[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6361940,"mediaKeyId","2169194-d3e37ef5875da6eb9ac79195a409b4ad","parentId",2169194,"title","AET Committee reports a slate of bills on procurement, telework, records and bidding thresholds","audioSeconds",3563,"startMs",0,"endMs",3563000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169194-d3e37ef5875da6eb9ac79195a409b4ad&start=0&end=3563","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169194-d3e37ef5875da6eb9ac79195a409b4ad/thumbnail_0.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6361940/Mississippi/AET-Committee-reports-a-slate-of-bills-on-procurement-telework-records-and-bidding-thresholds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361940-5e4570e9c71c994caf3297fa77f51236/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001790&Signature=P6Dj6lEORqoxZrQkg5kfbRKhzjjwyO8ZYG5VWuc3LYmv2MaQ9FRVZsgSQCUCdmGA0FqWNdWBRsYJgtspOCktsdJwY~9vnze63~IWvgBRs5t69t1XyGCsJS473XVX6gMh8RK9YUiEOmNb33iRAYynej0GTwmbsNNTbB5vK~8v6LhAbPgcce6-RIse0y5MyHTXG0ZD9S8BiVadPJ1s0LJH6lKsCXNn5CaJUTAdG35RqNCwDqqVEabTM7xKBahkuSuWKX0ENwOxgwuwUnvLAnLbnU~~MGWP0~trB5QLzwpWEjBBTgQRPHjYX1m4m7Ki3HBEg5WQ8XS9YY9takUSl4UNMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mississippi Legislature","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency Committee heard and reported a group of bills covering administrative repealers, telework policy, procurement thresholds, public-records treatment of messages and a study committee on tax diversions.

Key items and committee actions:

- Senate Bill 2078: Extended the repealer for the State Board of Funeral Services until July 1, 2029. Motion: title sufficient, do pass. Reported.

- Senate Bill 2079: Extended the repealer relating to public contracts for energy-efficiency services and clarified that the Energy Division may oversee energy service contracts and require energy and fuel usage reporting for efficiency analysis; repealer extended to 2029. Motion: title sufficient, do pass. Reported.

- Senate Bill 2080: Extended the telework policy repealer for two years; sponsors described recordkeeping and personnel‑board reporting requirements for telework arrangements. Committee requested staff to help gather agency telework counts ahead of floor consideration. Motion: title sufficient, do pass. Reported.

- Senate Bill 2574: Raised the threshold for when performance bonds are required on government contracts. Committee adopted an amendment lowering the sponsor’s initial proposal ($75,000) to $50,000 in committee; motion to adopt amendment passed and the bill was reported as amended.

- Senate Bill 2578: Clarifies that text messages are exempt from Public Records Act requirements unless they relate to public business; committee adopted a technical amendment to reference SMS, MMS and RCS formats; bill reported as amended.

- Senate Bill 2582: Creates a study committee to review whether local tax collections and diversions are properly returned to municipalities; committee composition includes revenue commissioner, legislative members and municipal representatives. Motion: title sufficient, do pass. Reported.

- Senate Bill 2591: Adds exemptions for purchasing electronic devices (laptops, tablets, peripherals) for education purchases, streamlining procurement for school technology; reported.

- Senate Bill 2830: Increased the public bid threshold from $5,000 to $15,000; reported.

- Senate Bill 2832: Allows online publication as an alternative to newspaper publication in counties with no local newspaper; reported.

Most motions in the session were adopted by voice vote; committee chairs repeatedly asked for and received “aye” from the committee. Where members proposed amendments (notably SB 2574 and SB 2578) those changes were adopted and the bills were reported from committee.

Action summary: Each listed bill was reported from committee after motions that the title was sufficient and that the bill do pass (some as amended).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency - Room 216, 30 January, 2025; 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The AET committee reported a package of bills by voice vote, ranging from repealer extensions and telework rules to procurement thresholds and a municipal tax‑diversion study committee.","taxTitle","Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Mississippi","taxId",29364,"location","Mississippi","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361944,"Committee clears bill to let Jackson Water access tax‑exempt capital markets; sponsors say governance unaffected",333,2407000,2740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169194-d3e37ef5875da6eb9ac79195a409b4ad&start=2407&end=2740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169194-d3e37ef5875da6eb9ac79195a409b4ad/thumbnail_2407000.jpg","/articles/6361944/Mississippi/Committee-clears-bill-to-let-Jackson-Water-access-taxexempt-capital-markets-sponsors-say-governance-unaffected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361944-8632687805ce6a3c58c48ce48a23d142/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001790&Signature=WYljVtOntxsvbil0GEOjhJUsir9K2~rtKS-~n8SgdVqTMH4Gzs~4CgmYZ~fjQ~dOIBBFQGqegcM1h2ZMhfESDNX64aPRLFIxgujCNcXWrrGrNcYKr3r31bWSE5j~ppQ70ixJauprtV~KfDHRuswwsNzxypQKYnL8MHWJbc8wVBHt41eIiGa5BHAzoOLIdsAxbMjux9Y3lPqFGaUgzEYX4YhnEsHT8YcCtikLecpoqAmqujenc196NEBEfzwCn5zOSegRxWDCnoq0VpvhVyq3rZES79w7qAW1~wekdzsqvx8Vr4Kc7IsUxNZIqNZO5z4JdxOSck5E675-mSKWMdAxbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 2575 was reported from the Senate Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency Committee after sponsors said the narrow change will allow the entity managing Jackson Water to access tax‑exempt capital markets without altering governance.

Sponsor (Senator, sponsor) and Senator Blunt described the bill as a targeted, non‑governance change aimed at improving Jackson Water’s financing options. The sponsor said federal receivers and a third‑party receiver have been supporting Jackson Water and that certain funds the receiver controls cannot currently be used to retire debt; the bill's language would allow a profit or nonprofit entity “solely for the purpose of complying with federal and state order” to be treated similarly to nonprofits for access to tax‑exempt capital.

Senator Blunt told the committee the measure “makes no change to the governance of the Jackson Water System today or in the future” and that treating the receiver as a nonprofit for financing is intended to allow access to tax-exempt markets and lower borrowing costs. The sponsor and supporters told senators the change responds to requests from the federal receiver and is aimed at stabilizing the water system’s finances so the receiver can continue operations.

Committee members raised no sustained opposition; Senator Blunt and others indicated support. The committee adopted a motion that the title is sufficient and that the bill do pass; the bill was reported from committee by voice vote.

Action: Title sufficient, do pass; reported from committee.","Senate Bill 2575 was reported after sponsors said it will treat the entity overseeing Jackson Water like a nonprofit for the limited purpose of accessing tax‑exempt capital markets; sponsors and supporters said the measure does not change water system governance.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361949,"Committee adds reverse-repealer and extra oversight duties to procurement review board bill",324,308000,632000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169194-d3e37ef5875da6eb9ac79195a409b4ad&start=308&end=632","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169194-d3e37ef5875da6eb9ac79195a409b4ad/thumbnail_308000.jpg","/articles/6361949/Mississippi/Committee-adds-reverse-repealer-and-extra-oversight-duties-to-procurement-review-board-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361949-305527103f1d19755516188a63208d41/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001790&Signature=V2ckaLxbwXi1jH9CWc6h-aO3SzRj-HPIOuSZFU~iLAWestndWxY3kGEMN~OeWEDp0CfGWW3ggZj4-eHMFSTHxjrVUD1hpZiuL4GVegzLeGLbR2c17zN-1JCnW1lcF5dU5eCVYYTNxKv8qyuY2O8zEFNqvoQY~F~juq1sKMnnrKpCFW6pPaIieAVeLHsxNaJpoLKSScm8FFyTOw1aGcutzUmOKu-CIriEu1PbdvJMwX7QWJ7TBidMrlXBwM~j7iFRzTN~Z3E5o2xosUyS5vkGFxzi65N7K4MDCGfllOukSYVEM6ZoQsgC0Cs3JtH7dJha0TVSM44cEIdmCftuRv1OPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency Committee amended and reported Senate Bill 2377 after members added a reverse‑repealer and expanded the Procurement Policy Review Board’s (PPRB) responsibilities.

The chair said the amendment would add “a good bit more scrutiny and oversight to the PPRB board” and that the changes respond to concerns expressed to the committee. Under the added language, the PPRB would gain authority to reject procurement approvals or leases on specific grounds including financial nonviability, conflicts of interest, lack of deliverable definitions, excessive cost, vendor lack of qualifications, incomplete or misleading documentation, and insufficient debt justification. The bill also clarifies that emergency contracts must document the nature of the emergency, demonstrate reasonable cost considerations, and are subject to retroactive review.

Senator Hobson asked whether the language originated in other states; the sponsor said the language came from feedback from the PPRB and counsel, and that while other states sometimes have similar provisions, the draft was based on local board input. The sponsor invited committee members to propose additional refinements, describing the committee as a place for \"additional education and thought\" on procurement policy.

Members moved and adopted a motion to add the reverse‑repealer; the committee later adopted a motion that the title is sufficient and that the bill do pass as amended. The bill was reported from committee by voice vote.

Action: Motion to add reverse-repealer adopted; title sufficient, do pass as amended; bill reported from committee.","Senate Bill 2377 was amended to add a reverse repealer and expanded grounds for the Procurement Policy Review Board to reject contracts; the committee reported the bill after voice votes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6361956,"Senate AET panel advances bill expanding auditor audits and requiring notice for large consent decrees",1491,598000,2089000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2169194-d3e37ef5875da6eb9ac79195a409b4ad&start=598&end=2089","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2169194-d3e37ef5875da6eb9ac79195a409b4ad/thumbnail_598000.jpg","/articles/6361956/Mississippi/Senate-AET-panel-advances-bill-expanding-auditor-audits-and-requiring-notice-for-large-consent-decrees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6361956-893875fbd7d7ae17473ae98f114f74ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001790&Signature=fzLRidBB5SvjLc7VViGr4kvc6R2hcRykNch~ruKIy-GszDWXBIqiOWrg-n9rCzGtgRXLghHOBv~dhe-UvjEbA8IdYWffimt6CJ6~REuQYzOBuSNb38oMVTDG70FtQpE4a5Nywb0h0JccGYRJxhcvtO4npt9XKll9sylhV1OkC7ZNOn6J0c00ESUCn2OEi8~nwvXGmOinrWJSYjARhviWBfqnJXVeyp-Js5AB74tH1XuHiOkYSRaq2misBhoayzcl2NjyeOMzf2Z3i~ZzN1BUh5qfFhIV0uc~Dt41DXxScqrjPpcNTT4coURFlylIQICrDeUSQjcYYI3PwR5K8uuG0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency Committee moved Senate Bill 2847 forward after senators adopted several amendments clarifying and expanding the state auditor's oversight and adding a notice requirement for certain consent decrees.

Sponsor (Senator, sponsor) told the committee the bill “increases the number of required audits by the state auditor and clears up ambiguity in the statute” and that the measure \"does not decrease audits or investigations.\" The sponsor said the bill grew from concerns first noted September 12 and from consultations with the secretary of state and the attorney general.

The bill, as amended in committee, requires a pre-audit and post-audit when a for-profit or nonprofit receives $10,000,000 or more in public funds and directs that, when the auditor relies on outside accounting firms, a financial statement audit be conducted and working papers be available to the auditor. The sponsor said the changes are aimed at giving the state auditor more “comprehensive audit documentation” to analyze findings.

Section 1 creates a notification requirement: certain consent decrees or judgments that would require an expenditure exceeding a specified amount or would “impact the administration of any election” must trigger written notification to the governor and specified legislative leaders. Colby, a staff member from the Secretary of State’s office, told the committee the provision is intended to notify the legislature when a consent agreement could prevent an election official from performing statutory duties; he said the change is limited to notification and does not require legislative approval.

Committee members pressed for clarifications and edits. Senator Blunt moved and the committee adopted an amendment striking language that would have broadly exempted records from the Public Records Act when transmitted under the new notice requirement; the committee also accepted an amendment raising the notification dollar threshold from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 for the Secretary of State-related provision and inserted explicit post‑audit language for profit entities.

The bill also removes a unique phrase in current law that created ambiguity about who should institute suit on unpaid demands; committee members said the change clarifies that the attorney general will prosecute such cases in coordination with the auditor. The sponsor told senators the attorney general’s office affirmed willingness to assume that role.

After amendments, the committee adopted a motion that the title is sufficient and that the bill do pass as amended; the motion carried by voice vote and the bill was reported from committee.

The committee discussion contained questions about scope — particularly what constitutes something that would “impact the administration of any election” — and the sponsor and Secretary of State staff said they expect further drafting in later stages if needed. The sponsor said he withheld legislative action on social media and wanted the measure vetted in committee.

Action: Title sufficient, do pass as amended; bill reported from committee.

Votes at a glance: voice votes were taken at multiple points; committee recorded the motions as adopted and the bill as reported.","The Senate Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency Committee reported Senate Bill 2847 after adopting amendments that increase required audits by the state auditor, clarify prosecution authority for unpaid demands, and require prior notice to the governor and legislature for certain consent decrees affecting elections or exceeding $5 million.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

AET Committee reports a slate of bills on procurement, telework, records and bidding thresholds

Committee clears bill to let Jackson Water access tax‑exempt capital markets; sponsors say governance unaffected

Committee adds reverse-repealer and extra oversight duties to procurement review board bill

Senate AET panel advances bill expanding auditor audits and requiring notice for large consent decrees