Mississippi House members kick off 2026 session with focus on education, judiciary
JACKSON, Miss. — The gold dome of the Mississippi State Capitol buzzed with activity this week as the state Legislature officially convened for the 2026 regular session. Lawmakers returned to Jackson on Tuesday, Jan. 6, marking the start of a 90-day sprint that will shape state policy through early April.
In the House of Representatives, opening week was characterized by a mix of ceremonial transitions and immediate legislative action, signaling a busy year ahead.
New Faces and Unfinished Business
The House began the session at high noon Tuesday with the formal swearing-in of Rep. Justin Crosby (D-Aberdeen). Crosby took the oath of office before his colleagues, filling the House District 22 seat after a special election this past November.
Early procedural moves saw the House referring several vetoes from both the 2025 Regular Session and the subsequent Extraordinary Session back to their original committees. The move allows lawmakers to give those contested measures a second look and determine if any further consideration is warranted.
School Choice Takes Center Stage
By Wednesday, the quiet of the opening day gave way to discussions in committee rooms. The House Education Committee held a hearing focused on school choice.
The testimony focused on the challenges families face when seeking specific educational settings tailored to their children’s needs. Committee members spent the afternoon listening to these hurdles, highlighting a potential legislative priority for the 2026 term.
First Bill Hits the Floor
On Thursday, the legislative process moved into high gear as the first bill of the session reached the House floor.
Rep. Jansen Owen, (R-Poplarville), presented House Bill 1, a judicial measure aimed at the Third Chancery Court District. The legislation seeks to:
- Revise the number of chancellors serving the district.
- Update specific qualifications for the roles.
- Subject the changes to final approval by the governor.
The bill’s introduction marks a swift start for judicial reform discussions this year.
Looking Ahead
The pace is unlikely to slow as the session enters its second week. The Judiciary B Committee has already begun reviewing its first batch of assigned legislation, while the House Rules Committee met Thursday to iron out the procedural flow of the coming months.
The House has adjourned for the weekend and is scheduled to reconvene at 4 p.m. on Monday.
