HB 671 Mississippi House · 2026 Regular Session

Alcoholic beverages; revise policy of state regarding prohibition of, revise certain provisions regarding delivery service permits.

Mississippi's HB 671 renounces state prohibition as policy, allowing the legal manufacture, sale, distribution, and transportation of alcoholic beverages statewide effective January 1, 2027, except in counties that vote to maintain prohibition via election after that date. It revises how often counties can hold such elections and clarifies that possessing alcohol becomes lawful throughout the state as of January 1, 2021, with exceptions for selling without authorization. The bill amends multiple sections to align with this shift, including updating definitions of "alcoholic beverage" and establishing new rules for delivery services through package retailers. These changes aim to modernize Mississippi's alcohol laws while preserving local option for prohibition via voter referendums.
Bill status died 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Governor
Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Last action Apr 1, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced Current version · 8 edits
MODERATE
This bill fundamentally shifts Mississippi's alcohol policy from a default prohibition stance to a state-wide legalization framework, allowing the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcohol unless a specific county or municipality votes to remain 'dry.' It introduces a complex system of 'qualified resort areas' with specific geographic and property requirements where alcohol is permitted even in dry counties, and it significantly expands the number of locations eligible for alcohol licenses.
Scope change
The bill changes the default state policy from prohibition to legalization, while retaining local option elections for counties and municipalities to vote for or against alcohol sales. It also creates numerous specific exceptions and new categories of eligible locations for alcohol sales.
POLICY

Changed the state's default policy from prohibition to legalization, allowing alcohol sales statewide unless a local jurisdiction votes to ban it.

DEFINITION

Added extensive new definitions for specific terms like 'native wine,' 'native spirit,' 'craft spirit,' 'qualified resort area,' and 'campus' to clarify legal boundaries.

ELIGIBILITY

Created a long list of specific geographic locations, facilities, and municipalities that are automatically designated as 'qualified resort areas' where alcohol sales are permitted regardless of local dry laws.

Expanded eligibility for alcohol licenses to include specific types of venues such as cooking schools, art studios, spas, and certain event venues that meet strict square footage and revenue criteria.

TIMELINE

Set a new effective date of January 1, 2027, for the legalization provisions, while maintaining existing dry laws until that date.

REQUIREMENT

Revised the frequency of local elections on alcohol prohibition from every two years to every four years to reduce the burden on voters.

EXEMPTIONS

Added specific exemptions for native wines, native spirits, and craft spirits, which are generally legal for sale even in dry counties.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated penalties and forfeiture procedures for alcohol violations to align with the new legalization framework.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2026 · House Feb 10, 2026

How they voted

445
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 52
Mar 5, 2026
D Democratic18
15 Yea 2 Nay 1
83% Yea
R Republican34
29 Yea 3 Nay 2
85% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
6
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Mar 30, 2026
Committee
Recommitted For Further Conf
upper
Mar 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Report Filed
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed As Amended
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass As Amended
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred To Finance
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Introduced
Transmitted To Senate
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred To State Affairs
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Brent Powell
Brent Powell
RRepublican
MS
59