HB 719 requires nurse practitioners to be present at every Mississippi county health department for at least one day weekly to provide free contraceptive supplies and prescriptions to anyone seeking them. This directly affects individuals accessing contraception at county health centers, including minors who are parents, married, have parental consent, or are referred by authorized providers. The bill amends state law to mandate this weekly service and expand access to contraceptive information and supplies under specific conditions. The legislation, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, would have taken effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
HB 709 revised Mississippi's Economic Development and Infrastructure Fund to redirect funding specifically toward supporting counties with legal gaming operations. It authorized grants for infrastructure repair in gaming counties, increased commercial air service at airports in those counties (using incentives like revenue guarantees), and expanded air service through airport development programs. The bill required at least $2.5 million annually for air service in gaming counties and $150,000 for broader air service projects starting in Fiscal Year 2027. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.
HB 720 removes "force" as a required element for rape convictions in Mississippi, meaning prosecutors no longer need to prove physical resistance or overpowering to secure a conviction. Instead, the law focuses on the absence of consent, aligning with modern legal standards for sexual assault. The bill also updates related provisions, including definitions for terms like "mentally incapacitated" and "physically helpless," and requires criminal sexual assault protection orders that remain in effect for at least two years after sentencing. These changes directly affect individuals accused of rape and victims seeking legal protection, shifting the legal framework toward consent-based accountability.
HB 716 extends the deadline for repealing a law requiring four temporary special judges in Mississippi's 7th Circuit Court District. The bill delays the expiration date of the statute (currently set for December 31, 2029) and the terms of the temporary judges to a later date. This procedural change directly affects the 7th Circuit Court District's operations by maintaining the current temporary judge appointments beyond the original deadline. The bill does not alter judicial duties, compensation, or court structure.
HB 727, the "Land Bank Act," allows Mississippi counties and municipalities to create land banks to acquire and convert vacant, abandoned, or state-struck property into productive use (like housing or businesses). The bill authorizes these land banks to purchase, assemble, and sell properties through streamlined title processes, while prohibiting casino development and eminent domain. It also grants land banks tax exemptions, requires ethical safeguards, and permits borrowing via bonds. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.
HB 728 would require that only licensed plumbers, electricians, contractors, or individuals with a certificate of responsibility or demolition permit can sell copper materials to scrap metal dealers. Scrap metal dealers must keep a scanned copy of the seller's license or permit for each transaction involving copper materials. The bill also references an existing section governing air conditioner coils for possible amendment, though its primary focus is on copper. This policy directly affects sellers of copper (e.g., from homes or businesses) and scrap metal dealers, aiming to restrict unauthorized sales of copper.
HB 730 would have amended Mississippi's criminal code (Section 97-29-59) to remove the word "mankind" from a statute describing bestiality offenses. The bill sought to correct a technical error in the law's wording without changing the offense or penalties (still punishable by up to 10 years in prison). It directly affected the legal text of the statute but did not alter the scope of the criminal prohibition. The bill was referred to committee in 2026 but died there without further action.
HB 729 allows licensed funeral homes to request specific life insurance details for a deceased person within two business days of submitting required documents (like a death notice and authorization). Insurers must then provide information on policy existence, beneficiaries, outstanding loans, payable benefits, and policy reinstatement status. Funeral providers must also notify beneficiaries in writing that life insurance funds aren’t required to cover funeral costs or debts. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and would directly affect funeral homes, families, and life insurers in Mississippi.
HB 725 prohibits Mississippi counties and municipalities from using automated cameras or radar systems to enforce automobile insurance requirements on public roads. The bill bans local governments from adopting or enforcing ordinances that authorize such equipment to detect uninsured vehicles, requiring existing systems used for insurance enforcement to be removed by October 1, 2026. It specifically defines "automated recording equipment" as devices capturing license plate images for traffic law violations, but limits the prohibition to insurance enforcement (not speed or signal violations). The bill would have prevented local fines for uninsured driving via automated systems, directly affecting county boards and municipal authorities. This is a policy change focused on restricting local enforcement methods, not altering state insurance laws.
HB 731 would authorize signs on I-10 in Jackson County and MS Hwy 63 N near Moss Point to honor Devin Booker, a two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist and Moss Point High School graduate. The signs would read "Home of Devin Booker, 2020/2024 U.S. Men's Basketball Olympic Gold Medalist, Moss Point High School Graduate," funded by Jackson County through the Mississippi DOT permitting process. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.
HB 732 would require Mississippi voters convicted of specific crimes - including voter fraud, bribery, theft, arson, perjury, forgery, embezzlement, bigamy, or other crimes deemed disenfranchising by Attorney General opinions - to complete all sentencing requirements (including parole) before regaining voting rights. It excludes murder and rape convictions from this rule. The bill amends election laws to automatically restore voting rights once all sentencing terms are satisfied, but does not apply to probation completion. This directly affects individuals convicted of the listed offenses who are otherwise eligible voters.
HB 747 prohibits Mississippi state agencies, schools, counties, municipalities, and other public entities from requiring any vaccination not recommended by the CDC’s current Childhood or Adult Immunization Schedules. It directly affects students, staff, and residents in public schools, state institutions, and community settings by restricting mandatory vaccines to only those endorsed by the CDC. The bill amends existing laws (Sections 41-23-37 and 41-23-43) to ensure all immunization requirements align with CDC guidance, while maintaining existing medical exemptions and CDC-recommended schedules. It does not eliminate required vaccines but bars mandates for non-CDC-recommended ones, such as those for school enrollment or public health programs.
