There was much happening in both the Senate and House chambers this week. Wednesday of this week marked the deadline for the House to discuss general Senate bills. The deadline to discuss Senate appropriations and revenue bills will occur next week. To review the deadlines, please Click Here.

Lottery

The idea of a state lottery lives! Representative Alyce Clarke offered an amendment to Senate Bill 2976, the budget for the state Gaming Commission, which stated  "...however, the funds appropriated to the Gaming Commission under the provisions of this act shall not be expended until such time that the Legislature enacts legislation establishing a state lottery for the purposes of funding K-12 education, state aid roads and municipalities." In other words, the State Gaming Commission will not receive an appropriation unless it creates a lottery under this amendment. Many have called for the establishment of a lottery to help create revenue to aid the programs mentioned by Representative Clarke. The amendment passed with a voice vote, and the bill passed 89-26. It has been returned to the Senate for concurrence.

Roads and Bridges

Senate Bill 3046, "The Bridge Act" passed the House by a vote of 104-5. The House made some changes to the original Senate bill to provide additional funding for specific infrastructure projects throughout the state, utilize use-tax revenue and designate $200 million worth of revenue bonds for the purpose of providing money for the Strategic Infrastructure Investment Fund (SIIF). One of the issues in the initial bill was the fact that MDOT's authority over transportation monies appeared to be lessened. Another issue was the Governor's potential oversight powers to approve and disapprove of where new construction would take place. When the two items were cleaned up, the House felt more comfortable voting to approve the bill by a vote of 104-5. The bill is now transmitted it back to the Senate for concurrence.

Harvest Permit Vehicles

With roads and bridges as a primary concern, members worked through a number of bills addressing Mississippi's transportation infrastructure system and its woes.  Senate Bill 2418, which allows increased weight on harvest permit vehicles hauling sand, gravel, wood chips, wood shavings, fill dirt, agricultural products, and products for recycling or materials for the construction or repair of highways passed by a vote of 76-34. The House included language that made the new guidelines more specific. Some of members were concerned that the increased weight limit would do further damage to already fragile roadways. It will now go back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. If the Senate does not agree with the changes, it will likely go to a conference committee.

Salvage Certificates

The House also passed Senate Bill 2277, which would require vehicles that have received a salvage certificate to be given a branded title instead of a clear title. Proponents of the bill said this will allow consumers to know more about the car they are purchasing. Those opposed say this would damage the business of reputable repairmen and used car salesmen. The bill passed by a vote of 95-15.

Dog Fighting

The issue of dog fighting was addressed in the form of Senate Bill 2934, which would increase penalties for any person that owns, possesses, buys, sells, transfers, or manufactures paraphernalia for the purpose of dog fighting. The bill sets the maximum penalty for dog fighting at a fine of $10,000 or 10 years in the State Penitentiary. The bill passed by a vote of 113-1.

Medical Emergency

An act to provide certain immunities for a person who requests assistance during a medical emergency caused by the consumption of alcohol passed in the form of Senate Bill 2197 . The House further amended this bill with legislation to establish a mental health court in the state of Mississippi. This is something that has been attempted previously by House members. The bill passed unanimously.