AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 19-5-171, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE COMPENSATION FOR THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE CLEARY WATER, SEWER AND FIRE DISTRICT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE TASK FORCE TO STUDY RESTORATION OF ADEQUATE FUNDING TO ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY; TO PRESCRIBE THE MEMBERSHIP AND SPECIFIC DUTIES OF THE TASK FORCE; TO REQUIRE THE TASK FORCE TO SUBMIT A REPORT OF ITS WORK AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND HOUSE SPEAKER BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2026; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-33-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IF A DECEASED SPOUSE QUALIFIED FOR INCREASED HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION DUE TO AGE OR DISABILITY STATUS, BUT THE SURVIVING SPOUSE'S AGE OR DISABILITY STATUS IS UNKNOWN AND THE SURVIVING SPOUSE HAS NOT FILED A NEW APPLICATION FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, THE SURVIVING SPOUSE WILL BE ROLLED TO THE PRIMARY APPLICANT POSITION ON THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION APPLICATION AND THE LEVEL OF EXEMPTION WILL BE CHANGED TO THE LOWEST TIER OF HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION; TO PROVIDE THAT WHERE AN APPLICANT FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION HAS FILED A TIMELY APPLICATION, BUT HAS FAILED TO MAKE KNOWN HIS ELIGIBILITY FOR AN ADDITIONAL EXEMPTION, THEN AN AMENDED APPLICATION FOR ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION MAY BE FILED AND CONSIDERED FOR ACTION BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 85-7-251, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE A PROCEDURE FOR RECLAIMING MOTOR VEHICLES OR VESSELS WHILE THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING TOWED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 85-7-251, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE NOTIFICATION REQUIRED BY TOWING COMPANIES BEFORE PROPERTY IS SOLD; TO AMEND SECTION 63-23-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THIRD-PARTY VENDORS TO ASSIST IN NOTIFICATION WHEN NO CLAIMS HAVE BEEN MADE TO VEHICLES; TO AMEND SECTION 63-23-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE EARLY VOTING ACT; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD SHALL BEGIN NO LESS THAN 21 DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION AND CONTINUE UNTIL THE LAST REGULAR BUSINESS DAY PRECEDING THE ELECTION; TO PROVIDE THAT EARLY VOTING SHALL BE FOR EACH PRIMARY, GENERAL, RUNOFF, SPECIAL AND MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR PUBLIC OFFICE; TO PROVIDE THE HOURS FOR EARLY VOTING IN THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS; TO PROVIDE THAT NOTICE OF EARLY VOTING SHALL BE PROVIDED IN THREE PUBLIC PLACES EIGHT DAYS BEFORE THE VOTING BEGINS; TO PROVIDE THE PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW WHEN CASTING A BALLOT DURING THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD; TO PROVIDE THE MANNER FOR CHALLENGING THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A VOTER DURING THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD; TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-627, 23-15-713, 23-15-31, 23-15-43, 23-15-65, 23-15-127, 23-15-153, 23-15-171, 23-15-173, 23-15-191, 23-15-195, 23-15-197, 23-15-231, 23-15-233, 23-15-239, 23-15-241, 23-15-245, 23-15-247, 23-15-251, 23-15-255, 23-15-263, 23-15-265, 23-15-267, 23-15-309, 23-15-331, 23-15-333, 23-15-335, 23-15-353, 23-15-357, 23-15-359, 23-15-363, 23-15-367, 7-3-39, 23-15-511, 23-15-515, 23-15-545, 23-15-573, 23-15-781, 23-15-785, 23-15-807, 23-15-833, 23-15-843, 23-15-851, 23-15-853, 23-15-855, 23-15-857, 23-15-859, 23-15-895, 23-15-913, 23-15-963, 23-15-977, 23-15-1031, 23-15-1081, 23-15-1083, 23-15-1085, 23-15-1091, 21-3-3, 21-9-17, 37-5-9, 21-8-7, 9-4-5 AND 23-15-321, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "MISSISSIPPI ANTI-LYNCHING ACT"; TO DEFINE LYNCHING AS A DISCRIMINATORY KILLING COMMITTED BY TWO OR MORE PERSONS UNDER THE PRETEXT OF ADMINISTERING JUSTICE FOR AN ALLEGED OFFENSE; TO CREATE THE STANDALONE FELONY OFFENSE OF LYNCHING PUNISHABLE BY LIFE IMPRISONMENT WITHOUT ELIGIBILITY FOR PAROLE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE FELONY OFFENSE OF ATTEMPTED LYNCHING WITH A MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCE; TO PROVIDE FOR AIDING AND ABETTING, ORGANIZING OR INCITING, AND CONSPIRACY; TO ESTABLISH DISCRIMINATORY DEATH TRIGGERS AND MANDATORY INVESTIGATIVE PROTOCOLS; TO REQUIRE APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR BY DEFAULT; TO REQUIRE MANDATORY REPORTING BY LOCAL AGENCIES TO THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; TO REQUIRE A UNIFORM STATEWIDE TRACKING DATABASE AND ANNUAL REPORTS TO THE LEGISLATURE; TO REQUIRE PSYCHOLOGICAL AUTOPSIES AND FORENSIC PROTOCOLS IN CERTAIN CASES; TO REQUIRE ATTENDANCE BY AN INDEPENDENT PATHOLOGIST SELECTED BY THE FAMILY IN CERTAIN CASES; TO ESTABLISH FAMILY RIGHTS AND ANTI-INTIMIDATION PROTECTIONS; TO CREATE A CIVIL CAUSE OF ACTION FOR SURVIVAL AND WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIMS AGAINST PERPETRATORS AND ORGANIZERS, INCLUDING DAMAGES, CIVIL PENALTIES, AND ATTORNEY'S FEES; TO PROVIDE SANCTIONS FOR OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT FOR WILLFUL FAILURE TO REPORT, INVESTIGATE, OR PROSECUTE; TO CREATE AN ANTI-LYNCHING INVESTIGATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY FUND AND GRANT PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE FOR SEVERABILITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-13-117, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID SHALL REIMBURSE FOR VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION (VNS) SURGICAL IMPLANT PROCEDURES PERFORMED IN HOSPITALS ON AN OUTPATIENT BASIS AND IN AMBULATORY SURGICAL FACILITIES AND TO PRESCRIBE THE RATES OF REIMBURSEMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO OR RENEWED ON OR AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT BETWEEN THE DIVISION AND A MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATION MUST CONTAIN A REQUIREMENT THAT THE MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATION COMPLY WITH PROVISION REGARDING REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR VNS SURGICAL IMPLANT PROCEDURES FOR FEE-FOR-SERVICE PROVIDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-19-71, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE EFFECT OF EXPUNGEMENT PROCEDURES IN RELATION TO QUALIFIED ELECTORS; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO HAS HAD A DISENFRANCHISING CRIME CONVICTION EXPUNGED, WHO HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY OTHER DISENFRANCHISING CRIME AND WHO MEETS ALL OTHER REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A QUALIFIED ELECTOR SHALL BE ALLOWED TO REGISTER TO VOTE AS A QUALIFIED ELECTOR; TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-151 AND 23-15-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE COUNTY REGISTRAR OR ELECTION COMMISSIONER TO AUTOMATICALLY PLACE THE NAME OF A PERSON PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED TO VOTE WHOSE DISENFRANCHISING CRIME WAS EXPUNGED, WHO HAS NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF ANOTHER DISENFRANCHISING CRIME AND WHO IS OTHERWISE AN ELIGIBLE VOTER INTO THE STATEWIDE ELECTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM; TO AMEND SECTIONS 23-15-125, 23-15-153, 23-15-165 AND 99-19-37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 19-21-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING FOR CORONERS CONSISTING OF AT LEAST 50 HOURS OF INSTRUCTION FROM THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC) COLLABORATING OFFICE FOR MEDICAL EXAMINERS AND CORONERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 19-21-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO SERVE AS COUNTY CORONER BY REQUIRING THAT A PERSON SEEKING THE OFFICE OF CORONER TO ATTAIN A COLLEGE DEGREE OR HIGHER; TO PROVIDE A CERTAIN EXCEPTION REGARDING THE ATTAINMENT OF SUCH COLLEGE DEGREE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 73-30-9, 73-30-29, 73-31-9, 73-31-13, 73-53-11, 73-53-13, 73-54-17 AND 73-54-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS TO COMPLETE THREE CREDIT HOURS OF GRADUATE-LEVEL COURSES RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BEFORE RECEIVING A LICENSE AND TO COMPLETE TWO HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION RELATING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS A CONDITION OF LICENSE RENEWAL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AS THE SPRING-STEP TEACHER PAY BRIDGE ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR A PREDICTABLE, ANNUAL SPRING-STEP PAY BRIDGE ON JANUARY 7 OF EACH YEAR FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE YEARS FOLLOWING A TEACHER'S OR OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF'S RETURN FROM THE CHRISTMAS BREAK; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PAYMENT SHALL BE AUTOMATIC, REQUIRING NO ADDITIONAL APPLICATION OR VERIFICATION FROM THE EMPLOYEE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PAYMENT SHALL BE CALCULATED AS ONE-HALF OF THE EMPLOYEE'S REGULAR BIWEEKLY PAY, OR A FIXED AMOUNT ESTABLISHED ANNUALLY BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BASED ON AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS, WHICHEVER IS GREATER; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PAYMENT SHALL NOT REDUCE, REPLACE, OR INTERFERE WITH ANY STEP INCREASES, RAISES, OR SUPPLEMENTS OTHERWISE DUE TO THE EMPLOYEE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHALL APPROPRIATE FUNDS ANNUALLY TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF ADMINISTERING THE SPRING-STEP PAY BRIDGE; TO PROVIDE THAT FUNDS SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGH THE MISSISSIPPI STUDENT FUNDING FORMULA OR A DESIGNATED SUPPLEMENTAL LINE ITEM; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE; TO PROVIDE THAT AFTER FIVE YEARS, THE LEGISLATURE SHALL REVIEW THE PROGRAM FOR CONTINUATION, EXPANSION, OR PERMANENT ADOPTION; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-19-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-3-65, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE ELEMENTS OF STATUTORY RAPE WHEN BOTH ARE DATING AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE "THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INTEGRITY ACT"; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS FOR THE ACT; PROVIDE THAT STATE, COUNTY, MUNICIPAL OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISION EMPLOYERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SHALL BE LIABLE FOR THE INJURIES CAUSED BY THEIR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS; TO AUTHORIZE CIVIL LIABILITY; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 11-46-5, 11-46-7, AND 11-46-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; TO PROVIDE A STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.