This was the thirteenth week of the 2022 Legislative Session. Legislators worked through the weekend to finalize the state budget and other bills. Most of the budget was not completed by Monday’s deadline, so the legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution 89 extending the session by a few days and suspending the deadlines for certain bills.
Though the hours at the Capitol were long, legislators worked extremely hard. The House adopted more than 80 conference reports on the floor.
Both the House and Senate redistricting plans, JR 1 and JR 202 respectively, were also publicly unveiled this week. Joint Resolution 1 was introduced on Tuesday, and only one amendment was adopted. Amendment 1 to JR 1 by Representative Zakiya Summers (D – Hinds) swaps some precincts in House Districts 67 and 68. JR 1 passed as amended 81-38 before being sent to the Senate. Joint Resolution 202 was taken up on Thursday. The resolution passed with little debate by a vote of 68-49. Both maps can be viewed on the MARIS website.
By the end of the week, it became clear that work on the state budget was not complete. The House passed House Concurrent Resolution 90, which further extends the date of adjourning sine die (the last day of the legislative session). This was done to ensure that the budget is finalized before session concludes. The original date of sine die was Sunday, April 3; per HCR 90, it has been pushed to Sunday, April 10 at midnight. Legislators hope to wrap up business by the beginning of next week.
Reps. Randy Rushing and Troy Smith represent Districts 78 and 84 respectively. They can be reached at rrushing@house.ms.gov and tsmith@house.ms.gov.
