Legislature Briefs
Committee to look at utility-hike bill
A House bill that could eventually allow utility companies to raise rates before construction begins on additional plants will not be heard on the House floor.
House Public Utilities Committee Chairman Tyrone Ellis, D-Starkville, said his committee will instead tighten a Senate version so that it will offer more protection for ratepayers.
Entergy is considering building an additional nuclear plant next to the Grand Gulf Nuclear Plant at Port Gibson. Mississippi Power wants to build a $1.8 billion coal plant in Kemper County.
Entergy officials have said incremental rate hikes over an eight-year period of planning and building the nuclear plant would prevent a huge rate hike thereafter. But consumer advocacy groups, legislators and public service commissioners worry that ratepayers could be stuck with the tab if construction plans fall through.
House backs stiff bribery penalties
The House has voted to impose stiff penalties for bribing judges.
House Bill 1108 that passed 122-0 Tuesday says someone found guilty of the felony could be punished by five to 20 years in prison and a fine of at least $25,000 or three times the amount of the bribe.
The bill moves to the Senate for more work.
House Judiciary A Committee Chairman Ed Blackmon Jr., D-Canton, says the bill was inspired by current events.
Trial lawyer Dickie Scruggs and others are set to go on trial in late March on federal charges of attempting to bribe a state court judge.
Senate approves judicial changes
Candidates for Justice Court judge would have to run without party affiliation and, if elected, be required to pass a minimum competency exam under a bill that cleared the Senate on Tuesday.
Senate Bill 2571 was drafted based on recommendations from a task force formed to review the Justice Court system. The salaries of many of the judges would be increased under the bill.
Charter-school plan advances
School districts with more than 500 students would be able to establish a charter school geared toward helping underperforming students under a bill passed by a voice vote in the Senate on Tuesday.
But Senate Bill 2721 would limit the number of charter schools that could be established by one or multiple school districts to five in the state. The legislation also would require approval from the local school board and the state Department of Education.
Supporters say the bill will help at-risk students, but critics say it would be redundant of responsibilities public schools already have and fear it could allow districts to cherry pick students.
The bill now advances to the House for consideration.
Bill addresses blind-trust issues
A bill that would establish regulations for blind trusts cleared the House floor Tuesday.
House Bill 795, passed on a 116 to 2 vote, addresses trusts established after July 1. It would not apply to a trust created by GOP Gov. Haley Barbour when he took office in 2004.
Blind trusts are sometimes created by politicians to shield themselves from conflicts of interest. State law mandates that public officials disclose sources of private income of more than $2,500. But the law does not address blind trusts.
The Senate recently passed an omnibus ethics reform bill that contains blind-trust provisions.
Senators support curbside voting
A bill that would allow curbside voting for some disabled residents, require more training for poll workers and place tighter restrictions on the handling of absentee ballots passed the Senate on Tuesday evening.
After nearly two hours of debate, Senate Bill 2910, backed by Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann, cleared the floor on a vote of 27-20.
Amendments to the original legislation eliminated two of the most controversial components. Senators voted not to include reregistering all Mississippi voters or allow early voting.
The bill now moves to the House for consideration.