Local state Rep. Becky Currie and Rep. Vince Mangold, and state Sen. Jason Barrett, all of Brookhaven, continue to work to introduce and advance legislation at the state capital.

A few bills sponsored or co-sponsored by Currie had passed the House and will be sent to the Senate. These include: HB 20, Cole’s Law, to prohibit discrimination against receipt of an organ transplant based on disability; HB 363, to allow nurse practitioners, physician assistants and clinical nurse specialists to prescribe or order services and care for home health patients; and HB 1487, which would designate “One Mississippi” as the official state song.

Mangold’s co-sponsored HB 555 has passed the Agriculture Committee and been returned to the House. The act would create the Mississippi Healthy Food Access and Incentive Program, to encourage the utilization of fruits and vegetables from farmers markets and retailers to “double the purchasing power of Mississippi residents with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Barrett recently introduced Senate Bill 2919, an act that would issue State General Obligation Bonds to provide funds to assist the City of Brookhaven in paying costs of various water, wastewater and sewer infrastructure improvements, as well as reconstruction of and improvements to a segment of Brookway Boulevard. The bill was referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

SB 2444, which would increase the minimum teacher salary scale, passed the Senate and was sent to the House. It was recalled, however, for a second reading. The bill co-sponsored by Barrett would also delete caps on hiring National Board-certified nurses, speech-language pathologists, audiologists and athletic trainers.

Legislative calendars, schedules and other information on Mississippi legislation can be accessed any time at www.legislature.ms.gov.