SB 2046 Mississippi Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Mississippians' Right to Name, Likeness and Voice Act; enact.

SB 2046, the "Mississippians' Right to Name, Likeness and Voice Act," grants every individual in Mississippi a legal right to control how their name, likeness, and voice are used, including by digital tools like AI-generated images or voice replicas. It requires written agreements with legal counsel for commercial use of these elements by individuals 18 or older, or court approval for minors, and allows rights to be inherited by family members for up to 10 years after death (with termination if unused for two years). The law explicitly states these rights are transferable and protects free speech in related lawsuits through a First Amendment defense. It directly affects all Mississippi residents and businesses using personal identifiers commercially, especially in digital contexts.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 16, 2026 Last action Mar 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Substitute → Current version · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to expand the number of sponsoring senators and strengthen protections for individuals' rights to control their name, voice, and likeness. The changes add new sponsors, clarify definitions around digital technology and AI-generated content, and modify liability provisions to better address unauthorized commercial use.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include additional sponsors and clarify that rights apply to all individuals in the state, not just those who commercially exploited their rights during their lifetime.

ELIGIBILITY

Added three new senators (Norwood, Simmons 12th, Simmons 13th) to the list of bill sponsors.

DEFINITION

Updated definition of 'digital depiction' to clarify it includes images created using digital technology including artificial intelligence.

Expanded definition of 'digital technology' to explicitly list computer software, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum computing.

Revised definition of 'personalized cloning service' to specify it applies to services producing digital replicas without authorization.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the duration of rights after death from a 10-year period with termination conditions to a fixed 10-year term ending on the date ten years after death.

Changed the effective date provision to remove the repeal date, allowing the law to remain in force indefinitely after July 1, 2026.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new provision stating rights can only be enforced through specific sections of the bill.

Revised liability provisions to remove the requirement for proof of nonuse to terminate rights after the initial period.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2026

How they voted

52–0

Passed

Total votes 52

Feb 11, 2026

D Democratic18

18 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican34

34 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Feb 16, 2026

Committee

Referred To Judiciary A

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed As Amended

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

upper

Jan 8, 2026

Committee

Referred To Universities and Colleges

upper

1 primary · 9 co-sponsors