HB 699 restores voting rights automatically for Mississippi residents convicted of vote fraud, specific crimes listed in Section 241 of the state constitution, or crimes later deemed disenfranchising by Attorney General opinions. It directly affects individuals who have completed all sentencing requirements (like fines, probation, or incarceration) for these offenses. The bill amends election laws to automatically reinstate voting eligibility in the state voter database once sentencing is fully satisfied, eliminating the need for separate applications or court orders. This change applies to all such convictions, ensuring eligible voters are restored to the rolls without additional administrative steps.
HB 703 requires Mississippi state agencies to reserve at least 5% of annual commodity purchases for businesses owned by veterans and people with disabilities, expanding an existing requirement that previously applied only to minority-owned businesses. This law amends public purchasing regulations to explicitly include veteran- and disability-owned businesses as eligible for set-aside contracts, while maintaining existing bidding rules (e.g., lowest bid must be accepted unless 2% higher than a qualified minority bid). The policy affects all state agencies purchasing goods, ensuring these businesses can compete for a portion of procurement contracts. The bill does not change the 20% maximum set-aside cap for minority businesses or alter the process for awarding contracts.
HB 685 requires Mississippi law enforcement agencies to immediately report missing children and submit detailed information - including fingerprints, dental records, and DNA - to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NMUPS). It mandates that the State Medical Examiner test DNA of unidentified human remains using forensic genealogy within 45 days and prohibits destroying remains (classifying it as a felony). The bill defines "unidentified human remains" and "unclaimed human remains" to clarify which cases must be handled by medical examiners. These provisions directly affect law enforcement agencies, medical examiners, and the process for identifying missing persons and unidentified remains.
SB 2255, the Mississippi Employment Protection Act amendment, would have restricted state financial incentives (like tax credits or grants) for employers using H-1B visa workers instead of U.S. citizens. It directed state agencies - including the Department of Employment Security and Tax Commission - to create rules evaluating and limiting these incentives. The bill specifically targeted employers receiving state benefits, aiming to prioritize U.S. workers in hiring decisions. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted into law.
HB 708 would require app stores to verify users' age categories when accounts are created and link minor accounts (under 18) to parent accounts. It mandates confirmed parental permission before minors can download apps, make purchases, or complete in-app transactions. App stores must share age data with developers, who must verify age and check for consent. The law creates legal remedies for parents harmed by violations and sets standards for age verification through the Office of Consumer Protection. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026.)
HB 706 would require Mississippi's Department of Corrections to house nonviolent offenders within 100 miles of their release residence if they have a sentence of 10 years or less remaining. This applies to all qualifying nonviolent offenders, including those incarcerated before the law takes effect on July 1, 2026. The bill amends Section 47-5-103 to mandate this housing requirement as a standard practice. It directly affects nonviolent offenders serving shorter sentences who would otherwise be housed farther from their communities.
HB 718 would require Mississippi tax collectors to send any extra property taxes collected due to a denied homestead exemption (because a homeowner or spouse didn't pay income tax) directly to the state Department of Revenue. This amount would then be applied toward the homeowner's unpaid income tax debt, up to the amount of that debt. The bill specifically targets homeowners who lost homestead exemption eligibility due to noncompliance with income tax laws. It does not change property tax collection rules but redirects funds from property taxes to cover income tax obligations. (Note: The bill died in committee and is not law.)
HB 722 would require Mississippi Medicaid to cover neonatal circumcision procedures for eligible infants. The bill amends Section 43-13-117 of the Mississippi Code to add circumcision explicitly to Medicaid's list of covered services. This directly affects newborns enrolled in Medicaid in Mississippi who undergo circumcision, ensuring the procedure is paid for without additional approval. The change would remove out-of-pocket costs for families relying on Medicaid for this standard medical service.
HB 721 amends Mississippi law to increase penalties for obstructing public streets, sidewalks, and roadways. It raises fines to a minimum of $1,500 and adds potential jail time of 1-2 years for intentionally blocking traffic or pedestrian pathways, including impeding, hindering, or restraining passage. The bill directly affects individuals or groups who obstruct public rights-of-way, such as protesters, vendors, or vehicles blocking roads. Key provisions specify that these penalties apply unless authorized under the Safe Solicitation Act for permitted activities. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.
This bill (HC 22) proposes a constitutional amendment to Mississippi's voting rules, explicitly requiring U.S. citizenship for all voters. It would amend Section 241 of the Mississippi Constitution to state that only U.S. citizens may vote in state elections, removing any existing ambiguity about non-citizen voting eligibility. The amendment was scheduled to be submitted to voters in November 2026 for approval. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not advance further.
Mississippi's HB 714 raises the spending threshold for requiring competitive bidding on government purchases from $10,000 to $15,000. This means state agencies, local governments, and school districts can now make purchases under $15,000 without seeking competitive bids, while purchases between $15,000 and $75,000 must still obtain at least two competitive bids. The bill updates existing procurement rules to align with this new threshold and clarifies procedures for bid evaluation and documentation. It directly affects all public entities making routine purchases under the revised limit.
HB 711 allows Mississippi's State Department of Health to issue a certificate of need to a specific nonprofit home health services provider in Jefferson County. This nonprofit previously held such a certificate but lost it when a moratorium on new certificates began. The bill authorizes the provider to resume offering home health services in Adams, Amite, Franklin, Jefferson, and Wilkinson counties. It directly affects the nonprofit organization and residents in those five counties who rely on home health services.
