Business and Commerce

HB 895 extends the validity of medical cannabis certifications for patients from six months to 24 months, eliminating the mandatory follow-up visit requirement. It also extends registry ID card validity for patients to 24 months and for caregivers to five years. The bill removes THC potency limits for cannabis tinctures, oils, and concentrates. These changes directly affect Mississippi medical cannabis patients, their treating practitioners, and designated caregivers under the state's medical cannabis program.

SB 2566 revises Mississippi's cosmetology and barbering licensing laws. It removes the requirement for license holders to display their licenses conspicuously (Section 73-7-11), exempts "master" license holders from renewing their underlying licenses (Sections 73-7-14, 73-7-35), and requires the Board to create rules for mobile salon licensing by January 1, 2027 (Section 73-7-17). The bill also adjusts renewal rules for professionals with 10+ years of experience and modifies examination and education requirements for apprenticeships and instructors. These changes directly affect cosmetologists, barbers, estheticians, nail technicians, and their schools operating in Mississippi.

SB 2713 allows real estate agents to show residential properties (with 1-4 dwelling units) to potential homebuyers without requiring a written brokerage agreement first. It mandates that any agreement used must clearly state service terms and compensation, but does not require one for property tours. Written agreements remain necessary before agents list properties for sale, submit offers, or act on behalf of clients for compensation. The bill excludes certain transactions like foreclosures, family transfers, government sales, and properties without dwellings from these rules.

SB 2748 revises Mississippi's real estate licensing rules to clarify definitions and update procedures for brokers and salespersons. It defines a "brokerage agreement" as a written contract between brokers and clients, requires principal brokers to notify the commission of license transfers within three days after termination, and changes the deadline for handling client funds from "next banking day" to "two banking days." The bill also updates how renewal fee notices must be delivered via email to licensees and their brokers. These changes directly affect licensed real estate professionals and their clients by standardizing communication and timelines.

SB 2530 increases the maximum principal amount for perpetual care cemetery trust funds from $50,000 to $75,000 and allows cemeteries to hold short-term certificates of deposit (maturing in one year or less) instead of the current 30-day limit. This directly affects Mississippi cemeteries that maintain perpetual care funds, giving them more flexibility in managing these funds while keeping them FDIC-insured. The bill requires certificates to state "For Perpetual Care," automatically renew with interest, and be filed with the Secretary of State. It aims to simplify fund management for cemeteries without altering the requirement that only trust income funds cemetery maintenance. The change takes effect July 1, 2026.