Legislative weekly summary
Note: The following information is provided by the respective chambers’ Press Offices
STATE SENATE WEEKLY SUMMARY
Feb. 21, 2025- In the seventh week of the 2025 Mississippi Legislative Session, the Senate adopted Senate-originated appropriation bills. The proposed $7.69 billion total state support budget will continue to be deliberated throughout the session. These bills included a $841 million budget for Institutions of Higher Learning and $298 million for Community and Junior Colleges.
Senators passed a Rules calendar commending exemplary Mississippians.
The Senate met a Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, deadline to dispose of motions to reconsider general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the Senate. The Senate faces a Monday, Feb. 24, 2025, deadline for making requests for appropriation and revenue bills to be drafted, a Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, deadline for original floor action on appropriations and revenue bills originating in the Senate, and a Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, deadline for reconsideration and passage of appropriation and revenue bills originating in the Senate. There is a Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, deadline to dispose of motions to reconsider appropriation and revenue bills originating in the Senate.
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, Senator Jeremy England, Senator Brice Wiggins and Senator Mike Seymour led a presentation of Senate Resolution 39 to the Jackson County Hope Squads – students and members. The 14 area schools that comprise the Hope Squads in Jackson County consist of 203 middle and high school students who were nominated by their peers for their kind, inclusive, and trustworthy reputations, and trained in Question, Persuade, Refer, (QPR), the nationally recognized suicide prevention method.
Also, on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, the Madison Central High School Choir and the Oxford High School Choir performed as part of Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann’s tradition of inviting students to share their talents at the Capitol.
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, Senator Andy Berry presented a proclamation to state officers of the Future Farmers of America, (FFA), after Mississippi FFA President Laynie Dodson addressed the Senate.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, Senator Jason Barrett and Senator Andy Berry led the presentation of Senate Resolution 38, commending 17-year-old Addie Carver of Monticello, as the first person from Mississippi to win the National “Miss Teen USA” title in 37 years.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WEEKLY SUMMARY
The Mississippi House of Representatives convened at 4 p.m. on Monday, marking the start of the legislative week. With no urgent deadlines on the calendar, floor activity remained relatively light. The Capitol welcomed numerous visitors from across the state throughout the week.
A key legislative action occurred on Tuesday when the House passed SB 2145, which authorizes licensed wine manufacturers, both within and outside Mississippi, to sell and ship wine directly to residents. The bill establishes regulatory requirements, including record-keeping, reporting, and taxation provisions. It limits individuals to receiving a maximum of twelve nine-liter cases per year. Additionally, wines already distributed through Mississippi wholesalers may not be sold directly, except for highly allocated items. Shipments must be clearly labeled, signed for by an individual 21 years or older, and designated for personal consumption only. A portion of the taxes collected from direct shipments will be allocated to the state’s Mental Health Programs Fund.
Additionally, the House passed House Resolution 46, which commends the Poplarville High School Football team on winning its first-ever MHSAA Class 4A State Championship.
The appropriations process is officially underway, and all agency budgets have been reviewed and successfully passed through the necessary approvals.
Looking ahead, the House faces an upcoming deadline on Monday, Feb. 24, for submitting requests to draft appropriation and revenue bills. Another key deadline is set for Wednesday, Feb. 26, for floor action on appropriation and revenue bills originating in the House.
The House is set to reconvene Monday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m..
