Highlights of the 2010 Session

House Information Office

Contact: Mac Gordon, 601-359-3323

• Adopted General Fund budget of $5.5 billion amid tough economic times, including $2.1 billion for the K-12 education MAEP funding formula.
• HB 1701 authorizes issuance of general obligation bond bills for state agencies, university and community college campuses and various economic development and tourism projects around the state.
• SB 3181 authorizes $300 million in highway, road and bridge projects around state, including around new Toyota plant in North Mississippi.
• SB 2293 authorizes the creation of New Start School Program for the purpose of transforming certain failing schools into quality educational options. Under the program, a new start school must be established in each public school that, during each of three consecutive school years, is considered failing, as determined by the State Department of Education. Also under the bill, some schools may seek to be converted, and ultimately may be converted, to conversion charter schools upon approval of a petition for conversion charter school status by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education, subject to the requirements of the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, shall establish rules and regulations for the submission of petitions for the conversion of a public school to conversion charter school status and criteria and procedures for the operation of conversion charter schools. The board shall receive and review each petition for the conversion of a public school to conversion charter school status from the school's sponsors and, in its discretion, may approve the petition and grant conversion charter school status. (Due from Governor 4-29)
• HB 512 mandates that all sales of pseudoephedrine be through a physician’s prescription to provide better tracking of the substance used in the drug methamphetamine.
• HB 338 authorized bonds to help lure a German pipe company to Tunica County.
• HB 1681 provides for loan guaranties to ensure viability of sweet potato industry.
• HB 1674 provides for tax credits to ensure viability of cut-and-sew furniture industry
• HB 683 requires annual reports by Limited Liability Companies.
• HB 981 tightens regulation of “pre-need casket” contracts.
• HB 170 authorizes counties to regulate so-called “strip clubs.”
• HB 664 creates a statewide "Silver Alert System" to provide a tiered, rapid response system to notify the public about missing endangered adults, who are age 18 or older, with dementia or other cognitive impairments.
• HB 727 creates the Mississippi Heritage, History and Cultural Trail to develop a marketing plan designed to attract tourists, conferences, music and theatrical performances, filmmakers and others for the purpose of the economic development of all geographic areas of the state through the promotion of projects related to Mississippi's heritage, history and culture.
• HB 1047 authorizes a study for solving the state’s teacher shortage.
• HBs 1078 and 1079 works to provide healthy schools for children in the state, including training on certain food service practices.
• SB 2646 creates a state employee wellness program.
• HB 1074 provides close tracking of SNAP (food stamp) recipients.
• SB 2015 mandates districts and schools to develop an anti-bullying program.
• HB 1160 authorizes a fund to assist blues musicians in financial need.
• Insurance Department budget provides $20 million for Wind Pool program on Coast.
• HB 1379 creates a Mississippi Persian War Memorial in Newton County.
• HB 1716 creates tax incentives for landowners who promote public or wildlife use.
• SB 2344 prohibits discrimination in health benefit plans for abuse victims.
• SB 2383 conforms boating under the influence to driving under influence laws.
• SB 2642 makes it easier for persons serving in Armed Forces to vote in state elections.
• SB 2911 authorizes another round of Rural Fire Truck Assistance Program.
• SB 3014 creates ‘John Paul Frerer Bicycle Safety Act’ to provide cyclist safety program.

NOTE: Except where noted, all bills listed above are bills signed into law by Gov. Barbour as of April 27, 2010.