HB 1827 creates a dedicated "City of Oxford Municipal Reserve and Trust Fund" to manage specific funds from the sale of Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi property and lease termination proceeds. It establishes a nine-member board of trustees (including the mayor, mayor pro tem, and six financially experienced appointees) to oversee the fund's investments and distributions. The bill clarifies how "earnings" from the fund can be used, sets limits on withdrawals to ensure long-term fiscal security, and specifies that all income must support Oxford's infrastructure and services. This directly affects Oxford's budgeting for city improvements, public safety, and community welfare through its management of these designated funds.
HB 1650 allows Coahoma County's Board of Supervisors (as trustees of the county's Reserve and Trust Fund) to use a portion of the fund's principal balance to repair the county-owned "Federal Building," following a majority vote. If the principal is withdrawn, the fund's annual investment income payments are limited to 50% until the principal is fully restored. The bill directly affects Coahoma County's fiscal management by creating a specific process for accessing reserve funds for building maintenance. This amendment modifies existing rules governing the county's trust fund, which was established using lease proceeds from a medical center.
HB 1095 exempts certain leases and subleases for marine resources from county and municipal property taxes. This applies specifically to leases granted under Mississippi's marine resource statutes (Sections 49-15-27, 49-15-37, and 49-15-46) by the Department of Marine Resources. The bill removes tax liability on the leasehold interest for these specific marine resource agreements, directly affecting lessees of state tidelands or submerged lands under those statutes.
HB 1751 appropriates $162,606 from the state treasury to cover the Mississippi State Board of Psychology's operational expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes one permanent position and strictly prohibits using funds for salary increases, promotions, or title changes for current employees, requiring all spending to align with existing salary minimums and budget limits. It mandates detailed accounting records and compliance with state budget laws, ensuring funds are used solely for board operations without exceeding the approved appropriation.
HB 1645 authorizes the City of Philadelphia, Mississippi's governing authorities to make a one-time $10,000 donation from the city's general fund in 2025 to Philadelphia Transit, a nonprofit providing public transportation for elderly and disabled residents in Neshoba County. The bill directly affects the nonprofit's funding and the local community it serves, specifically enabling transportation access for vulnerable residents. Key provisions include a strict spending limit ($10,000), a single-year timeframe (2025), and authorization for the city to decide if and when to make the donation. The bill became law after passing the legislature and receiving the governor's approval in March 2025.
HB 1752 appropriates $746,698 from state funds to cover the operational expenses of the Mississippi Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes five permanent positions for the board and includes strict rules governing how funds can be spent, such as prohibiting salary increases for current employees using these funds and requiring compliance with state payroll guidelines. It does not change licensing rules or affect real estate appraisers directly - it solely provides funding for the board’s existing administrative operations. The bill also mandates detailed financial records and ensures funds are used strictly for approved purposes under state budget laws.
HB 1878 specifies new rules for calculating property taxes on rural structures like barns and poultry houses in Mississippi. It requires tax assessors to revalue structures appraised before 2025 using older appraisal guidelines and apply a 7% annual depreciation rate thereafter, with a 20% minimum value floor for poultry houses. Commercial poultry operations must also have a 45% economic obsolescence adjustment applied to their structures. These changes directly affect agricultural property owners, particularly those operating poultry farms, by standardizing how these structures are valued for tax purposes starting in 2025.
HB 1654 extends the expiration date of a tourism tax on prepared food sold at restaurants in Pascagoula, Mississippi, from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2029. The tax, which may reach up to 2% of the gross sales of prepared food, requires voter approval through a referendum with at least 60% support before implementation. Revenue collected must be dedicated solely to the city's Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan (adopted in 2012) and managed in a separate account, distinct from general city funds.
HB 812 extends Mississippi's homestead property tax exemption to unremarried surviving spouses of honorably discharged veterans who were 90 years old or older when they died. This law, now signed into law by the governor, directly affects surviving spouses of eligible veterans who own their homes. The bill amends existing tax code to automatically include these surviving spouses in the exemption, which previously only applied to the veteran homeowners themselves. The exemption covers all ad valorem taxes on the home's assessed value, reducing property tax burdens for these households.
HB 1809 extends the expiration date for a 2% tourism tax in Senatobia, Mississippi, from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2029. The tax applies to hotels/motels (with six or more rooms) and restaurants within Senatobia, levied on gross proceeds from room rentals and food/beverage sales. Proceeds must be used solely for parks, recreation, and tourism development, not general city funds. This change directly affects businesses operating in Senatobia subject to the tax, allowing the city to continue collecting revenue for designated purposes.
SB 2729 establishes the "Mississippi Public Health Trust Fund" in the state treasury to support public health programs defined under state law. The fund will be financed primarily by medical cannabis tax revenue (as stated in the bill's title), along with other appropriations, donations, or grants. Funds can only be used for public health services and must be spent at rates between 3% and 7% of the fund's total value annually, with oversight by the Mississippi State Department of Health. This bill directly affects public health programs across Mississippi by creating a dedicated funding source for health initiatives. It takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 2699 reinstates the Patient's Right to Informed Health Care Choices Act, requiring health care providers to clearly disclose their qualifications (like M.D., D.O., or N.P.) in all advertising to prevent misleading claims. It also creates Mississippi’s first licensing system for genetic counselors, mandating licenses by January 1, 2025, and prohibiting unlicensed practice with criminal penalties. The law defines prohibited deceptive advertising (e.g., falsely claiming qualifications) and establishes the State Board of Health to enforce rules, including disciplinary actions for violations. It directly affects all health care providers who advertise services and genetic counselors practicing in Mississippi.
