Senate Bill 2311

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 THE 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 Senate

• Kevin Blackwell

  Sponsor

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

In the Senate Jan 16 – Feb 7

1. Jan 16Referred to the Senate committee on Finance
2. Jan 31Reported from committee in the Senate: title sufficient, do pass as a committee substitute
3. Feb 7Committee substitute adopted in the Senate
4. Passed the Senate

In the House of Representatives Feb 8 – Mar 6

1. Feb 8Sent to the House
2. Feb 21Referred to the House committee on Revenue and Expenditure General Bills
3. Feb 27Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass
4. Mar 6Passed the House

To the Governor Mar 7 – Mar 20

1. Mar 7Returned to the Senate for enrolling
2. Mar 14Enrolled bill signed in the Senate
3. Enrolled bill signed in the House
4. Mar 20Approved by the Governor