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Indigent Counsel Compensation Increase Passes House Judiciary B Committee
House Bill 623
On Thursday, January 23rd, the House Judiciary B passed House Bill 623 out of committee. This measure increases compensation for counsel appointed to indigents. The increases are as follows:
- From $1,000.00 to $5,000.00 for representation in circuit court whether on appeal or originating in said court.
- From $200.00 to $1,000.00 if said case is not appealed to or does not originate in a court of record
- From $2,000.00 to $10,000.00 in a capital case per case
- From $1,000.00 to $5,000.00 for cases appealed to the state supreme court
NOTE: There is a mandated repealer for July 1st, 2028.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: This measure currently resides on the House Floor Calendar.
Mental Health First Aid Training
House Bill 570
On Tuesday, January 21st, the House Public Health and Human Services Committee passed House Bill 570 out of committee. This measure “MANDATES” governmental bodies that employ or contract for full-time certified emergency medical technicians (EMTS), paramedics, emergency medical responders (EMRS) or firefighters to have mental health first aid training that is evidence-based and approved by the Department of Mental Health to all of those personnel by July 1, 2031.
NOTE: This measure currently resides on the House Floor Calendar.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Please contact your local House delegate and request that they offer a Floor Amendment to provide funding from the State Opioid Fund to fund this mandated training.
Public Notice Measure Introduced
(Public Notice via Electronic Devices)
House Bill 1511
House Bill 1511: This measure authorizes county and cities to issue publication of notice via the county or city website or social media page. This measure is single referred to the House Accountability, Efficiency, and Transparency Committee. NOTE: Currently no action is taken on this measure. Please contact your House local legislative delegation and require that this measure be brought before its respective committee for consideration.
Purchasing Measure Introduced
House Bill 184
House Bill 184: This measure amends MS Code 31-7-13 to revise from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00 for public purchases that may be made without advertising or otherwise requesting competitive bids. This measure also amends MS Code 31-7-103 to increase the purchasing threshold from $2,000.00 to $5,000.00 for purchases made not requiring a purchase order, purchase requisition, or receiving report. This measure is single referred to the House Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency Committee.
NOTE: Currently, no action is taken on this measure.
State Highway Fund Receiving Use Tax
Senate Bill 2564
Senate Bill 2564: This measure provides that ten percent (10%) of the State use tax revenue shall be deposited into the State Highway Fund to be used “exclusively” for the construction, reconstruction, repair or maintenance or highways of the State.
NOTE: Currently, no action is taken on this measure.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: Please keep this bill on your radar, because it addresses use tax.
*House and Senate will reconvene Monday.
*Copyrights. All rights reserved.
Authors: Steve Gray and Derrick Surrette
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