This bill strengthens oversight of Mississippi's rural water companies by requiring annual financial reporting and expanding the Public Service Commission's (PSC) authority. It mandates that nonprofit rural water companies file detailed financial reports with the State Auditor by July 1 each year and notify subscribers about report availability. Companies failing to comply may face penalties including dissolution or loss of nonprofit status. Additionally, the bill explicitly grants the PSC power to cancel a rural water company's service certificate if it fails to provide reasonably adequate service, with specific requirements for hearings and corrective orders.
HB 1125 simplifies Mississippi homeowners' applications for homestead exemption by removing the requirement to submit a closing statement or closing disclosure with their application. This change directly affects homeowners seeking to claim or renew the homestead exemption, which protects a portion of their primary residence from property taxes. The bill amends Section 27-33-31 of the Mississippi Code to explicitly state that applicants no longer need to provide these documents. This policy change reduces paperwork burden without altering eligibility criteria or exemption amounts.
HB 1114 requires defendants in multi-party tort cases to identify all other responsible parties (joint tortfeasors) in their legal response to a complaint. This change would directly affect defendants in civil lawsuits involving multiple parties causing injury or damage, ensuring courts allocate fault accurately. The bill mandates that defendants name these parties upfront, and failing to do so waives their right to seek fault allocation from them. It does not alter existing liability rules but adds a procedural step to clarify responsibility in shared fault cases. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and has not become law.
HB 1128, the "Defend DeSoto County Act," proposes authorizing the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDT) to identify, fund, and improve strategic entry points into DeSoto County to enhance traffic safety and support local law enforcement. The bill would allow MDT to coordinate with municipal police and sheriff departments to collect data and implement safety improvements at these entry points. If enacted, it would directly affect DeSoto County residents, commuters, and local law enforcement agencies by addressing traffic safety concerns at key access areas. The bill, referred to the Transportation Committee in early 2026, did not advance beyond committee and died in February 2026.
HB 1122 reorganizes multiple sections of the Mississippi Code of 1972 related to the Mississippi Department of Information Technology by moving them to a more current location for easier amendment. It also makes minor, nonsubstantive changes to two specific sections (25-53-259 and 25-58-21) without altering the substance of the laws. As a procedural bill, it focuses on code structure rather than policy changes.
HB 1113 prohibits medical providers (including doctors, dentists, and nurse practitioners) and medical malpractice insurers from requiring patients or healthcare providers to agree to arbitration as a condition for receiving medical care or insurance coverage. The bill makes it illegal for providers to tie treatment to arbitration agreements and for insurers to tie coverage to such agreements, with violations potentially leading to license suspension for providers or insurance violations for insurers. It defines "medical provider" broadly and amends existing laws to align with these prohibitions. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
HB 1124 would limit state office space to a maximum of 250 square feet per person for employees, contractors, vendors, or others occupying space more than 24 hours per week. Agencies exceeding this limit must submit a compliance plan by December 1 each year, and those unable to comply by June 30, 2031, due to preexisting leases must explain lease terms by December 1, 2026. The Department of Finance and Administration would compile and report non-compliant agencies and their plans to the legislature annually. The bill was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, but died in committee in February 2026.
HB 1129, the "Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act," requires Mississippi state agencies to replace the term "West Bank" with "Judea and Samaria" in all official government materials, including documents, communications, and press releases. The bill defines "state agency" broadly to cover all departments, boards, and commissions, and prohibits using state funds to create materials referring to the territory as the "West Bank." Agencies may request limited waivers from this rule with written justification submitted to the Legislature or Governor, but such waivers are not automatic. The law would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.
SB 2323 requires Mississippi grocery stores to publicly display any cost-plus pricing surcharge (where a fixed amount is added to the item's cost) both outside (within 15 feet of each entrance) and inside the store. It directly affects retail food establishments that use this pricing method, mandating clear signage showing the exact surcharge amount. Violations are classified as misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $1,000 or up to one year in jail, and also count as unlawful trade practices under existing law. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 2345, the "Mississippi Safe Dormitories Act," proposed requiring all public universities and colleges in Mississippi to provide single-sex dormitories where members of the opposite biological sex are not permitted as guests or visitors, except in designated public areas. It would have prohibited employees from having romantic or sexual relationships with students they supervise and barred certain students (those subject to sex offender registration) from residing in campus housing. The bill also mandated institutions to develop safety programs, share policy information publicly, and created civil penalties for violations, including monetary fines. The legislation died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law. It directly affected all students living on campus, university employees with authority over students, and public higher education institutions.
SB 2324 creates a nine-member study committee to examine police pursuits in Mississippi. The committee, including legislative leaders, law enforcement officials, and state agency representatives, will analyze the societal impact, risks versus benefits, safe speed limits, and qualifying crimes for pursuits. It must file a final report with the legislature by December 1, 2026. This bill does not change current law but directs a formal review of police pursuit practices. The study aims to inform future policy decisions based on findings.
This proposed constitutional amendment (SC 510) would prohibit judges from granting unsecured release (release without requiring bail) to individuals charged with "bail restricted offenses," defined as crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. Instead, such individuals would only be eligible for release through secured bonds (monetary, property, or surety). Judges would retain discretion to grant unsecured release for charges not classified as "bail restricted offenses." The amendment requires voter approval in 2026 and died in committee in February 2026, meaning it is not currently law.
