House Bill 162

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI ACHIEVING A BETTER LIFE EXPERIENCE (ABLE) ACT; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS AND PHRASES RELATING TO THE MISSISSIPPI ABLE PROGRAM; TO ESTABLISH AND PRESCRIBE THE POWERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI ABLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI ABLE PROGRAM; TO PRESCRIBE CERTAIN TERMS OF ABLE PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO UNDER THE PROGRAM; TO ESTABLISH THE ABLE TRUST FUND; TO EXEMPT PROPERTY IN THE TRUST FUND FROM TAXATION AND TO ESTABLISH DEDUCTIONS FOR PAYMENTS TO ABLE ACCOUNTS; TO PRESCRIBE THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO INVEST FUNDS IN THE TRUST FUND; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO PROVIDE ANNUAL ACCOUNTING STATEMENTS; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO ESTABLISH AND ADMINISTER THE MISSISSIPPI ABLE PROGRAM OR TO ENTER INTO A CONSORTIUM WITH ANOTHER STATE OR STATES TO PROVIDE MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS ACCESS TO ABLE ENROLLMENT BY JULY 1, 2018; TO SPECIFY THE REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE MET BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE A PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT FOR THE PROGRAM WHICH CONTAINS SPECIFIED PROVISIONS AUTHORIZING OTHER PROVISIONS THAT MAY BE INCLUDED IN THE AGREEMENT; TO PROVIDE FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE AGREEMENT UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO PROVIDE THAT A CONTRACT OR PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BY THE BOARD OR AN OBLIGATION OF THE BOARD DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OBLIGATION OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO CONTRACT WITH OTHER STATES FOR SPECIFIED PURPOSES UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE TERMINATION OF THE PROGRAM UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES AND FOR THE DISPOSITION OF CERTAIN ASSETS UPON TERMINATION; TO PROHIBIT THE STATE FROM LIMITING OR ALTERING THE SPECIFIED VESTED RIGHTS OF DESIGNATED BENEFICIARIES EXCEPT UNDER SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES; TO EXEMPT FUNDS PAID INTO THE PROGRAM'S TRUST FUND FROM THE CLAIMS OF SPECIFIED CREDITORS; TO PROVIDE FOR RECOVERY BY THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID OF CERTAIN MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO A DECEASED DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE BALANCE OF A DECEASED DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY'S ABLE ACCOUNT; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO ASSIST AND COOPERATE WITH THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION AND DIVISION OF MEDICAID PROGRAM IN OTHER STATES BY PROVIDING SPECIFIED INFORMATION; TO AMEND SECTION 27-7-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXCLUDE PAYMENTS TO AN ABLE ACCOUNT FROM THE DEFINITION OF GROSS INCOME FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-7-17 AND 27-7-18, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Cory Wilson

  Sponsor

• House of Representatives committee amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Feb 2

• House of Representatives floor amendmentPending

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Jan 3 – Feb 2

1. Jan 3Referred to the House committees on Public Health and Human Services and on Revenue and Expenditure General Bills
2. Jan 18Reported as amended from PH to GB in the House: title sufficient, do pass
3. Jan 25Reported as amended from GB to PH in the House: title sufficient, do pass
4. Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass as amended
5. Feb 2Amended in the House
6. Passed the House as amended

In the Senate Feb 2 – Feb 28

1. Feb 2Motion in the House to reconsider entered (Paden, Mims and Johnson (87th))
2. Feb 3Motion in the House to reconsider tabled
3. Sent to the Senate
4. Feb 15Referred to the Senate committee on Finance
5. Feb 28Died in committee in the Senate