HB 599 creates civil liability for commercial entities (like websites or platforms) that knowingly distribute child pornography or obscene material online. It allows individuals to sue these entities for damages up to $500,000, plus attorney fees, for publishing such content. The law explicitly exempts news organizations and internet service providers from liability for merely providing connectivity, not creating content. It also defines "material harmful to minors" and requires "reasonable age verification" methods to prevent minors' access. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on April 10, 2025.
HB 1380 protects Mississippi state/local governments and commercial entities (like businesses handling personal data) from lawsuits related to cybersecurity incidents if they follow specific, nationally recognized security standards. The bill requires these entities to adopt cybersecurity programs aligned with frameworks such as NIST, HIPAA, or ISO 27000, creating a strong legal defense against liability claims. It establishes that compliance with these standards is presumed valid unless a plaintiff proves otherwise with clear evidence. This law directly affects organizations managing sensitive data by reducing legal risks tied to data breaches while mandating adherence to established security practices. The protection applies to covered entities starting January 1, 2026.
HB 20, the "Statewide Digital Services and Procurement Modernization Act," requires all Mississippi state agencies to transition to a centralized cloud storage system by July 1, 2030, to improve efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness in government operations. The bill establishes a Procurement Modernization Advisory Council to oversee implementation, develop cybersecurity plans, and guide data integration across state, county, and municipal governments. It directs the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS) to create the cloud center, enforce cybersecurity standards, and provide training and technical support for agencies during the transition. MDITS must also report annually to the legislature on progress, cost savings, and cybersecurity enhancements.
HB 1239 revises Mississippi's tax exemption rules for data center enterprises, targeting businesses investing at least $500 million and creating 50+ new jobs paying 125% of the state average wage. It requires detailed applications to the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) outlining project plans, job creation timelines, and annual compliance documentation. Approved businesses receive a 10-year exemption from specified state taxes (sales, use, franchise, and electricity taxes), but must maintain performance commitments or face forfeiture after a 60-day remedy period for noncompliance. The bill explicitly excludes digital asset mining operations from eligibility and sets an expiration date of June 30, 2025.
This bill appropriates $136.7 million (including $33 million from the Unemployment Trust Fund) for Mississippi's Department of Employment Security to cover fiscal year 2026 expenses (July 2025-June 2026). It authorizes 453 positions (389 permanent, 64 time-limited) and specifies that funds must cover staff costs, One-Stop Career Center operations (rent, equipment, disability access), technology systems, and workforce data programs like the SLDS. Strict limits prevent using funds for salary increases beyond approved levels or replacing federal funds, requiring new funding approval for any salary actions. The department must align actual spending with projected costs published by the Legislative Budget Office.
HB 1644 revises Mississippi's tax incentives for telecommunications companies deploying broadband infrastructure. It establishes tiered tax credits (5-15% of equipment costs) based on rural area designations (Tier One to Three), with annual limits of $15 million total and $1.5 million per company. The bill prohibits credits for equipment paid for via the federal BEAD broadband program and requires companies to submit sworn equipment descriptions to county tax assessors by April 1 to claim property tax exemptions for equipment placed in service between 2025-2030. These exemptions last 10 years for fixed broadband and 5 years for mobile broadband, subject to FCC speed benchmarks.
SB 3062 updates Mississippi's tax incentives for broadband infrastructure by raising minimum speed requirements and adding budget caps. It revises the definition of eligible equipment to require fixed broadband to meet current FCC speed benchmarks (instead of the previous 35 Mbps down/3 Mbps up standard) for property tax exemptions on equipment placed in service between 2025-2030. The bill also limits annual tax credits to $15 million total ($1.5 million per company) and prohibits credits if equipment costs were covered by federal BEAD program funds. These changes directly affect telecommunications companies deploying broadband in Mississippi's designated Tier areas (Tier One to Three), impacting their tax liability for qualifying equipment investments.
SB 2426 establishes Mississippi's Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AIR) Task Force to study AI risks, ethics, and policy needs. The task force, composed of seven voting members (including legislative co-chairs and agency directors) and advisory members from sectors like healthcare, education, and private business, must annually report findings to the legislature. It will evaluate AI use in state government, review privacy and bias concerns, assess economic impacts, and recommend regulatory approaches. The bill directly affects state agencies adopting AI tools and shapes future policy by requiring structured analysis of AI applications before potential regulation.
HB 1074 establishes a dedicated "Electronic Government Services Fund" within the State Treasury, allowing unspent funds to roll over annually instead of lapsing into the general fund. It expands the existing Electronic Government Oversight Committee to include additional state agency representatives and mandates a new procurement portal for vendors to access state buying opportunities, featuring a searchable database, FAQs, and links to agency websites. The bill requires the portal to link to Mississippi's Transparency website and ensures the Department of Information Technology Services provides administrative support, with expenses covered by state appropriations starting July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects state agencies managing digital services and vendors seeking to sell goods/services to the state government.
SB 2894 adds cybersecurity insurance to Mississippi's Insurance Guaranty Association (MIGA) coverage by defining it to include first- and third-party claims for data breaches, ransomware, and similar cyber incidents. The bill sets a $300,000 maximum payout per policy for all cyber claims arising from a single event, regardless of how many claims or claimants are involved. This affects Mississippi insurers offering cybersecurity coverage, policyholders with such policies, and the MIGA, which will handle claims if an insurer becomes insolvent. The law applies to claims filed under MIGA’s existing framework for insolvent insurers.
