SB 2701 creates the "Insurance Department Fraud Detection Trust Fund" to help Mississippi's Insurance Department combat rising cyber fraud, including deepfakes and synthetic identity scams. It requires property/casualty insurers and life/health insurers to pay annual contributions (with a $100 minimum per company) totaling up to $1 million yearly - increasing the previous cap from $750,000. Funds will directly support fraud detection tools, cybersecurity reviews, arson investigations, and other fraud-related duties of the Insurance Commissioner. The bill revises existing funding rules to allow unrestricted use of the trust fund (no deposit into the general fund) and ensures unspent balances carry forward annually.
SB 2636 creates Mississippi's first dedicated Department of Cybersecurity to protect state systems and critical infrastructure. The department will develop statewide cybersecurity strategies, secure state digital networks, coordinate with local agencies, and run public awareness programs. The Governor appoints a Director (with Senate approval), who oversees operations and reports to the Governor and Legislature annually. The bill establishes a dedicated cybersecurity fund for grants and federal resources, effective July 1, 2026, with a sunset repeal date of June 30, 2026.
SB 2611 creates the Metro Jackson Water Authority to manage Jackson's water and wastewater systems after federal court-appointed third-party managers end their oversight. The authority would lease the city's water infrastructure through a negotiated agreement, with the goal of ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable service for Jackson residents. Key provisions include establishing a governing board, requiring competitive procurement for major contracts, granting tax-exempt status for authority property, and allowing the authority to borrow funds via bonds to cover operations and capital needs. The bill directly affects Jackson residents, the City of Jackson (as the current system owner), and the new authority, aiming to transition management from temporary federal oversight to a permanent local structure.
SB 2362 amends Mississippi's consumer protection law (Section 75-24-15) to change how individuals can sue businesses for prohibited practices. It removes the requirement for consumers to first attempt an informal dispute resolution program before filing a lawsuit, but adds a new rule: plaintiffs must notify the Attorney General within 14 days of filing their case, allowing the AG to join the suit. The bill also specifies where lawsuits can be filed (including the State Capitol county with consent) and allows courts to award attorney fees for frivolous claims. Additionally, it requires veterans' claims to include a bolded notice stating free services are available through the state veterans affairs board. The bill is set to take effect July 1, 2026, but expires June 30, 2026, creating a technical conflict in its timeline.
HB 331 creates the Mississippi Curriculum Alignment Task Force to review and recommend ways to align high school and college curricula across the state. The task force, composed of education officials, workforce development leaders, and legislative committee chairs, will study current curriculum structures, analyze high school credit requirements, and determine necessary funding and legal changes for better alignment. It must meet monthly, provide monthly reports to the legislature, and submit final recommendations by December 1, 2026. Task force members will not receive pay but may get mileage reimbursement, with the Mississippi Department of Education providing staff support for the initiative.
HB 335 creates a pilot program to fund dual enrollment courses in career and technical education at Mississippi community colleges. It directs $150 per credit hour per student to four specific workforce regions (Delta, Twin Districts, Mississippi Partnership, and Southcentral) for high school students taking qualifying courses aligned with state priority job sectors. The program requires community colleges to use funds for student education costs and mandates annual reports tracking student participation, course usage, and post-course training interest. The Office of Workforce Development will administer the program, reserving up to 1% of funds for its operations. This directly affects community colleges in those regions and high school students pursuing career-focused dual enrollment.
HB 333 requires Mississippi's State Workforce Investment Board to create a separate list of high-value industry certifications for community college students. It mandates the Mississippi Community College Board to pay $600 per student toward career and technical education certifications earned at participating community colleges, starting in fiscal year 2027, subject to available funding. The bill prevents double-reimbursement for certifications already obtained and aligns the list with existing K-12 certification standards. This directly affects community colleges, their students pursuing career certifications, and the Community College Board's funding allocation process.
SB 2232 increases fines for not wearing seatbelts ($100) and failing to use child safety restraints ($100), while diverting 60% of these fines to the Driver Training Penalty Assessment Fund and 40% to the Use of Safety Seat Belt Education Fund. The bill directly affects drivers and passengers who violate seatbelt laws, as well as parents or caregivers responsible for child restraints. Key provisions include prohibiting these violations from appearing on driving records and requiring the funds to support education and information programs about vehicle safety. The legislation updates existing funding mechanisms to prioritize safety education over general state revenue, with unspent funds remaining in the designated accounts.
HB 934 extends the expiration date for Mississippi's Independent Schools Infrastructure Grant Program, which provides funding to eligible private schools for infrastructure improvements. The program, funded by federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) coronavirus recovery funds, allows qualifying independent schools (members of MAIS or state/national accrediting bodies, not under state education authority) to apply for grants covering water, wastewater, stormwater, and broadband projects. Each school can receive up to $100,000 in reimbursable grants, with funds limited to prospective projects initiated after July 1, 2022. The extension ensures the program continues operating beyond its original sunset date while requiring annual reporting to the legislature on grant allocations and project status.
SB 2013 reinstates Mississippi's State Grand Jury Act, which expired in 2024, and expands its authority to investigate officer-involved shootings, specific embezzlement/fraud cases, and public corruption (pending a constitutional amendment). It removes the requirement that crimes must span multiple court districts, allows the Attorney General to notify the panel judge directly instead of petitioning them, and mandates the judge to form a jury within 30 days. The bill also requires local officials and law enforcement to cooperate in providing grand jury accommodations and updates procedural rules for jury operations. These changes apply to the state grand jury system, directly affecting prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement agencies conducting major investigations.
SB 2014 would have required Mississippi's State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan to cover dental implants and prosthetic teeth for children with oligodontia (a condition causing missing multiple teeth), which was previously excluded. This change would directly affect children with oligodontia enrolled in the state health plan, providing coverage for necessary dental care they previously lacked. The bill amended Section 25-15-7 of Mississippi law to remove the exclusion for these specific treatments under the plan. The proposed change was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, but the bill died in committee in February 2026.
This bill (SC 502) proposes a constitutional amendment to expand Mississippi's state grand jury jurisdiction. It would allow the grand jury to investigate and return indictments for specific crimes - including narcotics violations, officer-involved shootings, and public corruption (like embezzlement and fraud) - regardless of where the crime occurred in the state. The amendment removes the current requirement that such crimes must involve more than one county or have significance across multiple counties. The proposal is now dead in committee and would require voter approval in 2026 if passed.
