2021 Legislator Business & Jobs Report Card

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voted for business/jobs position
voted against business/jobs position
NV = Not Voting
EA = Excused Absence
P = Present

* Points were not deducted for those voting Present (P) or for those with a Excused Absence (EA). Points were deducted for those Not Voting.


Senators / Representatives

Grade Office Holder Party District▼
HB 1439This would have imposed a sales tax increase on businesses. While the legislation would have phased out the individual income tax, it would have imposed significant increases in sales taxes on certain business inputs. Those affected include the following industries: manufacturing, farming, timber, dairy, and automobile dealers. Electric power associations would have also faced increased costs that would likely be passed on to consumers, including business customers, in the form of higher rates. All businesses and industries would have paid 2.5 percent more in sales tax on purchases of business-related goods, services, telecommunications services, and utilities currently subject to the 7 percent rate. The business vote was against the legislation.
SB 2971Senate Bill 2971 was amended in the House to include a version of the tax bill (HB 1439). While the amendment removed tax increases on some industries, many still faced significant tax increases on business inputs. However, all businesses and industries would still have paid more in sales tax. The regular retail sales tax rate applicable to ordinary purchases of business-related goods, services, telecommunications services, and utilities would have increased from 7% to 9.5%. The business vote was against the legislation.
SB 2825SB 2825 raises weight limits for harvest permits in 2023 to bring them more in line with surrounding states. The bill also increases overweight fines, moves weight enforcement from the Miss. Department of Transportation (MDOT) to the Department of Public Safety, and creates a harvest permit advisory council. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2822The mFLEX proposal would have combined some of the most commonly used tax credits into one easy-to-use incentive. Streamlining incentives in this way would maximize the value of potential credits while giving Mississippi a unique competitive advantage. Offering a more flexible incentive structure would provide real value to current Mississippi companies and help attract new industries. While the legislation passed both chambers, it ultimately died in conference. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1197This would have done away with the mandated reverse auction bidding system. This process is not suited for all purchases since it focuses so intently on initial pricing, and buyers may get subpar quality and much higher life-cycle costs. HB 1197 included language that would allow for a transparent way for local governing authorities to provide situation-specific exemptions when reverse auctions do not make the most sense. Unfortunately, the Senate removed the language. The business vote was for the legislation in the House.
HB 632The “All Fuels Act” prohibits local governments from barring the use of natural gas in homes and businesses. This legislation provides business owners consistent and transparent rules for the future use of much-needed, lower-cost, and reliable natural gas. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1446HB 1446 amends Section 57-121-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, to provide that eligible expenses for which grant funds were received under the Back to Business Mississippi Grant Program may be itemized as income tax deductions. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1135House Bill 1135 created an alcohol delivery service permit to deliver beer, wine, and spirits within a 30-mile radius. This allows permitted package stores to deliver or use a permitted third-party delivery service within a 30-mile radius. For restaurants, this expands the current wine-to-go legislation to allow for the delivery of beer or one bottle of wine. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2626Senate Bill 2626 allows corporations to continue the cost-reduction practices of virtual shareholder meetings permanently, temporarily allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, after the state of emergency ends. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1139This legislation repeals the law requiring businesses to pay estimated sales. Current law requires businesses that collect an average of $50,000 in sales taxes annually to pay sales tax collected in May and pay 75% of their anticipated sales tax collections in advance for June. The law is effective immediately, and therefore, the double payment will not be required beginning June 2021. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2024SB 2024 exempts term bids from reverse auctions providing procurement relief for many entities. It also amends bidding requirements for agencies and governing authorities by prohibiting the use of reverse auctions for term contracts which is a positive step forward in providing procurement relief. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2603SB 2603 streamlines the process for obtaining a salvage title so that an insurance company can more easily dispose of a vehicle after a total loss once the claim has been paid. The bill creates significant opportunities for increased efficiencies for companies involved in this process by modernizing acceptable notification delivery methods, reducing wait times, and allowing a contracted agent to act on behalf of insurance companies. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2624SB 2624 would have established a three-year pilot program to provide an option for licensees to choose an independent administrative hearing officer in a disciplinary hearing, enhancing due process rights for real estate licensees in Mississippi. The bill would have also afforded real estate licensees the right of supersedeas so that they may continue to earn a living while appeals are working their way through the court system, except in cases where the court finds clear and convincing proof that they pose a threat to the public. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2373Motor fuel sales; provide immunity for damages caused by the use of incompatible fuel upon certain conditions.
HB 1This cemented the voter-approved flag into state law. BIPEC's mission statement emphasizes that Mississippi businesses should 'unite, protect, and advance free enterprise.' Mississippi is always competing for economic development opportunities. The old flag put us at a disadvantage. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 633This will require the state’s K-12 public schools to offer computer science to all elementary and high school students. Under the legislation, the state will take a phased approach to introduce computer science starting in the 2022 school year. The goal of this legislation is to inspire and educate more students on academic and career opportunities associated with science, technology, engineering, and math-related studies. The business vote was for the legislation.
Grade Office Holder Party District
HB 1439This would have imposed a sales tax increase on businesses. While the legislation would have phased out the individual income tax, it would have imposed significant increases in sales taxes on certain business inputs. Those affected include the following industries: manufacturing, farming, timber, dairy, and automobile dealers. Electric power associations would have also faced increased costs that would likely be passed on to consumers, including business customers, in the form of higher rates. All businesses and industries would have paid 2.5 percent more in sales tax on purchases of business-related goods, services, telecommunications services, and utilities currently subject to the 7 percent rate. The business vote was against the legislation.
SB 2971Senate Bill 2971 was amended in the House to include a version of the tax bill (HB 1439). While the amendment removed tax increases on some industries, many still faced significant tax increases on business inputs. However, all businesses and industries would still have paid more in sales tax. The regular retail sales tax rate applicable to ordinary purchases of business-related goods, services, telecommunications services, and utilities would have increased from 7% to 9.5%. The business vote was against the legislation.
SB 2825SB 2825 raises weight limits for harvest permits in 2023 to bring them more in line with surrounding states. The bill also increases overweight fines, moves weight enforcement from the Miss. Department of Transportation (MDOT) to the Department of Public Safety, and creates a harvest permit advisory council. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2822The mFLEX proposal would have combined some of the most commonly used tax credits into one easy-to-use incentive. Streamlining incentives in this way would maximize the value of potential credits while giving Mississippi a unique competitive advantage. Offering a more flexible incentive structure would provide real value to current Mississippi companies and help attract new industries. While the legislation passed both chambers, it ultimately died in conference. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1197This would have done away with the mandated reverse auction bidding system. This process is not suited for all purchases since it focuses so intently on initial pricing, and buyers may get subpar quality and much higher life-cycle costs. HB 1197 included language that would allow for a transparent way for local governing authorities to provide situation-specific exemptions when reverse auctions do not make the most sense. Unfortunately, the Senate removed the language. The business vote was for the legislation in the House.
HB 632The “All Fuels Act” prohibits local governments from barring the use of natural gas in homes and businesses. This legislation provides business owners consistent and transparent rules for the future use of much-needed, lower-cost, and reliable natural gas. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1446HB 1446 amends Section 57-121-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, to provide that eligible expenses for which grant funds were received under the Back to Business Mississippi Grant Program may be itemized as income tax deductions. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1135House Bill 1135 created an alcohol delivery service permit to deliver beer, wine, and spirits within a 30-mile radius. This allows permitted package stores to deliver or use a permitted third-party delivery service within a 30-mile radius. For restaurants, this expands the current wine-to-go legislation to allow for the delivery of beer or one bottle of wine. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2626Senate Bill 2626 allows corporations to continue the cost-reduction practices of virtual shareholder meetings permanently, temporarily allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, after the state of emergency ends. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1139This legislation repeals the law requiring businesses to pay estimated sales. Current law requires businesses that collect an average of $50,000 in sales taxes annually to pay sales tax collected in May and pay 75% of their anticipated sales tax collections in advance for June. The law is effective immediately, and therefore, the double payment will not be required beginning June 2021. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2024SB 2024 exempts term bids from reverse auctions providing procurement relief for many entities. It also amends bidding requirements for agencies and governing authorities by prohibiting the use of reverse auctions for term contracts which is a positive step forward in providing procurement relief. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2603SB 2603 streamlines the process for obtaining a salvage title so that an insurance company can more easily dispose of a vehicle after a total loss once the claim has been paid. The bill creates significant opportunities for increased efficiencies for companies involved in this process by modernizing acceptable notification delivery methods, reducing wait times, and allowing a contracted agent to act on behalf of insurance companies. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2624SB 2624 would have established a three-year pilot program to provide an option for licensees to choose an independent administrative hearing officer in a disciplinary hearing, enhancing due process rights for real estate licensees in Mississippi. The bill would have also afforded real estate licensees the right of supersedeas so that they may continue to earn a living while appeals are working their way through the court system, except in cases where the court finds clear and convincing proof that they pose a threat to the public. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2373Motor fuel sales; provide immunity for damages caused by the use of incompatible fuel upon certain conditions.
HB 1This cemented the voter-approved flag into state law. BIPEC's mission statement emphasizes that Mississippi businesses should 'unite, protect, and advance free enterprise.' Mississippi is always competing for economic development opportunities. The old flag put us at a disadvantage. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 633This will require the state’s K-12 public schools to offer computer science to all elementary and high school students. Under the legislation, the state will take a phased approach to introduce computer science starting in the 2022 school year. The goal of this legislation is to inspire and educate more students on academic and career opportunities associated with science, technology, engineering, and math-related studies. The business vote was for the legislation.
B
 Lester Carpenter Rep 1
B
 Nick Bain Rep 2
C
 William Tracy Arnold Rep 3
EA
B
 Jody Steverson Rep 4
B
 John G. Faulkner Dem 5
F
 Dana Criswell Rep 6
D
 Steve Hopkins Rep 7
B
 Trey Lamar Rep 8
B
 Cedric Burnett Dem 9
C
 Brady Williamson Rep 10
EA
C
 Lataisha Jackson Dem 11
B
 Clay Deweese Rep 12
B
 Steve Massengill Rep 13
B
 Samuel Creekmore Rep 14
B
 Mac Huddleston Rep 15
B
 Rickey Thompson Dem 16
B
 Shane Aguirre Rep 17
B
 Jerry R. Turner Rep 18
B
 Randy P. Boyd Rep 19
C
 Chris Brown Rep 20
B
 Donnie Bell Rep 21
C
 Johnathan Ray Lancaster Dem 22
B
 Charles Jim Beckett Rep 23
NV
B
 Jeff Hale Rep 24
C
 Dan Eubanks Rep 25
P
C
 Orlando Paden Dem 26
NV
C
 Kenneth Walker Dem 27
C
 Jerry Darnell Rep 28
C
 Abe Hudson Dem 29
P
C
 Tracey T. Rosebud Dem 30
NV
C
 Otis Anthony Dem 31
P
C
 Solomon C. Osborne Dem 32
C
 Thomas U. Reynolds Dem 33
NV
NV
B
 Kevin Horan Rep 34
B
 Joey Hood Rep 35
C
 Karl Gibbs Dem 36
C
 Joseph L. Wright Rep 37
C
 Cheikh Taylor Dem 38
B
 Dana McLean Rep 39
C
 Hester Jackson McCray Dem 40
B
 Kabir Karriem Dem 41
C
 Carl Mickens Dem 42
B
 Rob Roberson Rep 43
B
 C. Scott Bounds Rep 44
B
 Michael T. Evans Ind 45
B
 Karl Oliver Rep 46
C
 Bryant W. Clark Dem 47
NV
NV
B
 Jason White Rep 48
C
 Willie Bailey Dem 49
C
 John W. Hines Dem 50
NV
C
 Rufus Straughter Dem 51
B
 Bill Kinkade Rep 52
B
 Vince Mangold Rep 53
B
 Kevin Ford Rep 54
C
 Oscar Denton Dem 55
NV
B
 Philip Gunn Rep 56
C
 Edward Blackmon Dem 57
F
 Joel Bomgar Rep 58
B
 Brent Powell Rep 59
B
 Fred Shanks Rep 60
B
 Gene Newman Rep 61
B
 Tom Weathersby Rep 62
EA
EA
EA
B
 Stephanie Foster Dem 63
P
P
C
 Shanda Yates Dem 64
C
 Christopher Bell Dem 65
NV
C
 De'Keither A. Stamps Dem 66
P
C
 Earle S. Banks Dem 67
P
C
 Zakiya Summers Dem 68
NV
D
 Alyce G. Clarke Dem 69
NV
C
 Bo Brown Dem 70
C
 Ronnie C. Crudup Dem 71
P
P
P
NV
C
 Debra Gibbs Dem 72
P
P
P
NV
B
 Jill Ford Rep 73
B
 Lee Yancey Rep 74
C
 Tom Miles Dem 75
B
 Gregory Holloway Dem 76
P
P
B
 Price Wallace Rep 77
B
 Randy Rushing Rep 78
B
 Mark Tullos Rep 79
D
 Omeria Scott Dem 80
NV
NV
NV
F
 Stephen A. Horne Rep 81
NV
NV
B
 Charles Young Dem 82
NV
B
 Billy Adam Calvert Rep 83
NV
C
 Troy Smith Rep 84
C
 Jeffery Harness Dem 85
NV
B
 Shane Barnett Rep 86
B
 Joseph Tubb Rep 87
B
 Robin Robinson Rep 88
EA
EA
EA
EA
B
 Donnie Scoggin Rep 89
B
 Noah Sanford Rep 90
P
C
 Bob Evans Dem 91
P
B
 Becky Currie Rep 92
B
 Timmy Ladner Rep 93
C
 Robert L. Johnson III Dem 94
NV
B
 Jay McKnight Rep 95
B
 Angela Cockerham Ind 96
B
 Sam C. Mims Rep 97
C
 Daryl Porter Dem 98
B
 Bill Pigott Rep 99
B
 Ken Morgan Rep 100
B
 Kent McCarty Rep 101
B
 Missy McGee Rep 102
B
 Percy W. Watson Dem 103
B
 Larry Byrd Rep 104
B
 Dale Goodin Rep 105
B
 Jansen T. Owen Rep 106
B
 Doug McLeod Rep 107
NV
C
 Stacey Wilkes Rep 108
B
 Manly Barton Rep 109
C
 Jeramey D. Anderson Dem 110
NV
B
 Charles Busby Rep 111
B
 John Read Rep 112
B
 Henry Zuber Rep 113
C
 Jeffrey S. Guice Rep 114
EA
EA
EA
EA
NV
B
 Randall Patterson Rep 115
B
 Casey Eure Rep 116
B
 Kevin Felsher Rep 117
B
 Greg Haney Rep 118
NV
B
 Sonya Williams-Barnes Dem 119
NV
P
B
 Richard Bennett Rep 120
B
 Carolyn Crawford Rep 121
B
 Brent Anderson Rep 122
Results: 122