AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO HOLMES COUNTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH REPAIRS, RENOVATIONS, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO THE CIRCUIT COURT COURTHOUSE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO CONTROL, REGULATE AND MANAGE THE TAKING OF ALL BLACK BEARS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO CREATE, SET AND REGULATE A BLACK BEAR SEASON, BEGINNING WITH THE 2027-2028 HUNTING SEASON; TO ESTABLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTS AND NONRESIDENTS TO HUNT OR KILL BLACK BEARS; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH A BLACK BEAR HARVEST TAG TO HUNT OR KILL BLACK BEARS, AND TO BASE THE NUMBER OF SUCH TAGS AUTHORIZED EACH YEAR ON THE MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS' BLACK BEAR POPULATION DATA; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH A LOTTERY SYSTEM FOR ISSUANCE OF BLACK BEAR HARVEST TAGS AND TO RESERVE ONE HARVEST TAG FOR EACH HUNTING SEASON TO BE RESERVED AS THE "GOVERNOR'S TAG"; TO PROHIBIT THE DEPARTMENT FROM DONATING ANY HARVEST TAG(S) OTHER THAN THE GOVERNOR'S TAG OR FROM DESIGNATING ANY NUMBER OF HARVEST TAGS FOR ANY NONPROFIT OR FOR-PROFIT ENTITY; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT TO OFFER BLACK BEAR HARVEST TAGS FOR RESIDENTS BEGINNING WITH THE 2027-2028 HUNTING SEASON; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO OFFER A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HARVEST TAGS FOR NONRESIDENTS BEGINNING WITH THE 2032-2033 HUNTING SEASON; TO SET THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO DEFINE "ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE"; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF PHARMACY TO ESTABLISH AN ALTERNATIVE-TO-DISCIPLINE PROGRAM FOR LICENSEES WHO HAVE AN IMPAIRMENT AS A RESULT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION; TO SET FORTH MINIMUM PROGRAM CRITERIA; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT IN STRUCTURING GRANTS, APPLICATIONS OR OTHER PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM, SECTION 71401 OF PUBLIC LAW NO. 119-21, PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS, AWARDEES OR SUBGRANTEES LOCATED IN SUPER RURAL ZIP CODES AS DESIGNATED BY THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS) AND TO THOSE LOCATED IN CERTAIN COUNTIES AND AREAS OUTSIDE OF A METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA; TO PROVIDE THAT PRIORITY SHALL ALSO BE GIVEN TO PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM THAT PROVIDE DIRECT ASSISTANCE TO MISSISSIPPI PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS, RATHER THAN VENDORS; TO PROVIDE THAT IN ANY GRANT PROGRAM FOR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION OR UPGRADES, FACILITIES OR OTHER CAPITAL EXPENDITURES FOR FACILITIES OR EQUIPMENT FUNDED BY THE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM, PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO AWARDEES THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A DIRECT STATE OR FEDERAL APPROPRIATION FOR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, FACILITIES OR OTHER CAPITAL EXPENDITURES IN THE PAST THREE YEARS; TO REQUIRE A COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS FOR VENDORS, SUBCONTRACTORS OR OTHER ENTITIES SELECTED BY THE STATE TO ASSIST IN ESTABLISHING A STATE HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE THAT IS FUNDED THROUGH THE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM; TO SPECIFY THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH STATE HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE; TO PROVIDE THAT PREFERENCE IN SELECTING A DESIGNATED VENDOR, SUBCONTRACTOR OR ENTITY SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THOSE ENTITIES THAT HAVE DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE PROVIDING HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE SERVICES OFFERING REAL-TIME BIDIRECTIONAL ADMISSION, DISCHARGE AND TRANSFER DATA TO MISSISSIPPI HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS; TO REQUIRE THE AGENCY OVERSEEING THE STATE HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY FOR THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF THE EXCHANGE INCLUDING ALLOWABLE PARTICIPANTS, PERMISSIBLE USES OF DATA, SECURITY AND OTHER PROTOCOL, AND A PROCESS BY WHICH PATIENTS MAY OPT OUT OF PARTICIPATING; TO EXEMPT RECORDS TRANSMITTED TO OR FROM THE HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC RECORDS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY CONTRACT FOR A PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM, INCLUDING THOSE ENTERED INTO OR MANAGED BY A NON-PUBLIC ENTITY, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC RECORDS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT EVERY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER ATTEND AND COMPLETE A COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL TRAINING FOR THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN EDUCATION ACT (IDEA) AND § 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973, SPONSORED BY THE OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-28-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE CHARTER OF A CHARTER SCHOOL SHALL BE REVOKED OR NOT RENEWED FOR ANY SCHOOL THAT IS DESIGNATED A "D" OR "F" RATED SCHOOL UNDER THE SCHOOL ACCREDITATION RATING SYSTEM FOR LONGER THAN TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-153, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO ISSUE A RESIDENT LIFETIME SPORTSMAN HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE TO FULL-TIME MEMBERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD AT NO CHARGE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-106-41, TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO ESTABLISH A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FUNDED BY LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION UNDER WHICH CERTAIN VETERANS SHALL RECEIVE FREE TUITION AT STATE-SUPPORTED UNIVERSITIES AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES BASED ON ONE MONTH FREE TUITION FOR EACH MONTH SERVED DURING A QUALIFYING PERIOD; TO ESTABLISH THE COMBAT VETERAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE STATE FISCAL OFFICER TO TRANSFER $265,000,000.00 FROM THE CAPITAL EXPENSE FUND TO THE CAPACITY PROJECT FUND UPON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 65-1-141.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MAKE A MINOR, NONSUBSTANTIVE REVISION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ENACT THE BUILDING REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DIVERSE GROWTH IN EDUCATION (BRIDGE) ACT; TO ESTABLISH A UNIFIED STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL SPECIAL PURPOSE SCHOOLS IN MISSISSIPPI; TO CREATE TWO DISTINCT PROGRAMS ADDRESSING SPECIAL-NEEDS STUDENTS AND CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING; TO DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT STATEWIDE STUDIES, ISSUE GUIDANCE, AND REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-21-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO LIMIT THE EXEMPTION OF CHARTER SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM THE SECTION'S EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS TO THOSE TEACHERS EMPLOYED IN PROGRAMS NOT RECEIVING GRANT FUNDING FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ENACT THE "J.P. WILEMON, JR., FINANCIAL LITERACY ACT"; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO INCORPORATE FINANCIAL LITERACY COMPONENTS WITHIN THE EXISTING CURRICULUM TO BE TAUGHT IN GRADES 6-8 BEGINNING IN THE 2027-2028 SCHOOL YEAR; TO REQUIRE SUCCESSFUL PASSAGE OF THE STAND-ALONE ONE-HALF CARNEGIE UNIT PERSONAL FINANCE COURSE OR A FULL CARNEGIE UNIT COURSE WHERE AT LEAST ONE-HALF OF THE COURSE STANDARDS CONCERN FINANCIAL LITERACY AS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-7-301, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM, AND TO SET CERTAIN TOPICS THAT SHALL BE REQUIRED FOR THE FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 51-15-123, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE PAT HARRISON WATERWAY DISTRICT TO OFFER DISCOUNTS TO ACTIVE-DUTY, RESERVE, NATIONAL GUARD, AS WELL AS VETERAN MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FOR THE USE OF DISTRICT PARKS, CAMPGROUNDS, FACILITIES AND RECREATIONAL AREAS; TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY TO THE DISTRICT IN SETTING THE RATES AND TERMS OF SUCH DISCOUNTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW SECTION WITHIN CHAPTER 7, TITLE 49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS (COMMISSION) SHALL CONTROL, REGULATE AND MANAGE THE TAKING OF ALL BLACK BEARS; TO IMPOSE REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTS AND NONRESIDENTS TO HUNT OR KILL ANY BLACK BEAR FOR ANY PURPOSE; TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION, BEGINNING WITH THE 2026-2027 HUNTING SEASON, TO ESTABLISH A BLACK BEAR HARVEST PERMIT TO HUNT OR KILL BLACK BEARS AND TO ESTABLISH THE FEE FOR SUCH PERMIT; TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION TO ISSUE A TOTAL OF 20 BLACK BEAR HARVEST PERMITS FOR THE 2026-2027 HUNTING SEASON AND TO INCREASE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BLACK BEAR HARVEST PERMITS ISSUED BY 10% FOR EACH HUNTING SEASON THEREAFTER; TO SET THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.