Legislature advances key bills as session enters final stretch
Mississippi lawmakers wrapped up the ninth week of the 2026 Regular Session with significant movement on education, public safety, cybersecurity, and youth protection measures, as both chambers advanced major legislation ahead of next week’s deadlines.
The House unanimously passed Senate Bill 2103, a sweeping education and retirement package that includes a $5,000 teacher pay raise, a $3,000 supplement for special needs teachers and assistants, and a $6,000 supplement for occupational therapists and licensed school psychologists. The bill also makes several adjustments to PERS Tier 5, including lowering retirement age eligibility from 62 to 60, reducing the service requirement from 35 to 30 years, and allowing retired teachers to return to the classroom while continuing to receive benefits.
Both chambers also advanced measures aimed at protecting vulnerable Mississippians. House Bill 1758, passed by both the House and Senate, establishes the Foster Youth Earned Benefits Protection for Success Act, requiring the Department of Child Protection Services to determine whether children entering state custody are eligible for federal earned benefits and ensuring those funds are preserved for their use. The Senate also approved House Bill 2110, which creates criminal penalties for parents or guardians who deprive a child of necessary supervision resulting in substantial harm.
Cybersecurity and disaster preparedness were also in focus. The House passed Senate Bill 2654, creating a State Security Operations Center to coordinate cybersecurity efforts across state agencies, and Senate Bill 2632, establishing a loan program to help local governments recover from disasters. Meanwhile, Senate Bill 2409, the “Strengthen Mississippi Homes Act,” was returned to the Senate for concurrence after the House approved expanded mitigation grants of up to $15,000 per home.
Other Senate-approved House bills included measures to expand biomarker testing coverage for cancer patients, strengthen anti-trafficking laws, clarify property rights against squatters, and authorize municipalities to use certain special funds for sidewalk repairs and building rehabilitation.
The Capitol also welcomed a steady stream of student groups and community organizations, including choirs from New Albany High School and Newton County High School, who performed as part of Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann’s tradition of showcasing student talent. Lawmakers also honored the Simpson Academy Lady Cougars Softball Team for winning the MAIS 4A Division I State Championship and recognized Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on its 55th anniversary.
Both chambers met the March 3 deadline for reporting general bills from committees. The next major deadlines fall March 11–13, when lawmakers must take final action on general bills originating in the opposite chamber.
