This bill authorizes Mississippi's Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to sell or lease a 10.17-acre property at 1900 Woodrow Wilson Avenue in Jackson (currently used by the Highway Safety Patrol as headquarters) on behalf of the Department of Public Safety. It requires the property to be sold for at least fair market value (determined by two appraisals) or leased under terms ensuring the "highest and best use," limiting redevelopment to commercial, residential, or retail space while prohibiting heavy industry, casinos, or liquor stores. All proceeds from the sale or lease must go to the State General Fund, and the state retains the right to repurchase the property or terminate the lease if development milestones aren't met within 10 years. The state also retains all mineral rights to the property.
SB 2708 requires healthcare providers in Mississippi to screen new mothers for postpartum depression within six weeks of birth. It mandates that health insurance issuers cover this screening without deductibles or copays and prohibits step therapy protocols for FDA-approved depression treatments. The bill also requires hospitals to provide educational materials about maternal mental health to new parents and mandates the state health department to develop resources for providers and patients. These provisions directly affect new mothers, healthcare providers, and insurers across Mississippi.
This bill extends Mississippi's banking commissioner's authority to jointly examine large banks with the Federal Reserve Bank by removing an expiration date. It directly affects Mississippi state-chartered banks with over $1 billion in assets and their holding companies, as the commissioner can now continue joining Federal Reserve examinations without the previous time limit. The key provision deletes a repealer that would have ended this joint examination authority, ensuring the commissioner can maintain collaboration with the Fed for oversight. The change requires no additional costs for banks participating in these joint examinations. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2817 reorganizes Mississippi's Department of Public Safety by consolidating its offices under a single commissioner, including creating a unified Office of Homeland Security to handle cybercrime, terrorism, and violence investigations. It increases fees for state medical examiners per completed autopsy and for vehicle safety inspections required when applying for a branded title on salvage vehicles. The bill also deletes a fee previously funding emergency telecommunications training and updates the department's structural requirements. These changes directly affect state law enforcement operations, medical examiners, and vehicle owners needing title services.
HB 1318 revises Mississippi's student transportation rules to allow school districts to use passenger cars or multipurpose vehicles (not school buses) for student trips under specific safety conditions. It requires vehicles carrying 10-15 students to meet federal school bus safety standards, limits non-bus transport to fewer than 10 students (excluding drivers), and mandates licensed drivers following school safety plans. School districts must prioritize school bus use whenever practical and adopt policies addressing liability. The bill directly affects Mississippi school districts, students, and drivers transporting students outside school buses, taking effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2377 requires anyone acting as an athlete agent in Mississippi to register and obtain a certificate under the Uniform Athlete Agent Law. It directly affects unregistered agents who provide services to student-athletes in the state. The bill penalizes non-compliance with a fine of up to $25,000 and a three-year ban from registering. This law amends Mississippi Code Section 73-42-13 to establish these requirements and penalties, taking effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1126 increases base teacher salaries by $5,000 annually starting with the 2026-2027 school year, with an additional $3,000 annual supplement for licensed special education teachers and $6,000 for certified occupational therapists and school psychologists. It also raises assistant teachers' pay by $5,000 and caps superintendent salaries at 250% of equivalent teacher pay, including district supplements. The bill includes related provisions for retirement benefits for first responders and revised roles for student success coaches, but its core focus is direct compensation increases for educators.
This bill reenacts and extends the effective period of Mississippi's 2004 workforce development law (originally set to expire), while making minor updates to agency names and reporting requirements. It removes requirements for local workforce boards and one-stop career centers at community colleges. The bill maintains the existing statewide workforce system structure, including the State Workforce Investment Board with business, labor, and government representation. It does not create new programs or alter core workforce services.
HB 1585 requires all Mississippi public school districts and charter schools to evaluate long-term technology costs - including repair expenses, innovation flexibility, and resale value - before purchasing devices like computers, tablets, or interactive whiteboards. School boards must submit annual reports by August 15, detailing their "break/fix rate" (percentage of devices needing repair), total device inventory, repair costs, and replacement needs. The State Board of Education will then compile these reports into a summary for the legislature by November 15 each year, including recommendations to reduce repair rates. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with the first reports due for the 2025-2026 school year.
SB 2625 creates a new executive-appointed Chief Information Officer (CIO) position in Mississippi's governor's cabinet. The Governor must appoint the CIO with Senate consent, who will advise on statewide IT and cybersecurity policy, protect state data, and oversee modernization of digital services. The CIO must submit annual reports detailing IT spending, security plans, and agency-level strategies. The position is temporary, taking effect July 1, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2026.
HB 1528 revises Mississippi's teacher licensure requirements by removing minimum academic barriers for entering educator preparation programs. It eliminates the need for a 21 ACT score, SAT equivalent, Praxis passing score, or 3.0 GPA to begin training, making entry more accessible for prospective teachers. The bill also requires participants in the Teach Mississippi Institute to complete two 6-hour internships and allows up to 15 credit hours toward a provisional teaching license. These changes directly affect individuals pursuing teaching careers in Mississippi, particularly those in traditional and non-traditional educator preparation programs. The policy shifts aim to streamline entry into teaching while adding structured internship components.
HB 1320 allows Mississippi local school boards to provide bus transportation to students living within one mile of their assigned school if documented safety risks exist, such as lack of sidewalks, dangerous road crossings, or high-crime areas. It does not change the standard rule requiring transportation for students living more than one mile away. School boards must determine these safety risks themselves, and no state funds can be used for this transportation. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies only to students living within one mile who face specific, documented safety hazards.
