Technology (Government Transparency)

HB 1511 allows Mississippi counties and municipalities to publish certain official notices on their websites or social media instead of in newspapers, modernizing notice requirements. It specifically amends multiple statutes to permit digital publication for most notices (like bond resolutions and contracts), while maintaining the newspaper requirement only for tax levy notices. The bill requires local governments to use their official website or social media if they have one, but still mandates newspaper publication for tax-related notices. This change aims to reduce costs and improve accessibility for public notices.

SB 2578 would exempt text messages (including SMS, MMS, and RCS) sent or received on personal phones from Mississippi's public records requirements, unless the messages relate to public business. It specifically applies to messages prepared for, used by, received by, or controlled by public officials or government agencies. The exemption would cover personal device communications about non-government matters, but messages concerning official duties would still be subject to public disclosure. This bill, if enacted, would change how government communications on personal devices are handled under Mississippi's transparency laws.

SB 2821, the "Law Enforcement Anti-Doxxing Act of 2025," exempts home addresses, phone numbers, and other private information of Mississippi law enforcement officers, judges, district attorneys, and their spouses or children from public disclosure under the state's public records law. Public bodies must redact this information from their records upon written or online request from affected individuals and provide a dedicated request form. The exemption does not apply to court transcripts, incident reports, or victim information, which remain public under existing rules. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.