🧵 LEGISLATION SPONSORED BY @RobertFoster4MS
☑️ HB 18 (2016) billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2016/pdf/histo…
The first bill Foster sponsored as a member of the #MSLeg was written to make it easier for counties to impose emergency orders like mask mandates during pandemics and other emergencies. 1/
☑️ HB 18 (2016) billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2016/pdf/histo…
The first bill Foster sponsored as a member of the #MSLeg was written to make it easier for counties to impose emergency orders like mask mandates during pandemics and other emergencies. 1/
Under the Emergency Management Law at the time, a county could issue emergency orders only through the county board.
Foster's HB 18 would have allowed county boards to vest unelected bureaucrats with authority to enter emergency orders like mask mandates. HB 18 did not pass. 2/
Foster's HB 18 would have allowed county boards to vest unelected bureaucrats with authority to enter emergency orders like mask mandates. HB 18 did not pass. 2/
☑️ HB 647 (2016) billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2016/pdf/histo…
Foster co-sponsored HB 647, which would create new misdemeanors for offenders who fail to pay tickets in municipal court and/or fail to appear for any proceeding in municipal court. 3/
Foster co-sponsored HB 647, which would create new misdemeanors for offenders who fail to pay tickets in municipal court and/or fail to appear for any proceeding in municipal court. 3/
Say, for example, you received a ticket for violating a mask mandate, but you didn't pay the ticket on time or appear in municipal court when you were supposed to. Under Foster's HB 647, that would be two additional misdemeanors.
HB 647 did not pass. 4/
HB 647 did not pass. 4/
☑️ HB 1407 (2016) billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2016/pdf/histo…
Foster co-sponsored HB 1407, an asset forfeiture bill that would enable law enforcement to seize any property related to any violation of law. 5/
Foster co-sponsored HB 1407, an asset forfeiture bill that would enable law enforcement to seize any property related to any violation of law. 5/
Say, for example, you owned a restaurant that failed to comply with a mask mandate. Foster's HB 1407 would allow law enforcement not only to ticket you but also to seize all the money you made while violating the law.
HB 1407 did not pass. 6/
HB 1407 did not pass. 6/
☑️ HB 600 (2017) billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/histo…
Foster was the only sponsor of HB 600, a bill mainly intended to drive immigrants out of higher education in Mississippi, though it contained several further provisions. 7/.
Foster was the only sponsor of HB 600, a bill mainly intended to drive immigrants out of higher education in Mississippi, though it contained several further provisions. 7/.
For instance, Foster's HB 600 would have banned discrimination against gays and lesbians in state employment. (See line 345.) As a gay man, I appreciate and thank Foster for introducing legislation to promote gay rights. However, HB 600 did not pass. 8/
☑️ JR 1 (2017) billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/histo…
Foster was the sole sponsor of JR 1, a bill to place the media's space in the Capitol building up for auction. Presumably, lobbyists would offer the highest bids and rent the space, leaving no room for the press. JR 1 did not pass. 9/
Foster was the sole sponsor of JR 1, a bill to place the media's space in the Capitol building up for auction. Presumably, lobbyists would offer the highest bids and rent the space, leaving no room for the press. JR 1 did not pass. 9/
☑️ HB 1683 (2018) billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2018/pdf/histo…
Foster was the sole sponsor of HB 1683, a bill to authorize DeSoto County to donate cash, land, property, and/or personnel worth up to $25 million to the DeSoto County Economic Development County with no conditions. It did not pass. 10/
Foster was the sole sponsor of HB 1683, a bill to authorize DeSoto County to donate cash, land, property, and/or personnel worth up to $25 million to the DeSoto County Economic Development County with no conditions. It did not pass. 10/
☑️ SB 2243 (2019) billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2019/pdf/histo…
Foster did not sponsor SB 2243 (2019), but SB 2243 was *very* similar to Foster's first bill, HB 18 (2016), and I wanted to include a bill that ultimately became law in this list. 11/
Foster did not sponsor SB 2243 (2019), but SB 2243 was *very* similar to Foster's first bill, HB 18 (2016), and I wanted to include a bill that ultimately became law in this list. 11/
SB 2243 made it easier for counties to enter emergency orders like mask mandates by giving the presidents of the county boards the same authority to do so as mayors have.
SB 2243 passed both chambers overwhelmingly. Foster voted for it. 12/
SB 2243 passed both chambers overwhelmingly. Foster voted for it. 12/
