SB 2279 is a proposed Mississippi bill that would allow physicians and dentists convicted of specific crimes (like bribery, theft, or perjury) to reapply for their licenses after meeting strict conditions. To qualify, applicants must wait at least five years after their release from incarceration or probation, pay all fines and restitution, and have no new qualifying convictions. The Mississippi State Boards of Medical Licensure or Dental Examiners would review applications, using their discretion to determine eligibility, and require fingerprint-based criminal history checks starting in 2026. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted into law.
SB 2273 would amend Mississippi law to allow removal of appointed state officers for specific willful neglect, such as ignoring court subpoenas, failing to repay misspent funds, or missing three consecutive meetings without justification. The bill establishes a process where the Governor, State Auditor, or legislature can file a complaint with the Attorney General, who would investigate and petition a court for removal after a hearing. If removed, officers would be barred from future executive branch appointments requiring gubernatorial nomination. The bill, introduced in 2026, died in committee and was never enacted.
SB 2225 amends Mississippi's habitual offender law to exclude prior felony convictions completed more than 10 years before a new offense from being counted toward enhanced sentencing. This directly affects individuals convicted of a new felony who have two prior felony convictions that were completed over a decade before the current crime. The key provision ensures such older convictions cannot be used to trigger the maximum sentence under habitual offender rules. The bill was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, if enacted.
SB 2278 would require Mississippi state agencies to email all legislators about proposed new rules within one business day after filing the notice with the Secretary of State. Currently, agencies only need to publish notices in an administrative bulletin, but this bill adds direct electronic notification to lawmakers. The bill also updates procedures for agencies to notify the public about proposed rules, including maintaining mailing lists for public requests. It was introduced in 2026 but died in committee and never became law.
HB 678 would have allowed Mississippi public school districts and charter schools to hire or accept volunteer chaplains to provide student support services, subject to background checks and a prohibition on hiring individuals required to register as sex offenders. The bill required schools to fund chaplain-related safety programs, including crisis response teams that must include chaplains, and mandated school boards to adopt policies by December 2026. Key provisions included background checks for chaplains, inclusion of chaplains in school safety training, and requirements for school boards to integrate chaplain services into emergency management plans. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
HB 676 requires every vehicle owner in Mississippi to provide proof of minimum liability insurance coverage when registering or renewing a vehicle registration. It establishes an online verification system managed by the Department of Public Safety (replacing the Department of Revenue) to check insurance status instantly during registration. The system overrides physical insurance cards, denies registration for non-compliant vehicles, and mandates insurers to submit policy data every 30 days. This directly affects all vehicle owners and insurers operating in Mississippi, with the system required to be fully operational by 2026.
HB 682 limits damage recovery for victims when the at-fault driver doesn't carry required insurance. It caps recoveries at $15,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage, but exceptions apply if the other driver was at fault (e.g., DUI, intentional harm, or fleeing the scene). Drivers must acknowledge this rule when applying for licenses or vehicle registration, and it does not apply to parked vehicles or certain passengers. The bill aims to reduce liability for uninsured drivers while maintaining access to compensation in clear fault scenarios.
SB 2261 would establish Mississippi's statewide Search and Rescue Program under the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security. The program would coordinate disaster response efforts after natural or man-made disasters, requiring the Office to develop policies, provide administrative support, and manage personnel and equipment. It would create a dedicated fund within the state treasury (using grants, state/federal funds) to cover equipment, training, and facilities, with unspent funds not lapsing into general state funds. This bill, which died in committee in February 2026, proposed a structural framework for emergency response coordination but did not directly affect individual citizens.
HB 667 would automatically register Mississippi residents to vote when they apply for, renew, or update a driver's license or state ID card, provided they qualify to vote. Applicants would need to provide basic personal details (name, address, date of birth, etc.) and could opt out if they chose not to register. The Department of Public Safety would collect this information and send it to election officials within five days, with an opt-out option requiring a clear affirmative decline. This bill directly affects anyone applying for a Mississippi driver's license or ID card who is eligible to vote. It does not change voting eligibility rules but creates a new, streamlined registration process through the DMV.
SB 2248 would require Mississippi public school districts to provide an annual salary supplement of $6,000 plus fringe benefits to licensed occupational therapists, behavior analysts, and school psychologists employed as school employees. This supplement would be added to their base salary under existing pay scales, directly affecting these specific licensed professionals in Mississippi schools. The bill amends Section 37-19-7 of the Mississippi Code to include these roles in the current salary supplement framework, which previously covered positions like National Board-certified teachers and school nurses. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
SB 2219 amends Mississippi law to clarify that a conviction for burglary of a dwelling is not considered a "crime of violence" for eligibility in intervention court programs. This change allows individuals with such a conviction to qualify for alternatives to traditional sentencing, including drug courts, mental health courts, or veterans courts, if they meet other criteria. The bill updates Sections 9-23-5 and 9-23-15 of the Mississippi Code to remove burglary of a dwelling from the list of disqualifying offenses under the "crime of violence" definition. The policy change was intended to take effect on July 1, 2026, but the bill died in committee in February 2026.
HB 697 creates a state fund to provide grants supporting Mississippi's nuclear energy sector. The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) will administer the fund, awarding grants to companies for projects like manufacturing nuclear components, building reactors, or developing nuclear technology, with criteria focused on job creation, capital investment, and wages. Grants cover eligible expenses such as property improvements and construction, paid as reimbursements after costs are incurred. The MDA must also help companies access applicable state tax credits and report annually on funded projects.
