HB 4065 establishes the MS ROSS program to fund school resource officers (SROs) at Mississippi schools. The state (via the Department of Public Safety) covers 75% of the costs for one SRO per school campus (up to $55,000 annually for salary, benefits, training, and equipment), while local law enforcement agencies and school governing bodies cover the remaining 25%. The program applies to all public and eligible private K-12 schools within a law enforcement agency's jurisdiction, requiring joint applications and a formal agreement between schools and law enforcement. It creates a dedicated state fund and authorizes bonds to support these SRO placements, aiming to enhance school safety through community policing partnerships.
HB 327 provides a tax credit for companies producing scripted or unscripted television content (like series or pilots) in Mississippi. It directly affects production companies that spend at least $4 million in the state, with at least 65% of the project’s running time filmed there, and obtain Mississippi Development Authority certification. The bill offers three key credits: 25% of qualified expenditures (e.g., sets, equipment), 20% on non-resident payroll/fringes (capped at $3 million per employee), and 30% on resident payroll/fringes (also capped). Companies can also claim a 5% credit if 50% of key crew members (directors, producers, cinematographers) are Mississippi residents. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to ten years.
HB 1 revises Mississippi's Third Chancery Court District structure effective January 1, 2027. It updates the residency requirements for the three chancellor positions: Place One must reside in Tate, Panola, or Yalobusha Counties; Place Two in Carroll, Grenada, Montgomery, or Tallahatchie Counties; and Place Three in a broader set including Carroll, Grenada, Montgomery, Panola, Tallahatchie, Tate, and Yalobusha Counties. The bill also changes the district's county composition by adding Carroll and Tallahatchie Counties while removing DeSoto County. Additionally, it adjusts the candidate filing deadline for Place Three from February 2, 2026 (if the bill is signed by the governor by January 23, 2026) to May 1, 2026 (if not signed), with all candidates required to run in the November 2026 general election.
HB 514 amends Mississippi's Veterinary Practice Act to require certified veterinary technicians to be credentialed by the Board of Veterinary Medicine, directly affecting technicians who must now obtain board certification to use titles like "Certified Veterinary Technician." The bill adds one certified veterinary technician and one public member to the Board, updates fee-setting authority for license renewals (increasing the age exemption from 65 to 70 for fee waivers), and removes annual exam requirements for licensing. Key mechanisms include prohibiting unauthorized use of technician titles, granting the Board power to set inspection fees and fines for unlicensed practice, and allowing revocation of technician certifications. These changes aim to standardize technician qualifications and strengthen board oversight within veterinary practice regulations.
HB 489 would amend Mississippi's income tax law to exclude compensation received for property taken by eminent domain (or condemnation) from taxable gross income, but only if the property was purchased at least five years before the taking. This change would directly affect property owners who receive such compensation and meet the five-year ownership requirement. The bill modifies the state tax code's definition of "gross income" to specifically exclude these eminent domain payments, without altering tax treatment for other income sources.
HB 715 removes the requirement that food sold to charitable organizations must be nonperishable to qualify for Mississippi's sales tax exemption. This change directly affects food banks, shelters, and other nonprofits that distribute food, allowing them to receive tax exemptions on both perishable and nonperishable food items. The bill amends Mississippi Code § 27-65-111 to expand the existing exemption for food sales to these organizations. This policy change simplifies access to the exemption, ensuring all food types used for charitable purposes qualify.
HB 748 requires individuals seeking post-conviction collateral relief in Mississippi to first obtain permission from the Mississippi Supreme Court before filing their motion in trial court. This applies specifically to those whose previous post-conviction motions were denied and affirmed on appeal, or who wait more than three years after the appeal window closed from their conviction. The bill changes the process by mandating Supreme Court approval prior to trial court filing, rather than allowing direct submission. It does not alter the substance of relief available but adds a procedural step for certain petitioners. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
This bill extends the expiration date for Mississippi's existing chiropractic licensing laws, preventing them from automatically ending. It reenacts current rules governing chiropractor practice (such as no surgery or drug prescriptions), the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and its structure. The extension directly affects licensed chiropractors and the Board by maintaining current licensing requirements without changes to practice standards. The bill does not alter what chiropractors can or cannot do, only delays when the current rules would expire.
HB 867 amends Mississippi Code to rename the "Ross Barnett Reservoir Dredging Fund" to the "Ross Barnett Reservoir Dredging and Maintenance Fund." The bill authorizes the fund to be used for shoreline maintenance and erosion prevention activities, in addition to its existing purpose of funding reservoir dredging. It maintains the existing limit of $200,000 annually from lease payments deposited into the fund by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. Unspent funds will not revert to the general state fund, and interest earned remains in the account.
HB 1073 prevents local governments in Mississippi from banning or restricting the sale or use of farm equipment (like tractors), motor vehicles, or lawn tools (including mowers, leaf blowers, and generators) based on their fuel source (e.g., gasoline, electric, or propane). It directly affects consumers purchasing these items and local governments that might have attempted to enforce such fuel-based restrictions. The bill prohibits governmental entities from enacting or enforcing rules that limit these products due to fuel type, while still allowing safety regulations and manufacturer recommendations to apply. This law amends Mississippi Code Sections 75-99-5 and 75-99-7 to clarify these protections. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1131 increases penalties for "procuring" prostitution in Mississippi, making second or subsequent offenses a felony punishable by up to two years in prison or a $2,000 fine (up from misdemeanor penalties). It also establishes a new felony for "promoting prostitution" (e.g., facilitating, transporting, or profiting from others' prostitution), with penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a $5,000 fine for first offenses. Crucially, the bill imposes strict penalties when minors (under 18) are involved: any violation becomes a felony with mandatory 5-30 year prison terms or $50,000-$500,000 fines, and minors are immune from prosecution for promoting prostitution if they are trafficking victims. The bill directly affects individuals who pay for sex, facilitate prostitution, or profit from it, with heightened consequences for cases involving minors.
This is a congratulatory resolution (not a policy bill) passed by the Mississippi legislature. It formally praises Reverend Dr. Victor Dixon for his election as President of the Copiah Ministerial Alliance, highlighting his community leadership roles, church ministry, business ownership, and service on various boards. The resolution contains no new laws, funding, or policy changes - it simply expresses the legislature's recognition of his contributions. It directly affects Reverend Dixon as the recipient of this ceremonial honor.
