HB 1611 requires Mississippi insurance companies to provide policyholders with at least 45 days' written notice before changing, canceling, reducing, or not renewing property and casualty insurance coverage (including home, auto, and workers' compensation policies). This law directly affects homeowners, renters, and business owners who purchase these insurance policies in Mississippi. The key provision mandates a 45-day notice period for coverage changes, increasing the previous requirement from 30 days for policies renewed after July 1, 2026. The notice must be sent to both the policyholder and any named creditor loss payee, with specific details about less favorable terms if applicable.
SB 2555 allows Mississippi Native wineries to sell directly to consumers at one additional location within their home county, in addition to their primary winery site. This change directly affects Native wineries by expanding their sales options without requiring them to operate outside their county. The bill amends existing law to explicitly permit this single satellite location for direct consumer sales, while maintaining other sales restrictions. The law became effective after the governor signed it on March 21, 2025.
Mississippi's SB 2383 designates the sweet potato as the state's official vegetable, effective July 1, 2025. This symbolic bill directly affects Mississippi's state identity by formally recognizing the sweet potato in its official designation. The legislation contains no policy changes or funding mechanisms - it solely establishes a state symbol through a procedural designation. The bill passed the legislature and was signed into law by the governor in March 2025.
HB 1436 authorizes the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to transfer two specific parcels of land at intersections in Gulfport (Harrison County) to the City of Gulfport. The parcels include the Northwest Quadrant of 13th & 28th Avenue and the Southwest Quadrant of 15th & 28th Avenue, described by lot numbers in Gulfport's original plat. Key provisions require MDOT to retain mineral rights, allow utility owners to maintain existing utilities without relocation, and grant MDOT a right of first refusal if the city sells the land. The bill also corrects a similar transfer authorization for Greene County land near a bridge, but the primary focus is enabling Gulfport to acquire these specific intersections for potential development or public use.
This bill deletes a repealer provision in Mississippi's Health Care Expendable Fund statute, ensuring existing transfer rules remain in effect. It maintains the current process for moving tobacco settlement funds from the Health Care Trust Fund to the Expendable Fund, including specific annual transfers for fiscal years 2005-2015 and ongoing income-based funding. The change directly affects how the state manages and allocates tobacco settlement revenue for healthcare purposes. By removing the repealer, the bill preserves the established funding mechanism without altering the amounts or timing of transfers.
SB 2748 standardizes how medical cannabis products are measured by defining one Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Unit (MMCEU) as one gram of total THC in concentrates or infused products. It allows healthcare providers to issue medical cannabis certifications via telemedicine for homebound or bedbound patients, eliminating the need for in-person visits. The bill also prohibits applicants for medical cannabis licenses from seeking local zoning or permitting approvals until they receive state licensing from the Mississippi Department of Health or Tax Commission. This legislation, now law after governor approval on March 21, 2025, directly affects patients, healthcare providers, and cannabis businesses by clarifying product standards, expanding access, and streamlining licensing.
HB 556 authorizes Mississippi's Department of Finance and Administration to purchase three specific parcels of land on East Hamilton Street in Jackson (303, 323, and 337 E. Hamilton St.) for state office and parking use. The bill requires the department to pay no more than fair market value, determined by two independent appraisals, and to negotiate closing costs. This property acquisition directly affects state government operations by enabling the department to secure space within the Capitol Complex. The bill became law after the governor signed it on March 21, 2025.
SB 2298 amends Mississippi's construction procurement rules for projects over $75,000. It requires state agencies and local governments to use reverse auctions as the primary method for receiving bids on public construction contracts (including buildings, roads, and bridges), unless approved otherwise by the Public Procurement Review Board with a detailed justification. The bill also mandates that construction bids over $5,000 be broken down by component with detailed pricing, and specifies that bids may be submitted electronically without signatures unless required. This affects state agencies, municipalities, and school districts purchasing construction services above the $75,000 threshold. The law does not apply to public schools (including charter schools) when purchasing copyrighted materials or to individual state universities.
HB 1167 renames several buildings at Mississippi's State Fire Academy and the Workers' Compensation Commission building to honor specific individuals. It designates the Education Building/Auditorium as the "Honorable Mary Ann Stevens Education Building and Auditorium," the Administration Building as "Commissioner George Dale Administration Building," the Fire Station as "Reggie Bell Fire Station," the Apparatus Building as "Bill Warren Apparatus Building," and the Workers' Compensation Building as "Liles Williams Workers' Compensation Building." The bill requires the Department of Finance and Administration to install signage with the new names and plaques detailing each honoree's service. This procedural bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 2664 ratifies Mississippi's entry into the Dietitian Licensure Compact, allowing licensed dietitians from Mississippi to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The compact creates a "compact privilege" equivalent to a license in the state where care is provided (the "remote state"), eliminating the need for multiple state licenses while requiring dietitians to meet uniform standards. This increases public access to dietetics services, reduces administrative burdens for professionals and states, and ensures dietitians remain accountable to the state where the patient is located during care.
SB 2210 revises Mississippi's fireworks sales schedule, allowing retail sales only from May 23 to July 12 and December 5 to January 9 annually. It reduces penalties for violating fireworks laws from felonies to misdemeanors, with fines up to $5,000 for repeat offenses. The bill also adds civil liability, requiring sellers of illegal fireworks to cover injuries, deaths, or property damage caused by their products. This directly affects retailers, distributors, and anyone selling fireworks in Mississippi. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 724 creates a misdemeanor offense for election workers who intentionally fail to transmit a voter's mailed ballot with the intent it won't be counted in the election. It directly affects individuals assisting voters under Section 23-15-907, such as election clerks or poll workers handling mail-in ballots. The law imposes penalties of up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine for willfully withholding ballots to prevent them from being cast. This amendment to Mississippi Code Section 97-13-13 specifically targets deliberate obstruction of mail-in voting procedures.
