SB 2594 Mississippi Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Mississippi Antiquities Law; amend to provide certain exemptions for universities and colleges.

SB 2594 creates an exemption allowing public universities and community colleges in Mississippi to demolish historic campus buildings that are blighted, abandoned, or vacant. Specifically, it permits demolition if restoring the building would cost over 50% of its replacement value, as defined in Section 39-7-19. The bill requires institutions to provide a structural feasibility study or cost estimate from a qualified expert before demolition. This directly affects public higher education institutions managing historic properties on their campuses.

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Last action Mar 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → Current version · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended after passing the Senate to clarify definitions of 'blight' and streamline permit language for demolishing historic buildings. The changes remove redundant definitions, add specific factors like prostitution and substance abuse to blight determinations, and standardize references to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History board. These modifications aim to improve clarity in enforcement and permit processes while maintaining the bill's core purpose of protecting Mississippi Landmarks.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on Mississippi Landmark protection and demolition permits, but the definition of 'blight' was expanded to include specific social factors, and procedural language was standardized throughout the document.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Blight' was expanded to include prostitution, trafficking, and substance abuse as factors detrimental to public health, safety, morals, or welfare.

Removed redundant second definition of 'Blight' that listed specific conditions like deteriorated structures and tax delinquency, replacing it with a more concise version.

TECHNICAL

Standardized capitalization of 'board of trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History' throughout the bill for consistency.

Corrected formatting inconsistencies in section headers and spacing throughout the document.

TIMELINE

Added a repeal date of June 30, 2026 to the effective date provision, making the act temporary for one year.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 9, 2026

How they voted

47–5

Passed

Total votes 52

Feb 9, 2026

D Democratic18

16 Yea 2 Nay

88% Yea

R Republican34

31 Yea 3 Nay

91% 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 Public Property;Appropriations A

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed As Amended

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

upper

Jan 19, 2026

Committee

Referred To Public Property

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors