HB 782 prohibits the construction, removal, or alteration of any monument, statue, memorial, display, or nameplate on Mississippi's State Capitol grounds without specific legislative approval. This requirement applies solely to the Capitol grounds, not other public spaces or existing monuments protected under other laws. The bill mandates that any such change must be authorized by an act of the Mississippi Legislature, ensuring legislative oversight for these displays. It does not affect the management of monuments elsewhere in the state or existing protections for military-related memorials.
HB 784 clarifies that Mississippi's milk regulations do not apply to owners of goats, cows, or sheep who use milk from their animals for personal consumption or other personal use. The bill amends Section 75-31-65 of the Mississippi Code to explicitly exempt such personal use from existing milk product regulations. This directly affects individual livestock owners who produce milk for household use, not commercial sales. The key mechanism is a clear legal exemption added to the regulatory text, ensuring these owners are not subject to standard milk processing or safety requirements for their personal consumption.
HB 763 prohibits selling candy or food products that resemble tobacco products (like cigarettes or pouches). It directly affects retailers who sell such items, imposing penalties for violations. First offenses carry fines up to $1,000, while repeat violations can result in fines of $250-$1,000 or up to six months in jail. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 811 prohibits the use of mRNA vaccines in livestock, poultry, or food products intended for human consumption in Mississippi. It directly affects farmers, ranchers, and food processors who raise or handle animals or produce for human consumption. The bill bans administering mRNA vaccines to these animals, defines "mRNA vaccine" for regulatory purposes, and allows meat products to be labeled "mRNA free" if animals weren’t given such vaccines. Violations would be misdemeanors, and the bill amended Mississippi’s food safety laws to include these provisions. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
Mississippi's HB 793 automatically restores voting rights for individuals convicted of vote fraud or specific crimes listed in the state constitution (Section 241) or interpreted as disenfranchising by past Attorney General opinions, once they complete all sentencing requirements like fines or probation. The bill amends multiple election laws to ensure voting rights are restored without requiring additional steps or applications after sentence completion. This directly affects people with prior convictions for these offenses who otherwise meet voter eligibility criteria (e.g., citizenship, residency). The change applies to all convictions, including those from prior court rulings, and updates systems that track voter eligibility. The bill does not alter the initial suspension of voting rights upon conviction.
HB 789 automatically restores voting and jury duty rights for Mississippi residents convicted of specific offenses once they complete all sentencing requirements. It affects people convicted of vote fraud, crimes listed in Section 241 of the Mississippi Constitution, or other crimes deemed disenfranchising under Attorney General opinions. The bill amends election laws (Section 23-15-11) to automatically reinstate voting rights and updates jury duty rules (Section 13-5-1) to automatically return names to jury master lists upon sentence completion. This eliminates the need for separate applications or manual reinstatement processes. The policy change applies only to those who have fully satisfied court-ordered sentences.
HB 815 would provide a 3% annual salary increase for all Mississippi state employees, effective July 1, 2026, based on their salary as of June 30, 2026. Part-time employees would receive a proportional increase based on their weekly hours worked. The bill requires the State Personnel Board to adjust job classification pay scales if needed to ensure employees receive the full 3% increase without exceeding their role's maximum pay level, and prevents increases from surpassing an agency's executive head's salary. The Legislature would be required to appropriate funds for this change, which would take effect upon passage.
HB 786 allows Mississippi vehicle owners to reuse license plates when purchasing a new vehicle under specific conditions. If buying from a dealer (after trading in a vehicle) or transferring ownership privately, owners may keep the traded-in plate if it matches the new vehicle's plate series, vehicle type, and registration county. The bill amends two vehicle registration laws (§ 27-19-63 and § 27-19-141) to replace the requirement of surrendering plates during transfers. This change directly affects individual car buyers and sellers who trade or transfer vehicles within the same county.
HB 761 caps the maximum interest rate that pawnbrokers, title pledge lenders, and check cashers can charge at 25% annually on the unpaid principal amount or check face value. This directly affects these businesses and their customers in Mississippi, limiting fees for services like pawn loans, title loans, and delayed check cashing. The bill requires clear disclosure of fees as dollar amounts and annual percentage rates in written agreements, and makes any charges exceeding 25% uncollectible. It also specifies that extended transactions must reduce the principal by 10% per extension without adding interest to the new balance.
HB 809 automatically registers eligible Mississippi voters when they apply for, renew, or update a driver's license or state ID card at the Department of Public Safety. The bill requires the Department to collect specific voter registration details (like name, address, and date of birth) during these transactions, but allows applicants to opt out of registration. If not opted out, the Department forwards the information to the Secretary of State, who sends it to the applicant's county registrar to process registration or update existing records. This change eliminates the need for separate voter registration forms while maintaining an opt-out option for applicants.
HB 824 requires all school bus drivers - both in public school districts and private companies transporting public school students - to complete certified first aid and CPR training. This applies to drivers operating vehicles used for student transportation, directly affecting thousands of bus drivers across Mississippi. The bill mandates the State Board of Education and Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board to enforce this requirement, with the rule taking effect July 1, 2026. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not advance further.
HB 808 increases the minimum salary for Mississippi public school teachers and assistant teachers by $7,500 annually, effective for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond. It also mandates a $7,500 salary increase for full-time professors and instructors at state colleges and universities. School districts must maintain local pay supplements and cannot pay assistant teachers below the new state minimum, with funding penalties for non-compliance. The bill directly affects public school teachers, assistant teachers, and higher education faculty in Mississippi.
