HB 1442 revises Mississippi's conservatorship process for individuals housed in state hospitals. It requires medical professionals employed by Mississippi State Hospitals (including North and East Mississippi State Hospitals or their contracted facilities) to sign the required medical certificates for conservatorship petitions when the respondent is in a state hospital at the time of filing. This replaces the previous requirement for outside licensed physicians to conduct examinations, streamlining the certification process for these specific cases. The bill also updates related provisions to grant access to medical records from these hospitals during conservatorship proceedings. The changes apply only to conservatorship cases involving respondents currently residing in state hospitals.
HB 1897 authorizes Tate, Panola, Lafayette, and Yalobusha counties to form the Northwest Regional Alliance (NWRA) to coordinate economic development projects within these counties. The bill grants county boards of supervisors the authority to levy a special property tax (up to 2 mills annually) and issue general obligation bonds (up to $5 million per county) for projects like land acquisition, road improvements, and infrastructure development. These funds must be used exclusively for the NWRA’s economic development purposes and are exempt from standard property tax increase limits. The bill also references existing regional economic development laws (Mississippi Code §§ 57-64-1-57-64-31) to clarify the NWRA’s role as a supplemental tool for county collaboration.
HB 1747 appropriates $209,142 from state funds for the Mississippi State Board of Nursing Home Administrators to cover its expenses during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes two permanent staff positions and strictly limits fund usage to personnel costs without increasing salaries for current employees, requiring adherence to budgeted payroll levels. It mandates detailed accounting records matching 2025 standards and prohibits using state funds to replace federal or special funds. Additionally, the bill requires preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions and ensures all expenditures comply with state budget laws.
HB 1404 exempts individuals already receiving treatment in a licensed acute psychiatric hospital with two prior professional evaluations from needing a pre-affidavit screening before a relative or interested person can file a legal commitment request. This directly affects families seeking to commit a loved one, hospitals treating patients, and community mental health centers that must be notified 24 hours in advance. The key mechanism requires hospitals to notify the community mental health center 24 hours before filing the commitment affidavit, streamlining the process for these specific cases. The bill also updates related reporting requirements for mental health centers and defines terms in Mississippi's mental health laws.
HB 1736 approves $9,089,507 in state funds for Mississippi's Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District to cover bond payments, maintenance, project costs, and other operational expenses during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill requires strict budget adherence for personnel spending, prohibiting salary increases for current staff and mandating that funds for vacancies fill new positions only. It also directs the district to prioritize Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchases, maintain detailed financial records matching 2025 standards, and deposit excess funds to earn interest rates comparable to state funds.
HB 1901 increases the annual tax credit allocation limit for Mississippi's community investment program and extends the deadline for claiming credits until July 1, 2029. It directly affects investors who hold "qualified equity investments" in Mississippi community development projects, allowing them to claim more tax credits each year. The bill modifies two key parameters: raising the maximum annual credit amount available and pushing back the cutoff date for new allocations. This update provides longer-term access to tax incentives for investors supporting qualifying low-income community projects.
HB 1268 creates the Mississippi Save Our Service Member Task Force to study mental health needs and suicide prevention for Mississippi National Guard members and veterans. The 15-member task force - including military leaders, mental health experts, and legislative representatives - will assess current services, identify gaps in support, and develop recommendations for improved mental health resources. It must submit a final report with proposed legislation and funding needs to the legislature by January 1, 2026. The bill also establishes a separate task force for first responders, but its primary focus is on military service members' mental health.
HB 1891 extends the expiration date for Hancock County's tourism tax and tourism bureau authority from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2029. The bill maintains the existing 2% tax on hotel/motel room rentals (excluding free stays) and the requirement for county supervisors to seek voter approval before implementing the tax. It directly affects Hancock County hotels, motels, and similar lodging businesses that pay the tax, as well as the county tourism bureau that uses the revenue for tourism promotion. The legislation does not change the tax rate, collection process, or eligibility for the tax - only delays the automatic repeal of these provisions. The bill was signed into law by the governor on March 21, 2025.
HB 1644 revises Mississippi's tax incentives for telecommunications companies deploying broadband infrastructure. It establishes tiered tax credits (5-15% of equipment costs) based on rural area designations (Tier One to Three), with annual limits of $15 million total and $1.5 million per company. The bill prohibits credits for equipment paid for via the federal BEAD broadband program and requires companies to submit sworn equipment descriptions to county tax assessors by April 1 to claim property tax exemptions for equipment placed in service between 2025-2030. These exemptions last 10 years for fixed broadband and 5 years for mobile broadband, subject to FCC speed benchmarks.
HB 1717 extends the expiration date of a local restaurant tax in Mize, Mississippi, from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2029. The tax, which allows Mize to charge restaurants up to 2% on food and drink sales, funds tourism and parks projects after a required local election (60% voter approval). It requires separate accounting for tax revenue and mandates that funds be used strictly for designated purposes, not general town spending. The bill does not create a new tax but prolongs an existing one that has been in effect since 2021.
HB 1801 increases funding for Sunflower County's homeless services by allowing the Board of Supervisors to supplement an annual $40,000 contribution to the Sunflower County Ministerial Alliance Counseling Service (a nonprofit that runs the Transition Center). The bill permits the county to add funds equal to what municipalities, faith groups, or private citizens contribute specifically for the Transition Center's daily operations. This directly supports the county's facility serving homeless residents. The law expires on July 1, 2026.
HB 1658 extends the repeal date for the Indianola Tourism Commission and its associated hotel, motel, and restaurant tax from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2029. This change directly affects the City of Indianola by keeping the tourism commission operational and maintaining the tax authority that funds its activities. The bill amends existing law to delay the sunset of these provisions, ensuring the commission can continue promoting tourism and economic development. The tax, levied on qualifying hotels, motels, and restaurants, remains authorized to support the commission's work until 2029.
