Jansen Owen (R-Poplarville), who is also an attorney, stated that he wrote the legislation after representing clients in purchasing land in Pearl River County. He discovered old language in the deed that prohibited African Americans from living or owning the land. Owen said that Owen told the family that the language in their deed was not legally binding. Owen said that the language still made it uncomfortable for the African American family. Owen stated that he introduced the bill to make it affordable for families living in similar situations to eliminate the racist language. Owen stated that people are very respectful of the property they have. It means something to them. This is a simplified way to show that the property they have was once owned by people who felt they shouldn’t own it due to their skin color. It indicates that the property owner has removed the property from the chain. Owen stated that people buy property to be able to pass it on to their kids and discriminatory language is not something they like. Owen stated that the legislation was introduced by Owen after his clients requested anonymity. These deeds were made unenforceable by the Supreme Court in 1948 when it ruled that such language was discriminatory and unconstitutional. To support the Supreme Court’s ruling, federal laws were passed. Rep. Randy Boyd (R-Mantachie), and others raised questions during earlier debates on the House floor. The bill’s unenforceable language makes it unnecessary. Boyd asked if it was “a lawyer’s bill”, giving lawyers an opportunity to make money. Owen stated that it is expensive to file a motion in chancery court to delete the language under current law. According to Owen’s bill, no attorney is required. A form could be completed by the landowner, and the chancellor could approve it without holding a hearing. Representative Bryant Clark, D.Pickens, an attorney and member the Legislative Black Caucus said that he believed it would be beneficial to provide a simple way to remove the language. Clark stated that he had come across similar language and he did not bring it up. It is not enforceable. However, I can see why real estate lawyers who want to be secure would feel that they have to remove the language from the deed. Clark voted in favor of the measure. Texas passed a similar measure.