House Bill 536

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "UNEMPLOYMENT" TO EXCLUDE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING VOLUNTARY PAYMENTS FROM EMPLOYERS IF THOSE PAYMENTS EQUAL THEIR REGULAR SALARY AND INDIVIDUALS ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE; TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "WAGES" TO INCLUDE PAYMENTS FROM EMPLOYERS THAT ARE IN LIEU OF THE EMPLOYEE'S REGULAR WAGES; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-365, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO DESIGNATE A DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE TO DETERMINE WHETHER AN EMPLOYER REPORT ON CONTRIBUTIONS DUE IS INCORRECT OR SUFFICIENT, MAKE AN ASSESSMENT ON BEST INFORMATION AVAILABLE, ASSESS THE CONTRIBUTIONS DUE, AND ASSESS A PENALTY IF ONE IS NEEDED FOR NONCOMPLIANT EMPLOYERS; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-363, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO ABATE INTEREST ACCRUED ON PAST DUE CONTRIBUTIONS OR OVERPAYMENTS WHEN NEGOTIATING THE SETTLEMENTS OF SUCH PAST DUE AMOUNTS; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-389, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT TAX OFFSETS ARE FROM BOTH THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-355, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THAT A PERSON WHO ACQUIRES A BUSINESS SOLELY TO OBTAIN A LOWER RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS SHALL HAVE A TWO PERCENT INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE; TO CREATE THE "COMPREHENSIVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION REFORM (CCATER) ACT"; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-15-38, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO ALL INCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS OF THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFERED BY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS; TO REQUIRE ALL STUDENTS TO TAKE THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT IS ADMINISTERED IN THE NINTH, TENTH OR ELEVENTH GRADE; TO REVISE THE CURRICULUM IN THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT LOCAL BUSINESS OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO HOLD AN ASSOCIATE OR BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN ORDER TO BE GRANTED AN EXPERT CITIZEN-TEACHER LICENSE; TO EXPAND THE EXPERT CITIZEN-TEACHER LICENSE FROM ONE YEAR TO FIVE YEARS; TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF EMPLOYED BY A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT OR NONPUBLIC SCHOOL ACCREDITED OR APPROVED BY THE STATE FOR A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS SHALL BE GRANTED A STANDARD TEACHER LICENSE; TO REQUIRE SUCH TEACHERS TO COMPLY WITH ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING TEACHERS, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND COMPLETION OF THE REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-17-6, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE ACCREDITATION SYSTEM SHALL INCLUDE STUDENT PERFORMANCE ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT, WHICH SHALL BE WEIGHTED IN THE SAME PERCENTAGE AS THE STANDARD ACT ASSESSMENT; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ACTING THROUGH THE COMMISSION ON TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE AND DEVELOPMENT, AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, TO REQUIRE EACH EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM IN THE STATE TO INCLUDE A PRAXIS CORE ACADEMIC SKILLS FOR EDUCATORS EXAMINATION AND A PRAXIS II EXAMINATION PREPARATORY REVIEW COURSE, AS PART OF ITS CURRICULUM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Donnie Bell

  Sponsor

• House of Representatives floor amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Feb 10

• House of Representatives floor amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Feb 11

• Senate committee amendmentPending

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

In the House of Representatives Jan 18 – Feb 10

1. Jan 18Referred to the House committee on Workforce Development
2. Jan 28Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass as a committee substitute
3. Feb 10Committee substitute adopted in the House
4. Amended in the House
5. Passed the House as amended

In the Senate Feb 10 – Mar 10

1. Feb 10Motion in the House to reconsider entered (Bell (21st) and Walker)
2. Feb 11Reconsidered in the House
3. Amended in the House
4. Passed the House as amended
5. Feb 12Sent to the Senate
6. Feb 24Referred to the Senate committees on Education and on Economic and Workforce Development
7. Mar 2Reported as amended from ED to EC in the Senate: title sufficient, do pass
8. Reported from committee in the Senate: title sufficient, do pass as amended
9. Mar 10Died on the calendar in the Senate