SB 2246 raises Mississippi's minimum teacher salary scale by $8,000 for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond. It directly affects all public school teachers in Mississippi by increasing their base pay according to a revised salary schedule that applies to all experience levels and license types. The bill amends existing law to set new minimum annual salaries, ranging from $53,500 for entry-level teachers with no experience to over $79,000 for those with 35+ years of experience. This change applies uniformly across all public school districts without requiring additional approval for individual teachers. The increase is effective starting the 2026-2027 school year.
SB 2271 would increase the percentage of sales tax revenue counties receive from business activities outside municipal boundaries, changing the allocation from 18% to 18.5% of sales tax revenue collected on such activities. This directly affects Mississippi counties, particularly those without incorporated municipalities, by redirecting more funds to county treasuries for local projects like road and bridge maintenance. The bill amends existing tax distribution rules to adjust these percentages for county funding, while maintaining separate allocations for municipalities and state institutions. It does not change current tax rates or create new revenue streams.
HB 700 amends Mississippi law to allow county law libraries to use existing funding for technological upgrades. Specifically, it authorizes counties to spend collected court fees on digital tools like computers, legal research software, internet access, and courtroom technology such as audio systems and digital evidence displays. This directly affects county law libraries and courtrooms across Mississippi, expanding how existing fees can be used beyond physical books. The bill does not create new taxes but modifies how current court cost revenue is allocated for modernization purposes.
This bill removes a repealer provision that would have eliminated existing weight limits and route approval requirements for vehicles transporting agricultural products under harvest permits. It preserves current rules allowing up to 88,000 pounds for permitted vehicles (with a 10% tolerance) and requiring prior route approval for certain haulers. These provisions directly affect farmers, timber transporters, and companies moving materials like crops, woodchips, and construction materials. The change maintains existing standards without altering permitted weights or routing procedures.
This bill allows first-time DUI offenders with a commercial driver's license (CDL) to have their offense kept off their record ("nonadjudicated") if they were not operating a commercial vehicle at the time of the arrest. It directly affects CDL holders charged with a first DUI who were driving a non-commercial vehicle. The key provision modifies existing law to exempt these drivers from the current rule that automatically disqualifies CDL holders from nonadjudication. The policy change applies only to first offenses and requires the driver not have been operating a commercial vehicle during the offense. The bill died in committee and did not become law.
SB 2215 restores voting rights in Mississippi for individuals convicted of certain disenfranchising crimes (like vote fraud or specific offenses listed in Section 241 of the state constitution) after completing their prison sentence (including parole) or upon receiving a probation-only sentence. The bill requires election officials to update voter registration systems to remove these individuals from disqualifying lists, mandates training for election staff on the new rules, and prohibits removing names from the system if probation is the sole sentence. It also requires courts to specify the sentence type (incarceration, parole, or probation) to ensure accurate system updates, preventing unnecessary removal of eligible voters. These changes apply automatically without requiring individuals to prove restored rights to register.
SB 2224 would require Mississippi courts to impose the maximum prison sentence for felony convictions when an offender has two prior felony convictions (each from separate incidents with separate sentences of at least one year in prison). This applies to individuals convicted of a new felony who have previously been incarcerated for two separate felony offenses meeting these criteria. Judges could only avoid the maximum sentence by providing a written explanation in court, and offenders sentenced under this rule would be ineligible for parole or probation. The bill, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, but never became law.
SB 2233 requires Mississippi public school districts to provide sensory rooms or equipment when a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan identifies a need for such accommodations to ensure access to education. It directly affects students with neurodevelopmental or psychiatric conditions like autism, ADHD, anxiety, or mood disorders, as defined in the bill. The key provision mandates districts to use "best practices" to design and maintain these sensory spaces, aligning with existing special education requirements under federal law. The bill does not change funding mechanisms but clarifies that sensory accommodations are a required service when specified in a student’s plan.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Mississippi citizens to directly propose new laws or amend/repeal existing laws through a voter initiative process. It would require petitions signed by 12% of gubernatorial voters, with restrictions on topics like the Bill of Rights, retirement systems, and state funding appropriations. Approved initiatives would bypass the governor's veto, require a 40%+ turnout threshold to pass, and be protected from legislative changes for two years. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not advance to a vote.
SB 2220 would remove marijuana from Mississippi's Schedule I list of controlled substances under state law, changing its legal status. This would directly affect residents by removing criminal penalties for possession under current Schedule I definitions and adjusting related penalties in Section 41-29-139. Key mechanisms include amending multiple code sections (41-29-113, 41-29-139, 41-29-105, etc.) to update marijuana's classification and conform related definitions and penalties. The bill aims to align Mississippi law with federal policy shifts but does not establish a regulated market. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was not enacted.
HB 691 exempts Mississippi residents aged 65 or older from paying any entry or fishing fees at state parks or wildlife management areas. The bill directly affects seniors who use these public recreational spaces for fishing or park entry. It amends Mississippi Code Section 55-3-33 to remove fee requirements for this age group, maintaining existing fee structures for other visitors. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026, though the bill died in committee before becoming law.
HB 680, the "Starkville High School AP Government Class of 2019 Motor Voter Act," would have allowed Mississippi residents to automatically register to vote when applying for or renewing a driver’s license or state ID card. The bill required the Department of Public Safety to collect basic personal information (like name, address, and date of birth) during these transactions and forward it to election officials for voter registration processing, unless the applicant opted out. It directly affected all Mississippi residents interacting with the driver’s license or ID office, streamlining voter registration by linking it to routine state ID procedures. The bill included provisions for updating existing registrations, maintaining confidentiality, and allowing future opt-in registration attempts after an initial opt-out. (Note: The bill died in committee on 2026-02-03.)
