HB 807 establishes a new Division of Autism Services within Mississippi's Department of Mental Health to coordinate autism care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families across all ages. The division will develop annual statewide plans based on research and best practices, set program standards, and ensure collaboration between agencies and families. It directly affects Mississippi residents with ASD, their families, and service providers by creating a centralized coordination hub for existing autism services. The division becomes operational on July 1, 2025, and will work under the Bureau of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. This bill does not create new services but structures how current resources are organized and delivered.
HB 964 extends the expiration date for Mississippi's Business Finance Corporation bond authority, which allows the corporation to issue bonds to finance economic development projects. This directly affects eligible businesses - such as manufacturers, distribution centers employing 50+ people, or telecom/data processing companies - that seek state financing for location or expansion projects. The bill reenacts existing provisions (Sections 57-10-401 through 57-10-447) and a tax credit (Section 27-7-22.3) to maintain access to these financing tools. The extension prevents these programs from automatically expiring, ensuring continued support for qualifying businesses seeking to establish or grow in Mississippi.
SB 2803 requires owners of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility task vehicles (UTVs, or "side-by-sides") to obtain a title from Mississippi's Department of Revenue starting in 2025 for newly manufactured vehicles. It exempts ATVs and UTVs held by retailers on consignment or floor plan (as dealer inventory) from property tax. The bill updates vehicle definitions to include ATVs/UTVs in Mississippi's titling law and aligns related tax provisions. This affects ATV/UTV owners needing titles and retailers managing inventory, with no new tax burden on dealer stock. The law was signed by the governor in March 2025.
HB 623 increases compensation rates for attorneys appointed to represent indigent defendants in Mississippi criminal cases. It raises the maximum payment for circuit court cases (currently $3,000) and other case types, with higher rates for capital cases ($6,000). The bill affects poor defendants who qualify for court-appointed lawyers and the attorneys representing them, ensuring higher reimbursement for legal services. The changes take effect July 1, 2025, and will expire July 1, 2028.
SB 2177 modifies Mississippi's vocational education funding rules to restrict state payments for extended vocational programs. It limits eligibility to high schools where vocational teachers provide specific instruction during non-academic periods (e.g., between school terms or quarters), such as agricultural supervision, farmer training, or state-approved economic development programs. This directly affects Mississippi high schools seeking state funds for extended vocational services beyond the standard academic year. The bill ensures funding aligns with programs explicitly tied to local economic development, as determined by school districts and the State Board of Education.
SB 2051 extends the expiration date for a Mississippi Department of Corrections program that partners with Bolivar County Regional Facility to provide drug and alcohol treatment to up to 250 inmates. The program requires comprehensive treatment, aftercare planning, and recidivism monitoring for inmates within 18 months of release. This extension delays the program’s automatic termination beyond its original July 1, 2029, repeal date, ensuring continued operation under current terms. The bill directly affects the Department of Corrections, Bolivar County Regional Facility, and participating inmates.
SB 2526 amends Mississippi law to allow nonresident veterans who qualify for Yellow Ribbon Program funds (under Title 38 U.S. Code) but aren't covered by the Veterans Access Act of 2014 to pay in-state tuition rates at state colleges. It requires institutions participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program to use scholarship funds - including Yellow Ribbon Program money - to cover the full cost of tuition, ensuring these veterans pay the same rate as Mississippi residents. This change directly affects nonresident veterans with VA education benefits who currently face higher out-of-state tuition costs. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and aligns with requirements for maintaining VA program approval.
HB 3 revises Mississippi's College Accreditation Commission to require four specific representatives: one for public community colleges, one for universities, one for private colleges, and one for for-profit schools. This ensures all major postsecondary education sectors have direct representation on the commission. The commission will maintain an approved list of institutions and require annual accreditation for schools to grant degrees or offer coursework. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all accredited institutions in Mississippi except those already approved before 1988 or regulated under separate laws.
SB 2697 extends the deadline for Mississippi hospitals to claim reimbursement for pandemic-related capacity expansions from December 31, 2023, to December 31, 2024. It directly affects hospitals that created ICU beds (reimbursed up to $200,000 per bed) or negative pressure beds (up to $50,000 per bed) during the pandemic, requiring expenses to align with federal ARPA guidelines. The bill allows funds from Mississippi’s Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to cover these reimbursements, prioritizing ICU bed costs first before negative pressure beds. Hospitals must submit applications by the new deadline, and the program ends July 1, 2026.
HB 918 transfers administration of Mississippi's Community Heritage Preservation Grant Fund from the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to the Department of Archives and History. The fund provides grants to county governments, municipalities, school districts, nonprofits, and state agencies for preserving historic properties like courthouses, school buildings, and museums. Specific allocations include $61.05 million for general preservation grants (with requirements to match federal funds and designate properties as "Mississippi Landmark") and targeted amounts for projects in Amory, Jacinto, Oxford, Columbus, and other communities. This change streamlines oversight while maintaining the fund’s purpose of supporting historic preservation efforts across the state.
Mississippi's SB 2659 standardizes qualification deadlines for candidates running for school board trustee and county board of education positions. The bill requires candidates to file petitions and affidavits with election officials between 75 and 105 days before elections (adjusting for weekends/holidays), replacing previous inconsistent timelines. This directly affects candidates seeking school board or county education board seats in Mississippi, ensuring all must meet the same filing window. The law maintains existing signature requirements (50 voters or 20% of qualified voters in small districts) but clarifies the deadline consistency. The bill was signed into law by the governor in March 2025.
SB 2846 expands Mississippi local governments' authority to support economic development projects. It allows county boards or municipal authorities to enter agreements with qualified businesses to fund or reimburse project costs (like site preparation, construction, or infrastructure) using only revenues generated *directly* from the project itself - such as taxes or fees collected from the development. The bill defines "qualified projects" under Mississippi's Flexible Tax Incentive Act and caps total local government reimbursement at $5 million per project. This change enables local governments to finance development through project-specific revenue streams rather than general tax funds, directly affecting businesses seeking incentives and local authorities managing economic growth.
