PICAYUNE —
Four state law makers held a legislative review for members of the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce at the newly opened Southern Char restaurant Tuesday night to share with business owners information about new bills and laws that have been passed.
Newly elected senators Angela Hill and Tony Smith and longtime representatives Mark Formby and Herb Frierson talked about the laws that increase the number of years in the statute of limitations for filing charges in the exploitation of vulnerable adults, implementation of an inventory tax credit law, changes to how school board elections will be held and how police officers will be able to check for car insurance using a computer database.
Hill started the meeting by listing a few of the bills that became laws during her first session in the state Senate, and pointed out that the efforts to pass those bills involved all four of the local lawmakers working together.
One new bill that became law, SB 2493, will allow fire departments to apply tint to the windows of fire trucks. Tinting those windows will help keep sensitive equipment firefighters use protected from the damaging effects of the sun and help keep that equipment out of sight of people who might steal it, Hill said. Another bill that became law, SB 2367, increased the number of years in the statute of limitations concerning the exploitation or abuse of a vulnerable adult. Prior to the passing of the new law, the statute of limitations for such an offense was two years. By passing SB 2367, the statute of limitations on that crime has increased to five years, Hill said.
Business owners seemed pleased to hear about another bill, SB 2934, that could lessen their tax burden. Counties collect taxes on a business’ furniture and other assets. The provisions of the law, which takes effect July 1, will be phased in over several years, Formby said.
Formby said eventually the law would mean 100 percent of the money paid to the county as an inventory tax will be credited to business owners in their state taxes.
School board elections take place in 30 districts within the state, such as the Picayune Municipal Separate School District where two of the five positions on the board are elected. Historically, those elections take place outside of general elections, which are held in November. Smith said SB 2074 move the election process away from the school districts, and they now will be handled by Circuit Clerks and will be held with general elections in November. Formby predicts the bill could increase voter turnout for school board elections.
“It’s going to be a positive thing for education, I believe,” Smith said.
Proof of vehicle insurance can be faked during a traffic stop at times. Smith said some drivers have been known to allow their insurance to lapse, but use the insurance card sent to them by mail with the bill as proof of insurance, when in fact they didn’t pay the bill. However, SB 2053, which passed, will establish a way for proof of insurance to be verified with computer software, enabling law officers to easily check a driver’s insured status.
Frierson used his time to address the audience about things he would like to see implemented in state government, specifically a performance based budget. Under a performance based budget, goals would be set for a state agency. If those goals are not reached, the legislature would find out why and what could be done to ensure the goals are reached, Frierson said. The representative also would like to see an end to bonds being used to purchase furniture for the government and to repair roofs that will not last 20 years.
Frierson also is concerned that if the Supreme Court does not put an end to the federal health care bill a great burden will fall on Mississippi taxpayers and hundreds of thousands of state residents will be placed on the Medicaid system, costing the state billions.
State News
Related Photos
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LEGISLATIVE REVIEW — From left representative’s Mark Formby and Herb Frierson and freshman senators Angela Hill and Tony Smith shared some details concerning recent legislative work with members of the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Jeremy Pittari
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