James F. Booth

The proceedings began with an invocation and the pledge of allegiance, with a focus on remembering the disenfranchised. Key discussions during the session included the introduction of numerous guests and visitors, notably representatives from Alcorn State University for 'Purple and Gold Day,' including the University President and SGA President. The House also introduced pages for the week. The main legislative activity centered on the Appropriations Calendar, specifically House Bill 1715 regarding ARPA funding for the health department and the Rural Water Association. Discussions clarified that this appropriation supports water associations, not necessarily individual municipalities or counties, and that entities not funded in the first round would take priority. Further discussions involved the mechanism for funding water districts and the distinction between this bill and a separate appropriation handled by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The meeting was called to order to address redistricting matters. Key agenda items included the approval of minutes from the June 30, 2021 meeting, with necessary corrections noted regarding omitted members. The committee then moved to review and discuss the redistricting criteria for both legislative (House and Senate) and congressional districts. The attorney explained the criteria, emphasizing population equality requirements for congressional districts (as near as practicable) versus legislative districts (plus or minus five percent deviation). Neutral redistricting factors considered by the court in previous congressional plan drawing, such as compactness, county/municipality splits, historical regional interests, and growth areas, were also incorporated into the criteria for congressional districts. Following discussion and approval of both sets of criteria, the committee scheduled a subsequent meeting in early December to consider a proposed congressional plan.

The meeting primarily focused on the confirmation hearing for Mr. Moran's appointment to the Mississippi Parole Board. Key discussion points included Mr. Moran detailing his increased empathy for inmates after four months of service, reviewing approximately 3,000 cases, and his commitment to following the law regarding parole eligibility, particularly for non-violent, drug-related offenses. Concerns were raised regarding the high rate of technical revocations due to failure to pay probation/parole fees and the necessity of strong re-entry programs, including GED attainment and job skills training, to reduce recidivism. Another senator highlighted a significant increase in violent crime statistics coinciding with a decrease in the overall prison population, urging the nominee to focus on violent offenders. Furthermore, questions arose regarding the resolution status of outstanding civil cases potentially impacting the nominee's confirmation, which required a pending follow-up regarding a Statement of Economic Interest.

The Judiciary, Division A committee meeting addressed several pieces of legislation. Senate Bill 2322, pertaining to civil law procedure, was discussed, focusing on mandating court reporters provide transcripts to administrative law judges upon request, with an amendment clarifying the language to specifically mention 'administrative law judges'. This bill was passed and double referred. Senate Bill 2460 concerns the extension of the Mississippi Domestic Law Task Force for another year to continue providing information. Senate Bill 2509 addresses outdoor advertising signs, proposing that height limitations be regulated by counties and cities, rather than the state, while leaving other regulations concerning illumination and proximity to clover leafs intact; this bill was also passed and double referred. Finally, Senate Bill 2350, regarding Certificates of Foreign Adoption, was discussed. This bill aims to establish a process within the State Health Department's Bureau of Vital Statistics for individuals who adopted a foreign child to obtain a Certificate of Foreign Adoption, addressing difficulties in procuring foreign birth certificates.

The committee meeting addressed several House Bills. Discussions included HB 608, which proposes merging the boards of land surveyors and engineers and expanding the pool of nominees for the governor's appointment to include state surveying and engineering societies affiliated with national organizations. HB 956 focuses on extending the repealer date for maximum license fees charged by The Real Estate Commission to July 1, 2028, due to a surplus in the special fund. HB 1306 amends fines for failure to file annual reports regarding pre-need contract sales, imposing a $25 daily fee for late reports. HB 1316 extends the repealer date concerning the State Board of Funeral Service's creation and powers until July 1, 2028. HB 1325 modifies county depository contracts, eliminating the prohibition on contracting during the final year of a supervisor's term, provided the contract length is less than four years, and includes a reverse repealer to allow further study. HB 1330 permits Mississippi-chartered banks to invest in small business investment companies licensed under the federal Small Business Investment Act of 1958 and mandates quarterly bank board meetings. HB 1428, the Money Transmission Modernization Act, involves formatting changes but retains the same core language as previously passed bills. Finally, HB 1450 permits lenders to charge a fee for purchasing non-filing or non-recording insurance on security loan instruments, capped at the amount charged by the Secretary of State for filing an initial financing statement, with a repealer included for further consumer study.