Chris Brown

This bill makes multiple small regulatory reforms that reduce restrictions within the alcohol industry. For example, the bill extends the issuance of festival wine permits for an additional three years, allows retail package stores to sell alcohol-infused "edibles," and allows drive-thru sales of alcohol by the glass in a leisure and recreation district located near the Gulf of Mexico. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens individual liberties by removing overreaching regulations that restrict competition within the alcohol industry and infringe on consumer choice.

Extending Exemptions from Certain Anti-Competitive Alcohol Regulations and Implementing Additional Minor Pro-Liberty Reforms Concerning Alcohol.

This bill expands the process for removing county elected officers to also include municipal officers. Under this process, citizens may file a petition with the Governor and a removal election may be held to determine whether an officer should be removed. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens government accountability by expanding the citizens abilities to hold their elected leaders accountable.

Strengthening Government Accountability by Expanding the State's Elected Officer Removal Process to Also Include Municipal Elected Officers.

This bill authorizes localities to allow retail liquor sales on Sundays from 1pm-6pm. Support is the Limited Government Position as government should not infringe on individual liberties through anti-competitive measures that limit alcohol sales. While this measure only allows sales on Sundays during a 5-hour window, this represents a step in the right direction.

Expanding Individual Liberties by Authorizing Liquor Stores to Operate from 1pm - 6pm on Sundays.

This bill prohibits automobile manufacturers from owning or operating a dealership from which to sell their vehicles (with a carveout allowing electric vehicle manufacturers to operate one dealership). Oppose is the Limited Government Position as forcing consumes to go through dealers (middlemen) instead of proving them the option to buy directly from manufacturers hikes vehicle costs by thousands of dollars. This also provides select EV manufacturers a competitive advantage against manufacturers not favored by the government.

Hiking New Car Prices by Further Worsening the State's Draconian Automotive Regulations to Block Electric Vehicle Manufacturers from Selling Directly to Consumers.

This bill provides millions of dollars in taxpayer funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to promote tourism marketing, including a direct $1 million carveout to Narratrip LLC to help cover the costs for municipalities to "participate in and be promoted as part of the business's mobile apps geared toward promoting tourism in the state." Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is not the role of government to "promote tourism," let alone enrich politically connected companies at the expense of hardworking Mississippians. Instead of this government central planning scheme, lawmakers could create far greater economic growth by lowering tax rates for all companies and empowering the free-market to direct the tourism industry.

Enriching "Destination Marketing Organizations" by Channeling Millions of Taxpayer Funds to Select Companies Favored by Government for Wasteful Tourism Marketing.

This bill expands the definition of a "qualified resort area" for purposes of the Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, allowing additional establishments to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill expands both competition and individual liberties by allowing a greater range of establishments to offer patrons alcoholic beverages.

Strengthening Individual Liberties by Expanding "Qualified Resort Areas" which Allow the Sale and Consumption of Alcohol.

This bill prohibits localities from basing water utility rates on property values, instead requiring billing to be based on actual usage. This bill is in response to the City of Jackson, which announced plans to base water service fees on assessed property values, with higher-valued homes paying more each month than lower-valued homes. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure combats wealth distribution by preventing localities efforts to shift burdens onto higher-income individuals rather than addressing the fiscal irresponsibility that created the problem.

Combatting Wealth Redistribution by Preventing Localities from Charging Individuals Different Utility Rates based on the Value of a Home or Business.

This bill further expands the state's tax subsidy program for movie production to now include the production of television series in the state. Under the bill, production companies may receive up to 35% of certain TV production costs paid for by taxpayers, with an overall program cap of $10 million annually. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as all state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with the lowest rates possible for everyone. This measure's tax cronyism merely enriches woke Hollywood film producers at the direct expense of everyday Mississippians. Instead of this central planning scheme, lawmakers should instead provide a broad tax cut across all industries, which will allow the free market to provide far greater job and business growth.

Enriching Woke Hollywood Producers by Forcing Taxpayers to Subsidize up to $10 Million in TV Series Production Costs.

This bill requires any state agency requesting an exemption from oversight under the State Personnel Board to submit a detailed justification to the legislature and board. The State Personnel Board is the human resources arm of the state government. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens government accountability by combatting government bureaucrats efforts to skirt oversight.

Strengthening Government Accountability by Requiring Agencies Seeking Exemptions from Oversight to Submit Detailed Requests to Both the Legislature and State Personnel Board.

This bill establishes the "Mississippi Office of Space and Technology" within the Mississippi Development Authority. The new bureaucracy will expand the state's involvement within the aerospace industry. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as, just like the rest of the Mississippi Development Authority, there is no reason for the existence of such a bureaucracy as it goes against the core and limited duties of government. Instead of constantly working to expand the size and scope of government, lawmakers should reverse course and pursue every available avenue to reign in their out-of-control spending, as, when coupled with the over $185 trillion federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Expanding Unnecessary Bureaucracy and Spending through the Creation of the "Mississippi Office of Space and Technology".

This bill provides local governments new powers to pursue administrative and civil penalties for violations of their zoning ordinances. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as, like all government central planning attempts, many of the zoning and land use ordinances enacted across the state are overreaching and oftentimes designed to benefit select developers and landowners. This bill may inflict further harm onto landowners whose property rights have been infringed by local governments.

Advancing Government Overreach by Granting Localities New Power to Impose a Series of Additional Fines for Zoning Ordinance Violations.

This bill, known as the "Mississippi Fully Autonomous Vehicle Enabling (MS FAVE) Act of 2023," establishes a regulatory framework to enable the operation of fully autonomous vehicles across the state and authorizes "on-demand autonomous vehicle networks". Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure advances innovation and spurs economic growth by allowing the deployment of autonomous vehicles. Such new technology can provide significant benefits to society, including lower consumer costs.

Advancing Innovation and Economic Growth by Establishing a Framework to Enable the Operation of Fully Autonomous Vehicles within the State.

This bill further expands the state's restriction on alcoholic beverage manufacturers having an ownership interest in wholesalers or distributors. The restriction will now include additional "affiliated companies". Oppose is the Limited Government Position as all manufactures of alcoholic beverages should have the freedom to sell their products directly to retailers and consumers. The state's draconian wholesaler law merely enriches a "middleman" in the sales process which unnecessarily drives up consumer costs and choice.

Worsening the State's Draconian Wholesaler Laws by Imposing Additional Anti-Competitive Prohibitions on Alcoholic Beverage Manufactures Having Ownership in Wholesalers or Distributors.

This bill expands the definition of "vote fraud," to now also include "any person who fraudulently requests or submits an absentee ballot application for any voter." Support is the Limited Government Position as maintaining safeguards to prevent voter fraud are critical aspects of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

Strengthening Election Integrity by Establishing Penalties for Fraudulently Requesting Absentee Ballots.

This bill authorizes Benton County to provide $60,000 annually to the Institute of Community Services, Inc. (ICS), also known as Head Start, a private organization which provides pre-school services. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as taxpayer funds - at any level of government - should not be used to fund private pre-school organizations. The private sector, through charitable endeavors, is best equipped to direct funding to the groups and initiatives that are most needed and beneficial to communities.

Enriching a Government-Favored Non-Profit in Benton County by Forcing Taxpayers to Pay for the Pre-Schooling Costs of Select Children.

This bill authorizes Oktibbeha County to provide $5,000 in taxpayer funds annually (through 2027) to the J.L. King Center community center. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as taxpayers - at any level of government - should not be forced to fund community centers. The private sector, through charitable endeavors, is best equipped to direct funding to the groups and initiatives that are most needed and beneficial to communities.

Expanding Cronyism by Forcing Taxpayers to Fund a Government-Favored Community Center in Oktibbeha County.

This bill, known as the Mississippi School Safety Guardian Act, authorizes school districts to allow certain school employees to carry a concealed firearm in order to respond to an active shooter. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure strengthens school security by improving the ability of teachers and other employees to protect students and themselves.

Strengthening School Security by Providing a Pathway for Educators to Carry Concealed Firearms to Protect Students.

This bill establishes a five-year mandatory minimum sentence for knowingly receiving stolen vehicles or property worth $25,000 or more. Mandatory sentences are measures designed to help combat the practice of "judge shopping" whereby career criminals attempt to have their cases moved to be heard by the most lenient judge to avoid significant penalties. Support is the Limited Government Position as arguably the most important function of government is maintaining public safety, and mandatory minimum sentences serve as critical tools to protect the public from dangerous career criminals. This bill is especially necessary considering the implementation of so-called criminal justice "reforms" which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by left-leaning billionaires through their funding of liberal - and even some conservative - advocacy organizations.

Protecting Communities from Violent Carjackings by Establishing Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Knowingly Receiving Stolen Vehicles and Property.

This bill extends the duration of postpartum coverage provided under Medicaid (government-provided healthcare) from 60 days to 1 year. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill further grows government dependency under the state's Medicaid welfare program. The state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Increasing Government Dependency and Ballooning Medicaid Welfare Spending to Over $900 Million by Hiking Postpartum Benefits from 60 Days to 12 Months.

This bill establishes a new legal and regulatory framework for "pet insurance policies." This includes disclosure requirements for policies and empowers the Commissioner of Insurance to enact training requirements to sell pet insurance policies. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill further grows government power and the regulatory state. While there is a role of government to protect individuals from fraudulent practices, this overreach significantly adds to the already overregulation of the insurance industry, limiting policy options and driving up costs for consumers.

Growing Government to Now Regulate "Pet Insurance Policies" and Impose New Mandates on Policy Conditions and Sales.

This bill transfers the "Coker House" and the surrounding 250 acres to the U.S. National Park Service. The property is associated with the civil war "Battle of Champion Hill". Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the Federal Government owns a staggering 47% of all land west of the Mississippi river and continues to unsustainably grow its holdings of historical properties. The private sector (through foundations, museums, etc.) is best equipped to determine the historical structures most in need of preserving, while also ensuring their proper upkeep and maximizing the value they provide to visitors.

Further Growing the Enormous Land and Property Holdings of the Federal Government by Transferring the Coker House to the U.S. Park Service.

This bill provides a "right of first refusal" to existing utility companies to construct new transmission facilities and infrastructure for electricity. As a result, other outside companies that construct electricity infrastructure are unable to bid on projects unless an existing utility company declines to take on a new project. As regulated entities, a utility company's profit is based on a fixed percentage of the costs they incur, thus disincentivizing utilities from reducing costs. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this protectionist measure is merely designed to enrich existing utility companies by restricting competition. As a result, families and businesses across the state will unnecessarily face higher monthly electricity bills.

Hiking Mississippi Electricity Costs through Protectionist "Right of First Refusal" Regulations which Enrich Utility Companies and Prevent Competitive Bidding for Transmission Infrastructure.

This bill prohibits the practice of "ballot harvesting" by limiting the collection of ballots to just certain individuals, such as election officials, postal workers, and family members. The bill is designed to prevent political parties and third-party organizations from engaging in mass ballot-collection efforts. Support is the Limited Government Position as "ballot harvesting" leads to voter harassment by political operatives. Maintaining safeguards to prevent voter intimidation and fraud are critical aspects of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

Strengthening Election Integrity by Banning the Practice of "Ballot Harvesting".

This bill creates a publicly available "Public Funds Offender Registry" to list individuals convicted of certain offenses such as bribery, embezzlement, misappropriation of public funds, or influencing voting or election activities. Under the bill, state and local governments are prohibited from hiring anyone on the registry for positions involving public funds. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure aims to increase government integrity by helping prevent bribery, embezzlement, and similar offenses that cost taxpayers and erode public trust.

Strengthening Government Integrity through the Creation of a "Public Funds Offender Registry" to Prevent Future State and Local Government Hiring.

This bill allows the Country Club of Jackson Homeowners Association (as well as other HOAs) to switch back to the well system it utilized prior to being annexed into the City of Jackson. The bill is in response to the City of Jackson's disastrous management of its water supply, which has resulted in numerous delivery and environmental problems. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens individual liberties by empowering private HOAs to make their own decisions on their water procurement and bypasses the failures of government-provided services.

Reducing the Scope of Government by Allowing a Homeowners Association to Procure its Own Water Supply Apart from the City of Jackson.

This bill establishes a new "Forestry Facility Grant Program," which provides $10 million in taxpayer subsidies to projects that supposedly lead to the expansion of the state's forestry products industry. The funds may be used for purposes such as to acquire land, install power lines, and build roads and railroads. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this cronyism benefits government-favored companies within the forestry industry while shifting tax burdens onto other businesses and individuals not favored by government. Instead of this cronyism, lawmakers should lower tax rates for all businesses and empower the free-market to expand economic growth.

Expanding Cronyism by Channeling $10 Million in Taxpayer Funds to Enrich the Forestry Industry through the "Forestry Facility Grant Program".

This bill directs taxpayers to fund electric vehicle charging stations across the state for owners of electric vehicles. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Mississippi Transportation Commission to design, construct and operate electric vehicle charging stations. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as lawmakers should not advance their politicized environmental agenda by forcing owners of gas-powered vehicles to fund the charging infrastructure and amenities of individuals who choose to purchase electric vehicles.

Advancing a Politicized Environmental Agenda by Forcing Taxpayers to Fund Electric Vehicle Charging Stations for EV Owners through the Mississippi Transportation Commission.

This bill establishes a new health insurance mandate that requires all healthcare policies offered in the state to provide coverage of any treatment or services provided by state or local health departments. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill infringes on private contracting rights and forces insurers to contract with government entities. This reduces a health insurance provider's ability to negotiate fee schedules and other terms and the additional costs will ultimately get passed onto all insured individuals through higher premiums.

Hiking Insurance Premiums by Mandating Health Insurers Provide Coverage for Services by State and Local Health Departments in the Same Manner as Other Providers.

This bill allows counties and municipalities with small populations below 22,500 to opt out of requiring construction permits if they decide to do so by their board of supervisors. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure strengthens property rights and reduces construction costs by eliminating the burden and delay of government permitting - especially in cases where small localities do not have the needed infrastructure to run such a permitting program.

Strengthening Property Rights and Reducing Construction Costs by Allowing Small Localities to End Permitting Requirements.

This bill provides municipal authorities the same eminent domain and bond (debt) issuance powers that are currently provided to "public improvement districts." As a result, government officials within cities have even powers. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill weakens property rights and grows government by providing a greater range of officials the ability to take property through eminent domain and indebt residents through bond issuance.

Weakening Property Rights by Providing Municipal Authorities a Greater Range of Debt Issuance and Eminent Domain Powers.

This bill imposes a series of mandates surrounding state and local government procurement of "small unmanned aircraft systems and drones" (sUAS). For example, the bill requires drone procurement to only come from domestic manufacturers and provides a 10% bid preference if the manufacturer is based in Mississippi. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as absent any security concerns - which should be addressed individually as opposed to this one size-fits all mandate - protectionist measures, such as this, unnecessarily drive-up taxpayer costs. Free trade has been a foundational principle of limited government dating back to Adam Smith, the father of modern economics, who identified the disastrous consequences of protectionist trade practices in the "Wealth of Nations" in 1776.

Hiking Taxpayer Costs by Imposing Unnecessary Protectionist Procurement Mandates on State Procurement of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones).

This bill provides an additional $45 million in tax credits under the Mississippi Small Business Investment Company Act. This program, run by the Mississippi Development Authority, awards the credits to certain individuals or entities that make capital investments in start-ups. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as all state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with the lowest rates possible for everyone. The central planning and tax cronyism enacted under this measure provides special benefits and competitive advantages to select businesses while shifting tax burdens to all other companies. Instead, lawmakers should lower tax rates for all companies, which will allow the free market to provide much greater job and business growth.

Worsening Cronyism and Government Central Planning by Providing $45 Million in Additional Subsidies Under the MS Small Business Investment Company Act.

This bill exempts sales of precious metal coins and bullion (gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) from the state's 7% sales tax. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill helps ensure gold and silver bullion can serve as an alternative competitive currency to the dollar. This is especially critical considering the reckless policies of the Federal Reserve, such as quantitative easing.

Ensuring the Free Competition of Currency and U.S. Monetary System Protection by Exempting Gold and Silver Bullion from the Sales Tax.

This bill authorizes the city of Vicksburg to provide $100,000 annually to a nonprofit so Dr. Jane Ellen McAllister's relatives can purchase and transform her home into an African American museum. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as taxpayer funds - at any level of government - should not be used to fund private museums. The private sector, through charitable endeavors, is best equipped to direct funding to the groups and initiatives which are most needed and beneficial to communities.

Forcing Taxpayers (Instead of the Private Sector) to Provide $500,000 so Relatives of Dr. Jane Ellen McAllister can Purchase and Transform Her Home Into an African American Museum.

This bill authorizes George County to increase the sales tax rate from 2% to 3% on hotels and impose an additional 1% tax on all restaurant sales. The revenue will fund a sports and recreation facility. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is the role of the private sector and free market - not government - to determine the need for sports and rec facilities and obtain the necessary financing. Taxpayers and businesses should not financially suffer to advance government central planning schemes such as this measure. Unfortunately, this bill represents just one of dozens of crony local tax and spend measures passed by lawmakers this past session.

ILA

Chris Brown