JACKSON - The state Senate has expanded a list of felonies that would prevent first-time offenders from being considered for parole after serving one-fourth of their sentence.
Several senators argued earlier in the week when the bill passed that the definition of violent crimes was not broad enough.
On Thursday, senators voted 31-18 for the bill after changing the definition of violent crime.
The bill would apply only to first-time offenders convicted after Jan. 1, 2000.
The original bill barred inmates from parole consideration if they were convicted of homicide, robbery, manslaughter, sex crimes, arson, burglary of an occupied dwelling and the sale or manufacture of drugs.
The change adopted Thursday added aggravated assault, kidnapping, felonious abuse of vulnerable adults and felonies with enhanced penalties to that list.
The House and Senate worked Thursday on a deadline to pass bills originating in their own chamber.
In the House, lawmakers passed a bill opening the way for owners of the Jackson Bandits hockey team to build an arena next to Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson. The arena would be financed through a public-private partnership, with the state backing $12 million in bonds.
Rep. Bobby Howell, R-Kilmichael, said the state would recover its costs if the project fails.
The Bandits now play at Mississippi Coliseum on the state fairgrounds.
The team is seeking a new arena because it has to go on the road for two months in the early part of the year when the Dixie National Rodeo and the state high school basketball tournament use the fairgrounds.
The Senate let die a bill that would have authorized the city of Jackson to operate video cameras at intersections. The cameras would take snapshots of motorists' license plates as they run red lights. Violators could be fined $100.
Sen. John Horhn, D-Jackson, said there was a disagreement among lawmakers from Jackson over the bill and it was better to put the issue off for a year.
The bills are Senate Bill 3028, House Bill 1007 and Senate Bill 2508.
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