SB 2562 increases the fee paid to circuit clerks and deputies for each day they attend court sessions from an unspecified prior amount to $85.00 per day, with counties covering this cost. This change directly affects county governments, which must now pay this higher fee for clerk and deputy attendance during circuit court terms. The bill modifies existing fee structure (Section 25-7-13) to set this specific daily rate, effective July 1, 2025. It does not alter other court fees or services, focusing solely on the compensation for court attendance time.
SB 3023 appropriates $378,324 from state funds to cover the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission's (MVC) operating expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It authorizes 3 permanent staff positions and strictly limits fund usage to cover salaries for new hires or vacancies - not raises for current employees - while requiring the MVC to maintain detailed financial records. The bill also mandates that purchases prioritize Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal and prohibits using state funds to replace withdrawn federal or special funds. This is a funding bill focused solely on the MVC's budget, with no policy changes beyond financial oversight.
SB 3019 appropriates $363,967 in state funds to the Mississippi State Board of Architecture and Landscape Architecture Advisory Committee for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill directly affects the Board by funding its operational expenses, including authorization for two permanent staff positions. Key provisions include strict limits on personnel spending to prevent salary increases for current employees and require compliance with existing budget rules, such as not exceeding prior-year funding without legislative approval. It also mandates preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions and requires detailed financial record-keeping. As a procedural funding bill, it does not create new policies but allocates resources for the Board’s existing operations.
SB 2243 changes how Mississippi pays private prisons for housing inmates. Instead of a flat rate for all inmates, contracts must now base payment on each inmate's classification (e.g., risk level or security needs). The bill also requires private operators to save the state at least 10% compared to public facility costs, with annual cost reviews by the legislature's PEER committee. This directly affects private prison contractors and the Mississippi Department of Corrections, altering how they budget and contract for correctional services starting July 2025.
SB 3022 appropriates $199,100 in state funds to cover the operational expenses of the Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill requires the board to maintain detailed financial records comparable to those from fiscal year 2025 and directs that future budget requests follow similar formatting. This procedural funding measure directly supports the board’s administrative functions and has been enacted into law.
SB 2401 creates a study committee to examine the certification process for health benefit plans and insurers in Mississippi. The committee, composed of legislative leaders, health industry representatives, and state officials, will study issues like provider contracts, fee schedules, and market share reporting, and must submit findings by December 1, 2025. This is a procedural bill establishing a review body; it does not enact new laws or directly affect any group beyond enabling the committee's work.
SB 3028 appropriates $134,145 from the state treasury to fund the Mississippi State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill requires the Board to maintain detailed financial records matching its 2025 reporting standards and mandates that future budget requests follow similar formatting. It also directs the Board to prioritize purchases from Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal in price, quality, and service. The bill is procedural and solely concerns funding allocation, not policy changes affecting chiropractors or the public.
SB 2002 allows Mississippi county boards of supervisors to appoint a neutral person - such as a board member, county staff, or an impartial third party - to serve as a hearing officer for disputes over unpaid garbage or waste fees. This change directly affects property owners or waste generators who owe delinquent fees, ensuring they receive a hearing before the county takes actions like blocking vehicle license renewals. The bill requires counties to provide due process notices and hold hearings before notifying tax collectors about unpaid fees, while prohibiting hearing officers from having a financial stake in the outcome. The key mechanism establishes a formal review step before fees can trigger penalties, such as license denial, under existing lien procedures.
SB 2145 allows wine manufacturers (with a valid permit) in Mississippi or other states to ship wine directly to Mississippi residents and wine fulfillment providers. It requires shippers to obtain a permit, report sales quarterly, limit shipments to 12 nine-liter cases per address annually, and ensure recipients are 21+ for delivery. The bill prohibits direct shipments of beer, non-wine alcohol, or distributor-contracted wines (except "highly allocated" items), and bans resale of directly shipped wine. It also creates a new tax on direct wine sales, with 12% of the tax funding Mississippi’s mental health programs. This law applies only to wine, not other alcoholic beverages, and modifies existing liquor code sections.
This bill restores the right to vote to Kenneth Edward Barnes of Walthall County, Mississippi, who was previously disqualified in 1977 due to a conviction for grand larceny. The legislation states that Barnes has served his sentence, been released from prison, and has since lived as a law-abiding citizen. By passing this act, the state removes the voting ban associated with his past criminal record, allowing him to participate in elections again.
This Mississippi bill updates the rules for absentee voting to streamline the process for in-person voters and expand access for specific groups. It requires that application forms and witness certificates be printed directly on the ballot envelope for those who vote in person at the registrar's office, while also allowing on-call workers and people incarcerated for non-disenfranchising crimes to request absentee ballots. The legislation further clarifies that a signature mismatch will not lead to a ballot being rejected if it was cast in person, and it mandates that mail-in ballots must be returned only by mail or common carrier. Additionally, the bill updates the text of several existing state codes to ensure they align with these new procedures and requirements.
This bill restores the right to vote to Mary Smith Brandon of Lowndes County, Mississippi, who had been disqualified after a 2003 conviction for false pretense. The legislation formally acknowledges that she completed her sentence and has since behaved as a law-abiding citizen, thereby removing the barrier to her eligibility as an elector. Once enacted, the law takes effect immediately, allowing her to participate in elections without further administrative hurdles.
