HB 1602 requires Mississippi state agencies to submit budget requests to the Legislative Budget Office (LBO) within 30 days of the deadline. If an agency misses this deadline, its director must hire a third-party contractor to prepare a new budget that is 3% lower than the agency’s current state general fund budget. The contractor must submit the budget to the LBO within 30 days, and the agency must pay the contractor within 45 days - or risk a spending freeze on its current budget. This applies directly to state agencies that fail to file timely budget requests, with the responsible officer personally liable for unpaid contractor fees.
This bill (HB 13) adds kratom to Schedule III of Mississippi's controlled substances list, classifying it as a regulated substance with potential for abuse. It directly affects anyone possessing, distributing, or using kratom within Mississippi, as it would now require a prescription and be subject to state drug laws. The key mechanism is amending Section 41-29-117 of the Mississippi Code to explicitly include kratom under Schedule III, which governs substances with accepted medical use but abuse potential. This changes kratom's legal status from unregulated to controlled under state law.
HB 349 removes a requirement for chancery clerks to submit quarterly reports to the Department of Mental Health (DMH) about court-ordered mental health admissions and denials for crisis stabilization beds. This change directly affects chancery clerks, who will no longer need to compile and send these records, and DMH, which will no longer receive them. The bill does not alter admission procedures, facility requirements, or other responsibilities in mental health care. It amends Section 41-21-77 of the Mississippi Code and takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 316 lowers the minimum age for applying to become a licensed hearing aid specialist in Mississippi from 21 to 18 years old. It also extends the time applicants have to pass required exams from an unspecified prior period to 18 months after submitting their initial application. The bill directly affects prospective hearing aid specialists seeking licensure in Mississippi, modifying the eligibility requirements in state law. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, as specified in the bill.
HB 312, the "Carl Rackley Airway Emergency Preparedness Act," requires specific facilities to maintain airway clearance devices (ACDs) for choking emergencies starting January 1, 2027. Covered facilities include public schools, child care centers, nursing homes, restaurants with 20+ indoor seats, and senior centers. The bill mandates each facility keep at least one ACD in a visible location with clear instructions, encourages but does not require staff training, and provides legal immunity for good-faith, uncompensated use of the device by bystanders. Noncompliant facilities face a written warning for first violations and up to $100 fines per occurrence for repeat failures, enforced through routine health inspections.
SB 2058 clarifies and expands the authority of county and regional utility authorities in Mississippi's Gulf Coast region to regulate water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. It requires all new systems to obtain county certification before construction or permitting, prohibits competing providers from entering areas served by licensed utilities without consent, and establishes penalties including $500 daily fines for violations. The bill directly affects municipalities, utility companies, and developers by strengthening county oversight and enforcing a "right of first refusal" for existing service areas. Key provisions include mandatory performance standards, certification requirements for systems, and allowing counties to pursue legal action to stop unauthorized service.
SB 2026, the Asbestos Action Over-naming Reform Act, requires plaintiffs in asbestos lawsuits to disclose specific details about their exposure within 30 days of filing the case. This includes the exact products used, locations of exposure, dates, the related disease, and supporting documentation. If plaintiffs fail to provide complete or accurate information, defendants can request the court dismiss claims against them. The law applies to all asbestos lawsuits filed on or after its effective date.
Mississippi Senate Bill 2042 transfers the administration of probation and parole officers from the Mississippi Department of Corrections to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, effective July 1, 2028. The bill requires the two departments to jointly develop a two-year transition plan by January 1, 2027, including cost-minimizing strategies and coordination with circuit courts. It redefines probation and parole officers as sworn law enforcement officers under the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Community Corrections, amending multiple statutes to reflect this change and establish their duties. The bill also mandates annual training for officers and evidence-based supervision practices to reduce recidivism.
HB 436 increases Mississippi's speed limits on state highways to 70 mph (from 65 mph) and on interstate highways to 75 mph (from 70 mph), effective July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects all drivers using these roads by raising the legal maximum speeds. Key provisions include amending Section 63-3-501 of the Mississippi Code to set these new limits, with the Mississippi Transportation Commission retaining authority to adjust specific sections within these caps. The change applies broadly to public highways without targeting specific vehicle types or user groups.
HB 528 increases penalties for possessing fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances in Mississippi. It modifies Section 41-29-139 to impose harsher sentences, such as 3-20 years in prison (up from prior limits) for possessing 2+ grams or 10+ dosage units, and 5-30 years for 10-30 grams. The bill directly affects individuals caught with fentanyl, raising fines to $250,000 for moderate amounts and $500,000 for larger quantities. These changes apply specifically to fentanyl, not other controlled substances, and aim to strengthen criminal penalties for this opioid. The bill does not alter possession laws for marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids, or other drugs listed in the code.
HB 654 amends Mississippi's vehicle tinting law to allow optometrists licensed in the state to certify medical exemptions for drivers with light-sensitive conditions. It directly affects individuals diagnosed by an optometrist with conditions aggravated by sunlight exposure, enabling them to legally use tinted windows that would otherwise violate state law. The key provision expands the current exemption process - previously limited to physicians - to include optometrists, who can now provide the required medical documentation. This change streamlines access to exemptions without altering the existing requirements for certification, vehicle labeling, or light transmittance standards. The bill does not change the exemption criteria or the need for a dashboard certificate issued by county tax collectors.
SB 2228 reduces the waiting period for felony expungement in Mississippi from three years to a shorter timeframe after completing all sentence terms and paying fines. It directly affects individuals convicted of certain felonies (excluding violent crimes, drug trafficking, repeated DUIs, firearm offenses, and sex offenses) who have met all sentencing requirements. The bill allows one felony expungement per person, with courts retaining nonpublic records for law enforcement and first-offender determinations. It maintains existing prohibitions on expunging convictions related to official duties or specific serious offenses listed in the bill. This policy change aims to help eligible individuals remove past convictions from public records more quickly.
