Weekly legislative summary

Note: The following information on activities in the Mississippi State Legislature is provided by the respective Press Offices of the state Senate and House of Representatives.

STATE SENATE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

In the sixth week of the 2025 Mississippi Legislative Session, the Senate met 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.

The Senate faces a Monday, Feb. 17 deadline to dispose of motions to reconsider general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the Senate.

Senators engaged in long debates and passed many bills which will next be considered by the House.

Passage of Senate Bill 2439, ensures that PERS meets the obligations to the current employees, beneficiaries and retirees, and provides a more flexible retirement system for future hired employees.

Senate Bill 2863, allows Mississippi Deferred Comp to offer Roth and other after-tax accounts.

Senate Bill 2618, transfers the control of School Attendance Officers from the Mississippi Department of Education to local school districts. The bill raises the starting salary to $34,000 and provides for a 25% increase for any SAO above the new minimum salary; local school districts can supplement the salary at their discretion.

Other bills passed included:

• Senate Bill 2654, allows early in person voting.
• Senate Bill 2883, authorizes the Mississippi Development Authority to contract with and award grants to counties for staffing of welcome centers.
• Senate Bill 2258, allows all-terrain vehicles and recreational off-highway vehicles to be driven on county roads with a vehicle tag and insurance.
• Senate Bill 2242, allows participants in the Mississippi Department of Corrections inmate work release program to perform services for the Mississippi Department of Transportation that could lead to future full-time employment by MDOT upon completion of their prison sentence.
• Senate Bill 2449, revises the optional retirement program for employees of the state institutions of higher learning who were appointed or employed after July 1, 1990, and are currently employed. It terminates the program for employees hired on or after July 1, .
• Senate Bill 2145, authorizes the direct shipment of wine to Mississippi consumers.
• Senate Bill 2233, authorizes the Department of Corrections to conduct a study on Dyslexia among inmates.
• Senate Bill 2527, creates the Mississippi Resident Promise Grant Program to provide financial assistance to community college students.
• Senate Bill 2832, allows counties without local newspapers to publish certain notices on county websites.
• Senate Bill 2309, criminalizes and amends provisions related to child grooming and morphed images.
• Senate Bill 2650, modifies the campaign finance reporting process and makes reports accessible to the public via a website run by the Secretary of State.

On Tuesday, Feb. 11 “Green and White Day,” at the Capitol, Senator David Jordan led a presentation of Senate Resolution 33, commending Mississippi Valley State University on its 75th Anniversary. MVSU President Dr. Jerryl Briggs, Sr., addressed the Senate and the MVSU choir performed at the second-floor rotunda as part of Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann’s tradition of inviting students to share their talents at the Capitol.

Senator Bart Williams on Wednesday, Feb. 12 led the presentation of Senate Resolution 4, to the Choctaw High School Chargers Football Team and Head Football Coach Dillon Mitchell, for winning its first AAA State Championship. 

Also on Wednesday, Feb. 12 “JSU Day,” at the Capitol, Jackson State University President Marcus Thompson and Head Football Coach T.C. Taylor addressed the Senate as Senator Sollie B. Norwood led the presentation of three resolutions.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 507, congratulated the Jackson State University Tigers Football Team and Coach TC Taylor for winning their first Celebration Bowl Championship. Senate Resolution 21, congratulated the JSU “Sonic Boom of the South” marching band for an electrifying performance at the Tournament of Roses Parade. Senate Resolution 22, congratulated the Jackson State University Women’s Softball Team for winning its first SWAC Championship in over a decade. Two proclamations were presented to the Lady Tigers Tennis Team and Coach Hernan Geria for winning a share of the 2024 SWAC Women’s Tennis Regular Season, and to the Prancing J-Settes, saluting their 54th anniversary.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

The House convened at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, beginning with a moment of recognition to honor  the life and service of Officer Troy Floyd of the Summit Police Department in Lincoln County. A  resolution was adopted to commemorate his passing.  

Members also recognized the Jackson State University football team for securing the 2024  HBCU national championship. 

The House engaged in a busy week of legislative activity, advancing numerous bills ahead of  critical deadlines. Several measures have now been sent to the Senate for further consideration.  

HB 849 permits Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to practice independently after  completing 8,000 clinical hours, eliminating the requirement for physician collaboration. The bill  also establishes licensure for the Anesthesiologist Assistants under physician collaboration. The  bill modifies the composition of the Mississippi Board of Nursing.  

HB 1432 expands charter school eligibility in certain districts, allows contract amendments for  mergers without school closures, and prohibits authorizers from retaining per-pupil funding.  Additionally, it enhances oversight, updates enrollment and accountability regulations, and  grants schools a two-year deferral for opening if necessary.  

HB 928 mandates that hospitals with emergency departments have personnel available at all  times to conduct forensic examinations for sexual assault victims and maintain an adequate  supply of evidence collection kits. It also requires proper storage of these kits in designated  refrigeration units and permits hospitals to contract forensic nurses for examinations.  

Thursdays, Feb. 13, marked the deadline for original floor action on general bills and  constitutional amendments originating in the House. 

Looking ahead, the next major deadline is Monday, Feb. 26, for original floor action on  Appropriation and Revenue Bills originating in our own house.  

The House is scheduled to reconvene on Monday, Feb. 17 at 4:00 p.m.