SB 2051 would restore voting rights to Mississippi residents convicted of certain crimes (listed in the state constitution) once they complete their full sentence, including incarceration, probation, and parole. It directly affects people with past felony convictions who have finished their court-ordered sentences. The bill amends election laws to remove barriers to voter registration and participation, ensuring those who have completed sentences can register and vote without special approval. The legislation would have updated registration rules in Sections 23-15-11, 23-15-19, and 23-15-47 of Mississippi law. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
SB 2089 would amend Mississippi's state holiday code to designate U.S. Presidential Election Day, General State Election Day, and days when Mississippi's U.S. Senate seats are on the ballot as official legal holidays for state government operations. This means state offices would close on these election days, starting in 2027 for state elections and 2028 for presidential elections, with the next Monday becoming the holiday if it falls on a Sunday. The bill directly affects state employees and government services by requiring closures on these specific election dates. It does not change voting procedures or affect private businesses.
SB 2079 would create a new criminal offense for reckless endangerment in Mississippi, defined as recklessly engaging in conduct that places someone in imminent danger of death or serious injury. It establishes misdemeanor penalties (up to $500 fine or 1 year in jail) for basic reckless endangerment, with enhanced felony penalties for using deadly weapons (up to $3,000 fine and 6 years in prison) or discharging firearms into occupied dwellings (3-15 years in prison, up to $10,000 fine). The bill also specifies harsher penalties for firing into unoccupied homes (2-12 years, up to $5,000 fine). The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted, though it was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
SB 2048, the "Restoration of Voting Rights Act," would automatically restore voting rights to individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies upon completing their sentence, paying all fines and restitution, and maintaining a crime-free record for seven years. It directly affects Mississippi residents with nonviolent felony convictions who meet these specific criteria. The bill defines "nonviolent felony" as crimes not involving physical force against people or significant property harm. It amends state election laws to remove disenfranchisement for qualifying individuals and require automatic restoration of voting eligibility without additional legal action.
SB 2045 creates a study committee to examine the impact of student loan debt on Mississippi residents and develop recommendations for reducing it. The committee, composed of state officials and legislative leaders, will analyze data on debt levels, home ownership effects, and workforce impacts like teacher retention. It must submit a final report to the legislature by December 1, 2026, with findings on how student debt affects Mississippians. This bill does not implement policy changes but sets a process for future legislative action.
This bill amends Mississippi election laws to reduce the deadline for voters who cannot present proper photo identification or who claim a religious exemption from being photographed. Under the current law, these voters must return to a clerk's office within five days after an election to have their affidavit ballots counted, but the bill shortens this window to three days. The change applies to voters who cast affidavit ballots due to lacking acceptable identification or those who need to submit a religious objection affidavit. If voters do not meet the new deadline, their ballots will not be counted. The bill also maintains existing requirements for affidavit ballot procedures, including information provided to voters and how election officials must process and track these ballots.
SB 2083 would allow Mississippi courts to review and potentially reduce criminal sentences deemed unnecessarily harsh, primarily affecting inmates serving long felony sentences (10+ years) who have served at least one-third of their term and meet specific eligibility criteria (e.g., not currently serving a violent offense sentence). The bill establishes a process where defendants can file motions for sentence modification based on rehabilitation progress, medical conditions, and successful participation in prison programs, with courts required to consider public safety and reintegration. Crucially, it prohibits defendants from waiving this right in plea agreements and mandates that motions be reviewed by the original sentencing judge. The bill died in committee in 2026 and never became law.
SB 2064 requires Mississippi charter schools to compile and publicly release the same data as traditional public schools, including student performance metrics and school report card information. This bill directly affects charter schools by mandating transparency in the same data reporting that noncharter public schools must provide under existing law (specifically referencing Section 37-11-18.1 on the Mississippi Report Card). The key provision amends Mississippi Code §37-28-45 to remove an exemption allowing charter schools to avoid these reporting requirements. The bill would have required charter schools to share data on student achievement, graduation rates, and other metrics currently published by public school districts. Note: SB 2064 died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
SB 2063, titled the "Period of Quiet Reflection Act," would require Mississippi public school classrooms to implement a 60-second period of silent reflection at the start of every school day, directed by local school boards. This applies to all students and teachers in public schools across the state. The bill explicitly states this quiet time is not intended as a religious exercise but as a moment for individual reflection. The proposed law was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, but it died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was not enacted.
SB 2028 requires that any transfer of rights related to carbon credits or carbon sequestration (such as storing carbon in soil or forests) must be recorded with the county clerk as a land interest, following the same rules as property deeds. This affects landowners, farmers, and businesses participating in carbon credit programs by mandating formal recording to establish legal priority. The bill updates Mississippi’s property recording laws (Sections 89-5-1 and 89-5-3) to ensure carbon-related transfers are treated like standard property conveyances. The law would have taken effect July 1, 2026, but the bill died in committee in February 2026.
SB 2073 increases the fine for operating a vehicle without mandatory liability insurance to $500 and prohibits judges from waiving this fine. It requires drivers to provide proof of insurance and pay all fines before their licenses can be reinstated. The bill establishes a special "Uninsured Motorist Identification Fund" to cover costs for an insurance verification system, with excess funds split between a Highway Patrol Trooper School fund and Mississippi Trauma Care Systems. This directly affects all drivers in Mississippi who operate vehicles without required insurance.
SB 2047 would create a secure online system for Mississippi college students to apply for absentee ballots electronically. Students would submit a copy of their student ID and have their enrollment verified by a school registrar through a website established by the Secretary of State. Once approved, students would automatically receive mailed absentee ballots for all elections until June 30 of the following year. The bill amends existing election laws to implement this process, replacing manual application requirements for student voters.
