New legislative bills passed in session become law today

July 1 – Welcome to July 1 and the day new state laws that passed in the 2024 state Legislative session become law. 

It’s being reported that about 170 new measures have been added to the law books in the state and are now in effect as of today. 

Among them is the money the state set aside to help fund the expansion of I-55 in DeSoto County, and a new educational funding formula to fund public schools in Mississippi. You’ll now see schools being required to offer driver’s education and runoff elections will now take place four weeks after Election Day instead of three weeks.  Also, the rate employers put into the PERS account will increase in phases.

Two bills pushed by DeSoto County lawmakers and signed by Gov. Tate Reeves are going into effect. One will increase penalties for shoplifting or helping someone in a shoplifting case. The other exempts honorably discharged veterans over the age of 90 from paying ad valorem taxes on their homestead property.  

We found a link to the document written by the Senate Legislative Services Office that lists the bills now in effect and that document can be found here: New laws in effect July 1