Most general bills that were introduced this session died after failing to advance when lawmakers hit the first major deadline of the 2023 legislative session on Tuesday. All bills had to clear the committee they were referred to, or they are (most likely) dead.
The legislature has dealt with a number of big items during the first three years of this term. This includes everything from significant parole reform and other criminal justice measures to tax relief to occupational licensing reform. And, of course, they retired the old state flag and put the new flag in front of voters in 2020.
The conventional wisdom is that you won’t see major legislation during an election year. It seems that is the direction we are headed but anything can happen. Especially as lawmakers found out if they will be challenged in their bid for re-election yesterday.
So what’s still alive?
Very quickly, the House acted on legislation to decriminalize the possession of fentanyl testing strips. House Bill 722, authored by Rep. Christopher Bell, recognizes that testing strips, which are currently illegal, could be used to prevent drug overdoses and reduce harm if they were decriminalized and available. It passed without a dissenting vote in the House and is now awaiting action in the Senate.
A year after the legislature adopted the largest tax cut in state history, the Senate is proposing tax refunds of up to $500. Senate Bill 2458, authored by Sen. Josh Harkins, would return some $270 million to taxpayers in the form of one-time rebates. It has cleared the Senate Finance Committee.
Mississippi won’t be following the lead of Utah and Iowa; two states that have passed universal school choice programs already this year. But there are some interesting education measures still alive:
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