakens Anti-Smoking Bill (SB 2726) Language

The State Department of Health and a group of health care advocates are pushing for legislation that would ban smoking in public places throughout the state. The effort is funded through a $2.9 million grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Despite advocacy efforts, the opportunity to pass a statewide smoking ban is looking less than likely this session.  The Senate recently passed a significantly watered down version of Senate Bill 2726.  The legislation would only ban smoking in government buildings and vehicles.

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Mississippi House Passes Medicaid Audit Bill (HB 1312)

The Mississippi House of Representatives passed HB 1312 on February 8th, which contains two provisions critical to hospitals.  First, it requires audits conducted by the Mississippi Division of Medicaid or its agents shall be conducted according to Generally Accepted Accounting and Auditing Principles.  Second, it provides that audits cannot go beyond a five-year “look-back” period—the time period set forth in state law regarding how long a hospital is required to retain its financial records. HB1312 ensures fairness and balance to the Division of Medicaid’s hospital auditing practices. 

The bill passed with a 99-13 voting margin.  The following House membersvoted AGAINST HB 1312 (Medicaid Audits):  Beckett, Campbell; Ellington, Fillingane, Formby, Horne, Ishee, Martinson, Moore, Morgan, Staples, Stevens, and Woods.The following members voted “Present”:  Bondurant, Carpenter, Howell, Huddleston, McBride, Read, Reed, and M. Rogers.The following House members wereabsent and not voting: L. Baker, Weathersby. All other members voted  FOR the bill.

Mississippi House OKs insurance exchange

The House of Representatives recently passed a bill to enact a Health Insurance Exchange in Mississippi.  The measure passed by a 83-33 vote on Monday (February 7). Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, states can either set-up their own exchanges or the Federal government will establish one in the absence of a state plan.  The law would set-up the framework for the exchange, which would be used as a market-place for health care insurance.

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Desoto Faces Difficult Deadline for Redistricting

Mississippi Census data will be the heart of the redistricting process for DeSoto County.  The task appears daunting ahead of a March election filing deadline, according to officials. 

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