2015 Legislative Session

2015 Legislative Session

The past legislative session was a banner year for Common Cause in Mississippi. A number of bills that we supported were passed and approved by the Governor.

The past legislative session was a banner year for Common Cause in Mississippi. A number of bills that we supported were passed and approved by the Governor. 

Open Meetings

Senate Bill 2407: Community Hospitals; revise provisions concerning transparency. Author: Senator Brice Wiggins 4-22-15 Approved by the Governor

Transparency

House Bill 825: Personal Service Contract Review Board; revises composition, exemptions, expenditures and method for reviewing single source contracts. Author: Representative Jerry Turner 3-31-15 Approved by the Governor

House Bill 831: Mississippi Fines Accountability and Transparency Task Force; create Author: Representative Toby Barker 4-22-15 Approved by the Governor

Senate Bill 2003: Municipalities; certain small municipalities may advertise budget hearings by posting notices rather than by publication. Author: Senator Joey Fillingane 3-18-15 Approved by the Governor

Senate Bill 2258: Cheating on statewide tests; financial responsibilities of local school district, licensure sanctions and criminal penalties. 4-22-15 Approved by the Governor

Senate Bill 2400: Government purchasing; place restrictions on emergency and single source purchases. Author: Senator Nancy Collins 4-23-15 Approved by the Governor

Elections

Senate Bill 2601: Elections; authorize Internet voter registration and early voting. Author: Senator David Blount ** This was a great bill that would allow online voter registration and early voting. This bill was also co-authored by Senator Wiggins (R). This bill was different from Senator Blount’s bill last year because it did not include same day voter registration. This bill was in line with Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann’s task force on elections and voting. Unfortunately, this bill died because the Senate was not going to pass any election bills.