Bills in the 2009 Regular Session, Senate.
Michael Watson
Sponsored
Became law2
Memorial highways; designate portion of MS Highway 63 in the City of Moss Point as "Louis Jackson Boulevard."
Memorial highways; designate portion of I-10 in the City of Moss Point as "Officer Larry DeWayne Lee Memorial Highway."
Passed the Senate5
Memorial bridges; designate certain bridges and U.S. Highways in Jackson and Lowndes Counties.
Immigration Reform Act of 2009; enact.
Recall election procedures for local officials by referendum; specifically include local school board members.
Charter schools; authorize additional open-enrollment public charter schools with certain requirements.
Driver's licenses; require additional documentation of legal status of applicants.
In committee16
Privatization of school bus transportation; State Board of Education to issue regulations for contracts.
Homestead exemption; increase for persons 65 years of age or older or totally disabled.
Landlord tenant relations; require locks to be changed between residential tenancies.
Sales taxation; exempt retail sales of certain clothing during the last weekend in July.
Breach of security; require notice.
Toys; prohibit sale of those containing lead at toxic levels.
Real estate transactions; require disclosure if meth production occurred on the property.
School term; cannot begin before Labor Day.
Local school district budgets; require at least 75% to be expended for instructional purposes.
Real property purchases; governmental entities may negotiate settlements.
Corrections; prohibit trusty convicted of murder from working at Governor's Mansion.
Business identity theft; create (AG).
Sex offense; revise definition (MPA).
Children's Product Safety; create(AG).
Breach of security; require notice (AG).
Internet pharmacies; regulate (MBN).
Co-sponsored
Became law · 6
Sales tax; revise rate on certain sales of tractors, farm implements, logging/pulpwood equipment, repair parts and labor.
Failing schools and school districts; enact "Children First Act of 2009."
DNA preservation; revise Post Conviction Collateral Relief Act.
Scenic highways; rename "Highway 67 Scenic Byway" as the "Biloxi D'Iberville Scenic Expressway."
Annual reports by state agencies; to be electronically transmitted to legislators unless a hard copy is requested.
Statewide monetary assessments; clarify and revise.
Passed the Senate · 16
Firearms; restrict power of confiscation.
Rape or sexual battery of a child; mandate life without parole for.
Eminent domain; restrict to direct public use.
Auto liability insurance coverage; require before receiving tag.
Ad valorem tax; require millage rate reduction for purposes of calculating proposed increase where assessed value increases.
Concealed weapons; remove prohibition against carrying in a public park.
MS Telephone Solicitation Act; apply to cellular telephones.
Tort immunity; include food donated to needy.
Child Protection Act; enact.
Elections; require electors to present certain types of identification before being allowed to vote.
Income tax; authorize income tax credits for health care providers that participate in TRICARE military health care system.
Motor vehicle license tags; require proof of citizenship or legal alien status to obtain.
Ignition interlock; require for DUI-restricted driver's license.
Caller ID Anti-Spoofing Act; create.
Inventory tax; authorize a tax credit for.
Bonds; auth. g.o. bonds for DFA improvements at State Fire Academy & Local System Bridge Replacement & Rehab. Fund.
Out of committee · 1
Municipal traffic cameras; prohibit.
In committee · 8
Income taxation; exclude wages of certain full-time students from gross income.
Smoking in all public places; prohibit.
Random nicotine testing; require for Medicaid recipients.
Universities and colleges; aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States shall pay out-of-state tuition.
Gubernatorial pardon; require public hearing.
Health insurance; require health insurance policies and State Health plan to cover autism spectrum disorders.
Bonds; authorize issuance for certain state highway and infrastructure projects.
Appropriations; Department of Insurance, Windstorm Reinsurance.