JACKSON (Associated Press) – Here’s a glance at some action Wednesday by the Mississippi Legislature:
Bills that passed the Senate and move to the House for more work:
TEEN DRIVERS — Senate Bill 2105 would restrict the number of passengers in a vehicle driven by someone 17 or younger.
SCHOOL OFFICIALS — Senate Bill 2149 would change the way school superintendents and school boards are selected. Elected superintendent positions would become appointed in districts with two consecutive years of low performance, a ranking of Level 2 or below. All school board positions will become elected beginning June 2009.
DEATH PENALTY — Senate Bill 2596 would make the death penalty an option in cases involving the rape or sexual battery of a child age 13 and under.
FILM TOURISM — Senate Bill 2892 creates the Mississippi Tourism and Film Task Force. Under the bill, the task force will implement a plan to promote Mississippi tourism and film and create jobs.
Bills that passed the House and move to the Senate for more work:
CITIES — House Bill 685 would create a Mississippi Municipality Beautification Fund, and people could make voluntary contributions when they pay their state income taxes.
WOMEN’S HEALTH — House Bill 730 would create a task force to study ways to eliminate cervical cancer.
CHILDREN’S HEALTH — House Bill 1250 would create a task force to identify and treat people with sickle cell disease.
CATFISH — House Bill 728 would require more detailed labeling about the origins of catfish sold in the state.
HONEY — House Bill 103 says people who sell fewer than 500 gallons of honey a year would not have to abide by Health Department requirements for food establishments.
Bills that were killed in the House:
SCHOOL AGE — House Bill 732 said children who are at least 6 years old on Oct. 1 could start first grade. State law now sets a Sept. 1 cutoff date for children to be 6 to start first grade.
YOUTH CRIME — House Bill 347 would have prohibited prosecutors from using the confession of any child under 17 unless the confession were recorded on video or audio. After the bill was killed, it was held on a procedural motion that could allow it to be revived for more debate.
GAMING — House Bill 370 would have allowed some public universities or community colleges to teach courses such as casino hospitality and slot machine maintenance.
***
On the Net:
Mississippi Legislature: http://www.billstatus.ls.state.ms.us
Read more about the Legislature action each day from Bobby Harrison in the Daily Journal newspaper and on djournal.com.
