Can you Text and Drive in the State of Mississippi ?

ROXIE, MS -

This is House Bill No. 389 as written and passed by House

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2015
By: Representatives Denny, Nelson, Haney
HOUSE BILL NO. 389 (As Passed the House)

1 AN ACT TO PROHIBIT ANY PERSON FROM OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE
2 ON A HIGHWAY WHILE USING A HAND-HELD WIRELESS COMMUNICATION
3 DEVICE; TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION IS A CIVIL VIOLATION WITH A
4 CIVIL PENALTY; TO REPEAL SECTION 63-1-73, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF
5 1972, WHICH PROHIBITS TEXTING WHILE DRIVING UNDER CERTAIN
6 LICENSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
7 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

8 SECTION 1. (1) For purposes of this section, the following
9 terms shall have the meanings ascribed in this subsection, unless
10 the context clearly indicates otherwise:
11 (a) "Hand-held mobile telephone" means a mobile
12 telephone or other portable electronic communication device with
13 which a user engages in a call or writes, sends or reads a text
14 message using at least one hand. The term "hand-held mobile
15 telephone" shall not include a voice-operated or hands-free
16 device;
17 (b) "Motor vehicle" means a vehicle driven or drawn by
18 mechanical power and manufactured primarily for use on public
19 highways; H. B. No. 389 *HR26/R1258PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 15/HR26/R1258PH

PAGE 2 (AJT\KW)
20 (c) "Social networking site" means any web-based
21 service that allows individuals to construct a profile within a
22 founded system, articulate a list of other users with whom they
23 share a connection, and communicate with other users of the site;
24 (d) "Text message" includes a text-based message,
25 instant message, electronic message, and email, but shall not
26 include an emergency, traffic or weather alert or a message
27 related to the operation or navigation of the motor vehicle;
28 (e) "Voice operated or hands-free device" means a
29 device that allows the user to write, send, or read a text message
30 without the use of either hand except to activate, deactivate, or
31 initiate a feature or function; and
32 (f) "Writing," "sending" and "reading," with respect to
33 a text message, means the manual entry, sending, or retrieval of a
34 text message, respectively, to communicate with any person or
35 device.
36 (2) An operator of a moving motor vehicle is prohibited from
37 writing, sending, or reading a text message and from accessing,
38 reading or posting to a social networking site using a hand-held
39 mobile telephone while driving said motor vehicle.
40 (3) A violation of this section is a civil violation, and
41 upon being found in violation, is punishable by a civil penalty of
42 Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for violations committed until July
43 1, 2016, and One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for violations H. B. No. 389 *HR26/R1258PH* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 15/HR26/R1258PH

PAGE 3
(AJT\KW) ST: Texting and social networking; prohibit while driving.
44 committed from and after July 1, 2016. No state assessments shall
45 be imposed or collected for a violation under this section.
46 (4) The Department of Public Safety shall keep and maintain
47 records of citations issued under this statute, including the age
48 and race of the vehicle operator, whether there was an additional
49 traffic violation by the vehicle operator, and whether there was a
50 crash or any damage to a vehicle or passenger at the time of the
51 citation.
52 (5) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2018.

53 SECTION 2. Section 63-1-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, which
54 prohibits texting while driving under certain licenses, is
55 repealed.

56 SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from
57 and after July 1, 2015.

History of Actions:
   1   01/15 (H) Referred To Transportation
   2   01/21 (H) Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub
   3   02/06 (H) Committee Substitute Adopted
   4   02/06 (H) Passed    {Vote}
   5   02/06 (H) Motion to Reconsider Entered (Guice, Johnson, Massengill)
   6   02/11 (H) Reconsidered
   7   02/11 (H) Amended
   8   02/11 (H) Passed As Amended    {Vote}
   9   02/16 (H) Transmitted To Senate
  10   02/17 (S) Referred To Highways and Transportation
  11   03/03 (S) Title Suff Do Pass
  12   03/09 (S) Passed    {Vote}
  13   03/10 (S) Returned For Enrolling
  14   03/11 (H) Enrolled Bill Signed
  15   03/11 (S) Enrolled Bill Signed
  16   03/13 Approved by Governor

Source: Mississippi Bill Status Report / FC News Staff research

Sponsored College Savings Program by State of Mississippi

Honorable Lynn Fitch, State Treasurer

ROXIE, MS - 

The Mississippi Affordable College Savings Program, MACS, makes giving the gift of college easy and affordable. This state-sponsored savings program helps Mississippi families save for future college expenses such as tuition, books, supplies, and certain room and board expenses. You can start saving for as little as $25.

MACS offers you a choice of five investment options:

• Managed Allocation Option
• Diversified Equity Option
• Fixed Income Option
• Guaranteed Option
• Age-Based Investment Option

These options vary in their investment strategy and risk level, allowing you to select an option that best fits your needs and investment preference.

Anyone can open a MACS account for a child or loved one. Parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends at any income level can open an account. Also, by opening and contributing to a MACS account you qualify for a Mississippi state tax deduction.

The Mississippi Affordable College Savings Program can be a powerful part of your overall investment strategy. Consider making regular, modest contributions with the Automatic Contribution Plan or Automatic Payroll Deduction, which may be offered by your employer.

Call a representative of MACS today at 1.800.486.3670 to give the gift of a lifetime, the gift of education.​​​​​​​​​

For further information from the State of Mississippi Treasury Office click here.

A few Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the federal and state tax advantages?
• Is there a Mississippi income tax deduction?
• Who can open an account?
• What are my investment options?
• Can I make a payment online?
• Do I have to use my account at a Mississippi college or university?

What are the federal and state tax advantages?

When you contribute to the Mississippi Affordable College Savings (MACS) Program, any account earnings are federal and Mississippi income tax-deferred. Plus, distributions used to pay for qualified higher education expenses will be free from federal and Mississippi income tax. Non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal and state taxes and the additional federal 10% tax.

Is there a Mississippi income tax deduction?

Yes, you may be eligible for a Mississippi income tax deduction. The amount contributed by a Mississippi taxpayer to MACS Program accounts during a tax year is deductible from Mississippi adjusted gross income in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for a single return or $20,000 for a joint return for that tax year.

The earnings portion of a non-qualified withdrawal will be taxable to a resident recipient of the withdrawal. The contribution portion of a non-qualified withdrawal that was previously deducted for Mississippi income tax purposes will be included in the resident recipient’s Mississippi gross income.

Who can open an account?

Any individual with a Social Security number or federal Taxpayer Identification Number who is a U.S. citizen or resident alien can open an account and contribute to the MACS Program account on behalf of any beneficiary. An organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an estate or a trust may also open an account. Such entities will be subject to additional restrictions or administrative requirements and may not open an account online or participate in e-Delivery. You can even open an account for yourself.

What are my investment options?

The Plan offers you a choice of five Investment Options. These options vary in their investment strategy and degree of risk, allowing you to select an option or combination of options that may fit your needs. To see the list of Investment Options, brief descriptions and associated fees and expenses, visit Investment Options. For more information on the risks involved in investing in such Investment Options, and the type of investor for whom each investment option may be appropriate, and investment option performance, read the Disclosure Booklet.

Can I make a payment online?

You may make contributions online by logging into your account here. If you have not logged on to your account before you may create your online access here.

Do I have to use my account at a Mississippi college or university?

No. The money in your account may be used at any eligible educational institution. This includes public and private colleges and universities, graduate and post-graduate schools, community colleges, and certain proprietary and vocational schools.

Source: State of Mississippi State Treasurer

FC Girls Soccer Team Ranked 9th in State

ROXIE, MS - April 14, 2014

The MS class 1A/2A/3A high school girls soccer state rankings compiled by MaxPreps  includes Franklin County Varsity Girls Soccer team as ranked 9th.  The Lady Bulldogs overall record is 13-4-0 with a district undefeated record of 5-0-0.  

For a complete list of the rankings just Click Here,

For more information on an explanation of the MaxPreps Computer Rankings just click here. 






Source: MaxPreps - MaxPreps is America's Source for High School Sports / A CBS Sports site

Local foods grant writing workshop set for May 11

From the field to the table ....

April 13, 2015

Ms State University Extension Service
Writer: Susan Collins-Smith
Contact: Rachael Carter, 662-325-8329

Local foods grant writing workshop set for May 11

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Individuals interested in applying for grant funds to organize farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer outlets for local foods are invited to attend a May 11 workshop in Starkville. Miss.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Southern Rural Development Center will host the Local Foods Grant Writing Workshop to help potential grant applicants understand, develop and submit federal grant requests through the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program.

“Increasing access to healthy locally grown foods is an important part of community development,” said Rachael Carter, an instructor with the MSU Extension Service Center for Government and Community Development. “These funding opportunities could help enhance that process in Mississippi. The purpose of this workshop is to provide information to help participants improve their proposals and make them more competitive.”

The workshop is from 1pm to 5pm in the Bost Conference Center on the MSU campus. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. The workshop is free, but preregistration is required by May 4th. To register for the workshop, visit http://bit.ly/1D33PHR.

Speakers include Judith Phillips, a research associate with the MSU Stennis Institute of Government; and Kim Morgan, an Extension Agricultural Economist at Virginia Tech.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service and National Institute for Food and Agriculture are collaborating with Extension programs and regional Centers for Rural Development across the country to produce these workshops. Mississippi Main Street is a sponsor. The organized effort, called the Agricultural Marketing Service Technical Assistance Project, aims to raise awareness of grant opportunities and increase participation in the program.

For more information about the workshop, contact Miranda Tucci at m.tucci@msstate.edu or 662-325-2750.

Source:  Msu Ag Communications News - News Release