SB 2178 Mississippi Senate · 2025 Regular Session

School boards; authorize to vote on providing members and their dependents with health insurance paid for by local funds.

SB 2178 allows Mississippi school boards to vote on providing health insurance coverage for their members and eligible dependents, using only locally raised funds (not state funds). This amendment to Section 37-7-301 of Mississippi law adds the provision to school boards' existing authority over personnel benefits. The bill specifically requires that any insurance paid for by the school district must come from local revenue sources, such as property taxes, and cannot use state appropriations. It directly affects school board members across all Mississippi school districts who choose to adopt this benefit.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Last action Mar 4, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → Current version · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the Mississippi Code to grant school boards new powers, including the ability to vote to provide health insurance for themselves and their eligible dependents using local funds, and to charge reasonable fees for educational programs. The amendment also adds numerous new powers related to school management, including the ability to lease school buildings, enter into energy performance contracts, privatize nonacademic functions, and implement financial literacy programs for students.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of school board authority significantly, adding numerous new powers and responsibilities that were not previously included in the statute.

ELIGIBILITY

School boards are now authorized to vote to provide health insurance for school board members and their eligible dependents, funded through local rather than state funds.

REQUIREMENT

School boards may now charge reasonable fees for educational programs and for participating in extracurricular activities for necessary equipment like safety gear and uniforms.

Parents and legal guardians are now responsible for textbooks and must compensate the district for any books not returned when a child withdraws from school.

School boards are encouraged to conduct independent management reviews and must implement financial literacy programs for grades 10 and 11.

SCOPE

School boards gain authority to lease school buildings, enter into energy performance contracts, and privatize nonacademic functions like janitorial services and transportation.

New provisions allow school boards to partner with organizations, borrow funds for building maintenance, and delegate various school operations to private entities.

TIMELINE

The act takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 6, 2025

How they voted

49–2

Passed

Total votes 51

Feb 6, 2025

D Democratic16

16 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican35

33 Yea 2 Nay

94% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 10, 2025

Committee

Referred To Education

lower

Feb 7, 2025

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

upper

Jan 20, 2025

Committee

Referred To Education

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor