Department of Public Safety; consolidate offices and revise provisions related to.
HB 1612 reorganizes Mississippi's Department of Public Safety by consolidating its offices (like Highway Patrol, Forensic Labs, and Homeland Security units) under a single Commissioner. It removes a fee requirement for emergency communications training funding and increases fees for medical examiner autopsies ($185 base + up to $100 for SIDS cases) and vehicle safety inspections for salvage titles. These changes directly affect the state agency (through structural shifts), counties (paying higher medical examiner fees), and vehicle owners (paying increased inspection costs). The bill makes operational adjustments to existing fee structures and departmental organization without introducing new programs or funding.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 12, 2026
Signed Apr 8, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
As Passed the lower
→
Current version
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was finalized and sent to the Governor, removing several sections intended for future amendment and adding a new provision that grants specific DPS officers the power of general police officers when transporting or protecting state officials. The bill also clarifies the organizational structure of the Department of Public Safety and adjusts fee language for vehicle inspections.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed by removing sections that were previously marked for future amendment, while the applicability of enforcement powers was expanded for specific officers assigned to protect state dignitaries.
ENFORCEMENT
Added a provision vesting specific Department of Public Safety officers with the power of general police officers when they are assigned to transport or protect state officials or dignitaries.
SCOPE
Removed sections 45-3-21, 45-3-19, and 45-3-9 which were previously brought forward for possible amendment, indicating these changes were not adopted in this version.
REQUIREMENT
Reorganized the list of departmental offices and support services to clarify reporting lines and groupings within the Department of Public Safety.
TECHNICAL
Updated the bill title and status from 'As Passed the House' to 'As Sent to Governor' to reflect its legislative progress.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 10, 2026 · House Feb 11, 2026
How they voted
52–0
Passed
Total votes 52
Mar 10, 2026
D
Democratic18
100% Yea
R
Republican34
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
17
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Apr 8, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor
executive
Mar 31, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Report Adopted
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Report Filed
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed As Amended
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass As Amended
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Committee
Referred To Judiciary, Division B
upper
Feb 12, 2026
Introduced
Transmitted To Senate
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass
lower
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
Referred To Judiciary B
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 1612
Scope: MS
Hi! I can help you understand HB 1612. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline