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Purchasing Measures Passes House and Senate Committees
House Bill 184 and Senate Bill 2830
On Thursday, January 30th, both the House and Senate Accountability, Efficiency, and Transparency (AET) Committee passed out purchasing measures. The House version (House Bill 184) 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.
The Senate version (Senate Bill 2830) amends MS Code 31-7-13, and increases the purchasing threshold from $5,000.00 to $15,000.00 for purchases only requires to two (2) quotes.
NOTE: Both measures are on their respective floor calendars.
Public Notice Measure Introduced
(public notice via electronic devices)
Senate Bill 2832
On Thursday January 30th, the Senate Accountability, Efficiency, and Transparency passed out Senate Bill 2832. This measure allows counties with no newspaper published or located within the county to issue public notices via the county’s website.
NOTE: This measure now resides on the Senate Floor Calendar for consideration.
Emergency Road and Bridge Funding
Through Online Sports Betting
House Bill 1302
On Wednesday, January 29, the House Gaming Committee passed House Bill 1302 - the Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act In Section 6, subsection (b) of this act, From and after July 1, 2030, all monies which shall consist of taxes and fees generated and collected under the Mobile Sports Wagering Act and deposited to the Mobile Sports Wagering Tax Fund shall be paid on or before the last day of each month by the Department of Revenue to the State Treasurer to be deposited in the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund created in Section 65-1-179, Mississippi Code of 1972.
NOTE: This measure currently resides on the House Floor Calendar.
Weight Limit Measures Pass Both Chambers
House Bill 150 and Senate Bill 2256
On Wednesday January 29th, both the Senate and House Transportation Committee passed out increase weight limit measures. House Bill 150 addresses weight limit increases for cement trucks and garbage trucks. Cement trucks will increase to 64,000 lbs. for 3 axle configuration and 72,000 lbs. for 4 axle configurations. Garbage trucks will increase to 64,000 lbs. for 3 axle configurations.
Senate Bill 2256 currently only addresses cement trucks and the weight increases are the same as the House Bill 150.
NOTE: Both bills are on their respective floor calendar.
Broadband Exemption Measure Passes House Floor Chamber
House Bill 1644
On Tuesday, January 28th, the House Floor Chamber passed House Bill 1644 by a vote of 116 to 0.
- Section 1 (Lines 41 – 44) of this measure defines the required speed threshold for mobile broadband at 35 megabits per second downlink three (3) megabits per second uplink for “mobile” broadband that is capable of providing fixed broadband service.
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Section 2 (Lines 111-134) of this measure extends the exemption on “fixed” broadband technologies for 10 years and the technology speeds requirements per customer must be at least equal to the Federal Communication Commissions (FCC’s) fixed broadband speed benchmarks in both directions. In addition, the mobile broadband exemption is capped at 5 years instead of 10 years. This section also provides accountability by requiring the following: “a taxpayer seeking an exemption for equipment under this section “SHALL” submit a certified, sworn description of such equipment, including transmission speeds, to the tax assessor of the county in which such equipment is located, on or before April 1st of the first assessment year in which the exemption is being claimed.
NOTE: This measure is now transmitted to the Senate Chamber.
Discretionary Reverse Auction Measure
House Bill 19
On Thursday January 30th, the House Workforce Development Committee passed out House Bill 19. This measure will allow governing authorities to determine that if reverse auction is not the best interest of the governing authority, then that determination must be approved by the governing board of the governing authority.
NOTE: This measure now resides on the House Floor Calendar.
Small Municipalities Limited Population Counties Grant Fund
House Bill 1460
On Thursday, January 30th, the House Accountability, Efficiency, and Transparency Committee passed out House Bill 1460. This measure seeks to increase from two hundred and fifty thousand ($250k) to one million ($1m) in the maximum amount of dollars that may be awarded to the Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Grant Fund.
NOTE: This measure currently resides on the House Floor Calendar.
Holding County Car Tags with No Liability Insurance Policy
Senate Bill 2568
On Thursday January 30th, the Senate Finance Committee passed out Senate Bill 2568. This measure mandates that a car tag SHALL not be issued or renewed unless the owner or operator of the motor vehicle does not present proof of liability insurance coverage for the said motor vehicle.
NOTE: This measure currently resides on the Senate Floor Calendar.
The Mississippi Emergency Communication Act.
Senate Bill 2835
Senate Bill 2835 establishes a communication authority with the Emergency Management Agency. This measure takes a comprehensive approach towards addressing emergency 911 surcharges.
NOTE: No action has been taken on this measure.
Welcome Centers Grant Program
Senate Bill 2883
Senate Bill 2883 authorizes the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to enter into contracts and other agreements with county boards of supervisors for the purpose of staffing Mississippi Welcome Centers. This measure establishes a welcome center staffing grant fund that’s administered by MDA.
NOTE: This measure is double referred to Senate Tourism and Senate Appropriations Committee.
ADDITIONAL NOTE: This measure has currently passed the Senate Tourism Committee.
16th Section Land Approval Through Secretary of State
Senate Bill 2245
Senate Bill 2245 seeks to substitute the Secretary of State for the boards of supervisors for the leasing and sale of 16th section land. This measure would delete certain provisions relating to the boards of supervisors approving such leases and sales.
NOTE: No action is currently taken on this issue.
*House and Senate will reconvene Monday.
*Copyrights. All rights reserved.
Authors: Steve Gray and Derrick Surrette
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