SB 2022 prohibits the land application of sewage sludge, septage, and related products containing "forever chemicals" (PFAS) above safe levels. It requires wastewater facilities to test for these chemicals and bans new licenses for spreading septage, while allowing existing licenses to continue only if PFAS levels are below established limits. The Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission must develop a plan to phase out land application of septage, including identifying alternative disposal capacity. This bill directly affects wastewater treatment facilities, septage spreaders, and agricultural businesses using sludge-derived fertilizers or soil amendments.
SB 2024 proposes to establish a statewide uniform youth court system in Mississippi by standardizing existing youth court procedures across all counties. It consolidates and updates multiple sections of the Mississippi Code related to youth court organization, jurisdiction, definitions (like "delinquent child" or "neglected child"), and administrative processes. This would directly affect youth under 18 involved in court cases, ensuring consistent handling of their cases statewide. The bill focuses on creating uniform standards for youth courts rather than introducing new policies or penalties. (Note: The bill died in committee and did not become law.)
This bill would designate U.S. presidential election days, general state election days, and U.S. Senate election days as legal holidays in Mississippi. It would require state government offices to close on these specific election dates, affecting state employees and operations. The bill proposes adding these election days to Mississippi's official holiday list, occurring every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. This policy change would apply to all state government functions on the designated election days, starting in 2027 for state elections and 2028 for presidential elections.
SB 2033 would restore Medicaid reimbursement for inpatient hospital services provided to children under 21 at a specific border city university-affiliated pediatric teaching hospital. It deletes a 2024 repeal that had ended this payment requirement, ensuring the hospital continues to receive state Medicaid funds for eligible pediatric care. This change directly affects the designated hospital and its patients, maintaining existing coverage without altering broader Medicaid rules. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and would not have changed other Medicaid reimbursement structures.
SB 2066 requires Mississippi public school districts to create comprehensive safe-school plans that specifically include students with disabilities. The bill mandates proactive planning, training, and individualized emergency plans (like IEPs/504s) to address unique needs such as mobility, communication, medical requirements, and sensory challenges during crises. Districts must also conduct at least one safety drill per month and ensure plans comply with federal laws like IDEA and Section 504. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.
SB 2059 defines key terms like "direct-current fast-charging station" and "electric vehicle" in Mississippi law. It prohibits public utilities from charging ratepayers extra fees for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and requires all charging station providers to be offered the same rates and terms. The bill applies directly to electric vehicle charging providers and public utilities operating in Mississippi, ensuring equal treatment for all providers while allowing specific exceptions. It focuses on preventing cost-shifting to customers and standardizing access to charging services.
SB 2078 removes the standard two-year statute of limitations for prosecuting sexual battery in Mississippi, meaning prosecutors can file charges at any time regardless of when the crime occurred. This directly affects victims of sexual battery, prosecutors, and defendants in such cases, particularly when the accused's identity is later discovered through DNA evidence from biological samples. The bill amends Mississippi Code § 99-1-5 to explicitly exempt sexual battery from the general two-year limitation period, aligning it with other serious offenses like murder and rape. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.
SB 2039 proposes phasing out Mississippi's Parchman State Penitentiary over four years (starting July 1, 2026), transferring its inmates, staff, and programs to other correctional facilities. The bill requires reducing Parchman's population by 1,700 inmates by 2028 and mandates renaming the Tutwiler facility as the "Northwest Mississippi Correctional Facility" for inmate transfers. It also designates an existing Parchman building for mental health services and directs the Corrections Commissioner to submit a consolidation plan by 2027. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and is not currently law.
SB 2069 requires all Mississippi public school districts, charter schools, and specific state schools (like the Mississippi School for the Arts) to adopt cell phone policies by January 1, 2027, banning or restricting student phone use during class or under staff supervision. Schools failing to comply face daily funding deductions from the state's total funding formula. The bill allows exceptions for emergencies, medical needs (per a healthcare provider), or individualized education programs (IEPs). It also prohibits suspending or expelling students solely for violating this policy, permitting suspension only as a last resort.
SB 2070, the "Tim Tebow Act," would allow homeschooled students in Mississippi to join public school sports and clubs in their assigned school district. To participate, homeschooled students must provide academic proof (like test scores, a portfolio, or transcripts), pay the same fees as public school students, and follow the same rules, including academic standards and safety requirements. School districts would receive $2,250 per participating homeschooled student annually from a new state fund, but only if they apply for the funds by January 30 each year. The bill specifies participation is a privilege, not a right, and prohibits schools from discriminating against homeschooled students in team selection. Note: The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring all candidates for state and county offices in Mississippi to win a majority (more than 50%) of votes cast to be elected. It directly affects all candidates running for state and county elected positions, including governors, legislators, sheriffs, and county commissioners. The key provision changes election rules so that if no candidate receives a majority in the first election, a runoff election must be held between the top two candidates. This would replace Mississippi's current system, where a candidate can win with a plurality (the most votes, even if less than 50%). The amendment would take effect if approved by voters in the 2026 election.
SB 2090 establishes a standardized 7-day in-person early voting period for all elections (primary, general, runoff, special, municipal) in Mississippi, starting the Monday one week before the election and ending at 5:00 p.m. on the Monday before election day. It requires voting to occur only at the county election office during regular business hours and on one Saturday, mandates public notice of voting hours in three locations 8 days in advance, and maintains the same voting procedures as election day. The bill affects all registered voters in Mississippi by changing when and where they can vote early in person, and county election offices by standardizing their early voting operations. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.
