2017 Legislator Business & Jobs Report Card


W. Briggs Hopson, III


Republican

District: 23

BIPEC Grade:  

   A   
Bill Issue Business Vote Legislator Voted Link to Vote
HB 1426 Asbestos Litigation Transparency Legislation will require plaintiffs in asbestos suits to file their trust claims before proceeding to trial. This simple change will discourage fraud and prevent abusive "double dipping." The business vote was in support of the legislation.
YEA
YEA
View Vote
HB 1426 Amendment 1 This was an attempt to weaken the Asbestos Litigation Transparency Legislation by adding to the intent and findings of the legislature in section 2 with slanted and unverifiable information. The business vote was in opposition to the amendment.
NAY
NAY
View Vote
SB 2689 Will prohibit personal use of campaign money. It prohibits personal spending of campaign money including: mortgage, rent or utility payments for any residential property of a candidate or family member, clothing, automobiles, travel expenses not related to a campaign or holding office, admission to entertainment events and non-documented loans. The business vote was in support of the legislation.
YEA
YEA
View Vote
SB 3033 Allocated $45 million in bonds for capital improvements and upgrades to the state-owned shipyard occupied by Ingalls Shipbuilding, the largest private employer in the state. Other initiatives in legislation include: The Mississippi Site Development Grant Program to improving the marketability of publicly owned industrial property for industrial economic development purposes ($2 Million); MDA's ACE Fund to provide economic development grants ($10 Million); and the Mississippi Business Investment Act to provide local government's funding for infrastructure upgrades ($7 Million). The business vote was in support of the legislation.
YEA
YEA
View Vote
SB 2939 Would have allowed county boards of supervisors and municipal authorities to enter into fee-in-lieu agreements for ad valorem taxes for projects totaling over $60 million. The current threshold is $100 million, which prohibits local authorities from offering a very useful incentive to potential projects that could have a significant impact on local economies. The business vote was in support of the legislation.
YEA
YEA
View Vote
HB 1340 Reduces the allowable annual fluctuation, up or down, in the value of farm land from 10% to 4%. The valuation of agricultural land is determined by a complex formula that considers soil types, productivity and other criteria set forth in the land appraisal manual compiled by the DOR. The business vote was in support of the legislation.
YEA
YEA
View Vote
HB 1596 Increases by $50 million the statewide total income tax inventory credit for small businesses. The business vote was in support of the legislation.
YEA
YEA
View Vote
SB 3021 Exempts from ad valorem taxation vessels that are used for the exploration for, or production of, oil, gas and other minerals while in the possession of the manufacturer or builder. It also exempts from sales tax the sales of electricity, current, power, steam, coal, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or other fuels engaged in the conversion of natural sand into proppants used in oil and gas exploration. The business vote was in support of the legislation.
YEA
YEA
View Vote
HB 686 This legislation allows a taxpayer three years to request a revision of their state income tax return. The business vote was in support of the legislation.
YEA
YEA
View Vote
HB 1601 Allows a first-time home buyer to deduct up to $2,500 from state adjusted gross income annually and for couples to set aside $5,000 annually from their state adjusted gross income for the purpose of creating a savings account for a home purchase down payment or other related expenses. The business vote was in support of the legislation.
YEA
YEA
View Vote
SB 2445 This legislation will reduce unnecessary and repetitive paperwork imposed on financial institutions when responding to DOR-issued tax levies by creating a new, voluntary “data match” system designed to make the process or responding to levies more efficient.
YEA
YEA
View Vote


Return to Legislator Grades