HB 846 designates June 19 (Juneteenth) as an official legal holiday in Mississippi by amending Section 3-3-7 of the Mississippi Code of 1972. This change adds Juneteenth to the state's list of recognized holidays, meaning state government offices and agencies would close on this day, similar to other holidays like Independence Day. The bill directly affects state operations and public employees, aligning Mississippi with 47 other states that already recognize Juneteenth as a public holiday. It does not create new paid leave requirements for private employers or alter existing holiday schedules beyond this specific addition.
HB 1053 would authorize Mississippi's Capitol Police to create and employ a part-time reserve law enforcement unit to assist with security duties in the Capitol Complex Improvement District. The bill amends existing law (Section 45-1-19) to allow the Capitol Police Chief or Public Safety Commissioner to hire part-time officers for this purpose. This is a procedural change to expand staffing options within the Capitol Complex, without altering security policies or responsibilities. The bill did not advance beyond committee.
HB 955 redirects a portion of Mississippi's sales tax revenue collected from business activities *outside* incorporated municipalities to the county where the activity occurs, rather than to the municipality. This change affects counties, particularly those with rural areas or unincorporated business zones, as it shifts funds from municipal allocation to county treasury. The bill amends existing tax distribution rules (Section 27-65-75) to specify that revenue from such non-municipal business activity must be paid to the county for use in road, bridge, and street projects. It does not alter the percentage of tax collected or other existing distribution formulas for municipal or campus-based revenues.
HB 1016 would allow law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS providers, emergency management personnel, and public safety telecommunicators hired into Mississippi's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) on or after March 1, 2026, to receive retirement benefits after 25 years of service regardless of age. It establishes a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for these first responders tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), ensuring their retirement income keeps pace with inflation. The bill directly affects future first responder hires by changing retirement eligibility and benefit adjustments under PERS. The bill was referred to committee but died there on February 3, 2026.
HB 1021 authorizes Mississippi's Commissioner of Insurance to apply for a State Innovation Waiver under Section 1332 of the federal Affordable Care Act. This amendment to state law (adding subsection (f) to Section 83-9-253) gives the Commissioner explicit authority to seek waivers that would allow Mississippi to modify certain ACA requirements for its health insurance marketplace. The bill directly affects the Commissioner's office, enabling it to pursue federal waivers without needing additional legislative approval for that specific action. It does not change existing insurance rules or coverage but creates a pathway for potential state-level adjustments to healthcare policy.
HB 845 amends Mississippi law to officially recognize the second Monday in October as "Indigenous Native American Day" in the state's holiday calendar. This bill adds the day to the list of recognized observances (following Labor Day and preceding Veterans' Day) but specifies it is not a legal holiday requiring government office closures or paid time off. The change affects how Mississippi formally acknowledges Indigenous heritage, aligning with similar observances like Veterans' Day in public school activities. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not alter existing holiday schedules or funding.
HB 964 revises Mississippi's property tax rules for agricultural land owned by nonresident aliens. It requires that land used for farming and owned or controlled in majority part (50% or more) by foreign individuals, foreign-owned businesses, or foreign governments be assessed using standard property valuation methods starting January 1, 2027 - replacing the current agricultural appraisal method. This change affects only agricultural land meeting the "nonresident alien" ownership criteria, not all farmland. The bill defines "nonresident alien" broadly to include foreign individuals, foreign-domiciled entities, and foreign governments, and "majority part" as 50% or more ownership by such entities. The policy shift ensures this land is taxed based on general property value, not agricultural use.
HB 936 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's COVID-19 Hospital Expanded Capacity Program, which reimburses hospitals for pandemic-related infrastructure. The program provides grants to cover costs of creating ICU beds (up to $200,000 per bed) and negative pressure beds (up to $50,000 per bed) using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. This extension directly affects hospitals that applied for or may apply for reimbursement under the program, allowing them to continue accessing funds beyond the original deadline. The bill amends Section 41-14-31 of Mississippi law to delay the program's termination date without altering its funding structure or eligibility rules.
HB 1064 would establish a "Noncustodial Parents' Bill of Rights and Responsibilities" for all noncustodial parents in Mississippi, requiring the Department of Human Services to provide specific notification rights and communication access. Key provisions include advance notice of child support modifications, court hearings, and meetings about the child, plus 24/7 access to contact department staff. The bill also includes updated procedures for voluntary paternity acknowledgments at birth but centers on enhancing noncustodial parents' information and communication rights. This legislation, which died in committee in February 2026, did not become law.
HB 864 adds kratom to Schedule I of Mississippi's Controlled Substances Act, classifying it as a substance with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. This change directly affects anyone in Mississippi who uses, possesses, or sells kratom, making it illegal under state law. The bill amends existing law to include kratom in the Schedule I list, which currently prohibits substances like heroin and LSD. This is a straightforward policy change with no exemptions for medical or personal use.
HB 966, titled the "Mississippi Supremacy Clause Enforcement Act," prohibits Mississippi courts from applying foreign law - including Sharia law - in cases involving marriage, parent-child relationships, or contracts. It voids any contract provision attempting to use foreign law if it violates constitutional rights, and bans courts from enforcing judgments based on such foreign law. The bill also clarifies that Mississippi courts must rely solely on state/federal law, with specific provisions affecting family law, contracts, and landlord-tenant agreements (e.g., voiding lease terms applying foreign law). It does not ban personal religious practice but targets legal enforcement in court proceedings. The minor amendment to Section 99-19-301 (enhancing penalties for terroristic threats) is unrelated to the core foreign law provisions.
HB 1055 requires Mississippi wireless service providers to share a customer's real-time cell location with police or 911 centers only during emergencies involving risk of death or serious physical harm. It prohibits lawsuits against providers who disclose location data in good faith under this law and allows providers to create voluntary protocols for sharing location information. The law applies to all wireless companies operating in Mississippi and mandates the state Department of Public Safety to collect provider contact details for emergency requests. It does not permit location disclosures for routine investigations or non-emergency situations.
