This Mississippi bill, known as the Seizure Safe Schools Act, requires public schools to have at least one trained staff member or vendor at each campus starting in the 2025-2026 school year to assist with seizure rescue medications. To allow a school to administer these drugs, parents must provide written authorization, a doctor's statement detailing the medication, and a sealed prescription, while schools must maintain a written seizure action plan on file. The law also grants legal immunity to school employees who act in good faith and follow medical instructions when helping a student experiencing a seizure episode. These measures apply only to schools that currently have students or staff with diagnosed seizure disorders and require the necessary FDA-approved medications.
This bill restores the right to vote to DeWitt Cooperwood of Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. It removes his previous disqualification, which resulted from a 1993 conviction for false pretenses and a subsequent three-year sentence. The legislation states that Cooperwood has since behaved as a law-abiding citizen and is now eligible to participate in elections. Once signed into law, this change takes effect immediately, allowing him to register and cast ballots.
This bill updates the definition of "qualified resort area" under Mississippi's local alcoholic beverage control laws, allowing specific municipalities to set stricter rules for alcohol sales. It authorizes local governments in these designated areas to establish operating hours for alcohol facilities, require that at least 25% of revenue comes from food sales rather than drinks, and limit where alcohol-selling businesses can be located. Additionally, the law permits these areas to issue special permits allowing the retail sale, storage, and distribution of alcohol within their boundaries. The legislation directly affects city councils and towns that choose to be classified as qualified resort areas, giving them new tools to regulate alcohol consumption locally.
This bill appropriates $143,189 from the state treasury to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Board of Registered Professional Geologists for fiscal year 2025. The funding authorizes one permanent staff position and includes strict rules to prevent using these funds for salary increases, promotions, or replacing federal money. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the board give purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when buying goods or services and requires detailed financial record-keeping.
This Mississippi bill authorizes community and junior college boards to hire local fire departments and first responders to protect their main campuses. Colleges can sign contracts with cities for fire services or make agreements with county authorities for fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical transport. If a college chooses these services, it may charge students a fee of up to five dollars per semester to help pay for them. The law also allows colleges to adjust tuition to cover these costs and clarifies how local taxes support college operations.
This Mississippi bill updates sentencing rules for juvenile offenders convicted of murder to comply with U.S. Supreme Court rulings that prohibit the death penalty for those under eighteen. It establishes that juveniles convicted of first-degree or capital murder after July 1, 2024, can only be sentenced to life imprisonment or a specific term of years, removing the option of the death penalty for this age group. The legislation also clarifies procedures for recusal by attorneys during grand jury selection to ensure fair impaneling. Additionally, the bill mandates that death penalty sentencing proceedings must explicitly confirm the defendant was at least eighteen years old at the time of the crime.
This bill updates the rules for how the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce manages funds related to the state museum and fairgrounds. It requires that money used for building improvements, marketing, and naming rights be spent only after the Legislature approves it, while also establishing special funds to track these monies. The legislation allows the department to lease naming rights for museum and fairground properties for up to 20 years, but such leases must be approved by the Department of Finance and Administration. Additionally, the bill removes the department's ability to automatically increase certain budgets and clarifies procedures for handling donated items and livestock competition awards.
HB 1208 strengthens Mississippi laws against hunting, fishing, shooting, or trapping on someone else's land without permission. The bill makes it a misdemeanor to enter private property for these activities without the landowner's consent or accompaniment by an authorized agent. Penalties for a first violation include a fine between $500 and $1,000, while repeat offenders within five years face higher fines and a one-year suspension of their hunting and fishing licenses. Additionally, the law requires convicted individuals to pay restitution to the landowner for each animal or fish taken, with a maximum total payment of $1,500.
This bill allocates approximately $71.5 million in state and special funds to support the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine for the 2025 fiscal year. The funding covers general operations, salaries, research grants, clinical services, and specific programs like chronic disease testing and rural veterinarian scholarships. In exchange for this financial support, the college is required to meet specific performance targets, such as ensuring 95% of graduates pass their licensing exam and achieving high levels of client and alumni satisfaction. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the college give purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when buying goods and services. The bill also requires the college to submit a detailed budget report for the following year that includes data on how well these performance goals were achieved.
SB 3016 appropriates state funds to support the operation of Mississippi's public community and junior colleges for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill allocates money from the State General Fund and special funds to cover general operating expenses, employee life and health insurance, workforce development programs, and technology initiatives. Funding distribution is based on a formula that considers student enrollment and specific program types, including academic, technical, and nursing degrees. The legislation also authorizes the Mississippi Community College Board to provide temporary financial advances to colleges that lack sufficient funds to operate until state appropriations are distributed.
This bill updates Mississippi laws to require lenders with federal identification numbers to electronically notify the Department of Revenue about lien releases within 14 days. It also mandates that scrap yards and used parts dealers must check the state's online system to confirm a vehicle has no outstanding liens before buying or scrapping it. These changes aim to streamline how vehicle titles are processed and prevent dealers from purchasing cars that still have unpaid debts attached to them.
This bill designates specific segments of various state and federal highways across Mississippi as memorial roads to honor individuals who have passed away. It directly affects the Mississippi Department of Transportation, which is tasked with installing and maintaining official signs along these designated routes. The legislation names the highways after military veterans, local government officials, and community leaders, such as Lance Corporal Mac Hamburg and former Mayor Cheri M. Barry. By officially naming these roadways, the bill creates permanent public tributes to the contributions and sacrifices of these individuals within their respective communities.
