JACKSON, Miss.–The Safer Act has been revived in the state Senate, after dying quietly Monday in conference (the process where the House and Senate reach compromises). That’s the bill that defines the sexes and also states that biological males must use men’s rooms and biological females must use the ladies room.
The bill was opposed in the House by Delta Democrat Willie Bailey, who called it silly and said it would not make anyone safer.
On the Senate side Thursday it was opposed by Sen. Derrick Simmons.
“Do you think it’s one of the measures that since we had a strong vote we could pick up and pass at the beginning of next session?” he asked. “A lot of members have expressed…that we’re tired and ready to get back to our families and our jobs.”
Lawmakers have been deliberating for four months. The session is set to end soon. But, reviving the bill may require lawmakers to stay extra.
Republican Sen. Bryce Wiggins also expressed frustration, saying he did not believe the House was ready to pass the bill and that he was ready to go home, as well.
Simmons later attempted to inject an amendment that would essentially revive a bill to get rid of Confederate Memorial Day and put into law an official state celebration of Juneteenth. That amendment was dismissed as non-parliamentarian.
The vote to revive the Safer Act was along party lines, with most Republicans voting yes, some having heard from constituents who were disappointed the bill had died.
