[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6343372,"mediaKeyId","2252391-c3981b5aa3dd8bfa5c142787b9babbc2","parentId",2252391,"title","Senate committee substitute seeks broad new tools to limit camping, solicitations and encampments; debate centers on services and enforcement","audioSeconds",503,"startMs",3895000,"endMs",4398000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252391-c3981b5aa3dd8bfa5c142787b9babbc2&start=3895&end=4398","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252391-c3981b5aa3dd8bfa5c142787b9babbc2/thumbnail_3895000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6343372/Mississippi/Senate-committee-substitute-seeks-broad-new-tools-to-limit-camping-solicitations-and-encampments-debate-centers-on-services-and-enforcement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343372-f14e056b7534a0205bef4bc768d2da56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095231&Signature=gsMnXcGumy5qVLASky6ULrRhfFKcN9VJCEzg~Pp-Yp5-bGu0LQvXtIiNd4UYJUAQb9jyjBXmpewNrhnysct8kzHS7~secsc3ZY3G5sNSmQ2InxjdKv-aARXhUfxfEmXKkG5VVuDsZ53yUWIg2lX0c5mE08QXhLuB-r1JGl00n3XOVU5xjlJiuAir6Q8OIuhX-UY1Tv7GrBaMnTLLFOcW6X1gbs-zQy2-q~4gxYU2YLmYtvTddKymTMchSPSppDJqUYjGvArvVxjP-Xy-TzS6fCoXAdE~42djfzn1GRO4I8tQ8CgiPZoPVmAB3RNFqEdTp7Qw7w8~14IwZ9oRQl7mtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mississippi Legislature","date","2025-02-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate on Monday debated a sweeping committee substitute intended to give local governments and law enforcement more tools to address public encampments, aggressive panhandling and related behaviors while adding requirements to connect people to social services.

Chairman Fillinghain, who led the bill’s development, described the measure as an omnibus response to complaints from municipalities across the state. The committee substitute would make it unlawful to camp on public property in certain circumstances, require a 48-hour written notice before further enforcement for identified encampments, and treat repeated camping as a misdemeanor with graduated fines and possible jail terms. It would also designate camping violations as a public nuisance that a prosecuting attorney could enjoin and would authorize municipalities and counties to remove encampments on private property when owners request assistance.

The substitute requires a permit from the appropriate local governing authority to solicit contributions on streets, sidewalks or public rights-of-way. It also creates misdemeanors for loitering and aggressive panhandling — the latter would include touching a person, blocking movement or otherwise creating an intimidating approach — with higher penalties for repeated offenses. Importantly, the measure says convictions under the new act shall not appear on a person’s public record, though courts and law enforcement may maintain confidential records to track repeat offenders.

A central and recurring theme in floor debate was treatment and services. An amendment led by Senator Norwood and accepted by the committee requires that any person arrested and brought to a local jail who appears to be in need of mental-health or substance-abuse services be evaluated and, if appropriate, connected to services. Chairman Fillinghain said testimony at committee hearings indicated about 85 percent of people in these situations have substance-abuse or mental-health problems or both; the committee added the evaluation language to avoid creating a purely punitive system.

Several senators pressed on implementation and whether the bill would effectively criminalize homelessness. Senator Norwood, Turner Ford and others pushed for proactive service connections and questioned whether jurisdictions such as Jackson already bear an outsized burden. Senator Horne raised concerns about county jails under consent decrees and whether the measure would place further strain on local detention resources. Fillinghain argued that the status quo — limited options for law enforcement confronting encampments — was untenable and that early intervention and connecting people to treatment would reduce more severe outcomes and downstream criminal cases.

Senator McMahon urged a reverse repeal and additional amendments so the bill could be refined over the coming days; several senators indicated they would offer adjustments including the reverse repeal. The bill’s sponsor and committee said they will continue accommodating amendments and expected further floor work.

Why it matters: The substitute seeks to standardize local authority to remove encampments, regulate solicitation, and provide pathways to mental-health and substance-abuse support — measures that will affect municipalities, law enforcement, shelters and vulnerable individuals.

Actions: Committee substitute adopted; subsequent amendments and final action were pending continuation in the record and sponsors asked for a motion to reconsider to allow further amendment work.

Speakers and attributions below are limited to those recorded in this meeting’s transcript and used for direct quotes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MS Senate Floor - 7 February, 2025; 9:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","A Senate committee substitute would create misdemeanors for certain camping, loitering and aggressive panhandling activities, authorize permits for solicitation and require evaluation and referral for mental-health or substance-abuse services for detainees who appear in need.","taxTitle","Senate, Committees, Legislative, Mississippi","taxId",29102,"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},6343377,"Senate raises per-grant cap for small municipality and limited-population county grants",247,1905000,2152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252391-c3981b5aa3dd8bfa5c142787b9babbc2&start=1905&end=2152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252391-c3981b5aa3dd8bfa5c142787b9babbc2/thumbnail_1905000.jpg","/articles/6343377/Mississippi/Senate-raises-per-grant-cap-for-small-municipality-and-limited-population-county-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343377-525292a542101eb59d5c63210745941f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095231&Signature=hJ1MUK5sW8hGbqy4gDs0zU~lAi3uIP36haZag5vAK4540gDhgRVMvqcgzPE5tAV59OXdIrazTW1Z0EQr9gwl9vsUZhqifc~w9CyL4quw6Tjeb8JFU6W7OWVNET7njcQ0AI3vaSQQu3zD-RqgH-2aMhrnJZxohW832Tr19WHXqLGfBq1aJtUfe8RydFdatNQ0y-AZdGtxqcsHnUP77a0F6fvtqgVrbqxBgdhU~NmZte34oSS9uEUu91wF7IBkekIzgCAcAU6B2fXtBUZMnLoApVJqNe3tOt1XxPxnpcdoYGDJrKEFgg0m2NkMzSMCoOE00c8WMppd5ksIALvx2f52Ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate advanced legislation Monday to increase the maximum award under the Mississippi Development Authority’s small municipality and limited-population county grant program from $250,000 to $1,000,000 per grant.

Senator Johnson explained Senate Bill 2857 to the chamber, saying the increase aligns the program with rising local project costs. Johnson described “small counties” as those under 30,000 residents and “small municipalities” as municipalities under 10,000 (as drafted in the bill). The change raises the per-grant cap but does not itself appropriate funds; any award would be subject to legislative appropriation.

Senator Turner asked whether the program had been funded in the last budget year; Johnson said she believed it was not funded and that the per-grant cap refers to the maximum award a local government could receive when the program is funded. Senator McMahon spoke in favor on the floor, urging appropriators to fund the program and proposing a significant statewide allocation to help municipalities with cleanup and economic projects.

The committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed by use of the morning roll call; the transcript records no numeric roll-call tally on the floor.

Why it matters: raising the per-grant cap would allow single municipal projects with higher costs to tap the small-muni grant program when the legislature funds it, potentially enabling more substantial infrastructure or economic-development investments in small communities.

Actions: Committee substitute adopted; bill passed by morning roll call.

Speakers: Senator Johnson (explanation), Senator Turner (questions), Senator McMahon (floor remarks).","A bill to increase the maximum per-grant award for small municipalities and limited-population counties from $250,000 to $1,000,000 passed the Senate by morning roll call; the program requires appropriation to be funded.",{"_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},6343382,"Senate increases investment thresholds for resort tourism rebate program",193,1484000,1677000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252391-c3981b5aa3dd8bfa5c142787b9babbc2&start=1484&end=1677","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252391-c3981b5aa3dd8bfa5c142787b9babbc2/thumbnail_1484000.jpg","/articles/6343382/Mississippi/Senate-increases-investment-thresholds-for-resort-tourism-rebate-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343382-d5165009f43a21733b898e9e3ea66de0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095231&Signature=EWIEnIT40Sje8dlq5DQ~3psaMIHzpE~6h9HzagNDDUoE9qEDztfS1BiFm4mmsJcuyyumfWnQvFSMYHVWVGG6SWtI6rCDVKIEda3Db2r4BPLMfPTwOxSAwISqQFDQ7Eqz1xcEC0VzwglXGdlMLvWwknO8Bx4gOgOU-tYLHYlt8PUDN0tuYSInVFJgpZX8QP9s7DGdbyP6zK-snh9B0XrA9n2uvbbAEvPDWfWfaJGKIz-hY1WsMA6ShJ57b-sQgM65-NRkh1Ru3nCEj2WFqEXGX7J44528E-rqe-rFnmqbhyLEJaLT0v8VWnBkj25c0dIqexes-zbmPDPfb6jM8NdGgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate approved a committee substitute Monday that raises the private-investment thresholds to qualify for a state tourism rebate program aimed at hotels and resort developments.

Senator Johnson told the chamber the substitute increases required private investment amounts and added a reverse repeal. He described the definition of “resort development” as a travel-destination project with a hotel of at least 200 rooms and a private-investment minimum tied to the number of rooms. The substitute also lowers the share of private investment that may be used for retail from 40% to 30%, directing more of the investment toward hospitality and guest amenities.

Senator Hill asked for a definition read from the bill and confirmed the bill tightens the retail share test so projects are less reliant on retail space. Johnson said the change is intended to ensure that the bulk of the required investment goes toward hotel operations and amenities rather than retail.

The committee substitute was adopted on the floor and the bill was carried forward for final passage by morning roll call; the transcript records the bill passed by that procedure.

Why it matters: the change raises the financial thresholds projects must meet to access the rebate program; by reducing the permissible retail component it encourages projects to emphasize lodging and guest amenities.

Actions: committee substitute adopted; bill passed by use of morning roll call.

Speakers listed for this item: Senator Johnson (explainer), Senator Hill (questioner), Senator McMahon (floor remarks).","A committee substitute to raise qualifying investment thresholds for a tourism rebate program and reduce the allowable share of private investment that can be spent on retail passed the Senate by morning roll call.",{"_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},6343387,"Senate approves bill to create state directory of certified electronic smoking devices",796,994000,1790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252391-c3981b5aa3dd8bfa5c142787b9babbc2&start=994&end=1790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252391-c3981b5aa3dd8bfa5c142787b9babbc2/thumbnail_994000.jpg","/articles/6343387/Mississippi/Senate-approves-bill-to-create-state-directory-of-certified-electronic-smoking-devices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343387-7f57f696d867d300682d5b2199101ea6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095231&Signature=NjznQrwgXOycZclwfrSaarvXyer-Po79yHEb3IR7SkOwTODkK~8q6TX0oudkyJ8Wf7vZjGVi2PSWpH~ijGZdRv~LEuz0UbQd5-vsP1~eGJs5RA3qnIhh2yoE5JxZRJTi9W75NyRq3UflNIxvIoWc1qH1VxBC3UduJ35uq9h7FybhXMpNtWlqbHUxFsHxLFg4XCrWfB3aPAmhfSLy44liwgPqTok7Ltyb1cp1Na2LZivGO4ypPS2KxifQqUBFUoBVC317DmEGyTupbViDWzBwk1zCOXCdqssH0d8rEZDV10Ibdv7GiJhc47leiP1cW8VoyZQ3v4fcz90VEr7KUSmTNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mississippi Senate on Monday approved a bill to create and maintain a state directory of certified electronic smoking devices that may be sold in Mississippi.

Senator Hawkins, explaining Senate Bill 2850 on the floor, said the measure is “to create and maintain a list of certified electronic smoking devices that can be sold in Mississippi.” He told colleagues that many products on the market have not completed Food and Drug Administration review and that a state directory would help retailers and wholesalers know which products are lawful to sell.

The bill would give the commissioner of the Department of Revenue authority to remove manufacturers or products that do not comply with state requirements. Hawkins said the Centers for Disease Control estimates “more than half of the vape products on the market nationwide consist of illicit products skirting the regulations designed to protect consumers.” He noted neighboring Louisiana has a similar registry with hundreds of entries.

Senators debated enforcement and penalties. Senator Hill asked whether Louisiana’s statute includes criminal penalties and whether Mississippi should consider those to deter sellers with deep pockets who may treat civil fines as a cost of doing business. Hawkins said the directory is scheduled to go into effect in September and that lawmakers could revisit penalties later if fines prove ineffective.

An amendment adopted on the floor requires manufacturers and products to submit documentation within 30 days if federal compliance requirements change (for example, a replacement to the PMTA process). The amendment says failure to substantiate compliance after such a federal change will be grounds for removal from the state directory.

The bill passed by use of a morning roll call; the Senate recorded no roll-call tally on the floor transcript other than that the bill passed by that procedure.

Why it matters: state registration is meant to help retailers avoid illicit products and to provide a tool to remove products that federal or state regulators have deemed noncompliant.

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 2850 — motion for final passage; outcome: approved (passed by use of morning roll call; recorded “bill passes by use of morning roll call”).

What’s next: If enacted, the Department of Revenue would begin maintaining the directory and could remove products that fail to substantiate compliance after federal rules change.

Speakers quoted or recorded on the topic include Senator Hawkins, Senator Hill, Senator Harkins and Senator Wiggins.","The Senate advanced legislation to require the Department of Revenue to maintain a directory of electronic smoking devices (ENDS/vapes) approved for retail sale in Mississippi and to allow removal of noncompliant products; sponsors added an amendment to track future federal standard changes.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6343368,"Senate committee substitute would expand mitigation grants to strengthen homes and reduce wind-pool reliance",276,8081000,8357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252391-c3981b5aa3dd8bfa5c142787b9babbc2&start=8081&end=8357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252391-c3981b5aa3dd8bfa5c142787b9babbc2/thumbnail_8081000.jpg","/articles/6343368/Mississippi/Senate-committee-substitute-would-expand-mitigation-grants-to-strengthen-homes-and-reduce-wind-pool-reliance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343368-bc8fef0f659dba86f58b65843b428c9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095231&Signature=U053jQxTvWdZ1UnueCcgWA~vrIEJaIy8b2uJ0E55W950aF1rnhLG-zrbbq-ZLoaOYT8mwykQ3ZhZMhcKS6ZC3Z8N-hcB2WP8T87ko8FIhDDzo0WleEypKdlqpmTCumtoe3iWeu2lVtXt4Pm1mB0YOcKPxgu1Xzcv7rDTlUGm9YMnp-1Tc6uMwCXgG28w8O4Yf8DzfwDVpv10flkV8l1QIvrLMO5MHfg-Dw6JVey38p0jHWU~KLFXcUja-8vVXrLojzZhvKJbr6kiAbu6OhkLJLpGc6y9gKQb~28CPLRtr2BUpOSj3msuQ7~Rn~Pavy1YlmMqI25~nVG0BIdTAvcJxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate approved a committee substitute to expand a mitigation program aimed at strengthening residential structures against wind and storm damage and reducing reliance on the state wind pool.

Sponsors said the revised program — the Strengthen Mississippi Homes program — would continue a prior program and broaden its scope to include tornado and wind damage, not just hurricanes. The measure would allocate additional fee revenue from an increase in a business licensing fee paid by insurance companies (from $25 to $50); the incremental $25 is proposed to be deposited into a new mitigation fund while the original $25 would continue to go to the general fund.

Under the committee substitute, the mitigation fund will seed grants of up to $15,000 per property for retrofits such as roof deck fastening, screw-down decking, improved storm windows or shutters and other measures that reduce structural vulnerability. The sponsor said the fund could support roughly 1,000 homes a year at the estimated revenue level (about $18 million annually) and that leftover funds above a $15 million threshold in a year would revert to the general fund.

Senator McClendon and others asked whether the program would cover commercial properties; the sponsor said priority would be residential homeowners and the intent is to focus on homes. Lawmakers also discussed program reach, the potential premium reductions for homeowners who retrofit, and whether the commissioner’s implementation would limit funds to priority coastal areas first.

The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was brought forward for final passage by morning roll call.

Why it matters: strengthening homes can reduce insurance claims, potentially lower premiums and shrink the exposure of the state-backed wind pool; implementation will require administrative rules and coordination with insurers to produce premium credits for retrofits.

Speakers: committee sponsor (committee chair/sponsor), Senator McClendon (question), Senator England (questions), insurance commissioner referenced.","A committee substitute creates or refines the Strengthen Mississippi Homes mitigation program, funded by an additional assessment on insurance carriers, to provide grants (up to $15,000 per property) for wind- and storm-hardening measures in coastal and other counties; sponsors say the fund will reduce wind-pool exposure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee substitute seeks broad new tools to limit camping, solicitations and encampments; debate centers on services and enforcement

Senate raises per-grant cap for small municipality and limited-population county grants

Senate increases investment thresholds for resort tourism rebate program

Senate approves bill to create state directory of certified electronic smoking devices

Senate committee substitute would expand mitigation grants to strengthen homes and reduce wind-pool reliance