HB 1086 prohibits intentionally using chemicals within Mississippi to alter weather, temperature, or sunlight intensity through methods like injection, release, or dispersion. Violations carry felony penalties, including fines up to $100,000 or up to five years in prison for most individuals or businesses, with reduced penalties for aircraft operators. The bill requires public infrastructure operators (like airports) to report on aircraft equipped for such activities starting October 2026, and mandates public reporting mechanisms for observed violations. It also references existing air and water pollution laws (Mississippi Code Sections 49-17-5 et seq.) for potential future updates.
HB 1089 requires Mississippi's State Board of Education to create a mandatory civics curriculum for all public middle and high schools, to be implemented by the 2027-2028 school year. The curriculum must cover five key areas: how government works (including the Constitution), civic skills like critical thinking about issues, and character traits such as respecting others' views, voting, jury service, and civil discourse. It specifically aligns with national civics standards and mandates instruction on citizens' responsibilities, including staying informed and participating in community decisions. The bill directly affects all Mississippi public school students in grades 6-12 through required classroom learning.
HB 1070 removes a prohibition that previously prevented the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) from providing security at two specific locations: the Mississippi Department of Agriculture building at 121 North Jefferson Street and the new Farmers Market Building at High and Jefferson Streets in Jackson. The bill authorizes DPS to post security personnel, conduct regular vehicle patrols, and respond to security system alarms at these properties through a contract with the Department of Agriculture. This is a procedural change to enable existing security services at these state-owned facilities, without altering broader security policies or affecting other entities.
HB 1068 amends Mississippi's Capitol Complex Improvement District Project Fund to allow up to 10% of its funds to pay the Office of Capitol Police for police coverage during major events in the Capitol Complex district. This directly affects the Capitol Police unit within the Department of Public Safety, expanding the fund's existing use for compensating city police/fire services. The bill does not change the fund's primary purpose of financing district improvement projects (requiring 85% of funds for this), nor does it alter tax revenues or debt limits. It simply adds Capitol Police event coverage as an eligible expense under the fund's current spending rules.
HB 1083 prohibits intentionally releasing chemicals into Mississippi's atmosphere to alter weather, temperature, or sunlight intensity. It directly affects public infrastructure operators (like airports) and any individuals or entities conducting such "geoengineering" activities. Key provisions require public infrastructure operators to report aircraft equipped for atmospheric modification starting in 2026, impose felony penalties (up to $100,000 fines or 5 years in prison), and establish a reporting system for violations. The bill also references existing air pollution laws to clarify enforcement but does not create new environmental standards.
HB 1071 would authorize Mississippi's Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce to issue subpoenas for department hearings and require witnesses to appear or produce documents, with enforcement through circuit courts. It also allows the Bureau of Plant Industry to seek court-issued administrative inspection and search warrants when denied access to regulated facilities (like farms or agribusinesses), detailing how warrants must be obtained, executed, and documented. The bill specifies that warrants require probable cause showing a public interest in enforcement, must be served during business hours, and include strict procedures for seizing property and documenting inventory. This bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and would have directly affected licensed agricultural entities subject to the Bureau’s oversight.
HB 1081 would require Mississippi drivers aged 55 and older to retake the driving test if their license has been expired for more than five years. Currently, most drivers can renew an expired license within five years without a test, but this bill adds a test requirement for the 55+ group beyond that period. The goal is to ensure these drivers still understand safe driving practices before renewing their license. The bill was introduced in the 2026 legislative session but died in committee in February 2026.
SB 2304 would have allowed Mississippi high school student-athletes to transfer to another school or school district once during their athletic eligibility without losing eligibility or facing penalties. It applied to all student-athletes in public secondary schools or schools belonging to the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA). The bill’s key provision permitted one transfer without requiring a waiting period or "redshirt" year, while still requiring compliance with other athletic participation rules like academic standards. The bill was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, but died in committee in February 2026.
SB 2296 prohibits public and charter school staff (including teachers, principals, and assistants) from using physical force for student discipline. It defines "corporal punishment" as physical force to maintain control, enforce rules, or protect others, and bans its use entirely in schools. Violating this prohibition could make staff personally liable for civil damages if they acted in bad faith or with malicious intent. The bill, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, would have taken effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
HB 1091 would require hotels and apartment buildings in Mississippi to install gas detectors meeting specific safety standards (NFPA 715) to prevent gas leak hazards. It mandates inspections by the State Fire Marshal, with owners facing a $100 fine for non-compliance when selling, leasing, or allowing occupancy. The law would have taken effect July 1, 2026, but the bill "died in committee" on February 3, 2026, and did not become law. The bill directly affected property owners and managers of covered dwelling units.
HB 1099, the Emergency Medical Care Clarity Act, requires hospitals to provide immediate medical screening and emergency care to anyone seeking treatment in an emergency department, regardless of their ability to pay, insurance status, immigration status, or pregnancy condition. It prohibits delaying or denying care for non-medical reasons, including pregnancy outcomes, and mandates that hospitals stabilize emergency medical conditions - such as active labor, preeclampsia, or complications from pregnancy - before transferring patients. The law explicitly states that hospitals cannot withhold necessary treatment (including pregnancy-related stabilization) based on staff or institutional beliefs, and it allows patients harmed by violations to seek civil remedies. Hospitals violating the act face investigations by the Attorney General and potential civil penalties.
This bill would allow small home-based food businesses (cottage food operations) to increase their annual sales cap from an unspecified prior limit to $200,000 for non-potentially hazardous foods like baked goods or jams. It requires these operations to provide written sales documentation upon request, display specific label details (including ingredients, allergens, and a disclaimer), and prohibits internet sales or wholesale distribution. The bill also clarifies that cottage food operations remain subject to federal tax laws and cannot sell products that require commercial kitchen permits. This change would directly affect home cooks selling food locally, while maintaining restrictions on how and where they can sell their products.
