Mississippi Bills

SB 2276 would create the Mississippi Department of Labor, replacing the existing Mississippi Department of Employment Security. It transfers all duties, funds, and staff from the old department to the new agency, which would include five specialized offices (e.g., Employment Security, Job Training, Disability Assistance). The bill establishes an elected Commissioner of Labor, starting with a 2027 election, and requires the new department to coordinate workforce development, job training, and employment services. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

SB 2253 directs Mississippi's Home Corporation to create a Neighborhood Housing Rehabilitation Program (NHRP) using federal funds. It provides financial assistance to low-income homeowners (at or below 50% of area median income) to repair health/safety issues, improve energy efficiency, fix lead paint, and make accessibility modifications in their owner-occupied properties. The program will operate through a special revolving fund in the state treasury, using ARPA and HUD CDBG funds, with annual reports to the legislature on program progress.

SB 2217 would have allowed Mississippi voters who registered after the 30-day deadline but before election day to cast a ballot using an affidavit. The bill required voters to sign a written affidavit at the polls confirming their registration status, and provided a 5-day window after the election to resolve any issues (like providing ID or obtaining a voter ID card) to have the ballot counted. It also mandated specific procedures for poll managers to handle these ballots, including secure tracking and a public system for voters to check if their ballot was counted. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

SB 2250 prohibits Mississippi state, county, and municipal agencies from reserving public contracts for minority-owned businesses (set-aside contracts) or giving them preferential treatment based on the owner's race, ethnicity, or sex. It defines "minority business" to include businesses owned by African Americans, Hispanic/Latino individuals, Asians, American Indians/Alaska Natives, or women. The bill amends Mississippi law to require that public contracts be awarded without considering these factors, and establishes a Public Procurement Review Board to oversee procurement rules. This would have eliminated race, ethnicity, and sex-based preferences in public contracting across the state.

SB 2283 would have removed Mississippi's $10,000 annual sales limit for cottage food operations and lifted the ban on selling products via mail order or online (though advertising online was already permitted). It would have directly affected small home-based food businesses (like bakers or jam makers) by allowing them to sell more widely without exceeding the sales cap. The bill maintained existing labeling requirements (including the "not subject to Mississippi food safety regulations" warning) and required compliance with federal tax laws. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, so these changes were never enacted.

SB 2205 directs Mississippi's Department of Corrections to convert four specific restitution centers (Greenwood, Flowood, Hinds County, and Pascagoula) into prerelease reentry centers. It replaces facilities where inmates previously performed unpaid work with programs designed to prepare incarcerated individuals for release. The bill requires centers to provide mandatory services - including housing, job training, counseling, healthcare, and drug treatment - for inmates within one year of release. This policy change directly affects inmates nearing release, aiming to improve community reintegration through structured support before discharge.

HB 679 would allow medical and dental professionals convicted of specific crimes - such as burglary, theft, or embezzlement - to resume practice after their licenses are reinstated by the State Board of Medical Licensure or State Board of Dental Examiners. Currently, these individuals must obtain a full pardon to practice, but the bill would replace that requirement with a board-led reinstatement process. The key change modifies Mississippi Code Section 99-19-35 to remove the automatic bar for these offenses once a license is restored. This directly affects licensed healthcare providers who previously faced permanent disqualification due to certain convictions. The bill died in committee in 2026 and was never enacted.

HB 702 requires Mississippi public school boards to create and implement age-appropriate policies banning cell phone use during the entire school day ("bell-to-bell"), including classrooms and breaks. The policy mandates that students store devices off-person (e.g., in lockers or backpacks) during school hours, prohibits suspensions or expulsions for violations, and allows exceptions for students with health needs or IEPs. It also requires schools to use school-based communication tools for emergencies instead of personal devices and post policies online. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.

SB 2244 requires Mississippi school districts that accept transfer students from districts rated "F" for two consecutive years to receive state funding covering the difference between the standard per-student funding amount and the district's average per-pupil cost for similar students. This directly affects receiving districts by providing additional financial support when enrolling students from underperforming schools. The bill mandates the State Department of Education to create rules for calculating per-pupil costs and documenting these transfers. It does not change student transfer policies but adjusts funding mechanisms to offset costs for districts taking in these students. The bill was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, but died in committee before passage.

SB 2204 proposed converting Mississippi's Greenwood, Hinds County, and Pascagoula restitution centers into post-release reentry centers operated by the Department of Corrections. The bill would have provided up to 90 days of support services - including housing assistance, job training, counseling, healthcare, and educational programs - to individuals released from incarceration who lack immediate housing or support. It required the Department of Corrections to develop reentry programs, secure funding for these services, and assist residents in accessing community resources, while repealing sections authorizing restitution centers and amending related correctional codes.

SB 2277 establishes Mississippi's first state minimum wage law, requiring most private-sector employers to pay $12 per hour starting January 1, 2027, increasing to $15 per hour by January 1, 2029. It directly affects most full-time and part-time workers in Mississippi but excludes small businesses (with fewer than five employees), certain agricultural workers, government employees, students, and some independent contractors. Key mechanisms include enforcement by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, criminal penalties for violations, and a civil lawsuit option for affected workers. The law also allows local governments to set higher minimum wages if they choose.

SB 2249 legalizes mobile sports betting and online race book wagering in Mississippi, requiring platforms to hold manufacturer/distributor licenses, verify age (21+), and confirm users are physically in-state. It mandates that licensed casinos partner with only one platform and imposes a fee on gross revenue from these activities. All collected fees are dedicated exclusively to the Mississippi HOPE Scholarship Program, which funds higher education assistance for students. The bill explicitly prohibits all other forms of online gambling (like casino games) and amends existing gaming laws to align with these provisions. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.