[{"_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",6332359,"mediaKeyId","2307772-a989222282364352a922a680cd03095c","parentId",2307772,"title","Senate approves overhaul of 911 funding, centralizes fees and creates NG911 authority","audioSeconds",704,"startMs",14444000,"endMs",15148000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307772-a989222282364352a922a680cd03095c&start=14444&end=15148","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307772-a989222282364352a922a680cd03095c/thumbnail_14444000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6332359/Mississippi/Senate-approves-overhaul-of-911-funding-centralizes-fees-and-creates-NG911-authority","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332359-75676e1c93f876ba8895db1be44f7d44/orig.mp4?Expires=1770928988&Signature=YlnGcKSVJpcoPr8CB1Ga6d8CVKVehV20Mpf~3SoJUFj0NqvxFfYWqdQRFk5oUwq1xJtObAEoSVCExIxinZMlXfHO-OO86tTWtIKjnuTmx8JZaxEMryV4~lhnxnz9ceHdsBEQJZeLgHm-T6ulHOnA4kVKFvPI5pAqWgUY7k~Bls3~T4IIlKiVrv9szl5TKaXzY6lINBtL8DAeB6YIeZmJQ6dosLc7~kuYdJi~z13Am4tLDrRD3iH4Ulmz3g1zGztqGcln8jharQQHoViSCSurKdvT3p2bLBcQOQ7JzynQv3qGx5Kx3LWx1KwfAERpp-mcRlyG1iY5siasG2WEb5KIqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mississippi Legislature","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Mississippi Senate approved a sweeping update to the state's emergency-communications funding and governance meant to accelerate a transition to next-generation 911 (NG911). The measure designates the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) as the state coordinator for NG911, creates an NG911 authority and advisory board, centralizes collection of emergency-communications service fees and sets new rules on distribution and allowable uses.

Senator Delano, sponsor of the bill, told the chamber the legislation is a \"rip out and replace\" of Chapter 19 provisions that were written before IP-based emergency communications existed. The bill establishes a single emergency-communications service charge set at $2 per line (landline, commercial line, voice-over-IP, wireless, or prepaid wireless), requires service providers to remit collected fees to the Department of Revenue, and tasks the authority with devising a GIS-based formula to distribute funds to Emergency Communications Districts (ECDs).

Key allocations and limits in the bill: no more than 7% of total fees may be used for the state-level authority and implementation of a statewide NG911 plan; at least 30% of each ECD's receipts must be reserved for capital projects consistent with an approved NG911 implementation plan; remaining funds are restricted to emergency-communications services and ECD operations. The bill requires ECDs to adopt NG911 implementation plans by a specified deadline and allows consolidation and enterprise procurement to reduce costs.

Senator Delano acknowledged the cost burden on local jurisdictions and said the bill aims to provide more consistent, equitable funding and make local governments and PSAPs eligible for federal NG911 grants by establishing a state coordinator. He and other senators also discussed a large existing CMRS (commercial mobile radio service) fund that holds roughly $80+ million in previous collections; the bill freezes future deposits to that account while directing future collections under the new system and contemplates using the reserve in a future grant program after the authority presents a plan to the legislature.

The bill passed after floor debate and will move to the House. Sponsors said the change should improve accountability and qualify more jurisdictions for federal assistance; local officials warned of large implementation costs and said funding rules must be clear to allow counties to plan for migration to NG911.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MS Senate Floor - 12 February, 2025; 10:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Mississippi Senate approved legislation centralizing the collection and distribution of 911 service fees, creating an NG911 authority and naming MEMA as the statewide NG911 coordinator to accelerate next-generation emergency communications.","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},6332364,"Senate advances Tier 5 pension reform after hours of debate",6747,22252000,28999000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307772-a989222282364352a922a680cd03095c&start=22252&end=28999","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307772-a989222282364352a922a680cd03095c/thumbnail_22252000.jpg","/articles/6332364/Mississippi/Senate-advances-Tier-5-pension-reform-after-hours-of-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332364-b154ffd23be32f56780a29050a64c30b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770928988&Signature=BeskLJ4jNp5rY-R~qNMQEQ~m8y3faLwG1Tu6FX8pyYnbXMZfluaCuHettvXvYMvR9Y~mtPGIbq2iTHKzrZNZq6tIusYbO6gNQPmiKeaXtYWV1d4I~AjMnSatZRTzazUrzrskOf~ARXbz5~Ave1bEFiC3OXoOmbE4nh3oMTJpmqrwG7uvg3rSWgU74duyA6Kz-7w2Q9gT8nExU53N6pm4-nH6S5Ao1V2tk4s6ENIjpfE67yAcKAJasW6lMaO29BpggJ8OUvecSihNP5mvBkn7RQJeQW~JjhiKMeedLkJ~gyVqX1ZYPW7nFuaBEKvEuyMnbzDKkcdeZOsQVxlEVmFQfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mississippi Senate passed legislation creating a new retirement option commonly described as \"Tier 5,\" a hybrid plan that combines a smaller defined-benefit (DB) component with a mandatory defined-contribution (DC) account for employees hired after March 1, 2026.

Lawmakers debated the plan for hours, with supporters saying the hybrid design steers additional dollars toward the pension system's large unfunded actuarial liability and avoids steep employer cost spikes. Opponents said the change shifts long-term investment risk from the state to individual workers and urged alternatives such as a smaller cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) tied to age or CPI.

Senator Michael Sparks, sponsor of the measure, told colleagues the hybrid structure would use the current employer contribution rate (scheduled to rise to 19.9%) to fund both a reduced DB formula and a DC account funded by a 5% portion of the employee 9% contribution. The state's actuaries projected the structure would direct roughly $140 million more per year toward the unfunded liability compared with continuing the current plan for new hires, Sparks said.

Several senators urged caution. Senator David Blunt noted an actuary's analysis presented to the chamber that a straight DB plan with a 1% COLA would leave both retirees and the system better off in some long-range scenarios, and argued that the Senate should consider that alternative before finalizing a hybrid. Senator Bill Bridal urged looking at targeted COLA start ages (for example beginning at age 70) as a narrower way to protect long-lived retirees.

Senator Wiggins and other backers said the state faces rising employer cost projections if no change is made and that the hybrid preserves defined benefits for existing members and retirees while offering portability and retirement-savings options to future employees.

After extended debate, the measure passed on final vote 30 yeas to 16 nays. The bill as adopted preserves current benefits and COLA guarantees for existing members and retirees; the change affects new hires as of March 1, 2026. The new DC account will be administered under the retirement system; employers may be authorized to offer discretionary matching contributions as allowed under federal tax rules.

Supporters said the bill moves money sooner toward the pension system's liabilities without further immediate increases in the statutory employer rate beyond the current schedule. Critics said the plan transfers investment risk to employees and could complicate recruitment for public employers unless offsetting compensation tools are used.

The Senate's passage sends the measure to the House for consideration. If adopted as written, the changes would take effect for employees hired on or after March 1, 2026.

Votes at a glance: final passage 30-16 (Senate roll call).","The Mississippi Senate passed a new hybrid public-retirement option, known as \"Tier 5,\" creating a smaller guaranteed pension plus a mandatory defined-contribution account for new hires effective March 1, 2026.",{"_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},6332354,"Senate moves school attendance officers under local control, sets minimum salary and reporting rules",945,4782000,5727000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307772-a989222282364352a922a680cd03095c&start=4782&end=5727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307772-a989222282364352a922a680cd03095c/thumbnail_4782000.jpg","/articles/6332354/Mississippi/Senate-moves-school-attendance-officers-under-local-control-sets-minimum-salary-and-reporting-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332354-9887d505aaf1950db74c6fe76744dc32/orig.mp4?Expires=1770928988&Signature=dssDs2dkTDv9uRVfR9BQjJt6kTQwjuxy2oS2pUGreaw3tAz2GZicAmKT4gv6LRZ8-ngXuqRDTjAgf5GhXKIMQGwwnR3eqWRYnubXBF1EMRtYFU1H5NKNAcrz~IdQBrhAwO-MTHsb3gvqCP~GEtxgOuL85EzEVZCUCgQCGVo5H2WIHsLHgzzHlfCoLe~HHZXSkN5K6XDnlv~aWNQazF8TSd9BPT51z8WjWbdhatdEiw1ULGfJ8k2YyB89mwfPsuoBAI19C4DU6mFmRqZBI7ceNeMycz2DQOIJ8UgIIJvWWvuhN5E6qvidi8I9nemWiO6N60NICNRvnqFe58i-wsBOOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mississippi Senate adopted a committee substitute to shift employment and supervision of school attendance officers (SAOs) from the state Department of Education to local school districts.

Senator DeBarr, sponsor of the measure, said the change is intended to increase local accountability and help address chronic absenteeism. Under the bill, the state will fund one SAO per 3,000 students and set a state-funded minimum salary of $34,000; local districts may supplement that wage. Charter schools are included. The transition to local employment is effective July 1 following enactment, with reporting and joint evaluation provisions scheduled through 2027.

Key duties and rules in the bill include: SAOs will remain responsible for tracking and addressing habitual truancy, must cooperate with youth courts, maintain background checks and retain participation in PERS and state insurance where applicable. School districts must report a student's absence once it reaches five days; districts are required to provide MDE with truancy data and corrective action where absence thresholds are exceeded. The bill also requires a July 2027 joint report from MDE and the state association of superintendents evaluating transition and recommending improvements.

Senators discussed staffing, oversight, and pay; sponsor DeBarr said existing SAOs' accumulated leave and benefits would transfer with them. An amendment removed duplicative salary-language and clarified the minimum $34,000 state-funded salary. The committee substitute and amendment passed; the Senate approved final passage by morning roll call.

Supporters said local employment will improve day-to-day supervision and responsiveness to district needs; some senators asked for future clarifications on personnel oversight and operational detail.","The Mississippi Senate approved a bill transferring school attendance officers (SAOs) to employment and supervision by local school districts, establishing a state-funded minimum salary of $34,000 and a target ratio of one SAO per 3,000 students.",{"_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},6332349,"Senate narrows automated moving-violation programs, closes roadside handheld loophole",1201,16107000,17308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2307772-a989222282364352a922a680cd03095c&start=16107&end=17308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2307772-a989222282364352a922a680cd03095c/thumbnail_16107000.jpg","/articles/6332349/Mississippi/Senate-narrows-automated-moving-violation-programs-closes-roadside-handheld-loophole","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6332349-59b0593b33cedb67b71737001bcd212e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770928988&Signature=eTl5SJVS8ls-OqFtudRRTOF88i32olldS7nRadygMczse9RM5tXFLrh84kzmeSl2sCWnuDldNe-7YtKHf~R7nIWqZTkokHTUe1k8BIeHfBrB1WQn-b5UdCaRSUPyqG4sv6CIQmzqdR54~hLgadAVYhkiZicwI-BRZvTzf-CKIbu1U45R07AZazIxkDZc0F-BPTiMOlQfGiw-z-2COTn-hEdhB7-5EmHA6Ftw~ql1sstrZRROhHPH1qSkfWrDfS7RHA2IjcGZmvbMJAO8kObGAYwoSf2NhMrCi5Lon-3tU4a-mwPtx6BhMz01EWhVAwcBFTeayzeH1SJWza2UIF2cLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mississippi Senate passed a measure clarifying that \"automated recording equipment or system\" used to issue moving-violation notices includes equipment operated manually by a law-enforcement officer, closing a loophole newly used by some municipalities.

Sponsor Senator Sparks said the 2009 law barred fixed devices mounted on poles from issuing traffic citations, but vendors started supplying handheld or manually-operated devices that the municipality used to generate and mail tickets to vehicle owners. Critics said the practice can shift the burden to citizens to prove they were not driving; proponents said the devices can help address dangerous speeding in school or work zones.

Senator McMahon offered an amendment that would have permitted photo-based school-zone camera enforcement only if the camera captured the vehicle license plate and a picture of the driver, recorded speed and time, and operated only during school-hours or when children are visibly present. The Senate rejected that amendment on a roll call; the main bill passed on final vote.

Floor discussion included concerns about due process, municipal contracting practices with third-party vendors, and pending litigation and lawsuits alleging improper practices in some municipalities. Supporters argued the bill simply closes a loophole that allowed municipalities to avoid having officers stop drivers and to mail tickets to vehicle owners instead of drivers.","Lawmakers approved a bill closing a recent loophole that permitted automated moving-violation notices generated by handheld or manually operated camera devices; the Senate rejected an amendment that would have allowed school-zone camera enforcement under specified photo-evidence rules.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate approves overhaul of 911 funding, centralizes fees and creates NG911 authority

Senate advances Tier 5 pension reform after hours of debate

Senate moves school attendance officers under local control, sets minimum salary and reporting rules

Senate narrows automated moving-violation programs, closes roadside handheld loophole