Mississippi House Bill HB130

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/22
• Refer: 1/4/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Capitol police; authorize transfer of compensatory leave from previous agency.

Impact

By transferring the management of compensatory leave to the Department of Public Safety, HB 130 potentially simplifies the processes associated with leave accounting while aiming to enhance the operational efficiency of the Capitol Police. The bill grants the Department of Public Safety more significant authority over enforcement actions on state properties, thereby ensuring better management of law enforcement duties related to the Capitol Complex and other assigned facilities.

Summary

House Bill 130 amends Section 45-1-19 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, focusing on the management of accrued compensatory leave specifically for employees of the Capitol Police. The bill states that this compensatory leave, which is earned by certain Capitol Police employees, will now be transferred from the Department of Finance and Administration to the Department of Public Safety. This legislative change symbolically represents an attempt to streamline operations and responsibilities within state law enforcement entities.

Contention

Despite the practical improvements this bill may offer, its introduction has raised discussions regarding state governance. Some legislators might view it as an essential step in improving law enforcement capabilities, while opponents could argue about the extent of increased power given to the Department of Public Safety. There may be concerns that expanding the authority of a single department without adequate checks could lead to overreach in law enforcement efforts across state properties.