HB 519 would allow mobile sports betting through apps and websites by defining "digital platforms" (such as websites or mobile apps) that operate sports pools or race books online. The bill revises licensing fees to be based on a platform's total revenue and removes a ban on fantasy contests using college sports performance. It directly affects sports betting operators, the Mississippi Gaming Commission (which would regulate these platforms), and the state (through revised fee structures). The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
HB 467 amends Mississippi law to include school resource officers (SROs) in the legal definition of "law enforcement officer" for death benefits eligibility. This change directly affects SROs employed by schools or school districts, allowing them to qualify for the same $100,000 death benefit paid to other law enforcement officers who die while on duty from a covered cause (excluding suicide or self-inflicted injury). The bill modifies existing definitions in Sections 45-2-1 and 45-2-21 of the Mississippi Code to ensure SROs are covered under the "Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Death Benefits Trust Fund." This is a policy adjustment to align SROs with other law enforcement personnel for benefit purposes, without creating new funding or altering benefit amounts.
HB 484 amends Mississippi law to exempt county and municipal employees from needing a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) when operating vehicles owned and used by their local government for work duties. Specifically, it adds a new exemption (under § 63-1-203(f)(5)) for vehicles controlled by local governments, operated by their employees during job tasks, and used to transport work-related items within 150 miles of a worksite. This change directly affects county and city workers (like public works or sanitation staff) who drive government-owned vehicles for daily operations. The bill does not alter CDL requirements for commercial vehicles or private drivers, only clarifies an exemption for local government operations.
HB 480 prohibits antisemitism and other forms of discrimination (based on race, religion, ethnicity, etc.) in Mississippi's public schools and colleges. It requires these institutions to treat antisemitic incidents identically to race-based discrimination, using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism. The bill provides specific examples of antisemitic behavior, including supporting groups like Hamas, participating in BDS campaigns, or organizing events that harass Jewish students. Failure to comply after written notice can result in funding penalties or reduced state support, enforced by state education bodies.
HB 494 requires all Mississippi public school districts and charter schools to display the Ten Commandments in a prominent location within every classroom by January 1, 2027. The display must be a framed poster or document at least 11x14 inches, with the specific text provided in the bill as the central focus. The bill also permits schools to display additional historical documents related to American or Mississippi history, culture, or founding principles. It directs the state education department to identify free resources for compliance and lists the required Ten Commandments text, which matches a version upheld in a 2005 Supreme Court case. The mandate applies to all classrooms in public and charter schools across Mississippi.
HB 540 revises Mississippi law to increase penalties for drivers who injure children exiting school buses. It amends Section 63-3-615 (school bus stop requirements) and Section 97-3-7 (assault penalties), designating the new provisions as the "Amiya Braxton Amendment." The bill makes it a felony (aggravated assault) when a driver violates the school bus stop law and causes injury to a child boarding or exiting a bus, raising penalties to 5-20 years in prison versus previous misdemeanor penalties. This directly affects drivers who fail to stop for school buses and cause injury to children during boarding or exiting.
HB 434 creates a new crime for possessing an unserialized firearm or unserialized unfinished frame/receiver (commonly called a "ghost gun") unless the person is a licensed federal firearms dealer, manufacturer, or importer. The bill requires firearms made using 3D printing technology to be serialized (marked with a unique identifier) by August 1, 2026, or before they become functional. Starting January 1, 2027, it becomes illegal for most individuals to possess such unserialized items, with limited exceptions for licensed businesses. The law defines key terms like "unserialized" and "unfinished frame" to clarify the scope of the new offense.
HB 448 amends Mississippi's Uniform Controlled Substances Law to remove hypodermic syringes from the legal definition of "paraphernalia." This means possessing or using a hypodermic syringe for legitimate medical purposes, such as insulin injections for diabetes, will no longer be considered a violation under paraphernalia laws. The bill directly affects medical patients who rely on syringes and healthcare providers who administer medications via syringes. It does not change laws regarding drug possession or use, only clarifies that syringes themselves are not subject to paraphernalia penalties.
HB 461, "Jennifer's Law," prohibits Mississippi state and local agencies employing peace officers or parking enforcement staff from setting traffic ticket or arrest quotas. It bans using the number of citations issued as the sole factor for promotions, pay, or other benefits, requiring agencies to evaluate officers based on broader criteria like attendance, community complaints, and professional judgment instead. The law directly affects all peace officers and parking enforcement employees in Mississippi and the agencies that employ them. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and defines key terms like "arrest quota" and "citation" to clarify the prohibition.
HB 542 designates June 19 (Juneteenth) as a legal holiday in Mississippi, adding it to the state's official list of recognized holidays. This change directly affects state government operations, including public offices and schools, which would close on June 19 annually. The bill specifies that if Juneteenth falls on a Sunday, the following Monday becomes the official holiday. It does not create new obligations for private businesses or alter existing holiday structures beyond this addition. The bill was introduced in 2026 but died in committee before becoming law.
HB 435 requires Mississippi's Department of Public Safety to add specific markings ("CCP" for concealed carry permit holders or "EHP" for enhanced firearm endorsements) to driver's licenses, temporary permits, and commercial licenses for individuals legally permitted to carry concealed firearms. This directly affects licensed firearm holders who must present their firearm permit at a driver's license office to receive the endorsement designation. The bill amends existing law to mandate this visual indicator on all relevant licenses, effective July 1, 2026. It does not change firearm licensing requirements but adds a visible identifier on driver's licenses for those with concealed carry permits.
HB 447 establishes a standardized early voting period for all elections in Mississippi, requiring early voting to begin 10 days before an election and end at 5:00 p.m. on the Saturday preceding election day. Qualified voters can cast ballots at their county registrar's office during regular business hours, with additional locations required based on population (one per 30,000 county voters or 10,000 municipal voters), and must present photo ID to vote. The bill mandates that early voting notices be posted in three public locations (including courthouses or city halls) at least eight days in advance and ensures early ballots are treated as final, saved for audits, and announced simultaneously with election day results. This directly affects voters seeking early access to polling locations and county registrars responsible for implementing the new procedures.
