House Bill 953, introduced in the Mississippi House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Education on January 16, 2006, would, if enacted, enable Mississippi school boards "[t]o authorize the teaching of 'creationism' or 'intelligent design' in the public schools." Moreover, "[i]f the school's curriculum requires the teaching of evolution, then the teaching of 'creationism' or 'intelligent design' shall be required." The chief sponsor of HB 953 is Representative Mike Lott (R-District 104); the cosponsors are Representatives Virginia Carlton (R-District 100), John L. Moore (R-District 60), Gary V. Staples (R-District 88), and Carmel Wells-Smith (R-District 111). Wells-Smith introduced antievolution legislation in previous legislative sessions: HB 888 and 1101 in 2002, HB 1397 in 2003, and HB 1288 in 2004. All of these bills died in committee.