House Bill 162

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 5-1-87, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO LIMIT THE INTRODUCTION OF GENERAL BILLS REQUIRING A MAJORITY VOTE FOR PASSAGE TO REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS OCCURRING IN EVEN-NUMBERED YEARS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 5-1-87, Mississippi Code of 1972:

5-1-87. (1) The request for drafting and the introduction and consideration of general bills other than those considered revenue bills under subsection (2) of this section shall be limited to regular legislative sessions occurring in even-numbered years, and a general bill other than a general bill considered a revenue bill under subsection (2) may not be requested, introduced or considered during a regular legislative session occurring in an odd-numbered year.

(2) For purposes of this section, a general bill modifying, adding, deleting or repealing language or a repealer on language which provides for the levying of taxes, borrowing of money, issuing bonds, notes or other evidence of debt, providing for fees or imposing the issuance of a license, of whatever kind by the state or any political subdivision of the state, or the exemption of property from state taxes or taxes of any subdivision of the state, is considered a revenue bill, and no revenue bill, conference committee report on a revenue bill, or concurrence in amendments adopted by the other house may be passed or adopted by either the Senate or the House of Representatives except by a vote of at least three-fifths (3/5) of the members of the Senate and House, respectively, present and voting.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.