Mississippi Senate Bill 3116 (SB 3116) expands tax exemption eligibility for energy storage projects by adding battery energy storage systems to the definition of qualifying "projects" under existing property tax exemption rules. The bill amends Section 27-31-46 to include facilities storing energy via batteries (standalone or paired with renewable generation) and updates Section 27-31-101 to explicitly allow counties/municipalities to exempt up to 50% of the assessed value for such projects with at least $100 million in private investment. This directly affects energy storage developers and operators seeking property tax relief under Mississippi’s ad valorem exemption program. The bill extends the exemption period through 2028 but does not alter the 50% cap or $100 million investment threshold.
HB 346 revises Mississippi's architectural licensing laws to allow multi-disciplinary firms (combining architects, landscape architects, and engineers) to operate under specific conditions. The bill requires that at least one active member or stockholder of such a firm must hold a valid Mississippi architecture license, and no more than one-third of the firm's ownership can be held by landscape architects. Firms must clearly disclose each member's license type (architect, engineer, or landscape architect) in all business materials and include at least one licensed architect's name in their title. This change directly affects architects, landscape architects, and engineering firms seeking to collaborate under a single business entity in Mississippi.
SB 2704 creates a new option for professional and trade associations in Mississippi (like groups of doctors, lawyers, plumbers, or electricians) to offer self-funded health plans regulated by another state or federal authority, rather than Mississippi’s insurance laws. These plans must meet specific requirements, including operating for three years without insurance as their primary purpose, being nonprofit, and maintaining proper reserves. The bill requires clear written notices to members that these plans are not regulated by Mississippi’s Insurance Department, not covered by the state’s guaranty association, and have no state oversight on costs or benefits. This provides additional health coverage choices for association members while exempting these plans from most Mississippi insurance regulations.
This bill prohibits health insurance plans from requiring patients with advanced, metastatic cancer to try other medications first (step therapy) before covering FDA-approved treatments for their condition. It applies specifically to drugs that align with clinical guidelines and evidence-based medicine, directly affecting patients diagnosed with cancer that has spread and their healthcare providers. The law establishes a process for doctors to request immediate coverage overrides if step therapy delays care, requiring insurers to approve such requests based on medical evidence within 30 days (extendable by 7 days). It ensures faster access to critical treatments without unnecessary delays for patients with advanced cancer.
SB 2846 allows Mississippi municipalities to create voluntary "taxpayer agreements" with property owners or developers in designated redevelopment areas. These agreements can secure payments for financing redevelopment projects (like urban renewal) without being classified as taxes, public debt, or pledges of government credit. The bill establishes that payments under these agreements can be secured by a lien on the property, ranking equally with property tax liens and enforceable like delinquent taxes. It directly affects municipalities seeking to finance redevelopment and property owners/developers in project areas, with agreements limited to 30 years.
SB 2257 amends Mississippi's Housing Authorities Law to allow housing authorities to participate in "mixed-finance projects," defined as initiatives combining public funds with private resources like low-income housing tax credits. It enables authorities to directly sponsor projects, provide mortgage loans to non-profits, or partner with entities (such as limited liability companies) to develop affordable housing. The bill also authorizes housing authorities to form self-insurance pools for shared risk management and grants legal protections to individuals involved in these projects. These changes directly affect Mississippi housing authorities, their nonprofit partners, and low-income housing developments seeking blended funding approaches.
HB 565, known as "Jill's Law," requires all health insurance plans in Mississippi - including Medicaid and the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan - to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence. This includes tests backed by FDA approvals, clinical guidelines, or consensus statements, effective for plans renewed or entered after July 1, 2026. Plans must provide clear written justifications for denied claims, update coverage policies publicly within 60 days of enactment, and allow appeals for coverage disputes. The law applies to all health benefit plans and aims to ensure timely access to evidence-based testing without requiring multiple biopsies.
Mississippi's SB 2005 designates a specific tartan pattern as the official state tartan. The bill defines the tartan's exact color sequence (20 black, 40 green, 4 blue, etc.) and provides Pantone and hex color codes for its use. This symbolic designation allows any Mississippi-affiliated organization, society, or individual to freely use the tartan pattern. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not create new regulations or affect state policy.
SB 2310 gives Mississippi's Public Service Commission (PSC) the authority to cancel a municipality's water service certificate if it provides inadequate service beyond its city limits (more than one mile outside boundaries). The bill amends state law to allow the PSC to find service inadequate and then petition a court to place the system under a court-appointed manager (receiver) to restore service. This directly affects municipalities operating water systems outside their corporate boundaries that fail to meet service standards. The law, effective July 1, 2026, aims to ensure reliable water service for customers in these extended areas by enabling the PSC to intervene when necessary.
SB 2414 updates the membership composition of Mississippi's Title V Advisory Council by replacing inactive or non-existent industry representation groups. The council will now include four industry representatives (appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House) alongside existing members from business and agricultural organizations. This change ensures the council reflects current stakeholders who pay Title V program fees, while maintaining its existing duty to study program costs and recommend equitable fee structures for the Department of Environmental Quality. The bill does not alter the council's core responsibilities or fee-setting mechanisms.
SB 2416 (Mississippi) gives law enforcement officers who test positive for drugs in an initial urinalysis test the right to request a follow-up hair follicle test before facing termination or suspension. Officers must contest results within two business days, then have five additional days to pay for a hair test at their own expense; if negative, the employer reimburses them and reinstates the officer. The bill prevents immediate disciplinary action pending the follow-up test results and aligns with existing certification rules. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2458 requires Mississippi county boards of supervisors to provide adequate and habitable office space for local Child Protection Services (CPS) offices in their counties. The bill establishes a lease agreement where CPS pays the federal share of rent (based on fair market value), while counties cover maintenance, repairs, and utility costs like electricity and janitorial services. County boards must ensure the space meets basic habitability standards, and CPS cannot use federal funds for property improvements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting county governments and CPS operations across Mississippi.
