Minimum wage; establish at $8.50 for certain employees and set requirements for exemptions and overtime.

HB 1550 would establish Mississippi's first state minimum wage at $8.50 per hour for most workers, effective immediately. Tipped employees would receive a base wage of $3.62 per hour, with tips required to bring their total earnings to at least $8.50. The bill also requires overtime pay at 1.5x regular rate for employees earning $455 or less weekly, specifically protecting manual laborers, public safety workers (like police and firefighters), and others from exemption. It exempts certain industries but aligns with federal overtime rules for uncovered workers. The bill died in committee without becoming law.