HB 276 would designate June 19 (Juneteenth) as a legal holiday in Mississippi, adding it to the state's official list of fixed-date holidays. This change would require state government offices to close on June 19 each year, aligning with existing holidays like Independence Day and Christmas. The bill does not alter other holidays but specifically establishes Juneteenth as a day when state operations would be suspended. It directly affects state employees and public institutions that follow the legal holiday schedule.
HB 253, the Mississippi Smoke-Free Air Act of 2026, bans smoking in enclosed public places (like restaurants and bars), workplaces, private clubs, residential facilities, and certain outdoor areas (such as outdoor dining). It requires businesses to post "no smoking" signs at entrances and allows voluntary smoke-free designations. The law repeals Mississippi’s previous Clean Indoor Air Act and directs the State Department of Health to educate the public and businesses on compliance. It directly affects owners, operators, and employees of venues covered by the ban, aiming to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure in these settings.
HB 230 would have required Mississippi's Department of Human Services to reinstate a program providing nutritionally balanced meals to older residents at community sites like senior centers. It aimed to restore a discontinued service for seniors who rely on these meals for food security and social connection. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted into law. The proposal directly affected older Mississippians in community settings who previously accessed this meal service.
HB 198 requires the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to annually study public infrastructure conditions - such as roads, water systems, and utilities - in the 20 counties with the highest poverty rates in Mississippi. It mandates the MDA to report findings to the legislature by December 31 each year and provide guidance to these counties on accessing federal and state grants or loans for infrastructure improvements. The bill directly affects the 20 designated counties and the MDA, which must now formalize this review process. This creates a structured mechanism for identifying and addressing infrastructure gaps in economically disadvantaged areas.
Mississippi's HB 196 changes the legal classification for first-time possession of small amounts of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids. Specifically, it makes possessing 30 grams or less of marijuana or 10 grams or less of synthetic cannabinoids a civil offense instead of a criminal one. This means first-time offenders would face fines or other civil penalties, not criminal charges, jail time, or a criminal record. The bill directly affects individuals caught with these specific small quantities for the first time. It does not alter penalties for larger amounts or subsequent offenses.
HB 200 amends Mississippi's legal holiday schedule to designate June 19 as "Juneteenth Freedom Day," adding it to the list of days when state offices and public institutions close. This change directly affects state government operations and public schools, which must observe the day as a legal holiday under Mississippi Code §3-3-7. The bill specifies that June 19 will be recognized annually as a legal holiday, aligning with the national observance of Juneteenth commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. (June 19, 1865). The provision does not create new paid leave requirements but formally establishes the date as a recognized state holiday.
HB 255 proposes creating Mississippi's first state-funded universal prekindergarten program, making pre-K education available to all 4-year-olds on a voluntary basis for parents. The bill requires public funding for at least 10 hours per week over 35 weeks annually (540 hours for half-day programs), with tuition paid directly to qualified public or private providers meeting specific quality standards. Key provisions include mandatory NAEYC accreditation, teacher qualifications, early literacy curriculum aligned with state standards, and requirements for staff training, child-to-teacher ratios (1:10), and health screenings. The program would be jointly administered by the State Board of Education and the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development, with annual reporting to the legislature.
HB 241 establishes a grant program administered by Mississippi's State Department of Education to fund new construction and repairs of public school facilities across the state. It creates a dedicated grant fund using state sales tax revenue, with 95% of annual $30 million allocations available for school districts to improve infrastructure, build career-technical facilities, or address health/safety needs - excluding athletic facilities. Each district can receive up to $10 million over five years, prioritizing urgent needs like building code compliance or energy efficiency. The bill amended existing law to redirect funds from a previous educational enhancement fund to this new program. However, the bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
HB 252 would expand Mississippi's Medicaid program to cover non-pregnant adults under 65 with incomes at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, provided they are not enrolled in Medicare. This would add a new eligibility category for low-income adults currently excluded from Medicaid under Mississippi's existing law. The bill aligns with the federal Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion provisions, which allow states to cover this group. If enacted, it would provide health coverage to thousands of uninsured low-income adults in Mississippi who are currently ineligible.
HB 250 would require Mississippi counties to reimburse poll workers for mileage when using personal vehicles to travel more than 10 miles to return to the registrar's office after polls close on election day. The reimbursement rate would match the federal employee mileage rate for each mile over 10. This applies specifically to poll managers and other election workers required to make this return trip. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 205 would have revised how Mississippi Medicaid calculates reimbursements for durable medical equipment (DME), such as wheelchairs or oxygen equipment. The bill aimed to change the specific formula used to determine payments to providers supplying these devices, directly affecting Medicaid-covered DME providers. This amendment would have updated Section 43-13-117 of the Mississippi Code to reflect the new reimbursement method. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
HB 211 would have required high schools in Mississippi school districts rated "C," "D," or "F" under the state accountability system to offer four specific courses: vocational education, agriculture, forestry, and home economics (covering child development, nutrition, and health). The State Board of Education would have created uniform curriculum standards and materials for these courses, which students could count as graduation-required electives. The bill also amended existing law to mandate home economics instruction in Grades 10-12 for these districts starting in 2026-2027. This legislation died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.
