SB 2081 would allow individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies to legally possess firearms and deadly weapons five years after completing all sentence requirements, including paying fines, fees, restitution, and probation/parole. It directly affects people with nonviolent felony convictions who have finished their sentences, excluding those classified as violent under Mississippi law or designated as violent by a judge. The bill defines "nonviolent felony" as any felony not listed in Section 97-3-2(1) or labeled violent at sentencing. It does not require court approval for the five-year waiting period, though existing rehabilitation certificates remain an option. The bill was introduced but died in committee in February 2026, so it has not become law.
SB 2082 defines a "recidivist misdemeanant" as someone convicted of three or more misdemeanors within ten years. It requires courts to sentence such individuals to a minimum of six months in county jail (up to three years) or a $2,000 fine, instead of allowing suspended sentences. The bill removes judicial authority to suspend sentences for these offenders, amending Mississippi Code Section 99-19-25 to restrict this option. This law would apply to repeat misdemeanor offenders in Mississippi starting July 1, 2026, but the bill died in committee in February 2026.
SB 2085 would change Mississippi law to treat possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana as a civil penalty (a fine) instead of a criminal offense, removing the possibility of jail time for this amount. It also eliminates the option for courts to impose jail sentences for second convictions involving small amounts of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids (10 grams or less). Funds from these civil penalties would be directed to the local municipality or county where the fine was issued. The bill specifically targets low-level possession offenses, reducing criminal penalties for small quantities while redirecting penalty revenue to local governments.
SB 2094 would have allowed Mississippi voters to register online through a secure website managed by the Secretary of State, requiring verification using a valid Mississippi driver's license or ID. It also would have permitted voting up to 21 days before an election at county registrars' offices, with the same procedures as election day voting, including voter challenges and immediate vote announcement. The bill required county registrars to process online applications within 14 days and established rules for pre-election voting procedures. It was referred to the Elections Committee but died there on February 3, 2026, without further action. The bill directly affected qualified Mississippi voters seeking online registration or early voting options.
SB 2084 amends Mississippi's sex offender registration law to require registration for individuals convicted of incest. It adds "incest" (specifically under Section 97-29-5) to the list of offenses that trigger mandatory registration under the state's sex offender registry. This change directly affects people convicted of incest in Mississippi or other jurisdictions, requiring them to register with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The bill does not alter existing registration requirements or penalties but expands which offenses qualify as "sex offenses" under the registry law.
SB 2088, titled the "Contraception Begins at Erection Act," would prohibit discharging genetic material (e.g., sperm) without the intent to fertilize an egg, imposing fines of $1,000 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second, and $10,000 for subsequent offenses. The fines would be paid to the woman whose egg was fertilized as a result of the act. Exceptions include using contraceptives (defined broadly to cover methods like condoms, birth control pills, and IUDs) or donating genetic material for future fertilization. The bill was introduced in 2026 but died in committee.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to restore voting rights in Mississippi to people convicted of nonviolent felonies after meeting specific conditions. It would require individuals to complete all sentence terms (including probation), pay all fines/fees, and maintain seven years without new criminal convictions. The amendment directly affects nonviolent felons who have served their sentences but are currently barred from voting under Mississippi's 1890 Constitution. If approved by voters in 2026, it would change the voting eligibility rules for this group, though the bill died in committee in February 2026.
SB 2087, the "Mississippi Mandatory Bond Review Law," would have required courts to implement specific timelines for reviewing pretrial detention in Mississippi. It mandated an initial bond hearing within 72 hours of arrest, a first bond review within 14 days of detention, and subsequent reviews every 45 days for individuals held in custody. The bill required courts to consider specific factors (like flight risk and danger to the community) and created a presumption of release unless the court documented specific reasons for continued detention. Defense attorneys would have been notified and allowed to participate in all reviews, with written justifications required when bond was denied or not reduced. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.
SB 2086 would require all Mississippi law enforcement agencies to create and publicly post a written policy by September 2026 that generally prohibits officers from wearing masks covering their face during routine duties, except in specific, limited situations like undercover operations, tactical safety needs, or health-related circumstances. The policy must emphasize transparency and accountability, banning opaque masks unless no alternative exists and the necessity is documented. Violating this rule could result in fines or misdemeanor charges, though clear face shields and medical masks (e.g., for disease protection) are permitted. This bill directly affects all local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies operating in Mississippi.
SB 2060 allows Mississippi municipalities operating public utilities (such as water, electricity, or gas systems) to accept credit and debit card payments from customers. The bill requires utilities to cover any transaction fees associated with electronic payments themselves, rather than charging customers directly. These fees can then be included in the utility's regular rate base, meaning all customers indirectly pay for the service through their standard bills. This change modernizes payment options without increasing costs for individual customers.
SB 2092 is a proposed bill that defines what constitutes a vacancy in Mississippi's state legislature, directly affecting legislators and voters in districts with vacancies. It lists specific events causing vacancies (e.g., death, resignation, felony conviction, loss of voter registration) and requires the Governor to issue special election writs within 30 days, with 85 days' notice to voters - unless a general election occurs that year, when the Governor may skip the special election. The bill would have taken effect July 1, 2026, but died in committee in February 2026 and never became law. This is a procedural change to standardize vacancy handling, not a policy affecting public services or funding.
SB 2055, the "Motor Voter Registration Act," would have allowed Mississippi residents to register to vote or update their registration when applying for, renewing, or changing the address on a driver's license or state ID card. It required the Department of Public Safety to collect specific voter registration details (like name, address, and date of birth) during these transactions and forward completed applications to county election officials, unless the applicant opted out. The bill included an opt-out procedure, ensured data confidentiality, and allowed automatic updates to existing registrations or address changes. The bill was referred to the Elections Committee but died there on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.
