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
 Shane Aguirre Rep 17
B
 Brent Anderson Rep 122
B
 Nick Bain Rep 2
B
 Shane Barnett Rep 86
B
 Manly Barton Rep 109
B
 Charles Jim Beckett Rep 23
NV
B
 Donnie Bell Rep 21
B
 Richard Bennett Rep 120
B
 C. Scott Bounds Rep 44
B
 Randy P. Boyd Rep 19
B
 Cedric Burnett Dem 9
B
 Charles Busby Rep 111
B
 Larry Byrd Rep 104
B
 Billy Adam Calvert Rep 83
NV
B
 Lester Carpenter Rep 1
B
 Angela Cockerham Ind 96
B
 Carolyn Crawford Rep 121
B
 Samuel Creekmore Rep 14
B
 Becky Currie Rep 92
B
 Clay Deweese Rep 12
B
 Casey Eure Rep 116
B
 Michael T. Evans Ind 45
B
 John G. Faulkner Dem 5
B
 Kevin Felsher Rep 117
B
 Jill Ford Rep 73
B
 Kevin Ford Rep 54
B
 Stephanie Foster Dem 63
P
P
B
 Dale Goodin Rep 105
B
 Philip Gunn Rep 56
B
 Jeff Hale Rep 24
B
 Greg Haney Rep 118
NV
B
 Gregory Holloway Dem 76
P
P
B
 Joey Hood Rep 35
B
 Kevin Horan Rep 34
B
 Mac Huddleston Rep 15
B
 Kabir Karriem Dem 41
B
 Bill Kinkade Rep 52
B
 Timmy Ladner Rep 93
B
 Trey Lamar Rep 8
B
 Vince Mangold Rep 53
B
 Steve Massengill Rep 13
B
 Kent McCarty Rep 101
B
 Missy McGee Rep 102
B
 Jay McKnight Rep 95
B
 Dana McLean Rep 39
B
 Doug McLeod Rep 107
NV
B
 Sam C. Mims Rep 97
B
 Ken Morgan Rep 100
B
 Gene Newman Rep 61
B
 Karl Oliver Rep 46
B
 Jansen T. Owen Rep 106
B
 Randall Patterson Rep 115
B
 Bill Pigott Rep 99
B
 Brent Powell Rep 59
B
 John Read Rep 112
B
 Rob Roberson Rep 43
B
 Robin Robinson Rep 88
EA
EA
EA
EA
B
 Randy Rushing Rep 78
B
 Noah Sanford Rep 90
P
B
 Donnie Scoggin Rep 89
B
 Fred Shanks Rep 60
B
 Jody Steverson Rep 4
B
 Rickey Thompson Dem 16
B
 Joseph Tubb Rep 87
B
 Mark Tullos Rep 79
B
 Jerry R. Turner Rep 18
B
 Price Wallace Rep 77
B
 Percy W. Watson Dem 103
B
 Tom Weathersby Rep 62
EA
EA
EA
B
 Jason White Rep 48
B
 Sonya Williams-Barnes Dem 119
NV
P
B
 Lee Yancey Rep 74
B
 Charles Young Dem 82
NV
B
 Henry Zuber Rep 113
C
 Jeramey D. Anderson Dem 110
NV
C
 Otis Anthony Dem 31
P
C
 William Tracy Arnold Rep 3
EA
C
 Willie Bailey Dem 49
C
 Earle S. Banks Dem 67
P
C
 Christopher Bell Dem 65
NV
C
 Edward Blackmon Dem 57
C
 Bo Brown Dem 70
C
 Chris Brown Rep 20
C
 Bryant W. Clark Dem 47
NV
NV
C
 Ronnie C. Crudup Dem 71
P
P
P
NV
C
 Jerry Darnell Rep 28
C
 Oscar Denton Dem 55
NV
C
 Dan Eubanks Rep 25
P
C
 Bob Evans Dem 91
P
C
 Debra Gibbs Dem 72
P
P
P
NV
C
 Karl Gibbs Dem 36
C
 Jeffrey S. Guice Rep 114
EA
EA
EA
EA
NV
C
 Jeffery Harness Dem 85
NV
C
 John W. Hines Dem 50
NV
C
 Abe Hudson Dem 29
P
C
 Robert L. Johnson III Dem 94
NV
C
 Lataisha Jackson Dem 11
C
 Johnathan Ray Lancaster Dem 22
C
 Hester Jackson McCray Dem 40
C
 Carl Mickens Dem 42
C
 Tom Miles Dem 75
C
 Solomon C. Osborne Dem 32
C
 Orlando Paden Dem 26
NV
C
 Daryl Porter Dem 98
C
 Thomas U. Reynolds Dem 33
NV
NV
C
 Tracey T. Rosebud Dem 30
NV
C
 Troy Smith Rep 84
C
 De'Keither A. Stamps Dem 66
P
C
 Rufus Straughter Dem 51
C
 Zakiya Summers Dem 68
NV
C
 Cheikh Taylor Dem 38
C
 Kenneth Walker Dem 27
C
 Stacey Wilkes Rep 108
C
 Brady Williamson Rep 10
EA
C
 Joseph L. Wright Rep 37
C
 Shanda Yates Dem 64
D
 Alyce G. Clarke Dem 69
NV
D
 Steve Hopkins Rep 7
D
 Omeria Scott Dem 80
NV
NV
NV
F
 Joel Bomgar Rep 58
F
 Dana Criswell Rep 6
F
 Stephen A. Horne Rep 81
NV
NV
Results: 122