2021 Legislator Business & Jobs Report Card


John G. Faulkner


Democrat

District: 5

BIPEC Grade 2021:  

   B   
Bill Issue Business Vote Legislator Voted Link to Vote
HB 1439 This 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.
NAY
NAY
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SB 2971 Senate 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.
NAY
NAY
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SB 2825 SB 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.
YEA
NAY
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SB 2822 The 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.
YEA
YEA
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HB 1197 This 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.
YEA
YEA
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HB 632 The “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.
YEA
YEA
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HB 1446 HB 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.
YEA
YEA
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HB 1135 House 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.
YEA
YEA
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SB 2626 Senate 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.
YEA
YEA
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HB 1139 This 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.
YEA
YEA
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SB 2024 SB 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.
YEA
YEA
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SB 2603 SB 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.
YEA
YEA
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SB 2624 SB 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.
YEA
YEA
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SB 2373 Motor fuel sales; provide immunity for damages caused by the use of incompatible fuel upon certain conditions.
YEA
YEA
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HB 1 This 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.
YEA
YEA
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HB 633 This 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.
YEA
YEA
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