Tourism

SB 2016 creates the Mississippi Department of Tourism to centralize and streamline tourism promotion and development across the state. It transfers all tourism-related powers, duties, and staff from the Mississippi Development Authority to this new department by July 1, 2026, and diverts a portion of hotel and restaurant sales tax revenue into a dedicated tourism advertising fund (previously allocated to the Development Authority). The bill establishes an appointed Executive Director, authorizes the department to develop regional tourism strategies, coordinate with local tourism groups, and manage advertising through the new fund, while repealing six existing tourism statutes. This reorganization directly affects Mississippi’s tourism industry, state agencies managing tourism programs, and local tourism entities receiving state funding.

HB 1658 requires Mississippi's Division of Tourism to establish a statewide "Gospel Music Trail" featuring structured tours of historical gospel music sites and performance venues. The bill directs the division to inventory relevant cultural assets, designate and install historical markers (approved by the division), and coordinate with preservation programs to identify sites eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It specifically targets tourists and groups interested in gospel music culture, defined as gospel, Christian, praise, and worship music genres and their associated heritage. This is a procedural tourism initiative with no direct financial or regulatory changes to existing laws.

SB 2424 creates a task force to study ways to grow Mississippi's entertainment industry and increase related revenue. The task force, composed of tourism officials, industry representatives, and appointed legislators, will examine current state policies and data to develop recommendations for legislative changes by December 1, 2025. It requires state agencies to provide data and resources to support the task force's work. The bill does not change existing laws but mandates a formal study to inform future policy and funding decisions affecting the creative economy. The task force is now active following the bill's enactment on March 12, 2025.

Approved by Governor

Approved by Governor