MS HB1356

Creates the Mississippi Department of Labor with five administrative offices: Employment Security, Job Development and Training, Industry Service and Industry Start-up Training, Employee Relations and Job Discrimination, and Disabled Employee Assistance.

Establishes the Commissioner of Labor as an elected state official serving four-year terms, elected in 2011 and every four years thereafter, with an annual salary of $90,000.

Abolishes the Mississippi Department of Employment Security effective January 1, 2012, and transfers all duties, powers, equipment, records, and funds to the Office of Employment Security within the new Department of Labor.

Assigns the Office of Job Development and Training to administer federal and state-funded employment and training programs including the Job Training Partnership Act, Wagner-Peyser Act, JOBS/Basic Skills Training, and Comprehensive Employment and Training Act.

Requires submission to the U.S. Attorney General or District Court for the District of Columbia for Voting Rights Act Section 5 preclearance, with the act taking effect January 1, 2012, contingent on such approval.