Finance

HB 1330 revises the legal definition of "qualified resort area" under Mississippi's Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. This change directly affects resorts and hospitality businesses in designated areas by altering how alcohol sales regulations apply to them. The bill amends Section 67-1-5 of Mississippi Code to update the criteria for areas qualifying as "resort areas," which determines the alcohol control rules they follow. This is a technical definition update, not a new policy, and impacts how local governments regulate alcohol service in resort communities. The bill passed the title sufficiency vote on February 3, 2026.

HB 1944 increases the maximum annual tax credit amount for Mississippi businesses that donate to qualifying charities and creates a new income tax credit for voluntary cash contributions to these organizations. It affects businesses (corporations, LLCs, partnerships, or sole proprietorships) that make qualifying donations, expanding eligibility to include charities focused on child welfare, foster care services, or education for vulnerable children. Unused credits can be carried forward for five years, and qualifying organizations must provide certification proving they meet specific criteria (e.g., 501(c)(3) status, no abortion funding) and serve children in foster care, with chronic illnesses, or from low-income families. The bill also prohibits using these credits for any abortion-related services or activities.

HB 1941 authorizes Mississippi to issue up to $1 million in state general obligation bonds to fund the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. The bond proceeds must be deposited into this trust fund, which supports outdoor conservation programs and activities. The bill limits total bond issuance to $1 million and prohibits new bonds after July 1, 2030. It also revises existing rules to allow the fund to use more money for administrative expenses related to its conservation work.

HB 4073 creates the Mississippi Work and Save Program, a state-run retirement savings initiative that allows eligible employers (those without an existing retirement plan) to offer employees payroll-deducted contributions to Roth IRAs. The program, managed by the State Treasurer, uses funds from state bonds deposited into a dedicated "Mississippi Work and Save Administrative Fund" to cover administrative costs. It directly affects moderate- and lower-income workers at participating businesses, providing a new retirement savings option without requiring employer contributions. The bill also includes a separate provision exempting sales tax on admissions at university athletic events, but the primary focus is the retirement program's structure and implementation.

HB 1761 extends the expiration dates for several Mississippi laws governing festival wine permits. The bill amends specific code sections to delay when provisions allowing the Department of Revenue to issue these permits, permit holders to sell alcohol under certain conditions, and businesses to have financial interests in the permits would automatically expire. It also extends the deadline for an annual tax on festival permits. This change directly affects businesses holding festival wine permits and the Department of Revenue, ensuring they can continue operating under current rules without immediate disruption. The bill maintains the existing framework for festival wine permits without altering their core requirements.