JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Republican's call it sunshine legislation.
Democrats call it a personal attack on state Attorney General Jim Hood.
Either way, House Bill 211 made it through the house Wednesday afternoon at the State Capitol.
The debate of House Bill 211 was more than heated at times, filled with threats and accusations, all along party lines.
The bill designed to limit the powers of Attorney General Hood, allowing state agencies and department heads to hire their own attorneys, passed by a vote of 59-55 in the Republican controlled Mississippi house.
"It appears from some of the comments that were made that this is some kind of flashback between governor Barbour and Jim Hood," said Representative John Hines, Sr. "I guess it's retribution time."
"A lot of it is party politics they've mad at Jim Hood, they're mad at him for not entering into the federal lawsuit so it's hard to separate," said Representative Cecil Brown while leaving the debate. "I'm sure there's mixed emotions in their minds about exactly why they're doing what they're doing."
Supporters of the bill say it will not cost taxpayers a dime, the attorneys hired with funds from each department's budget.
"It's not partisan in my opinion it's sunshine it's disclosure it's giving the people in the state of Mississippi the information in regards to who represents them and why," says Representative Mark Baker.
Attorney's who bill the state for over $100,000 will have those amounts published for the public to see.
Attorney General Jim Hood has already called the bill unconstitutional, and plans to fight it.
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