SB 2250 updates Mississippi's asbestos abatement certification rules to recognize additional professional qualifications (like certified industrial hygienist credentials) and remove prior restrictions. It aligns state certification requirements with federal EPA standards (40 C.F.R. § 763.83), specifically revising definitions and training needs for personnel in school, public, and commercial building projects. The bill directly affects asbestos abatement workers, contractors, and building owners who must comply with these updated certification rules for projects involving asbestos-containing materials. It streamlines the process by accepting EPA-approved training courses and updating renewal procedures for management planners and project designers.
SB 2423 requires Mississippi real estate licensees to receive at least five business days' written notice before their license is amended, suspended, revoked, or not renewed. It changes the standard of proof needed at administrative hearings from "more likely than not" to "clear and convincing evidence" and mandates that complaints be resolved within 120 days of investigation start or within one year for final decisions. The bill directly affects real estate brokers and salespeople (licensees) and their responsible brokers by increasing procedural protections during licensing actions. Key mechanisms include strict timelines for complaint resolution, mandatory written notice, and a higher evidentiary standard for hearings. These changes aim to provide licensees with greater due process in licensing disputes.
SB 2204 requires Mississippi law enforcement officers and businesses that buy, sell, lease, rent, store, or transport agriculture-related vehicles to report thefts, burglaries, or robberies of agriculture-related items - including vehicles, livestock, timber, grain, and chemicals - to the Mississippi Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau. The bureau will maintain a centralized registry of these reports to improve tracking and investigation of agricultural thefts. The law becomes effective on July 1, 2025.
HB 289 revises the term lengths for election commissioners in Mississippi counties' Districts Two and Four. Commissioners elected in the 2027 general election will serve three-year terms, while those elected starting in 2030 and every four years thereafter will serve four-year terms. This change affects only commissioners from Districts Two and Four (who currently serve shorter terms), leaving commissioners from Districts One, Three, and Five on the existing four-year cycle. The bill modifies Section 23-15-213 of Mississippi Code to implement this staggered election cycle for these specific districts.
SB 2086 maintains existing fee structures for Mississippi real estate brokers and salespeople by deleting language that would have repealed these fees. It preserves current application fees ($100 for brokers, $100 for salespersons), renewal fees ($75 annually for brokers, $60 for salespersons), and other specific charges like office changes ($50) or license duplicates ($50). The bill directly affects licensed real estate professionals who pay these recurring fees to the Mississippi Real Estate Commission. This is a procedural adjustment to the licensing code, not a policy change altering fee amounts or requirements.
SB 2266 requires Mississippi's Department of Revenue (DOR) to publish by August 1, 2025, a list of agricultural items eligible for sales tax exemptions or reduced rates under existing law. This directly affects commercial farmers who hold a commercial farmer permit and qualify for these tax benefits. The bill does not change current tax rates but mandates that the DOR make the existing exemption rules publicly accessible, improving transparency for farmers seeking reduced tax rates on qualifying farm equipment and supplies. The law passed in March 2025 and is now effective.
SB 2508 allows mortgage originators working for licensed companies to perform loan origination work remotely (e.g., from home or other off-site locations) under specific security and supervision rules. It requires mortgage companies to implement strict safeguards, including secure digital connections (like encrypted VPNs), annual security audits, breach reporting within three business days, and compliance with federal privacy laws like the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The bill defines "remote location" and clarifies that remote work must follow company policies, with originators’ NMLS records designating the company’s main office as their registered location. This directly affects mortgage companies and their originators in Mississippi by expanding work locations while maintaining data security standards.
HB 638 allows the Mississippi Transportation Commission to delegate approval authority for additional contracts (supplemental agreements) related to previously approved projects. This applies only to agreements costing $250,000 or less, directly affecting the Commission's staff and contractors handling smaller transportation projects. The bill amends Section 65-1-8 of Mississippi law to explicitly permit this delegation, streamlining minor contract adjustments without requiring full Commission review. It does not change existing funding sources or alter broader transportation policies.
SB 2208 amends Mississippi's terroristic threats law to impose a stricter penalty for threats made against airports. It requires a minimum 5-year prison sentence in addition to the standard maximum 10-year penalty for anyone convicted of making a threat that causes reasonable fear of violence against an airport (as defined by state law). This law directly affects individuals who make such threats, whether intended to intimidate or influence government actions. The key change is the mandatory minimum sentence increase specifically for airport-related threats, without altering the definition of terroristic threats. The bill took effect on July 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor in March 2025.
SB 2003 updates Mississippi's boat and vessel numbering requirements to comply with federal regulations. It mandates that vessel numbers be displayed on the bow in block letters at least three inches tall with a contrasting color (e.g., dark on light), and a validation decal must be placed within six inches of the number. Boat owners must provide detailed vessel information - including type, fuel, propulsion, and ownership details - when applying for a number. The bill also requires the certificate of number to include specific data and mandates that owners report changes in ownership or address within 15 days.
SB 2276 extends hunting seasons for deer, bobwhite quail, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbits, and fur-bearing animals (including raccoon) that end on a Friday until 30 minutes after sunset on the following Sunday. This change directly affects hunters participating in these seasonal activities, providing a short extension when their designated season concludes on a Friday. The bill modifies existing Mississippi Code sections to add this specific end-date extension without altering other season dates or regulations. It applies uniformly to all affected game species and does not change bag limits or other management rules.
SB 2698 extends Mississippi's Alzheimer's and dementia care program through July 2029, allowing families caring for loved ones with dementia to continue receiving respite care services. The program directly serves caregivers of individuals aged 60+ who cannot afford respite care without risking basic needs like food, shelter, or medications. It limits enrollment to 60 families in the first year, maintaining that number for subsequent years, with eligibility requiring a financial assessment confirming the family’s inability to pay for care without hardship. The state must annually report program costs, participant demographics, and effectiveness to the legislature.
