2020 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.


Representatives / Senators

Grade 2020 Office Holder Party District
SB 3049Known as the "Mississippi Back-to-Business Liability Assurance and Health Care Emergency Response Liability Protection Act," this legislation will help protect businesses and healthcare providers against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. This vital legislation will preserve both justice and economic recovery in Mississippi by enacting reasonable safeguards against a potential surge of coronavirus lawsuits. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1783This legislation would have protected businesses against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. While this bill did not pass, the business protection provisions were covered in the passage of SB 3049, the "Mississippi Back-to-Business Liability Assurance and Health Care Emergency Response Liability Protection Act." The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1783 - A1This amendment would have significantly weakened the liability protections against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. The business vote was against the amendment.
HB 1783 - A2This amendment would have significantly weakened the liability protections against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. The business vote was against the amendment.
HB 1779This legislation would have protected healthcare workers against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. While this bill did not pass, the protection provisions for healthcare workers were covered in the passage of SB 3049, the "Mississippi Back-to-Business Liability Assurance and Health Care Emergency Response Liability Protection Act." The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1779 - A1This amendment would have significantly weakened the liability protections against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. The business vote was against the amendment.
HB 1243The legislation increases penalties for trespassing or deliberately damaging a variety of energy facilities like pipelines and refineries. It will protect our crucial energy infrastructure and ensure families and small businesses continue to access essential energy services. HB 1243 will help ensure that legitimate free speech rights are protected while preventing fringe anti-energy activists from committing crimes, impeding, vandalizing, or trespassing on our critical energy infrastructure. The business vote was for the legislation.
HCR 79HCR 79 suspended the procedural rules to allow legislation to be introduced to remove the state flag. BIPEC supported legislative efforts to change the state flag. The business vote was for the resolution.
HB 1796HB 1796 removed the Mississippi state flag and created a group to design a new one that will be voted on in November. 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 379This legislation requires third-party sellers with sales of more than $250,000, such as Amazon and Walmart, to collect the state's 7% use tax on online purchases. The Department of Revenue estimated the tax could produce $30 million to $50 million annually, with 35 percent of that going to cities, counties, and the Local System Bridge Program as outlined in the 2018 law that taxes internet sales and diverts some of the use tax diversion to cities and counties. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 837This legislation would have required private insurance plans to cover specific health benefits. The costs associated with the mandate would ultimately result in increased premiums. This would impact the ability of small businesses to provide cost-effective health insurance. The state employees' health insurance plan and self-insured (ERISA) plans were exempted, making small businesses' financial impact even greater. The legislation passed in the House and was killed in the Senate. The business vote was against the legislation.
HB 750This legislation would have changed the policy set many years ago by the Workers Compensation Commission (WCC) of sharing injured workers' contact information with lawyers looking to recruit clients. The legislation passed the House and failed in the Senate. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 576The "Livestock Liability" bill conforms Mississippi's livestock tort law to the remainder of Mississippi tort law. Before this law passed, the livestock owner had to prove they were not negligent in livestock escaping into the highway if there was an accident involving the livestock. Further, this was not consistent with the law on county roads. The Livestock Liability bill solved both issues. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2772This legislation created two COVID-19 small business relief grant programs. It transferred $900 million of CARES Act funds for the legislature to appropriate and then created the $60 million Mississippi COVID-19 Relief Payment Fund and the $240 million Back to Business Mississippi Grant Fund. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2430This legislation establishes a five (5) year statute of repose for civil actions against real estate appraisers, real estate brokers, and real estate salespersons. It provides additional protections for real estate brokers, salespersons, and appraisers. The main exception to the law change is when fraud is involved. This legislation helps protect business owners against frivolous lawsuits. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2709The legislation could allow for an insurance rate reduction for commercial buildings statewide that are strengthened against wind damage according to standards set by the Mississippi Windstorm Mitigation Coordination Council and approved by the Commissioner of Insurance. The discounts are to be available for new construction and to any owner "who retrofits existing commercial insurable property to resist loss due to tornado or other catastrophic windstorm events." The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1784This legislation transferred $181,775,000.00 in CARES Act funds to the Unemployment Trust Fund. It also allows other unallocated but unstated CARES Act funds to go to the Trust Fund on December 30, 2020. This is an effort to avoid a potential tax increase if the fund drops below a certain amount. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1371Lawmakers passed legislation to reform the Commercial Drivers' License (CDL) process. It allows for online renewal of CDLs, allows third-part examiners to give CDL tests as long as the examiner does not work for a trucking company, requires DPS to upload an updated medical card within five days of receiving the driver's information, and notifies a truck driver of their card being updated within 24 hours. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2328This legislation improves the Emerging Crops Loan Program to keep up with poultry house construction's rising costs. The program began making loans in 1990. In 1990, an average four-house farm cost $300,000, now a farm with six, much-larger houses with much more technology, runs $2 million. The legislation increases the amount that can be loaned from $200,000 to $250,000 at one time and raised the lifetime cap from $400,000 to $500,000 under the revolving loan program. The bill also allows the issuance of $5 million more in bonds for the program. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1212This legislation ensures that real estate brokers who are lawfully responsible for overseeing licensed salespersons have had ample opportunity to gain the necessary experience to oversee, train, and guide their agents. HB 1212 ensures security for consumers, brokers, and everyone involved in a real estate transaction. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2564This legislation allows the State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) to oversee the newly created Office of Workforce Development. The legislation also gives the office of workforce development oversight control of state-sourced workforce dollars, including the Workforce Enhancement Fund and the Mississippi Works Fund. The office will collaborate with the State Community College Board on the distribution and purpose of those funds. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1165The bill would have required the state's K-12 public schools to offer computer science to all elementary and high school students. Under the legislation, the state would have taken a phased approach to introduce computer science starting in the 2021-2022 school year. The bill aimed to inspire and educate more students on academic and career opportunities associated with science, technology, engineering, and math-related studies. The legislation passed in the House and died in the Senate. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 3051This legislation prohibits a tax increase for a business's general experience rating. SB 3051 says, "charges attributed to each employer's individual experience rate for the period July 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, will not impact the employer's individual experience rate calculations for purposes of calculating the total unemployment insurance rate for 2022 and the two (2) subsequent tax rate years." The business vote was for the legislation.
Grade 2020 Office Holder Party District
SB 3049Known as the "Mississippi Back-to-Business Liability Assurance and Health Care Emergency Response Liability Protection Act," this legislation will help protect businesses and healthcare providers against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. This vital legislation will preserve both justice and economic recovery in Mississippi by enacting reasonable safeguards against a potential surge of coronavirus lawsuits. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1783This legislation would have protected businesses against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. While this bill did not pass, the business protection provisions were covered in the passage of SB 3049, the "Mississippi Back-to-Business Liability Assurance and Health Care Emergency Response Liability Protection Act." The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1783 - A1This amendment would have significantly weakened the liability protections against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. The business vote was against the amendment.
HB 1783 - A2This amendment would have significantly weakened the liability protections against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. The business vote was against the amendment.
HB 1779This legislation would have protected healthcare workers against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. While this bill did not pass, the protection provisions for healthcare workers were covered in the passage of SB 3049, the "Mississippi Back-to-Business Liability Assurance and Health Care Emergency Response Liability Protection Act." The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1779 - A1This amendment would have significantly weakened the liability protections against frivolous COVID-19-related claims. The business vote was against the amendment.
HB 1243The legislation increases penalties for trespassing or deliberately damaging a variety of energy facilities like pipelines and refineries. It will protect our crucial energy infrastructure and ensure families and small businesses continue to access essential energy services. HB 1243 will help ensure that legitimate free speech rights are protected while preventing fringe anti-energy activists from committing crimes, impeding, vandalizing, or trespassing on our critical energy infrastructure. The business vote was for the legislation.
HCR 79HCR 79 suspended the procedural rules to allow legislation to be introduced to remove the state flag. BIPEC supported legislative efforts to change the state flag. The business vote was for the resolution.
HB 1796HB 1796 removed the Mississippi state flag and created a group to design a new one that will be voted on in November. 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 379This legislation requires third-party sellers with sales of more than $250,000, such as Amazon and Walmart, to collect the state's 7% use tax on online purchases. The Department of Revenue estimated the tax could produce $30 million to $50 million annually, with 35 percent of that going to cities, counties, and the Local System Bridge Program as outlined in the 2018 law that taxes internet sales and diverts some of the use tax diversion to cities and counties. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 837This legislation would have required private insurance plans to cover specific health benefits. The costs associated with the mandate would ultimately result in increased premiums. This would impact the ability of small businesses to provide cost-effective health insurance. The state employees' health insurance plan and self-insured (ERISA) plans were exempted, making small businesses' financial impact even greater. The legislation passed in the House and was killed in the Senate. The business vote was against the legislation.
HB 750This legislation would have changed the policy set many years ago by the Workers Compensation Commission (WCC) of sharing injured workers' contact information with lawyers looking to recruit clients. The legislation passed the House and failed in the Senate. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 576The "Livestock Liability" bill conforms Mississippi's livestock tort law to the remainder of Mississippi tort law. Before this law passed, the livestock owner had to prove they were not negligent in livestock escaping into the highway if there was an accident involving the livestock. Further, this was not consistent with the law on county roads. The Livestock Liability bill solved both issues. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2772This legislation created two COVID-19 small business relief grant programs. It transferred $900 million of CARES Act funds for the legislature to appropriate and then created the $60 million Mississippi COVID-19 Relief Payment Fund and the $240 million Back to Business Mississippi Grant Fund. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2430This legislation establishes a five (5) year statute of repose for civil actions against real estate appraisers, real estate brokers, and real estate salespersons. It provides additional protections for real estate brokers, salespersons, and appraisers. The main exception to the law change is when fraud is involved. This legislation helps protect business owners against frivolous lawsuits. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2709The legislation could allow for an insurance rate reduction for commercial buildings statewide that are strengthened against wind damage according to standards set by the Mississippi Windstorm Mitigation Coordination Council and approved by the Commissioner of Insurance. The discounts are to be available for new construction and to any owner "who retrofits existing commercial insurable property to resist loss due to tornado or other catastrophic windstorm events." The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1784This legislation transferred $181,775,000.00 in CARES Act funds to the Unemployment Trust Fund. It also allows other unallocated but unstated CARES Act funds to go to the Trust Fund on December 30, 2020. This is an effort to avoid a potential tax increase if the fund drops below a certain amount. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1371Lawmakers passed legislation to reform the Commercial Drivers' License (CDL) process. It allows for online renewal of CDLs, allows third-part examiners to give CDL tests as long as the examiner does not work for a trucking company, requires DPS to upload an updated medical card within five days of receiving the driver's information, and notifies a truck driver of their card being updated within 24 hours. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2328This legislation improves the Emerging Crops Loan Program to keep up with poultry house construction's rising costs. The program began making loans in 1990. In 1990, an average four-house farm cost $300,000, now a farm with six, much-larger houses with much more technology, runs $2 million. The legislation increases the amount that can be loaned from $200,000 to $250,000 at one time and raised the lifetime cap from $400,000 to $500,000 under the revolving loan program. The bill also allows the issuance of $5 million more in bonds for the program. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1212This legislation ensures that real estate brokers who are lawfully responsible for overseeing licensed salespersons have had ample opportunity to gain the necessary experience to oversee, train, and guide their agents. HB 1212 ensures security for consumers, brokers, and everyone involved in a real estate transaction. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 2564This legislation allows the State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) to oversee the newly created Office of Workforce Development. The legislation also gives the office of workforce development oversight control of state-sourced workforce dollars, including the Workforce Enhancement Fund and the Mississippi Works Fund. The office will collaborate with the State Community College Board on the distribution and purpose of those funds. The business vote was for the legislation.
HB 1165The bill would have required the state's K-12 public schools to offer computer science to all elementary and high school students. Under the legislation, the state would have taken a phased approach to introduce computer science starting in the 2021-2022 school year. The bill aimed to inspire and educate more students on academic and career opportunities associated with science, technology, engineering, and math-related studies. The legislation passed in the House and died in the Senate. The business vote was for the legislation.
SB 3051This legislation prohibits a tax increase for a business's general experience rating. SB 3051 says, "charges attributed to each employer's individual experience rate for the period July 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020, will not impact the employer's individual experience rate calculations for purposes of calculating the total unemployment insurance rate for 2022 and the two (2) subsequent tax rate years." The business vote was for the legislation.
A
 Shane Aguirre Rep 17
A
 Nick Bain Rep 2
A
 Manly Barton Rep 109
A
 Charles Jim Beckett Rep 23
A
 Donnie Bell Rep 21
A
 Richard Bennett Rep 120
A
 Charles Busby Rep 111
A
 Larry Byrd Rep 104
A
 Samuel Creekmore Rep 14
A
 Clay Deweese Rep 12
NV
A
 Casey Eure Rep 116
A
 Michael T. Evans Ind 45
A
 Kevin Felsher Rep 117
P
A
 Jill Ford Rep 73
P
A
 Kevin Ford Rep 54
A
 Philip Gunn Rep 56
A
 Joey Hood Rep 35
A
 Kevin Horan Rep 34
A
 Mac Huddleston Rep 15
A
 Trey Lamar Rep 8
NV
A
 Steve Massengill Rep 13
A
 Missy McGee Rep 102
NV
A
 Gene Newman Rep 61
A
 Karl Oliver Rep 46
A
 Brent Powell Rep 59
P
A
 John Read Rep 112
NV
A
 Rob Roberson Rep 43
NV
A
 Fred Shanks Rep 60
A
 Jody Steverson Rep 4
A
 Jerry R. Turner Rep 18
A
 Tom Weathersby Rep 62
A
 Jason White Rep 48
A
 Lee Yancey Rep 74
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
A
 Henry Zuber Rep 113
B
 Brent Anderson Rep 122
B
 William Tracy Arnold Rep 3
NV
B
 Shane Barnett Rep 86
EA
B
 C. Scott Bounds Rep 44
B
 Randy P. Boyd Rep 19
B
 Chris Brown Rep 20
EA
EA
EA
EA
B
 Billy Adam Calvert Rep 83
B
 Lester Carpenter Rep 1
B
 Becky Currie Rep 92
NV
B
 Jerry Darnell Rep 28
B
 Dan Eubanks Rep 25
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
EA
B
 Dale Goodin Rep 105
B
 Jeff Hale Rep 24
B
 Greg Haney Rep 118
NV
NV
B
 Steve Hopkins Rep 7
EA
EA
EA
EA
B
 Bill Kinkade Rep 52
B
 Timmy Ladner Rep 93
B
 Vince Mangold Rep 53
B
 Jay McKnight Rep 95
B
 Doug McLeod Rep 107
B
 Sam C. Mims Rep 97
B
 Ken Morgan Rep 100
NV
NV
B
 Jansen T. Owen Rep 106
NV
B
 Randall Patterson Rep 115
B
 Bill Pigott Rep 99
NV
B
 Randy Rushing Rep 78
B
 Noah Sanford Rep 90
P
NV
B
 Donnie Scoggin Rep 89
B
 Troy Smith Rep 84
B
 Price Wallace Rep 77
B
 Stacey Wilkes Rep 108
B
 Brady Williamson Rep 10
NV
NV
NV
C
 Cedric Burnett Dem 9
P
C
 Angela Cockerham Ind 96
C
 Carolyn Crawford Rep 121
NV
NV
C
 Jeffrey S. Guice Rep 114
NV
NV
NV
C
 Stephen A. Horne Rep 81
NV
C
 Johnathan Ray Lancaster Dem 22
C
 Kent McCarty Rep 101
NV
NV
C
 Dana McLean Rep 39
NV
NV
C
 Thomas U. Reynolds Dem 33
D
 Earle S. Banks Dem 67
D
 Joel Bomgar Rep 58
EA
NV
NV
EA
D
 Bo Brown Dem 70
D
 Dana Criswell Rep 6
EA
EA
NV
NV
D
 Ronnie C. Crudup Dem 71
D
 John G. Faulkner Dem 5
D
 Stephanie Foster Dem 63
P
D
 Debra Gibbs Dem 72
P
D
 Karl Gibbs Dem 36
D
 Gregory Holloway Dem 76
P
D
 Abe Hudson Dem 29
D
 Robert L. Johnson III Dem 94
D
 Lataisha Jackson Dem 11
P
D
 Tom Miles Dem 75
D
 Cheikh Taylor Dem 38
D
 Rickey Thompson Dem 16
D
 Mark Tullos Rep 79
D
 Kenneth Walker Dem 27
D
 Shanda Yates Dem 64
P
D
 Charles Young Dem 82
F
 Jeramey D. Anderson Dem 110
NV
F
 Otis Anthony Dem 31
F
 Willie Bailey Dem 49
F
 Christopher Bell Dem 65
F
 Edward Blackmon Dem 57
F
 Bryant W. Clark Dem 47
F
 Alyce G. Clarke Dem 69
NV
NV
F
 Oscar Denton Dem 55
F
 Jarvis Dortch Dem 66
F
 Bob Evans Dem 91
F
 Jeffery Harness Dem 85
F
 John W. Hines Dem 50
NV
NV
F
 Kabir Karriem Dem 41
F
 Hester Jackson McCray Dem 40
F
 Carl Mickens Dem 42
F
 Solomon C. Osborne Dem 32
F
 Orlando Paden Dem 26
F
 Daryl Porter Dem 98
F
 Tracey T. Rosebud Dem 30
NV
F
 Omeria Scott Dem 80
F
 Rufus Straughter Dem 51
F
 Zakiya Summers Dem 68
F
 Percy W. Watson Dem 103
F
 Sonya Williams-Barnes Dem 119
Results: 119