As the 2022 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature has completed one third of its scheduled days, this week brought a major deadline. Tuesday, February 1, was the deadline for general bills and constitutional amendments to pass out of committee in their original chamber. As a result, 567 bills died in the Senate and 1,042 bills were disposed of in the House of Representatives. Thursday, February 10, is the next deadline for floor action on general bills and constitutional amendments in their original chamber. Over the next week, the Legislature will begin introducing appropriations bills to fund state agencies, boards, and a myriad of other state entities.

The Legislature continues to work diligently to address the state’s access to broadband, and both the House and Senate passed bills out of committee to do so. In the House Public Utilities Committee, Chairman Scott Bounds (R-Philadelphia) presented the Mississippi Broadband Accessibility Act (House Bill 1029). This bill creates the Mississippi Broadband Commission, establishes the duties of the Commission and Commissioners, and prescribes how the Broadband Accessibility Grant Program will be administered. In the Senate Energy Committee, Chairman Joel Carter (R-Gulfport) presented the Mississippi Broadband Expansion Act (Senate Bill 2604). This bill creates the Mississippi Broadband Expansion Commission under the Public Utilities Staff, defines the roles of the Commissioners, and directs that funds be used exclusively for the extension of broadband services to underserved areas. While both bills attempt to address the same problem, the manner in which they do and the oversight provided is different.

On Wednesday, the Mississippi House passed HB 512 with 113 yeas and two nays. Representative Trey Lamar (R-Senatobia) explained and presented the bill as removing the Department of Revenue from being the wholesale distributor of alcoholic beverages. The bill essentially would privatize the liquor warehousing and distribution industry after previously being under the control of the state. The bill also would allow for the Department of Revenue to issue wholesaler permits to any privatized entity that qualifies as an authorized wholesaler. Upon passage of HB 512 by both chambers and approval by Governor Tate Reeves, this legislation would become effective on January 1, 2023. A nearly identical bill passed out of the House during the 2021 Legislative Session and ultimately died during conference.

Also on Wednesday, Gov. Reeves signed the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act into law which now becomes effective immediately. In his comments, he mentioned that significant improvements were made to reduce the total amount an individual can purchase per month, limitations on who can prescribe medical marijuana, and prohibiting any incentives from the Mississippi Development Authority. He emphasized that his signature reflects the will of Mississippi voters who overwhelmingly approved the program in 2019.

The Mississippi State Senate has a new member, Senator Rod Hickman (D-Macon). Sen. Hickman is an attorney, a professor at Tougaloo College and Mississippi University for Women, and is a prosecutor for Noxubee County. He represents District 32, which includes all of Kemper County and parts of Lauderdale, Noxubee, and Winston counties. Sen. Hickman won this seat in November of 2021. His predecessor is Sen. Sampson Jackson, who retired after a long career in the Mississippi State Senate.

Also returning to the Senate is Sen. Kelvin Butler (D-McComb). Butler previously represented District 38 for 12 years before retiring. The district includes parts of Adams, Amite, Pike, Walthall, and Wilkinson Counties. He replaces former Sen. Tammy Witherspoon who was elected as the Mayor of Magnolia. Butler was appointed as the Vice Chairman of Housing. In the House, Rep. Robert Sanders (D-Cleveland) replaced former Rep. Abe Hudson in District 29. The district includes portions of Bolivar and Sunflower Counties. In years past, Sanders was the Sergeant at Arms for former Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck.