Legislative Weekly Summary
Senate Weekly Summary
In the fifth week of the Mississippi Legislative Session, the Senate met a Feb. 4 deadline for committees to report general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the Senate and began floor work debating bills and presenting resolutions.
Senators passed several measures meant to better the lives of Mississippians.
Passage of Senate Bill 2151, would require school districts to adopt policies prohibiting or restricting cell phone possession or use by students while in class. Senate Bill 2162, would have schools revise Cardiac Emergency Response Plans to include airway clearance devices.
The passage of Senate Bill 2043, would allow seizure of delinquent child support payments from gaming winnings of $1,200 or more. It would allow the state Gaming Commission to access Department of Human Services data to determine delinquent persons.
Senate Bill 2197, makes the crime of impersonating a law enforcement officer, a felony punishable by a maximum three-year prison sentence and a $5,000 fine. The crime is currently a misdemeanor, punishable by a maximum $500 fine and six months in jail.
Senate Bill 2208, amends the Mississippi Terroristic Threats Law to provide a minimum penalty of five years in prison for persons making threats against an airport.
Other bills passed included:
- Senate Concurrent Resolution 525, commemorates the 40-year Anniversary of Entergy’s Grand Gulf Nuclear Station.
- Senate Bill 2308, increases fines for illegal dumping.
- Senate Bill 2833, allows the Legislative PEER Committee to use the judiciary to force compliance of subpoenas.
- Senate Bill 2368, makes the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Standards conform to federal standards.
- Senate Bill 2434, authorizes local governmental entities to enter agreements to assist military branches with infrastructure work on bases.
- Senate Bill 2276, extends hunting seasons that end on a Friday by two days to the following Sunday.
- Senate Bill 2518, allows the Institutions of Higher Learning to enter public-private partnerships to lease on behalf of public colleges and universities.
- Senate Bill 2266, requires the Department of Revenue to publish a list of agricultural items eligible for exemption or reduced sales tax rates to holders of commercial farming permits.
- Senate Bill 2052, allows car tags for 100 percent disabled veterans to be so labeled.
- Senate Bill 2874, requires health care professionals to administer and health insurers to cover depression screening for birth mothers who need it.
- Senate Bill 2210, revises dates of sale for fireworks and reduces violations of firework laws to a misdemeanor.
- Senate Bill 2582, creates a Sales Tax Diversion Study Committee.
The Starkville High School Choir performed on Tuesday, Feb. 4 in the second-floor rotunda of the Capitol as part of Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann’s tradition of inviting students to share their talents.
On Wednesday, Feb. 5 John Clayton Kitchens, Mississippi 4-H State Council President, addressed the Mississippi Senate at Senator Neil Whaley’s invitation.
Senator John Horhn on Thursday, Feb. 6 led the chamber in presenting resolutions to exemplary Mississippians whose excellence earned them Governor’s Arts Awards:
- Senate Resolution 13, honored award-winning broadcaster Walt Grayson of Greenville and Brandon, for receiving the 2025 Governor’s Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement.
- Senate Resolution 14, honored Sharde` Thomas Mallory and Chris Mallory of Coldwater – The Rising Stars Fife and Drum Band, for being recipients of the 2025 Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Traditional Arts.
- Senate Resolution 15, honored Jackson blues artist Eddie Cotton Jr., for being a recipient of the 2025 Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Music.
- Senate Resolution 16, honored Robert Poore of Flora, for being recipient of the 2025 Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Visual Arts and Landscape Architecture.
- Senate Resolution 17, honored Jane Crater Hiatt of Jackson, as recipient of the 2025 Governor’s Arts Award for “Stephen C. Edds” Patron of the Arts.
- Senate Resolution 18, honored Tate Taylor of Natchez, as the recipient of the Governor’s Arts Award for Excellence in Motion Picture.
The Senate faces a Thursday, Feb. 13 deadline for original floor action on general bills and constitutional amendments originated from the Senate, and a Friday, Feb. 14 deadline for reconsideration and passage of general bills and constitutional amendments originated in the Senate.
House of Representatives Weekly Summary
The Mississippi House of Representatives convened at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 3 where the Mississippi Board of Nursing honored state Rep. Rickey Thompson, Donnie Scoggin, and Becky Currie with a plaque for their legislative contributions.
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, committees faced a key deadline to report general bills and constitutional amendments, though no floor action occurred. Wednesday, Feb. 5, began floor action and several key pieces of legislation were passed.
HB 1302 was introduced and passed, legalizing online sports betting and race book wagering in the state.
HB 1193, prohibiting public schools, state-accredited nonpublic schools, and public colleges from implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs or requiring diversity statements in hiring and admissions, was passed.
HB 1435 streamlines Mississippi’s student transfer process by eliminating the requirement for a student’s home district to approve transfers, leaving the decision solely to the receiving district.
A joint resolution was passed to amend the House district map following a federal court ruling on Voting Rights Act violations. The revisions affect House Districts 16, 22, 36, 39, and 41 to ensure compliance while minimizing disruption.
HB 1544 adjusts the number of judges and residency requirements for several circuit and chancery court districts, ensuring proper judicial representation and accommodating district needs.
The House will reconvene Monday at 2 p.m.
Note: This information comes courtesy of the respective House and Senate Press Offices.
