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Bill

SB 2140

Appointed state officers; provide for the removal of for certain forms of willful neglect.

2025 Regular Session

SB 2140 would allow removal of appointed Mississippi state officers for willful neglect of duties, but died in committee without final passage.

Died In Committee
#accountability #efficiency #transparency
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Bill Summary · SB 2140

Legislative bill overview

SB 2140 would establish mechanisms for removing appointed state officers who engage in certain forms of willful neglect of their duties. The bill creates grounds for removal beyond traditional causes, specifically targeting negligent performance of official responsibilities. This measure died in the Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency Committee without advancing further in the 2025 legislative session.

Why is this important

Removal provisions for state officers directly affect executive branch accountability and performance. Clear standards for removal based on willful neglect could incentivize compliance with statutory duties, though they also raise questions about due process protections and who determines whether neglect has occurred. The outcome affects both government efficiency and the security of public employees in appointed positions.

Potential points of contention

  • Due process concerns: Defining "willful neglect" and establishing fair removal procedures without adequate employee protections could create vulnerability to politically-motivated removals
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's language about "certain forms" of neglect suggests selective application, raising questions about which negligent acts trigger removal and which don't
  • Appointment authority clarity: Uncertainty about whether removal authority rests with governors, agency heads, or oversight bodies could create jurisdictional conflicts

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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