Mississippi Senate Bill 2293 amends the state's student funding formula to increase the weight and multiplier for gifted education funding. It requires that all funds allocated under this revised calculation go directly toward gifted education instruction in schools. The bill also adds seventh- and eighth-grade students enrolled in career and technical education courses to the calculation for those funds. This change affects all Mississippi public school districts serving students identified as gifted, increasing their per-pupil funding for specialized gifted programs. The bill does not specify the exact new percentage but revises the existing 14.5% weight calculation method.
SB 2484, the BRIDGE Act, creates a framework for developing regional schools in Mississippi focused on two distinct needs: specialized education for students with disabilities (including dyslexia, autism, and IEPs) and career/technical education (CTE) programs. The Mississippi Department of Education must conduct a statewide study by October 2026 to identify partnership opportunities with school districts, universities, and workforce entities, and propose governance, staffing, and funding plans. The bill prioritizes rural and underserved areas (counties without cities over 15,000 people) for pilot programs. It aligns both programs with federal special education laws (IDEA, Section 504) and state CTE standards, aiming to address teacher shortages and expand access to specialized learning and workforce training.
SB 2806 increases penalties for truck and trailer operators in Mississippi who fail to install required sideboards or properly cover their loads. The bill amends Mississippi Code Section 63-7-89 to raise the fine for each violation from $200-$1,000 to a higher unspecified range (as shown by placeholders in the text). It directly affects commercial trucking companies and drivers operating on state or interstate highways. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, aiming to enforce safety requirements that prevent load shifts or spills.
SB 2761 updates Mississippi's lead-based paint regulations to align with federal EPA standards. It requires all training programs for lead paint professionals (like inspectors, renovators, and workers) to include hands-on practice and limits certification validity to three years. The bill revises definitions to match EPA rules (e.g., "abatement" and "lead-based paint activities") and mandates that Mississippi's Commission on Environmental Quality adopt certification rules consistent with federal requirements. This directly affects licensed lead paint workers, training programs, and the commission managing compliance.
SB 2783 amends Mississippi's broadband grant program definitions to distinguish between projects serving retail end users (homes/businesses) and other projects. It redefines "applicant" to require retail-focused applicants to be qualified broadband providers with state authorization and proven resources, while other applicants only need standard grant eligibility. The bill also clarifies "eligible project" for retail projects as discrete initiatives in unserved areas, and updates "broadband service" to require minimum speeds (100 Mbps down/20 Mbps up). These changes directly affect entities applying for state broadband grants under the BEAM program, ensuring clearer eligibility criteria for funding.
SB 2830 revises Mississippi's requirements for becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). It mandates that applicants pass all sections of the Uniform CPA Exam and meet specific experience thresholds (1 year for most pathways, 2 years for those with only a bachelor's degree) before receiving a license. The bill also updates rules for out-of-state CPAs seeking practice privileges in Mississippi to align with these revised education, exam, and experience standards. These changes directly affect new CPA applicants and licensed professionals from other states wishing to practice in Mississippi. The bill exempts those licensed before January 1, 2012, from the new requirements.
SB 2886 requires licensed nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and correctional facilities in Mississippi to maintain a fully operational emergency power source with enough fuel to run for at least five days. This power must support medical devices like oxygen machines and maintain comfortable temperatures for residents during outages. The State Department of Health will create these rules and conduct unannounced inspections to ensure compliance, giving facilities 60 days to meet the new standards after rules are finalized. The bill directly affects all such facilities operating under Mississippi's licensing system.
SB 2816 amends Mississippi law to increase penalties for crimes committed against employees of the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS). It adds MDCPS employees to the list of protected individuals - alongside law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs - whose targeted crimes trigger enhanced felony or misdemeanor penalties. The bill specifies that penalties will be elevated if a crime was committed "because of actual or perceived employment" as an MDCPS worker. This change directly affects MDCPS employees by providing stronger legal consequences for attacks against them while on duty. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2885 creates the Mississippi Work and Save Program, a state-sponsored retirement savings initiative for Mississippi employers that don’t currently offer retirement plans. It allows eligible employees of participating employers to voluntarily contribute to a Roth IRA through payroll deductions, with the state covering administrative costs via a dedicated fund. The program mandates that contributions go into Roth IRAs with target-date fund investments and specifies that employers and the state are protected from liability. It directly affects private-sector employers without retirement plans and their employees (excluding federal/state workers, railroad employees, and those in multiemployer plans), aiming to improve retirement savings access for moderate- and lower-income workers.
SB 2874, the "Gold and Silver Commemorative Coin Act," authorizes Mississippi's State Treasurer to contract with a minting company to produce one-ounce commemorative coins in gold or silver. The coins must feature the state name, "In God We Trust," the minting year, the Great Seal on one side, and a magnolia flower on the reverse, with no monetary value or human imagery. The Treasurer can sell the coins at or above cost (metal value plus fees), depositing profits into the state general fund (retaining 20% for administrative costs), effective July 1, 2026.
SB 2909 reduces the required years of creditable service for retirement benefits under Mississippi's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) from 35 years to 30 years. It specifically applies to members who become part of PERS on or after March 1, 2026, allowing them to qualify for retirement benefits with fewer service years. The bill modifies Section 25-11-111 of Mississippi's code to reflect this change in eligibility requirements. This adjustment directly affects future public employees joining PERS after the effective date, making retirement benefits more accessible with a shorter service commitment. The age requirements for retirement remain unchanged.
Mississippi Senate Bill 2911 modifies the state's Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) rules to allow eligible retirees to return to state employment under new terms. It reduces the required separation period from 90 to 30 days and creates an alternative return-to-work provision for retirees not subject to actuarial reductions (except for lump-sum distributions). Under this provision, retirees can work at up to 80% of their prior salary for an agreed period, requiring a written agreement detailing terms, with the employer covering both employer and employee contributions. The bill prohibits retirees from returning to work as elected officials, K-12 superintendents, or university administrators under this provision and sets an expiration date of July 1, 2036.
