The 2023 Legislative Session is very close to its final days. As Senators and Representatives complete the final year of this four-year term, the biggest discussion points center around fiscal matters and final deadlines. Friday, March 24, is the deadline for the introduction of local and private legislation that is not a revenue measure. Saturday, March 25, is the deadline to file conference reports on appropriations and revenue bills. Monday, March 27, is the deadline to adopt those same conference reports. Also, that day is the deadline to file conference reports on general bills.
On Wednesday, Governor Tate Reeves signed the Mississippi Collaborative Response to Mental Health Act into law. House Bill 1222, authored by Representative Sam Creekmore (R-New Albany), will require municipal and county law enforcement officials to provide mental health first-aid training that is approved by the MS Department of Mental Health. Some other requirements also include law enforcement agencies having at least one crisis intervention trained officer, expanding the court liaison program, and adds appointees to regional community mental health center commissions by the county sheriff and chancery clerk. HB 1222 will be effective July 1, 2023.
House Bill 1003, the Mississippi Fully Autonomous Vehicle Enabling Act, was approved by both chambers and sent to Gov. Reeves for his approval on Thursday. This piece of legislation, authored by Rep. Charles Busby (R-Pascagoula), will allow fully autonomous vehicles on public roads under certain conditions including, but not limited to, operating in compliance with applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws and regulations. Prior to operating on roads, an interaction plan must be submitted to the Department of Public Safety. Gov. Reeves’ signature is expected.
This week, multiple Senate committees continued their work on vetting appointees for various statewide boards, committees, and trusts. On Wednesday, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee passed motions to advise and consent on three appointees made by Gov. Reeves. Dr. Hilary Parrish (Vicksburg, MS) and Dr. Kimberly Ragan (Madison, MS) are appointees to the State Board of Optometry. Mr. Craig Sartin (Long Beach, MS) is an appointee for the Board of Pharmacy.
On Thursday, the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee passed motions to advise and consent on two appointees to the Appeals Board of the Mississippi Transportation Division. Those appointees are Mr. Homer Germany (Union, MS) and Mr. Rusty Hanna (Louisville, MS). The Senate Committee of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks passed motions to advise and consent appointees Mr. David Holman (Bay St. Louis, MS), Mr. Drew St. John II (Madison, MS), and Mr. Colin Maloney (Tupelo, MS) to the Mississippi Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Fund.
The Senate Forestry Committee supported Dr. George Hopper (Starkville, MS) and Mrs. Pat Thomasson (Philadelphia, MS) as appointees to the Mississippi Forestry Commission. The Senate Business and Financial Institutions Committee advised and consented on multiple appointees: Mr. David Griffith (Cleveland, MS) to the Mississippi Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board; Mr. Ricky Cox (Gulfport, MS) to the State Board of Banking Review; Mrs. Kim Bedford to the State Board of Funeral Service; and Mr. Sammy Reed (Tupelo, MS) to the State Board of Funeral Service.
This week, Carra Powell sat before the Senate Education Committee as a nominee to represent the State Board of Education for the Third Supreme Court District. All of these advised and consented appointments now to go to the Senate Calendar where they will wait to be taken up for a full vote on the Senate floor.
Members will work throughout the weekend to meet the aforementioned deadlines. Conference weekend typically is the final weekend before the expected Sine Die adjournment.