Thursday, February 10, was the deadline for House general bills (those not concerning taxes or spending) to be passed out of the House.
House Bill 1425, passed by a vote of 118-2, would create the Wastewater and Drinking Water Infrastructure Grant Program using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the federal government. These funds, which may only be used for certain purposes, may be utilized by municipalities to upgrade their water and sewer systems, and by rural water associations to upgrade their water infrastructure. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the Mississippi Department of Health, which regulate drinking water and wastewater, would oversee the grant program.
House Concurrent Resolution 39 would provide a means for the public to create law, taking the place of the now-defunct initiative process, which was struck down by the Mississippi Supreme Court last summer. After a sufficient number of signatures were gathered, a matter to be placed on the ballot for an up-or-down vote; if successful, the ballot question would be placed into general law, rather than into the Mississippi Constitution.
House Bill 1029 would create the Mississippi Broadband Commission, which would oversee the large amount of federal funds which have come to the state—and which will continue to come for years into the future—to expand broadband. The Commission would provide funding for all different types of broadband carriers—from large companies like AT&T to electric power associations—as well as many different methods of delivering broadband, including by satellite, hardline, and fixed wireless. Many parts of the state are already receiving broadband service from their local electric power association; residents in other areas, however, including ours, are more reliant on satellite or fixed wireless.
These bills and dozens of others will now go to the Senate for consideration. In turn, Senate bills will now be transmitted to the House, where they will be considered in committees before ultimately being debated before the full House.
I appreciate the opportunity to serve. Please contact me if I may be of assistance or if you have questions or concerns.
