We have now completed the fourth week of the 2022 legislative session and were on deadline Feb. 1 for bills to pass out of committee. Entering the week, we had passed about 200 bills out of committee.
The conference report on Senate Bill 2095 (Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act) was adopted by both the House and Senate last week. The measure handily passed the House by a vote of 105-13. I supported passage of the Act. It has been made dramatically clear that marijuana (cannabis) is a substance that offers relief to those individuals battling chronic, debilitating pain. The bill we passed provides for adequate restrictions and controls to address any regulatory concerns. The final version of the bill has been sent to Gov. Tate Reeves where he can either sign or veto the bill. The 70% of Mississippians who voted to approve this program in 2019 should be pleased.
There are some things that just shouldn’t be tolerated. Hitting a referee is one of them. House Bill 169 would add athletic umpires and referees to the list of people for which the act of simple assault is elevated to aggravated assault. Under Mississippi law, simple assault carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a $1,000 fine, while a person charged with aggravated assault could face a penalty of one to 20 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. After many questions and debate, HB 169 was laid on the table subject to call and remains on the House calendar. This means that it can be called up any time between now and Feb. 10 for reconsideration.
After Feb. 1, no additional general bills will be added to the House calendar for consideration. Members will also meet in session for longer periods to discuss the bills that make it out of their respective committees. The next deadline is Feb. 10, when all general measures originating in the House must be passed and sent to the Senate, if they are to survive this session.
If I can be of assistance to you, please contact me. My email address is tureynolds2@gmail.com. My home address is 1720 North Main Street, Water Valley, MS 38965, and my office address is P.O. Box 280, Charleston, MS 38921. My office phone number is 662-647-3203.
