Mississippi Senate Bill SB2017

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/7/26
• Refer: 1/7/26
• Engrossed: 1/19/26
• Refer: 2/6/26
• Failed: 3/3/26

Caption

AN ACT TO REPEAL SECTIONS 65-25-101, 65-25-103, 65-25-105, 65-25-107, 55-19-1, 55-19-3, 55-19-5, 55-19-7, 55-19-9, 55-19-11, 55-19-13, 55-19-14, 55-19-15, 55-19-17, 55-19-19, 55-19-21, 55-19-23, 55-19-25, 55-19-27, 55-19-29, 55-19-31, 55-19-33, 55-19-35, 55-19-37, 55-19-39, 55-19-41, 55-19-43, 55-19-45, 55-19-47, 55-19-49, 73-71-11, 43-1-101, 55-11-1, 55-11-3, 55-11-5, 55-11-7, 55-11-9, 55-11-11, 55-11-13, 55-11-15, 55-11-17, 55-11-19, 55-11-21, 39-29-1, 39-5-55, 7-1-601, 39-5-91, 89-5-109, 39-35-1, 55-23-5, 49-17-45, 41-101-1, 41-101-103, 43-59-1, 43-59-3, 43-59-5, 43-59-7, 43-59-9, 43-59-11, 43-59-13, 25-58-21, 39-39-1, 83-1-201, 43-1-101, 65-33-27, 59-6-1, 17-18-7, 57-67-7 AND 65-33-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE VARIOUS OBSOLETE ADVISORY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COUNCILS FROM THE CODE; TO AMEND SECTIONS 65-33-31 AND 65-33-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Impact

The implications of SB2017 are substantial as it seeks to simplify the legislative framework by removing numerous layers of bureaucracy. The repeal of these boards could potentially lead to a more efficient governance system by reallocating responsibilities to other existing departments, such as the Department of Archives and History assuming functions of the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Advisory Commission. The bill also includes amendments to relevant sections of the code to ensure continuity in processes related to highway management and other administrative duties, potentially enhancing operational efficiencies.

Summary

Senate Bill 2017 is a legislative measure aimed at streamlining government structure in Mississippi by repealing a number of outdated and obsolete advisory boards, commissions, and councils from the Mississippi Code of 1972. This legislation identifies specific sections of the code that are deemed no longer relevant or functioning and removes them entirely. The bill represents a significant effort to modernize the state's administrative framework and eliminate redundancy in governance. Notably, it repeals entities such as the Arkansas-Mississippi Bridge Commission, various recreational districts, and advisory councils focused on specific areas like acupuncture and obesity prevention.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB2017 appears to be generally positive among legislative members, particularly those advocating for government efficiency and modernization. Supporters argue that the removal of these outdated structures will lead to better resource allocation and governance. However, there may be concerns from those who believe certain commissions, despite being labeled as obsolete, still play a vital role in community representation and advocacy. Overall, the discussions suggest a trend towards wanting more streamlined and effective government operations.

Contention

While the primary focus of SB2017 is on reducing government redundancy, there exists a level of contention regarding which entities are ultimately deemed unnecessary. Some stakeholders may worry about the potential loss of focus on specific community issues that these boards previously addressed. The debate may center around whether the streamlining of government will truly benefit all communities, or if it will inadvertently stifle advocacy for niche issues that may not receive attention from the broader agencies taking over these responsibilities.