HB 1143 allows electronic signatures on warrants and domestic abuse protection orders in Mississippi, meaning these legal documents can be signed digitally without losing legal validity. It requires secure digital systems with encryption and authentication to verify signatures, and electronic signatures satisfy constitutional oath requirements if made under penalty of perjury. The bill specifically excludes no-knock warrants from this electronic process and mandates that applicants still meet with a judge via video or in person before electronic warrants are issued. This change directly affects law enforcement, courts, and individuals seeking protection orders or warrants in Mississippi.
HB 1159 would have restored voting rights for Mississippi residents convicted of vote fraud, specific crimes listed in Section 241 of the state constitution, or other crimes later deemed disenfranchising by Attorney General opinions. It required automatic restoration of voting rights once individuals completed all sentencing requirements (like fines, probation, or incarceration), without needing to apply for restoration. The bill amended multiple election codes to ensure names of eligible voters were automatically removed from suspension lists and reinstated in the voter database after sentencing was fully satisfied. This would directly affect people with these convictions who completed their sentences, allowing them to vote immediately without further action. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.
SB 2349 increases penalties for absentee ballot vote fraud in Mississippi. It raises fines to a minimum of $1,000 (up to $5,000) and prison sentences to at least one year (up to five years) for offenses like bribing voters, falsifying absentee ballot applications, or paying people based on the number of ballots processed. The bill specifically targets violations involving absentee voting, including promising rewards for votes or fraudulently submitting applications. It directly affects individuals committing these specific fraud acts, as well as those aiding such activities. The law would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
SB 2346 would require all future candidates for sheriff in Mississippi to be certified law enforcement officers with at least 10 years of experience. This applies to new candidates starting July 1, 2026, but current sheriffs elected before that date would be exempt. The bill also includes training requirements for new sheriffs, mandating completion of law enforcement coursework at state academies unless previously certified. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.
HB 1149 would allow Mississippi defendants to post cash bail equal to 10% of the total bail amount instead of the full amount, provided they meet eligibility requirements and sign a sworn affidavit. Courts would be required to give defendants a written notice explaining this cash option and the alternative of using a bail bondsman (which typically charges a 10-15% nonrefundable fee). Cash deposits would be held in a special "Cash Bail Fund" managed by the county treasurer. This bill aimed to provide a more affordable bail alternative while maintaining court oversight of the process.
SB 2357 prevents property owners within a 5-mile zone around an existing racetrack from filing lawsuits claiming the racetrack causes nuisances (like noise or disturbances) if the racetrack was already operating when they bought or improved their property. It blocks such claims regardless of future changes to the racetrack's operations, as long as those changes are legal. The bill also stops local governments from passing rules that would restrict racetrack operations in these zones. However, racetracks must still follow all state and federal environmental and safety laws.
This bill proposes amending Mississippi's constitution to update signature requirements for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments. It directly affects people gathering signatures for initiative petitions by requiring that no single congressional district's signatures exceed the total required signatures divided by the current number of congressional districts. The key mechanism ensures signatures are distributed proportionally across all active districts, preventing any one district from dominating the petition process. This change would align the initiative process with current congressional boundaries after redistricting.
HB 1141, "Trey's Law," prohibits agreements that prevent survivors of sexual abuse from disclosing abuse details to others. It makes any non-disclosure clause in settlements, employment contracts, or other agreements related to sexual abuse void and unenforceable, protecting survivors' ability to speak freely. The law applies to agreements signed on or after July 1, 2026, and only affects the sexual abuse disclosure portion - not other terms like compensation. It directly affects survivors, institutions (like employers or organizations), and legal agreements involving sexual abuse claims. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, after being referred to committee but not passed.
SB 2358 requires Mississippi courts to issue court orders (injunctions) when a plaintiff proves a defendant violated a social media platform's rules through their online communications. It specifically allows courts to automatically grant permanent injunctions if the defendant has a criminal conviction for cyberstalking under Mississippi law (Section 97-45-15), which defines "harass" as a willful course of conduct causing serious alarm. The law directly affects victims of online harassment, defendants accused of cyberstalking, and social media platforms or corporate sponsors that distribute such communications. It does not apply to internet service providers or constitutionally protected speech, and takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2342, the "Safe Dormitories Act," requires public colleges and universities in Mississippi to offer students the option to live in dormitory rooms with roommates of the same biological sex. It prohibits individuals from entering a dorm room designated exclusively for the opposite sex (with exceptions for emergencies, parental accompaniment of minors, or maintenance). The bill mandates that school officials create enforcement rules and disciplinary procedures for violations, and allows students to sue for damages if the policy is violated. The bill died in committee in 2026 and never became law.
HB 1157 proposes creating a state-funded Law Enforcement Supplemental Pay Program administered by Mississippi's Department of Public Safety. It would provide eligible local sworn law enforcement officers with an additional $2,000 per year after completing five years of service in Mississippi, paid on top of their existing municipal or county salary. The program applies to full-time officers in jurisdictions employing at least one sworn officer, with the supplemental pay not reducing any other compensation they receive. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.
HB 1164 would have expanded Mississippi's hate crime laws by adding "gender identity" to the protected classes and including victims based on employment as law enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical technicians. It required courts to hold separate sentencing hearings where a jury must find beyond reasonable doubt that the crime was motivated by the victim's protected status or employment. If proven, penalties could be doubled for imprisonment or fines. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.
