MS HB141

Prohibits counties, boards of supervisors, municipalities, and municipal governing authorities from establishing mandatory minimum living wage rates or minimum vacation or sick days that regulate private employer compensation.

Legislature finds these prohibitions necessary to maintain economic climate conducive to business development and job growth, and to prevent inconsistent wage and benefit laws across jurisdictions.

Legislature concludes local variations in mandated wages and benefits would threaten business competitiveness, cause employee and customer migration between jurisdictions, and harm state economic stability.

Reserves decisions regarding minimum wage, living wage, and employee benefit policies to the state legislature rather than local governments to preserve consistency in wage markets.

Effective July 1, 2013; does not impede municipal authority under sections 17-21-1, 17-21-5, and 17-21-7 or limit tax exemption authority granted by state law.