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Revenue Neutral Measure Dies on the Calendar
Senate Bill 2901
Senate Bill 2901, which mandated that counties and municipalities provide a public notice and hearing before exceeding a “revenue-neutral” tax rate regarding ad valorem taxes has died on the Senate Floor Calendar.
Broadband Legislation Gets Recommitted
Back to Committee and Dies
House Bill 1091
House Bill 1091 would have required broadband providers to have a minimum speed standard while benefiting from an ad valorem exemption on their equipment has died by way of a committee recommittal.
Senate Version of the County Purchasing Legislation Gets Amended and Passes Senate Floor Chamber
Senate Bill 2699
On Thursday, March 14th, the Senate chamber passed Senate Bill 2699 by a vote of 47 to 5. This measure was amended to allow county purchases from $2k to $5k to be made without a purchase order or receiving report, and also purchases made from $5k to $10k for fuel, machinery parts, and machinery repairs to be made without a purchase order or receiving report.
This measure will now head to the house chamber for consideration.
Limitation to College Foundation Ad Valorem Exemption Passes Senate Chamber
Senate Bill 2697
Senate Bill 2697 provides that the ad valorem tax exemption for property belonging to university, college, community college and junior college foundation applies to property that is used exclusively and directly for educational and outreach purposes and not leased or otherwise used to generate revenue. This measure will now head to the House Chamber for consideration.
Homestead Exemption Reimbursement
Senate Bill 3047
Senate Bill 3047 makes an appropriation for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Mississippi Department of Revenue for reimbursing the counties, county districts, and municipal separate school districts for tax losses incurred by reason of the exemption of homes from certain ad valorem taxes.
NOTE: Section 7 of this measure provides a line item appropriation for the homestead exemption reimbursement at $92,000,000.00.
Measure Addressing Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) Board Structure and Contribution
Rate Passes House Chamber
House Bill 1590
On Wednesday, March 13th, the House Chamber passed House Bill 1590 by a vote of 85 to 34. House Bill 1590 reconstitutes the membership of the Public Employees Retirement System Board (PERS) and it rescinds the scheduled employer’s contribution increase rate.
Section 1 of this measure reconstitutes the PERS Board. If this measure becomes law in its current stage, the board would be structured as follows:
o The Commissioner of the Department of Revenue
o Four (4) members appointed by the Governor
o Three (3) members appointed by the Lt. Governor
o One (1) retired member who is receiving a retirement allowance from the system who will be elected by the retired members.
o One (1) member of the system having at least ten (10) years of creditable service, elected by members of the system, municipal system, & MS Highways Patrol System
Section 2 of this measure addresses the employer’s contribution rate. It states that from and after the effective date of this act, the increase of the employer’s contribution rate that is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2024, rescinded and shall not take effect, and the board shall not provide for any increase in the employer’s contribution rate through June 30, 2024.
Section 3 addresses the effectiveness of this measure, and it is set to take effect upon passage.
Both Mental Health Measures Survive Floor Action Deadline
Senate Bill 2744 & House Bill 1640
Please continue to talk to your local legislative delegation regarding State financial help with the unfunded mandates that both mental health measures can impose on the budgets of county governments. In addition, please also note that we need language that repeals or removes that current law that allows jails to be certified to house mental health patients. Jails are not the appropriate facilities to house those in serious need of acute psychiatric mental health services.
Upcoming Deadline:
The Eleventh week of the 2024 Regular Legislative Session is now complete. The deadline for original Floor Action on general bills and constitutional amendments has passed. The deadline for making requests for appropriation and revenue bills to be drafted is Monday, March 25th.
*Copyright. All Rights Reserved
Authors, Steve Gray and Derrick Surrette
HOUSE & SENATE will reconvene on Monday at 4pm.
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