House Bill 1655

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-299, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IN ORDER TO QUALIFY TO RUN FOR OFFICE, A CANDIDATE MUST SUBMIT, ALONG WITH THE QUALIFICATION FEES, A NOTARIZED WRITTEN STATEMENT AND A COPY OF THE CANDIDATE'S MISSISSIPPI IDENTIFICATION CARD; TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO ASSESS A FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR FINE TO ANY STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE THAT FAILS TO TRANSMIT ANY WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND ACCOMPANYING FEES TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE BY 6:00 P.M. ON THE DATE OF THE QUALIFYING DEADLINE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE FINE SHALL BE FOR EACH WRITTEN STATEMENT THAT IS SUBMITTED AFTER 6:00 P.M. ON THE DATE OF THE QUALIFYING DEADLINE; TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO DEPOSIT ANY FINES RECEIVED FROM ANY STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE INTO THE ELECTIONS SUPPORT FUND; TO PROVIDE A TIMELINE FOR AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR THE SECRETARY OF STATE, WHICHEVER IS APPLICABLE, TO DETERMINE WHETHER A CANDIDATE MEETS THE QUALIFICATIONS TO HOLD THE OFFICE HE OR SHE SEEKS; TO PROVIDE THAT ONCE AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HAS DETERMINED WHETHER A CANDIDATE IS QUALIFIED TO HOLD THE OFFICE HE OR SHE SEEKS, THE SECRETARY OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SHALL TRANSMIT A LIST OF ALL OF THOSE CANDIDATES AND HOW THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE RULED ON THEIR QUALIFICATIONS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR REVIEW; TO PROVIDE THE SECRETARY OF STATE A TIMELINE TO DETERMINE IF THE CANDIDATES WERE PROPERLY QUALIFIED OR DISQUALIFIED; TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE SECRETARY OF STATE DISAGREES WITH A DECISION MADE BY AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL NOTIFY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND CANDIDATE AND GIVE THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND CANDIDATE TEN DAYS TO APPEAL THAT DETERMINATION; TO PROVIDE THE SECRETARY OF STATE TEN DAYS TO CONSIDER THE APPEAL OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OR CANDIDATE; TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE SECRETARY OF STATE UPHOLDS HIS DETERMINATION, THE CANDIDATE MAY APPEAL THAT DETERMINATION; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A CANDIDATE HAS VOTED IN ANY ELECTION OUTSIDE OF THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH THEY SEEK TO REPRESENT DURING THE PERIOD IN WHICH THE CANDIDATE IS REQUIRED TO HAVE RESIDED WITHIN THE JURISDICTION, THE NAME OF SUCH CANDIDATE SHALL NOT APPEAR ON THE BALLOT; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-961, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-359, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THE PROCESS FOR THAT JUDICIAL REVIEW; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A CANDIDATE HAS VOTED IN ANY ELECTION OUTSIDE OF THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH THEY SEEK TO REPRESENT DURING THE PERIOD IN WHICH THE CANDIDATE IS REQUIRED TO HAVE RESIDED WITHIN THE JURISDICTION, THE NAME OF SUCH CANDIDATE SHALL NOT APPEAR ON THE BALLOT; TO PROVIDE THAT A CANDIDATE AGGRIEVED BY THE DECISION OF THE APPROPRIATE ELECTION COMMISSION MAY FILE A PETITION FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE ELECTION COMMISSION WHOSE DECISION IS BEING REVIEWED SITS; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-1093, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CHANGE THE DEADLINE TO QUALIFY TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT FROM JANUARY 1 THROUGH JANUARY 15 TO NOVEMBER 15 THROUGH DECEMBER 15; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 23-15-963, 23-15-1085 AND 23-15-1089, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Kevin Felsher

  Sponsor

• House of Representatives floor amendmentAdopted

  Adopted Mar 7

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

In the House of Representatives Feb 19 – Mar 7

1. Feb 19Referred to the House committee on Apportionment and Elections
2. Feb 29Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass as a committee substitute
3. Mar 7Committee substitute adopted in the House
4. Amended in the House
5. Passed the House as amended

In the Senate Mar 7 – Apr 2

1. Mar 7Motion in the House to reconsider entered (Taylor, Sanford and Tullos)
2. Mar 14Motion in the House to reconsider tabled
3. Sent to the Senate
4. Mar 21Referred to the Senate committee on Elections
5. Apr 2Died in committee in the Senate