HB 1277, the "Nuclear In Lieu Tax Distribution Equity Act," revises how payments from Mississippi's Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Plant are distributed. It requires the Department of Revenue to allocate at least 70% of annual nuclear in lieu tax revenue to Claiborne County starting in fiscal year 2027, with specific allocations: 60% for county infrastructure/safety, 25% to Claiborne County Schools, and 15% to Port Gibson. The bill mandates annual adjustments to the distribution formula based on economic impact studies and environmental risk factors, and requires an annual report on collected revenue. It expires on July 1, 2031. The bill directly affects Claiborne County residents, local schools, and Port Gibson through revised funding priorities.
HB 1271 would add a 13th ground for divorce in Mississippi, allowing a court to grant a divorce when it finds an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage and that further reconciliation attempts are impractical or futile and not in the best interests of the parties or family. It also removes the "willful and obstinate" requirement from the existing desertion ground, making desertion for one year a simpler basis for divorce without needing to prove the spouse's willfulness. This bill directly affects Mississippi residents seeking divorce by providing a new no-fault option and streamlining one existing ground. The proposed changes would take effect July 1, 2026, but the bill died in committee in 2026 and did not become law.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to allow counties to levy taxes on nuclear-powered electrical generating plants without legislative restrictions. It establishes a special tax valuation method for these plants (classified as "public utility property" at 30% of true value) and ensures counties cannot be denied the right to collect such taxes. The amendment directly affects counties' authority to generate revenue from nuclear facilities and specifies how tax revenue from these plants must be distributed. The change requires voter approval in 2026, as the amendment would revise Section 112 of Mississippi's Constitution.
HB 1364 proposes redirecting a portion of Mississippi's sales tax revenue from businesses with specific North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes into the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. The bill amends existing tax distribution laws (Sections 27-65-75 and 49-39-7 of the Mississippi Code) to require that funds collected from qualifying businesses be deposited into this trust fund instead of the standard municipal or state allocations. This change would directly affect businesses operating under those designated NAICS codes, as their sales tax contributions would support outdoor conservation and stewardship programs. The bill did not advance beyond committee consideration in 2026.
HB 1323 removes the exclusion of suicide as a covered cause of death for law enforcement officers and firefighters seeking death benefits. Currently, the Law Enforcement Death Benefits Fund does not cover deaths by suicide, but this bill amends the eligibility definition to include suicide as a covered cause. The policy change directly affects families of officers or firefighters who die by suicide while performing official duties, allowing them to receive the standard $150,000 base benefit plus up to $25,000 per child (capped at $250,000 total). The bill does not alter benefit amounts, fund structure, or other eligibility criteria - only expands the definition of covered causes of death. This change aligns Mississippi’s policy with federal standards under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Act.
HB 1297 would require the Mississippi Legislature to reduce state funding for the Authority for Educational Television (ETV) by 20% annually from fiscal year 2028 through 2032, based on the 2027 funding level. After fiscal year 2032, the bill mandates that the Legislature eliminate all general fund appropriations for ETV. The authority would then need to become self-sustaining through non-state sources like donations, private funds, or fees. The bill does not affect existing state bond obligations for ETV projects.
HB 1363 increases the percentage of funds from the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund that the board of trustees and Department of Finance and Administration can use to cover their operational expenses. This change affects how the fund's administrative costs are managed, without altering the fund's primary purpose of supporting outdoor recreation and conservation projects. The bill specifically amends Section 49-39-7 to raise the allowable percentage for board expenses (currently capped at 3%). It is a procedural adjustment to administrative funding rules, not a policy change for conservation projects.
HB 1261 would require used motor vehicle dealers in Mississippi to complete continuing education courses approved by the Department of Revenue and the Mississippi Independent Auto Dealers Association to renew their licenses. It specifically removes an existing exemption for dealers handling vehicle salvage, bringing them under the same education requirements as other used car dealers. The bill would have mandated these courses as a condition of license renewal, with the Department of Revenue setting the standards in coordination with the dealers' association. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has not become law.
HB 1315 requires property and casualty insurers in Mississippi to pay insured property owners no more than 90% of damages for blighted real property until the property is cleaned up. The remaining 10% of damages could be covered by the local county or municipality where the property is located. The Commissioner of Insurance would enforce this rule and create necessary regulations. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law, so it has no current effect.
HB 1268, the Mississippi Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, protects individuals and organizations from being sued for expressing opinions on public issues in government settings, such as legislative hearings or public debates. The bill allows defendants to file a special motion to dismiss such lawsuits within 60 days, automatically pausing all other court proceedings until the motion is decided. If the motion succeeds, the lawsuit is dismissed with prejudice, and the winning party may recover attorney fees. This law aims to prevent lawsuits designed to silence public participation in civic matters, applying to cases filed on or after July 1, 2026.
HB 1336 prohibits healthcare providers from using the "buy and bill" process for cancer treatment medications. This process allows providers to purchase specialty drugs from distributors, store them in-house, administer them to patients, and bill insurers for reimbursement. The bill directly affects cancer treatment providers who currently use this model for chemotherapy or other cancer drugs. It would have banned this practice for cancer medications starting July 1, 2026, but the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not advance further.
HB 1289 would require all vehicles in Mississippi to have headlights on whenever windshield wipers are in use due to weather conditions like rain or snow. It specifically prohibits using only parking lights during these times and mandates that headlights be activated instead. Violations would result in a $25 fine for drivers. The bill, which died in committee in February 2026, aimed to improve nighttime visibility but never became law.
