SB 2821 creates a new crime called "capital sexual battery" for sexual battery committed against children under 12 years old. It authorizes the death penalty as a sentencing option but requires a jury to unanimously find at least two aggravating factors before recommending it. The bill mandates a separate sentencing hearing after conviction, where the jury must determine if aggravating factors outweigh mitigating circumstances. If the death penalty is not imposed, life imprisonment without parole is automatically required. This applies specifically to defendants convicted of sexual battery against minors under 12.
SB 2314 amends multiple sections of Mississippi's driver's license law to update administrative procedures. It removes outdated requirements (like video tape preparation for educational TV), revises how license suspension notices are sent, and clarifies fee distributions for license reinstatements. Specifically, it modifies Section 63-1-45 to specify that $7 from commercial license fees and $4 from Class D commercial fees go to a special fund for department equipment purchases, while other reinstatement fees are split between the state general fund, retirement systems, and equipment funds. The bill directly affects drivers applying for or renewing licenses, courts handling traffic violations, and the Department of Public Safety managing license records and funds.
HB 1488 authorizes the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to sell or lease specific state-owned property in Forrest County, Mississippi, which USM currently controls. The bill requires the Department of Finance and Administration to follow USM’s recommendations for sale terms (after Board of Trustees approval) and mandates that property sold must meet fair market value (determined by two appraisals), while leases cannot exceed 40 years. Proceeds from sales or leases must be deposited into a special state fund, and the property must be used to support USM’s research, innovation, and commercialization goals without disrupting university operations. The state retains mineral rights to the property throughout these transactions.
SB 2401 extends temporary exemptions for Mississippi's Office of Workforce Development from standard public procurement requirements. It delays the expiration dates for these exemptions on leasing and specific contracts (covering sections 27-104-7, 37-153-7, and 37-153-17 of the Mississippi Code). The bill makes technical adjustments to related provisions without changing the core policy. These extensions allow the Office of Workforce Development to continue operating under existing procurement rules for a longer period. The bill does not create new requirements or affect other state agencies.
SB 2378 increases the fee court reporters can charge for transcripts from $4.00 to $5.00 per page. It requires reporters to format documents using practical font and spacing to minimize printed pages, directly affecting court reporters and parties ordering transcripts (like litigants or attorneys). The fee change takes effect July 1, 2026. This bill modifies existing billing rules without altering transcript content or legal procedures.
HB 1395 revises Mississippi law to clarify how school districts handle unused instructional buildings. It requires charter schools to accept or reject the right of first refusal within 90 days or forfeit the opportunity, limiting this right to instructional buildings only. The bill also mandates that leased property reverts to the school district if the original or approved alternative use ends, with any alternative use needing prior school board approval via formal resolution. These changes aim to streamline property transactions while ensuring clear timelines and accountability.
HB 1305 requires municipalities owning utility systems (like water, electricity, or sewage) to undergo annual audits by independent third-party firms. These audits must be completed by December 1 each year, with results reported to the Public Service Commission and Public Utilities Staff. Municipal utilities that fail to comply face civil fines set by the commission. The bill directly affects all Mississippi municipalities operating public utility services, expanding oversight to ensure accountability and transparency in their operations. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1701 clarifies that Mississippi's standard 90-, 120-, and 180-day sentencing limits for technical probation violations do not apply to participants in drug courts or intervention programs. The bill requires courts to exercise discretion in sentencing when such participants commit technical violations, rather than imposing fixed time limits. It directly affects individuals enrolled in Mississippi's drug court or intervention programs who face probation violations unrelated to new criminal charges. The key change removes mandatory short prison terms for minor program breaches, allowing judges to determine appropriate consequences on a case-by-case basis.
SB 2524 establishes the Mississippi Postsecondary Attainment Council (M-PAC) to set state goals and develop strategies for increasing postsecondary attainment - including certificates, credentials, and degrees - across Mississippi. The council, composed of 25 voting members representing higher education institutions, private businesses, workforce agencies, and state government, will collaborate to align education with workforce needs. M-PAC must produce annual reports tracking progress toward attainment goals using data from the State Longitudinal Data System. This bill directly affects Mississippi’s public and private colleges, workforce development programs, and businesses in priority occupations.
HB 1563 changes the composition of municipal utility commissions in Mississippi, requiring two members to be customers living outside the city limits who receive utility service. This directly affects municipal utility commissions managing water, electricity, or other public utilities owned by cities. The bill also adds a requirement for all community public water system board members to complete management training within two years of election, with costs covered by the water system. These changes aim to increase community representation and ensure board members have necessary operational knowledge.
This bill designates a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 550 in Lincoln County (from Caseyville Road westward) as the "Lamar Smith Memorial Highway" for commemorative purposes. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will install and maintain appropriate signage along this highway segment. The bill has no policy or regulatory impact - it solely honors Lamar Smith through a highway designation. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and expires June 30, 2027 (as noted in the text).
SB 2294, the MS Future Innovators Act, requires Mississippi public high school students entering 9th grade in 2029-2030 to earn one credit in either a dedicated computer science course or a career and technical education (CTE) course with embedded computer science before graduation. The bill mandates that these courses cover fundamental concepts of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, including how AI works and its societal impact. Students can use this credit to fulfill either a math or science graduation requirement (excluding core courses like Algebra I or biology), without increasing the total required credits. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with course approvals managed by the State Board of Education.
