SB 2133 would have increased Mississippi’s cap on noneconomic damages (like pain, suffering, or emotional distress) from $2 million to $3 million for most civil lawsuits, excluding medical malpractice cases (which remain capped at $500,000). The bill cited inflation data showing a 67% cumulative price increase since 2004 as justification for the adjustment. It aimed to update the 2004-era cap to reflect current purchasing power, affecting plaintiffs in non-medical negligence cases. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.
SB 2140 would have created a new criminal offense called "aggravated manslaughter" in Mississippi, directly affecting perpetrators who commit manslaughter under specific aggravating circumstances. The bill defined this crime when the victim was a vulnerable adult (senior over 65 or someone with physical/mental disabilities) OR when the perpetrator had a prior violent crime conviction, escalating penalties beyond standard manslaughter. If passed, convicted individuals would face 10-30 years in prison (compared to 2-20 years for regular manslaughter). The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.
SB 2201 requires the removal of the Confederate flag depiction from the Mississippi State Capitol rotunda and establishes a commission to recommend a replacement image. The commission, composed of state officials and appointed members (including the Director of Archives and History, two Governor-appointed representatives, and bipartisan legislators), must submit its recommendation by September 30, 2026, and must consider a depiction of the slaves who contributed to the Capitol's construction. The bill amends a prior law that prohibited removing historical displays to enable this change, while preserving the requirement for public transparency through recorded meetings and public comments.
HB 598, the "Trust in Law Enforcement Act," would require Mississippi's Department of Public Safety to create a public database tracking specific officer misconduct by January 1, 2027. The database would include verified information such as officers found untruthful in official records, repeated training failures, certification revocations, or terminations for cause, making this data accessible to the public online. Officers could request reviews of inaccurate entries, and the database would need monthly updates for accuracy. This bill directly affects Mississippi law enforcement officers and aims to increase transparency in officer performance records.
SB 2193 amends Mississippi law to allow nurse practitioners (NPs) to dispense prescription medications (legend drugs) to their own patients, removing a prior restriction. This directly affects NPs who already hold prescriptive authority for non-controlled substances under existing rules. The key change explicitly permits NPs to dispense these medications without requiring a separate pharmacy relationship, while maintaining prohibitions on dispensing controlled substances (Schedules II-V) except as allowed under the Medical Cannabis Act. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.
HB 599 would have established a 9-member board to govern the Holly Springs Utility Department, directly affecting residents of Holly Springs, Marshall County, and Benton County. The board would consist of 5 members appointed by Holly Springs' city government, 2 by Marshall County, and 2 by Benton County, with four-year terms to manage utility systems and services. Board members would need to be qualified voters from their appointing authority and could not hold other elected offices. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law, so these provisions were never implemented.
SB 2199 would have allowed licensed podiatrists in Mississippi to perform ankle surgeries under specific conditions. To qualify, podiatrists would have needed a 24-month surgical residency approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education and certification from the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. The bill restricted such surgeries to accredited Mississippi hospitals where podiatrists held approved surgical privileges, and limited procedures to those listed in CPME 320. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
HB 595 requires Mississippi's State Department of Education to conduct a two-year study of all public and charter school facilities, assessing safety, structural conditions, space utilization, and modernization needs. The study must be completed by December 2028, with findings reported to the legislature and governor by January 2029. The state will fund the study using $5 million from lottery proceeds - $2.5 million in fiscal year 2027 and $2.5 million in 2028 - with the option to hire a third-party expert for assistance. This bill directly affects all public and charter schools in Mississippi by establishing a process to evaluate and prioritize facility improvements.
HB 594 (Mississippi Equal Pay for Equal Work Act) bans Mississippi employers from using an applicant's past salary when making hiring decisions or setting initial pay, directly affecting job seekers and employers. The bill defines "wage history" as past pay from current/prior jobs and prohibits employers from asking about it, though applicants may voluntarily share it to support a higher offer. Violations could result in $10,000 in statutory damages per employee, back pay, and attorney fees. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has not become law.
SB 2195 would have removed a special restriction preventing a specific 40-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility in DeSoto County from participating in Mississippi's Medicaid program. The bill amended state law to ensure this facility could access Medicaid reimbursement on the same terms as other similar facilities, eliminating a requirement that would have applied only to it. It specifically revised the certificate of need approval process to remove discriminatory barriers for this facility. This change would have directly affected the facility's ability to serve Medicaid patients without additional regulatory hurdles.
HB 593 authorizes online voter registration for first-time voters in Mississippi, requiring applicants to provide a valid Mississippi driver's license or photo ID and submit applications at least 30 days before an election. The bill establishes a secure online process where applicants' information (name, date of birth, ID number) is automatically verified against state records maintained by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. County registrars must review applications within 14 days, approve or reject them based on verification results, and mail written notifications to approved applicants. This bill directly affects first-time voters seeking to register online, streamlining the process while maintaining verification requirements.
SB 2192 would have created a new State Board of Health Professions to coordinate Mississippi's existing health regulatory boards (like medical, pharmacy, nursing, and dental boards). The board would include representatives from each existing board, five public members appointed by the governor, and the chairs of two legislative committees. Its duties would include evaluating which health professions need regulation, resolving conflicts between boards, advising the legislature on regulatory policy, and reviewing disciplinary processes. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.
