Mississippi House debates HB 122 - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS
Mississippi House members are debating a bill that would limit Attorney General Jim Hood's powers. HB 122 would allow state agencies to hire outside counsel, when they feel Hood's office had a conflict, or couldn't represent them fairly.
The agencies would have to report hiring the counsel if they spend over $100,000.00. Several lawmakers expressed their concerns about where the money to hire the lawyers would come from.
If agencies hired their own counsel, they would have to report it, if the services cost them over 100-thousand dollars.
Representative Mark Baker spoke during the debate saying, "From time to time the A-G believes or interjects himself as the client, as well then obviously the A-G represents the state, as the authority to represent the state interest, but there are occasions when the A-G interests are contrary to the interests of that agency or officer."
"It's just another attempt of the republican majority in the house now unfortunately to run something down our throat which they will succeed in doing, but they expect us to sit there like little wimpy rabbits, they got another thing coming," said Representative Bob Evans as he left the House floor.
Attorney General Jim Hood calls the legislation unconstitutional. The bill was sent back to committee for the addition of two amendments. It will be brought back for a possible vote, at 4 P.M. Monday.
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