SB 2239 authorizes Mississippi's Department of Corrections to contract with Forrest County and Wayne County boards of supervisors to house state inmates in their correctional facilities. This bill directly affects state inmates who will be housed in these specific county facilities, and it adds Forrest and Wayne Counties to the list of counties eligible for such contracts. The key provision requires facilities to meet American Correctional Association standards and constitutional requirements. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor in March 2025.
SB 2743 amends Mississippi law to redirect funds collected from fees for certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records. After completing marriage record statistics, any remaining funds must be used for maternal/infant/child health programs, completing birth records, or other vital statistics. This change affects the State Board of Health, which manages these funds and vital records. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not create new fees but reallocates existing ones.
HB 1197, the "Safe Solicitation Act," requires anyone soliciting money or goods in public spaces (like streets or sidewalks) to obtain a permit from their local municipality, county, or political subdivision. It limits solicitation to daylight hours, prohibits blocking traffic, restricts activities to within 100 feet of an approved intersection, and bans harassment or amplification devices. Violations can result in fines up to $300 or jail time for forgery, while permits cost no more than $25. The law amends existing traffic obstruction statutes to align with these requirements and allows local governments to opt out within six months of enactment.
SB 2087 repeals a Mississippi law requiring the Joint Committee on Compilation, Revision and Publication of Legislation to contract with a publisher for advance sheets of newly enacted state laws and distribute them to specific parties. This bill eliminates an administrative requirement related to the publication process for Mississippi's General Laws, removing the need for the committee to produce and distribute preliminary printed copies of laws before they are fully compiled. The change affects only the legislative committee's internal procedures, not any citizens, businesses, or other entities, as it streamlines how state law documents are handled. The bill became effective after the governor signed it on March 17, 2025.
HB 1194 allows certain for-profit water companies - specifically those created solely to meet federal or state water compliance orders - to convert their status to a "water authority" (a public entity). This change enables them to access tax-exempt financing for water infrastructure, potentially lowering costs for customers. To convert, these entities must file a resolution, application, and bylaws with Mississippi’s Secretary of State, meeting specific requirements outlined in the bill. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects eligible water providers formed for regulatory compliance.
HB 916 requires cigarette and e-cigarette (vape) manufacturers selling in Mississippi to submit annual certifications to the state Commissioner of Revenue. The state will maintain a public online directory listing approved manufacturers, brands, and products; products not in the directory cannot be sold. Retailers and distributors have 60 days after the directory launches to sell existing inventory of unlisted products, after which unlisted items face seizure, fines ($500-$1,500 per violation), or criminal penalties. The directory for e-cigarettes becomes active October 1, 2025, with annual enforcement reports to the legislature.
SB 2280 establishes a mandatory wild turkey stamp requirement for hunters in Mississippi, directly affecting all hunters except specific exempt groups (residents under 16, over 65, or with certain disabilities; holders of lifetime licenses). The bill sets a $10 fee for residents and $100 for nonresidents, valid through the following spring season, with revenue deposited exclusively into the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund. Funds must be used for turkey-specific conservation: habitat restoration, scientific research, managing harvest tags, and expanding hunting access. Violations carry fines of $25-$100. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 972 extends the expiration date of a tax credit program for businesses transporting cargo on Mississippi waterways (like rivers and lakes). It ensures companies already eligible for the credit before January 1, 2029, can continue claiming it and carry forward unused credits after that date. The credit provides $2,000 annually per full-time Mississippi job created in qualifying positions, with unused credits allowed to carry forward for up to five years. This change preserves existing benefits for current participants without creating new eligibility for other businesses.
SB 2899 increases salary caps for Mississippi court reporters in circuit and chancery courts based on experience: $59,400 for ≤5 years, $70,200 for 5-10 years, and $76,800 for ≥10 years. It allows court reporters to do freelance reporting outside their assigned court’s jurisdiction if they have no delinquent work and aren’t required to attend court. The bill also shifts funding responsibility to county treasuries via the Administrative Office of Courts, replacing direct county payments, and prohibits using government equipment or getting reimbursed for freelance work. These changes take effect July 1, 2025.
HB 1463 requires manufacturers of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine products sold in Mississippi to pay monthly fees to the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADDI) starting October 1, 2025. These fees fund the administration of the National Precursor Log Exchange (NPLEX) system, which pharmacies use to track over-the-counter sales of these products. The bill directly affects manufacturers of these products, shifting the cost of maintaining the tracking system from pharmacies to producers. Key provisions include mandatory fee payments, NADDI’s role in setting fee levels, and documentation requirements for manufacturers, while maintaining existing sales limits (3.6 grams daily/7.2 grams monthly) and pharmacy reporting rules.
HB 565 requires Mississippi law enforcement agencies to report officer resignations and terminations to the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. Agencies must provide timely notification within a specified timeframe and include an explanation if the resignation or termination resulted from disciplinary action. Failure to report carries penalties, though agencies may appeal the board's decision. This bill directly affects all law enforcement agencies in Mississippi, aiming to improve transparency in officer employment history.
HB 1094 exempts the Mississippi State Department of Health from needing Public Procurement Review Board (PPRB) approval for contracts related to specialized equipment and software required for the Public Health Laboratory's operation. This directly affects the Department of Health when procuring services for critical lab equipment or software, bypassing a standard review step. The bill amends Section 27-104-7 of the Mississippi Code to create this specific exemption, streamlining procurement for these essential health lab resources. It does not alter general procurement rules for other state agencies or equipment types.
