HB 1196 authorizes the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District to join Mississippi’s existing Local Governments and Rural Water Systems Improvements Revolving Loan and Grant Program. This program, administered by the State Department of Health, provides loans and grants to eligible entities - including counties, municipalities, and water districts - for water system upgrades like construction, repairs, or expansion. The bill specifically adds the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District to the list of eligible participants under Section 41-3-16 of the Mississippi Code. It does not create new funding but expands access to an existing program designed to improve rural water infrastructure.
HB 1066 corrects a reference in Mississippi's existing "Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children" to properly cite the relevant U.S. Code provisions regarding active duty orders. The bill does not change the compact's policy or create new requirements; it only updates a statutory citation to ensure legal accuracy. The compact itself helps military children transition between schools by addressing barriers like record transfers and enrollment delays during family relocations. This correction affects the legal implementation of the compact but does not alter the support provided to military-connected students or schools.
HB 962 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's Energy Academy Act, allowing Vicksburg-Warren and Claiborne County schools to continue partnering with nuclear facilities for career-focused high school programs. The bill authorizes a Partnership Council - including school leaders, nuclear plant representatives, and community members - to manage the program, including student recruitment, curriculum development, and internship opportunities. It also codifies a dedicated fund to cover startup and operational costs, with the program now set to end on July 1, 2028. The act directly affects students in those school districts and the nuclear facility partners in Claiborne County.
HB 959 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's Comprehensive Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program within the Department of Insurance. The bill directly affects homeowners and business owners in Mississippi's wind-borne debris regions by establishing procedures for wind-resistant construction inspections and linking verified mitigation measures to insurance discounts. Key provisions include requiring cost-benefit studies on wind-resistant building techniques, creating standardized inspection protocols for homes and commercial properties, and enabling insurers to offer premium discounts for properties with certified hurricane-resistant features. The program does not create state funding obligations but provides a framework for insurers and property owners to use verified construction improvements to reduce windstorm damage risk and insurance costs.
HB 610 defines "nonemergency medical transportation" (NEMT) in Mississippi law as transportation for individuals who need healthcare access but aren't in medical emergencies. It requires NEMT providers (companies or individuals offering paid transportation services) to obtain permits from the State Department of Health and meet strict safety standards, including driver background checks, vehicle safety equipment, and insurance requirements. The bill directly affects NEMT providers, drivers, and vehicles used for transporting patients to medical appointments, while exempting Medicaid contractors using broker-certified services and ambulatory transportation provided by licensed ride-share or contract carriers. These changes take effect July 1, 2025.
SB 2356 adds 16 specific fentanyl variants and related substances to Mississippi's Schedule I list of controlled substances. These include compounds like alpha-methylfentanyl, beta-hydroxyfentanyl, and several fentanyl analogs, all classified as having no legitimate medical use and high potential for harm. The bill directly affects anyone possessing, distributing, or manufacturing these listed substances within Mississippi, as they become subject to the strictest criminal penalties under state law. The key mechanism is the explicit addition of these 16 substances to Schedule I, aligning Mississippi's law with federal standards for these high-risk drugs.
HB 186 extends the deadline for repealing rules governing energy efficiency service contracts in Mississippi. It clarifies that public entities - including schools, hospitals, and state agencies - can use any available funding sources to enter into these contracts. The bill specifically updates Section 31-7-14 to maintain existing contract terms for energy efficiency projects (like HVAC upgrades or lighting systems) that were already competitively bid. It ensures these agreements, which may include shared-savings or performance-based payments, remain valid beyond the original expiration date. The change focuses on administrative continuity, not altering contract requirements or funding eligibility.
SB 2495 extends the repeal date of Mississippi's Credit Availability Act from 2025 to 2030 and increases the maximum outstanding principal balance for credit availability accounts from $2,500 to $3,250. It requires the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance to annually adjust this $3,250 cap each July 1 using the previous year's CPI-U (Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers), rounding up to the nearest $10 increment. This law directly affects licensed lenders offering small credit transactions and their account holders, who can now access slightly larger loan amounts that automatically adjust for inflation. The bill also updates fee structures and repayment terms for these accounts but does not change the $500 cap for smaller transactions.
HB 1186, now law in Mississippi, requires all public and charter K-12 schools, plus accredited private schools, to conduct annual pressure tests on natural gas piping systems before each school year (or by July 1 for year-round schools). Schools must hire qualified plumbers to test if systems hold normal pressure, report results to gas suppliers and the State Department of Education, and notify school boards of any leaks found during testing. Gas suppliers must cut off service immediately if a hazardous leak is confirmed or if testing isn’t done. The Mississippi Public Service Commission will create implementing rules by December 2025, with natural gas utilities potentially offering financial help for school compliance costs. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2300 amends Mississippi's construction contracting rules for public projects, requiring state agencies and local governments to use the "design-build" method only when it better serves public interest than traditional approaches. It mandates that contracts cover both design and construction costs, require proposals from teams including a licensed Mississippi architect/engineer and a licensed contractor, and set cost as a minimum 35% of evaluation weight. The bill eliminates the prior requirement for licensed architects/engineers to serve on evaluation committees and demands detailed justifications for non-lowest-cost awards, while standardizing public notice procedures for competitive bidding.
HB 1293 revises eligibility rules for appointing members to the Pat Harrison Waterway District board of directors. It removes restrictions that previously barred current county board members, full-time elected officials, and county employees from serving on the board. The bill allows the Governor and county boards of supervisors to appoint individuals holding these positions without requiring them to resign their existing roles. This change directly affects potential appointees in the 10 counties served by the district, streamlining board membership eligibility. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 2078 extends the expiration date for Mississippi's State Board of Funeral Service regulations, specifically delaying the automatic repeal of Sections 73-11-41 through 73-11-73 in the Mississippi Code. It directly affects funeral service providers, the State Board of Funeral Service, and related licensing requirements by keeping existing rules in place. The bill does not change the substance of the regulations but prevents them from expiring, ensuring continuity in how funeral services, cremation, and licensing are governed. This procedural measure was enacted after passing both legislative chambers and receiving gubernatorial approval in March 2025.
