Latest news with #HouseBill1197
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
This week in politics: U.S. appellate court opts not to re-hear MS mail-in absentee voting case
The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has declined to re-hear a case in which it ruled that Mississippi cannot count mail-in absentee ballots it receives after a federal election day. Under the order, election workers would not be allowed to count any mail-in ballots after a federal election, and any mail-in ballots received by election workers after an election day would not count. After a panel of judges on the court ruled in October that Mississippi's mail-in absentee ballot counting law violated federal law, the defendants in the case, Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson and Attorney General Lynn Fitch, requested the court re-hear. In a majority opinion, Judge Andrew Oldham wrote that when lawmakers in 2020 passed the law allowing for mail-absentee ballots to be counted post-election day, it conflicted with federal law. 'The question presented to the panel was whether, in the absence of any federal statute authorizing any deviation from the uniform Election Day requirement, States nonetheless have freedom to accept ballots for as long as they would like,' Oldham wrote. 'The panel held no.' As for future action, Watson's and Fitch's office could appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. Whie tax reforms took much of the attention last week in the legislature, a bill that would require panhandlers to obtain a permit to solicit donations has been sent to the governor's desk. On Wednesday, the House voted to concur with the Senate on House Bill 1197, which would require pan handlers to have a permit costing no more than $25 from a local town, county or governing authority in that area. Homelessness bills in Mississippi: Anti-homeless bills pass MS House. See what they would do The folks who have those permits could only solicit donations from 9 a.m. to one hour before sunset and only in areas that do not impede traffic. Those who panhandle would also have to say where they intend to solicit donations and would not be allowed to panhandle more than 100 feet from that stated location. Advocates of the bill have said the legislation would help to address safety concerns with homeless people soliciting donations on roadways and also homeless encampments on public property throughout the state. Opponents have said the bill would do nothing to address helping people who are homeless, but only punish for being so. If anyone who panhandles violated the provisions in the law, they could be convicted of a misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $500 or be imprisoned at a county jail for no longer than six weeks. Failure to comply with the law could result in a misdemeanor crime, where upon conviction a violator would be subject to a fine of not more than $500, imprisoned in county jail for not more than six months, or by both. Last week was a big week for tax-reform advocates and interested parties, but it wasn't the only thing going on. Other than bills addressing homelessness, lawmakers sent several bills to Gov. Tate Reeves' desk. He even vetoed his first bill of the session. This week, the House and Senate were informed that Reeves on March 14 vetoed House Bill 1085, legislation that would have allowed counties to donate to Main Street Revitalization grants and make the Mississippi Department of Archives and History the administrator of that program. In essence, the bill moved the administration of the program from the Mississippi Development Authority to MDAH and increased the appropriations for the program and the allotment of funds for each individual grant that are applicable. The grant program was put in place to allow local communities to receive funds to improve their downtown areas via various projects. In his veto, Reeves cited that the legislation effectively was two different types of legislation, a general bill and an appropriations bill, lobbed into one, which is unconstitutional in Mississippi, hence the veto. "In sum, while I have no doubt that the members of the Legislature that voted in favor of House Bill 1085 did so with the intention of facilitating grant funding to Mississippi's downtown and main street communities, a worthy goal that I share, because the form of HB 1085 violates multiple clear prohibitions contained in the Constitution, the bill has not been lawfully presented to me," Reeves wrote in his veto message. "Thus, both the plain text and spirit of the Constitution requires me to veto House Bill 1085." Here are a few other things you may have missed. Tax cut talks stall: MS tax cuts stalled. At issue are different philosophies on fixing state retirement system New tax cut plans proposed: New tax cut plans pass Senate, House as fears over federal funding loom. see details Tax cut heads to governor with errors: MS governor set to sign bill eliminating income tax despite obvious errors in wording Children's Promise Act dies: Children's Promise Act dies in MS Senate, thanks in part to Republicans. See why Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature and state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@ or 972-571-2335. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS mail-in absentee voting case won't be re-heard by appellate court
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anti-homeless bills pass MS House. See what they would do
Two pieces of legislation that would restrict where homeless people can set up encampments and where they can solicit for donations have passed the Mississippi House of Representatives. On Wednesday, the House passed two bills, House Bill 1197 and 1203, respectively. Combined, they would require any person soliciting for money or anything of value in a roadway to acquire a permit with a local municipality or county and also prohibit them from "camping on public property." Similar legislation on homelessness is also being considered in the Mississippi Senate. Rep. Shanda Yates, I-Jackson, told House members the bills seek to address safety concerns with homeless people soliciting donations on roadways and also homeless encampments on public property throughout the state. The two House measures faced opposition from House Democrats, who questioned whether the two bills would effectively do anything to curb homelessness issues in the state, noting that there are cities and counties that don't have homeless shelters or resources to help those without shelter on a regular basis. Homelessness: Homeless restriction bills advance in Mississippi House. See reactions "They would be encouraged to utilize shelters," Yates said in response to inquiries about where homeless people would go. Both bills passed with the necessary majority, mostly along party lines. Actions by Yates and Hood this session continued to follow a national trend of lawmakers passing bills to address homelessness related issues. That includes in the City of Jackson. In December 2024, an ordinance was introduced that would have effectively banned homeless encampments on city and public property. But it was delayed "indefinitely" by Ward 7 Councilwoman and Council President Virgi Lindsay, who initially introduced the ordinance, after deciding that more discussion needed to be had with stakeholders, including nonprofits and programs helping the homeless population. Jackson's proposed ordinance was modeled off of another that was approved in Grants Pass, Oregon, which was upheld in a 6-3 decision by the United States Supreme Court last year. The Supreme Court ruled the Grants Pass ordinance as constitutional, stating that people without homes can be arrested and fined for sleeping in public spaces. City council postpones homelessness vote Jackson City Council President delays vote on ordinance banning homeless encampments. See why Similar ordinances have also been proposed in other cities in Mississippi, including Ocean Springs and Southaven. HB 1197 was also amended to provide that counties and municipalities can opt out of the program to require permits to be obtained by homeless people. Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature and state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@ or 972-571-2335. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS House passes anti-homeless bills to prevent camping, panhandling
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Homeless restriction bills advance in Mississippi House. See reactions
Two pieces of legislation aiming to limit where homeless people can sleep and where they can solicit donations from the public have advanced in the Mississippi House of Representatives. On Tuesday, the House Judiciary A Committee passed two bills, House Bill 1197 and 1203, respectively. Combined, they would require any person soliciting for money or anything of value in a roadway to acquire a permit with a local police department and also prohibit them from "camping on public property." "It's a safety issue," said Rep. Shanda Yates, I-Jackson. "We limit (HB 1197) to just roadways. We're not talking about sidewalks or any other areas with that. It's literally just the roadways and the median. It is a public safety issue." Yates, an independent from North Jackson, said HB 1197 and 1203 came about from hearings held over the summer and fall aimed at finding ways to improve the City of Jackson, the state's capital city. More on homelessness Supreme Court ruling complicates homeless life, Jackson police and social service response Yates also said she knew of several nonprofits within Jackson looking to address homeless people's need for housing. "(They) are collectively meeting and working with United Way on putting up signs concerning giving to United Way, as opposed to handing money directly to panhandlers," Yates said. "(We want to) collectively give as a community, so that United Way can go out and make a collective effort to help those who need the help the most." HB 1197 states: "'Solicitation or solicit' means to request money or anything of value as a donation or contribution while standing, sitting or positioned in any manner on any road, street, highway median, traffic island or highway intersection; or to request any other thing of value in exchange for any goods, wares, merchandise or thing of value while standing, sitting or positioned in any manner on any road, street, highway median, traffic island or highway intersection." Actions by Yates and Hood follow a national trend of lawmakers passing bills to address homelessness related issues. That includes in the City of Jackson. In December 2024, an ordinance was introduced that would have effectively banned homeless encampments on city and public property. But it was delayed "indefinitely" by Ward 7 Councilwoman and Council President Virgi Lindsay, who initially introduced the ordinance, after deciding that more discussion needed to be had with stakeholders, including nonprofits and programs helping the homeless population. Jackson homelessness ban debate: Jackson City Council President delays vote on ordinance banning homeless encampments. See why Similar ordinances have also been proposed in other cities in Mississippi, including Ocean Springs and Southaven. Jackson's proposed ordinance was modeled off of another that was approved in Grants Pass, Oregon, which was upheld in a 6-3 decision by the United States Supreme Court earlier this year. The Supreme Court ruled the Grants Pass ordinance as constitutional, stating that people without homes can be arrested and fined for sleeping in public spaces. The Supreme Court's decision overturned a lower court's decision, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that banning camping in areas lacking sufficient shelter beds amounts to cruel and unusual punishment under the 8th Amendment. HB 1203 sponsor and Judiciary A Chairman Joey Hood, R-Ackerman, told the Clarion Ledger he is not sure yet when he will take up the two bills on the House floor. He has until Feb. 13 to pass it out of the House chamber and send it over to the Senate for further consideration. Grant McLaughlin covers the Legislature and state government for the Clarion Ledger. He can be reached at gmclaughlin@ or 972-571-2335. This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Homeless restriction bills move up in Mississippi Legislature
