HB 1944 appropriates $20.55 million from the state general fund to the Jackson Redevelopment Authority for fiscal year 2026. The funds directly support specific projects in Jackson, including revitalizing disinvested areas (like the Infill Housing Program and demolition of the old Atmos building), enhancing public safety (parking structure upgrades and Convention Center improvements), and advancing economic development (downtown business loans and Civic Arena planning). The bill outlines exact allocations for each project category but does not create new policies or change existing laws. It is a funding measure, not a substantive legislative change.
HB 1879 creates the "City of Jackson Revitalization Act" to incentivize redevelopment of abandoned or deteriorated properties in Jackson, Mississippi. It establishes a refundable income tax credit for developers who renovate blighted properties into owner-occupied homes or commercial buildings, with excess credits carryable forward for up to 10 years. The bill also exempts building materials from sales tax for these projects and authorizes state bonds to fund city infrastructure improvements and demolition of blighted properties. Revenue from additional gaming license fees will finance a new City of Jackson Development Fund, which will provide loans and grants for business development and property revitalization. The law directly affects developers, the City of Jackson, and businesses seeking to expand or establish operations in the city.
HB 225 requires Mississippi's Department of Corrections to convert three existing restitution centers (in Madison County, Flowood, and Pascagoula) into post-release reentry centers. These centers will serve individuals eligible for release - such as those on parole or early release - who lack immediate housing or support services upon leaving incarceration. The bill mandates that the DOC provide residents with assistance for housing, job training, driver's licenses, counseling, healthcare, and other reentry services, with stays limited to 90 days or until housing is secured. It also amends state law to exempt these reentry centers from standard sex offender residence restrictions (Section 45-33-25), ensuring they can operate regardless of location.
HB 840 would have revised Mississippi's landlord-tenant law to clarify when tenants can repair rental property defects and seek reimbursement. It required tenants to provide landlords 30 days' written notice of a material defect, stay current on rent, and submit receipts for repairs costing no more than usual market rates. Tenants could also offset repair costs against future rent and must notify other tenants sharing facilities before repairs. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.
HB 72 appropriates $2 million from Mississippi's Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to the City of Jackson for acquiring, demolishing, or removing deteriorated buildings (blighted properties) during fiscal year 2026. The funds are intended to help Jackson's Department of Planning and Development address property deterioration, directly affecting the city's efforts to improve neighborhoods. The bill requires Jackson to verify all spending complies with federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) guidelines and ensures funds are not double-reimbursed through insurance or other sources. It also mandates adherence to federal audit and internal control standards for all expenditures.
SB 2778 would authorize Mississippi's Department of Human Services to provide monthly payments to qualifying grandparents who assume primary care of their grandchildren, up to the foster care payment amount, without requiring legal custody or formal placement (if training requirements are met). It would also create a tax credit of up to $2,500 per grandchild per year for qualified care expenses like food, clothing, and housing, which can be carried forward for up to three years if not fully used. These provisions would directly affect Mississippi grandparents legally caring for grandchildren under state law and require specific legislative appropriations for the payments. The bill was introduced in 2025 but did not advance beyond committee.
SB 2339 would reduce the waiting period required to expunge a felony conviction in Mississippi. It applies to individuals with one eligible felony conviction (excluding violent crimes, certain DUIs, sex offenses, and other specific offenses listed in the bill) after completing their sentence and paying fines. The bill shortens the current two-year waiting period for eligible cases, allowing more people to clear their records sooner for employment and housing opportunities. This policy change directly affects Mississippi residents seeking to remove past felony convictions from public records.
HB 1422 prohibits health insurance plans from paying incentives to providers for administering vaccines or denying reimbursement based on vaccination administration. It protects individuals who refuse vaccines for reasons of conscience from discrimination in employment, schools, housing, and services. The bill standardizes medical exemption forms for healthcare providers and requires parents seeking school exemptions to complete a state affidavit acknowledging vaccine risks and benefits, valid for one year. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not advance further.
HB 1345 would create a program providing rebates to Mississippi residents aged 65 or older (or widows/widowers aged 50+ or permanently disabled persons aged 18+) for a portion of their annual property taxes or rent paid on their primary residence (homestead). The bill specifies a 20% rebate on eligible property taxes or rent, with income limits adjusted yearly based on the Consumer Price Index. Claimants would need to file applications by June 30 each year (with late filings accepted until December 31 if funds remain), providing proof of age, income, and housing costs. Funding would initially come from general state appropriations but shift to lottery proceeds after July 1, 2028, as outlined in the bill's provisions.
HB 1705 was a proposed $1 million appropriation from the state general fund to Hinds County's Board of Supervisors for cleaning blighted properties in House District 68 during fiscal year 2026. The bill, which died in committee on February 26, 2025, aimed to fund cleanup costs but did not become law. It affected local property maintenance efforts in a specific legislative district without creating new policy.
