HB 4079 extends Jackson County’s existing 2% tourism tax on hotel and motel room rentals from ending in 2026 to 2030. The tax, which applies to overnight stays (not food or services), must be approved by voters (requiring 60% support) and funds must be used exclusively for tourism promotion in the county. Revenue collected is paid to the county board and must be dedicated to tourism activities, potentially including the Mississippi Gulf Coast Visitors Bureau. This change directly affects hotels and motels operating in Jackson County by maintaining their tax obligation for four additional years.
HB 4078 authorizes Prentiss County, Mississippi, to add a fee to court convictions to fund repairs of its historic courthouse. It allows a $25 assessment on most convictions (excluding DUI) and $50 for DUI convictions, in addition to existing court costs. The collected funds must be used solely for maintenance, repairs, and renovations of the Prentiss County Courthouse, designated as a Mississippi Landmark. The fee authority expires on July 1, 2030.
HB 1599 extends the expiration date of a 2% tax on prepared food and beverages sold in Brandon, Mississippi restaurants and bars from July 1, 2028, to July 1, 2032. This bill does not change the tax rate or its purpose - it maintains the existing 2% tax that funds tourism, parks, and recreation initiatives. The tax applies to restaurants and bars within Brandon's city limits (excluding certain facilities like schools or convenience stores), with proceeds required to be kept in a separate special fund. The extension ensures Brandon’s city government can continue collecting this revenue for designated purposes beyond the original 2028 deadline.
SB 2654 creates a State Security Operations Center (SSOC) within Mississippi’s Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) to serve as the state’s centralized cybersecurity operations hub. The SSOC will provide continuous monitoring, threat detection, incident response, and technical support to all state agencies subject to cybersecurity rules under Section 25-53-201, requiring agencies to report incidents, cooperate with SSOC efforts, and implement corrective actions. The Executive Director of ITS gains authority to enforce compliance through additional oversight, system access restrictions, or fees for noncompliance. The SSOC must submit annual reports detailing operations, incident responses, and future priorities to state leadership, all while complementing but not replacing existing cybersecurity governance under Section 25-53-201.
SB 2566 revises Mississippi's cosmetology and barbering licensing laws. It removes the requirement for license holders to display their licenses conspicuously (Section 73-7-11), exempts "master" license holders from renewing their underlying licenses (Sections 73-7-14, 73-7-35), and requires the Board to create rules for mobile salon licensing by January 1, 2027 (Section 73-7-17). The bill also adjusts renewal rules for professionals with 10+ years of experience and modifies examination and education requirements for apprenticeships and instructors. These changes directly affect cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, nail technicians, and their schools operating in Mississippi.
SB 2588, the SHIELD Act, requires Mississippi election officials to verify U.S. citizenship for voter registration applicants using the federal SAVE database when initial checks raise concerns. Officials must notify applicants to provide proof of citizenship (like birth certificates or passports), maintain records confidential, and submit annual reports to the Secretary of State on flagged applicants and removals. The law mandates yearly comparisons between state voter records and SAVE, exempts SAVE data from public disclosure under Mississippi’s public records law, and prohibits removals based solely on SAVE matches without verification. It affects election officials and applicants whose citizenship is questioned during registration, focusing on procedural verification without changing voter eligibility standards.
HB 1811 extends the expiration date of a Noxubee County, Mississippi, court assessment program from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2036. The bill allows the county to continue collecting $50 per implied consent conviction (e.g., DUI cases) and $25 per misdemeanor conviction or civil case filed in justice court, with these funds placed into a dedicated "Capital Improvements Fund" for local projects. This directly affects Noxubee County residents who pay these court fees, as the revenue will support infrastructure and capital projects. The key change is the 10-year extension of the program's authorization, maintaining the existing fee structure and funding mechanism without altering the assessment amounts or fund usage.
SB 3085 appropriates $4,663,433 from state funds to the Mississippi State Board of Public Contractors for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027), covering operational expenses. It specifically allocates $1,293,775 for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits) for 18 authorized staff positions, with strict rules prohibiting use for promotions, salary increases, or title changes for current employees. The bill requires the Board to comply with Mississippi’s Variable Compensation Plan and ensures funds cannot exceed the FY2027 appropriation for personnel costs without legislative approval. It also mandates detailed accounting records and prohibits using these funds to replace federal or other special funds.
HB 1890 appropriates $1,277,547 from state funds to cover the operating expenses of Mississippi's State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifically allocates $471,877 for "Personal Services," including salaries, benefits, and "Vacancy Funding" to fill authorized positions. It requires the board to maintain detailed financial records and prohibits using these funds for purposes beyond the board’s operational costs, such as promotions or salary increases for current staff. This is a procedural funding measure that directly supports the board’s administrative functions, affecting licensed engineers and land surveyors who rely on its regulatory services.
HB 1932 allocates $84,594,361 from state funds for the Veterans' Home Purchase Board during fiscal year 2027. The bill funds the board's operational expenses and authorizes new home loans for Mississippi veterans under existing law. It specifically restricts $1,430,076 of this appropriation to "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits for 16 authorized staff positions), with strict rules to prevent exceeding budget limits for personnel costs. This funding directly supports veterans seeking home loans through the board's program and ensures compliance with state personnel budgeting rules for fiscal year 2027.
HB 1171 requires Mississippi state agencies administering grants to establish measurable quarterly and annual objectives, mandate detailed quarterly financial reports from primary grant recipients (including subrecipient spending), and prohibit using grant funds for voter registration or get-out-the-vote activities (with immediate termination and 5-year debarment for violations). It also mandates public transparency through state websites displaying all active grants, recipient details, performance metrics, and financial reports updated within 14 days. The bill directly affects state agencies, nongovernmental organizations receiving primary grants, and their subrecipients. Key mechanisms include annual compliance audits by the state auditor, strict eligibility criteria banning political preference, and a 5-year review cycle for all grant programs.
HB 1577 clarifies that making a willful false report of child abuse (when unsupported by credible evidence and intentionally submitted as false) is a crime punishable by up to $5,000 in fines, one year in jail, or both. It requires individuals convicted of such false reports to pay restitution to the Department of Child Protection Services and law enforcement for investigation costs. The bill also specifies that reasonably relying on credible evidence or information serves as a defense against false reporting claims. This directly affects people who file false child abuse reports and the state agencies handling such cases.
