MS HB69

Creates the Office of Independent State Hearing Officers within the Department of Finance and Administration, headed by a Governor-appointed director serving a 4-year term who can only be removed for cause

Requires the director to contract with at least 5 hearing officers experienced in administrative hearings, assigned on a rotating basis to prevent the same officer from regularly hearing cases for a particular agency

Allows any person or entity with an issue before a state agency to choose an independent hearing officer from this office instead of using the agency's own hearing officer

Establishes an appeals process where decisions can be appealed to a panel of 3 hearing officers (not involved in the original case) for de novo review

Provides for judicial review of appeals panel decisions in Hinds County Circuit Court, requiring a $500 bond filed within 30 days, with further appeal to the Supreme Court available