HB 1905 appropriates $27,094,906 in state funds for the Yellow Creek State Inland Port Authority to cover its operational expenses during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). The bill specifically allocates $15 million for capital projects and $50,000 for overtime or standby pay. It requires the Authority to maintain detailed accounting records comparable to fiscal year 2026 and mandates preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions. The funds are subject to standard budget compliance rules, including prohibitions against using state funds to replace withdrawn federal or special funds.
HB 1920 appropriates $1,950,524 from the Real Estate License Fund to cover the Mississippi Real Estate Commission's operating expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifies that $1,229,744 of this amount must be used exclusively for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits) for up to 16 permanent staff positions, with strict rules prohibiting use for promotions, title changes, or salary increases beyond approved headcounts. It requires the Commission to maintain detailed financial records matching FY2026 standards and mandates that any FY2028 budget request follow the same reporting format. This is a funding bill with no policy changes, solely allocating existing resources for the Commission's personnel costs.
HB 1926 appropriates $2,100,968 from the State General Fund and $215,258 from the State Treasury to fund the Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill authorizes nine permanent staff positions to support the office’s work representing individuals sentenced to death in Mississippi. It requires the office to maintain detailed financial records and comply with existing state budget laws governing fund usage. This is a routine funding measure to sustain existing legal services for death penalty cases, not a policy change.
HB 1925 appropriates $117,462 for the Mississippi Auctioneers Commission to cover its operating expenses during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). The bill requires the commission to maintain detailed financial records matching its FY2026 standards and submit future budget requests in a comparable format. It also mandates that the commission give preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods or equipment, both with and without competitive bids. The funds must be spent in compliance with existing state budget laws prohibiting overspending.
HB 1933 reappropriates unspent funds from prior fiscal years to continue construction and renovation projects at Mississippi state agencies, institutions, and higher education facilities for fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). It allocates specific amounts from previously authorized budgets (including $70 million for higher education and $75 million for general state projects) but requires that funds not exceed remaining unspent balances as of June 30, 2026, and cannot change the original purpose of the spending. The bill does not create new funding or policy changes - it simply allows existing, unspent allocations to be reused for ongoing projects.
SB 2308 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's energy efficiency standards for building construction, which were originally set to end on July 1, 2029. These standards require new commercial and public buildings (including offices, schools, retail stores, and hospitals) to meet specific energy-saving design practices based on national guidelines. The bill does not alter the existing requirements but ensures they remain enforceable beyond 2029. This affects building developers, contractors, and local governments responsible for implementing and enforcing the codes.
This bill changes Mississippi's statute of limitations for "felonious assistance program fraud" (fraud involving government assistance programs like food stamps or welfare) to require prosecution within 10 years of the crime. It directly affects individuals who commit such fraud and prosecutors who must file charges within this timeframe. The bill amends existing law to add a specific 10-year limit for this offense, while other crimes retain their original time limits (e.g., murder has no time limit, most felonies have 5-year limits). This is a procedural change to clarify when cases can be prosecuted, not a new crime or policy.
Mississippi Senate Bill 2420 amends wildlife laws to extend hunting seasons ending on a Saturday until 30 minutes after sunset on the following Sunday. This applies to deer (Section 49-7-31), bobwhite quail and wild turkey (Section 49-7-31.2), squirrel and rabbits (Section 49-7-31.3), and fur-bearing animals (Section 49-7-31.4). The change only affects the end time of existing seasons when they conclude on Saturday, providing hunters an additional window on Sunday. It does not alter season dates, hunting methods, or regulations for these species.
SB 2369 allows Mississippi to withhold gaming winnings (from casinos, lotteries, and other licensed venues) from individuals who owe unpaid child support. The law requires the Mississippi Gaming Commission and Department of Human Services to create rules for this process and permits gaming businesses to charge a small administrative fee when withholding these winnings. This directly affects people with outstanding child support debt by using their gambling winnings as a new source to pay that debt. The bill provides a concrete enforcement tool for collecting child support payments through the gaming industry.
SB 2526 creates the Mississippi Rural Water Oversight Committee to supervise rural water providers. It requires these providers to conduct rate and capacity studies by December 1, 2027 (and every five years after), develop asset management plans by the same deadline, and implement rate changes based on approved studies. The committee will set rules for these studies, maintain a list of approved study providers, and require financially struggling providers to submit improvement plans before receiving state aid. This bill directly affects rural water systems in Mississippi by establishing new compliance deadlines and oversight procedures for their operations and finances.
SB 2543 enacts Mississippi's participation in the Interstate Dental and Dental Hygiene Licensure Compact, allowing dentists and dental hygienists to practice across participating states more easily. The bill creates a shared system where licensees pass a uniform national exam (ADEX) and maintain one set of documents for streamlined licensure in multiple states, eliminating duplicate fees. It specifically waives application fees for military members and their spouses seeking licensure in new states. Each participating state retains full authority to regulate dental practice within its borders while sharing information to protect public safety.
HB 479 revises Mississippi's Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses Act to adjust temporary practice permit rules for marriage and family therapists and psychologists. This change ensures these professions are subject to the same universal recognition standards as other licensed occupations, allowing relocating professionals to obtain temporary permits under standard conditions like holding a current license in good standing from another state. The bill also directs the state to review the existing licensing laws for these professions for potential future amendments. It directly affects licensed therapists and psychologists moving to Mississippi from other states seeking temporary practice authorization.
