AN ACT TO REQUIRE THAT, BEGINNING IN THE 2027-2028 SCHOOL YEAR, EVERY PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENT WITHIN THE STATE PASS THE USCIS NATURALIZATION CIVICS TEST AS A REQUIREMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION; TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS MUST PASS THE TEST DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR BEFORE GRADUATION; TO PROVIDE THAT SCHOOLS SHALL DESIGNATE FACULTY TO ADMINISTER THE TEST IN WRITING UNDER STANDARD TESTING CONDITIONS FOUR TIMES PER SCHOOL YEAR; TO REQUIRE THAT THE TEST CONSIST OF 20 QUESTIONS SELECTED FROM THE LIST OF 128 CIVICS TEST QUESTIONS IN THE USCIS QUESTION POOL; TO SPECIFY THAT A STUDENT MUST ANSWER 12 OF THE 20 QUESTIONS CORRECTLY TO PASS; TO REQUIRE THAT THE QUESTIONS BE ROTATED SO THAT NO QUESTIONS ARE REPEATED ON ANY OF THE FOUR TESTS WITHIN THE SAME SCHOOL YEAR; TO ALLOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS FLEXIBILITY AS TO THE MEANS OF EQUIPPING THEIR STUDENTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE NEEDED TO PASS THE TEST; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO GUIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTERS SCHOOLS IN IMPLEMENTING THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-79, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS TO ABIDE BY THE AMERICAN SCHOOL COUNSELOR ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT REGULATIONS REGARDING THE ACTIVITIES OF PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS, INCLUDING A MODEL CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-19-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE TO THE MINIMUM TEACHER SALARY SCALE; TO PROVIDE AN ANNUAL SALARY SUPPLEMENT TO LICENSED SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS EMPLOYED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT ON A FULL-TIME BASIS TO PROVIDE SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTION, TO LICENSED OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS AND TO CERTIFIED SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-21-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT NO SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL REDUCE THE LOCAL SUPPLEMENT OR PAY AN INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANT TEACHER LESS THAN THE STATE MINIMUM SALARY IN A YEAR IN WHICH THE STATE MINIMUM SALARY IS INCREASED; TO PROVIDE FOR A REDUCTION IN FUNDS FOR DISTRICTS THAT VIOLATE THIS SECTION; TO PROVIDE THAT NO DISTRICT SHALL PAY ANY ASSISTANT TEACHER LESS THAN THE STATE MINIMUM SALARY UNLESS DONE SO BY A PRO RATA DAILY AMOUNT WHERE THERE HAS BEEN A REDUCTION IN TOTAL FUNDING FORMULA ALLOCATIONS FOR SUCH DISTRICT IN SUCH YEAR OR IN THE AMOUNT OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO SUCH DISTRICT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR; TO PROVIDE FOR AN INCREASE TO THE MINIMUM BASE SALARY FOR ASSISTANT TEACHERS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-151-203, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE BASE STUDENT COST; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-13-89 AND 37-13-91, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE QUALIFICATIONS FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS; TO DIRECT THE STATE TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ONE SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER FOR EVERY 4,000 COMPULSORY-SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN IN ENROLLMENT IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS; TO INSTITUTE A NEW MINIMUM SALARY SCHEDULE FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS; TO PROVIDE THAT EACH SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICER MAY RECEIVE AN ANNUAL SALARY SUPPLEMENT FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN WHICH HE OR SHE SERVES, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DISTRICT; TO REFORM THE MISSISSIPPI COMPULSORY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE LAW; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-9-39 and 37-151-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE TIME IN DECEMBER WHEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS SHALL PROCESS PAYROLL FOR ALL EMPLOYEES FROM THE LAST WORKING DAY TO A TIME CONSISTENT WITH OTHER MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS AS A MEANS OF PREVENTING THE 45-DAY GAP BETWEEN TEACHER PAY PERIODS FROM THE DECEMBER PAY DATE TO JANUARY PAY DATE; TO REPEAL SECTION 25-11-126, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CONTAINS PROVISIONS FOR RETIRED TEACHERS RETURNING TO WORK WHILE CONTINUING TO DRAW RETIREMENT BENEFITS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE ODOR OF MARIJUANA ALONE SHALL NOT PROVIDE A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH PROBABLE CAUSE TO CONDUCT A WARRANTLESS SEARCH OF A MOTOR VEHICLE, HOME OR OTHER PRIVATE PROPERTY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-165, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM CYBERSECURITY STANDARDS AND POLICIES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COUNTY REGISTRARS AND ELECTION COMMISSIONERS; TO STIPULATE THAT SUCH STANDARDS AND POLICIES AIM TO ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF MISSISSIPPI'S VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTION DATA IN THE STATEWIDE ELECTIONS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM; TO REQUIRE SUCH POLICIES TO BE ESTABLISHED NO LATER THAN JANUARY 1, 2027; TO PROVIDE FOR ASSESSMENTS OF ADHERENCE TO THE POLICIES; TO REQUIRE CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION; TO GRANT THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AUTHORITY TO USE SUCH INFORMATION FOR AUDITING PURPOSES; TO ALLOW MDITS AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO REQUEST RESULTS OF INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS; TO PROVIDE FOR FAILURE TO MEET THE ESTABLISHED CYBERSECURITY STANDARDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ENACT THE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR FERTILITY PRESERVATION SERVICES ACT; TO ENSURE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR STANDARD FERTILITY PRESERVATION SERVICES WHEN MEDICALLY NECESSARY TREATMENT MAY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CAUSE IATROGENIC INFERTILITY CONSISTENT WITH ESTABLISHED MEDICAL PRACTICE AND PROFESSIONAL GUIDELINES; TO PROVIDE THAT A CARRIER OFFERING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE IN THIS STATE SHALL PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR STANDARD FERTILITY PRESERVATION SERVICES FOR ANY COVERED INDIVIDUAL WHO MAY UNDERGO A MEDICALLY NECESSARY TREATMENT THAT MAY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CAUSE IATROGENIC INFERTILITY; TO PROHIBIT A CARRIER WHO OFFERS HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE IN THIS STATE FOR STANDARD FERTILITY PRESERVATION SERVICES FROM IMPOSING CERTAIN EXCLUSIONS, LIMITATIONS OR OTHER RESTRICTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-13-115, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN DISABLED CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME WHO HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, SEVERE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY, COMMUNICATION DISABILITY OR OTHER FUNCTIONAL LIMITATION, EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF A COMPLEX MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS; TO PROVIDE THAT ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS FOR SUCH CHILDREN SHALL BE BASED ON FUNCTIONAL NEED RATHER THAN MEDICAL COMPLEXITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE ANY PERSON WHO IS NOT A LICENSED GUN DEALER TO REQUIRE A BACKGROUND CHECK BEFORE THE TRANSFER OF A FIREARM AT A GUN SHOW; TO REQUIRE THE PROSPECTIVE FIREARM TRANSFEROR TO OBTAIN APPROVAL FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AFTER THE BACKGROUND CHECK HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY A LICENSED GUN DEALER; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO REQUIRE A PROSPECTIVE FIREARM TRANSFEROR WHO IS NOT A LICENSED GUN DEALER TO ARRANGE FOR A LICENSED GUN DEALER TO OBTAIN THE BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED BY THIS ACT; TO PROHIBIT A PROSPECTIVE FIREARM TRANSFEREE FROM ACCEPTING POSSESSION OF THE FIREARM UNLESS THE PROSPECTIVE FIREARM TRANSFEROR HAS OBTAINED APPROVAL OF THE TRANSFER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AFTER A BACKGROUND CHECK HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY A LICENSED GUN DEALER PURSUANT TO THIS ACT; TO PROHIBIT A PROSPECTIVE FIREARM TRANSFEREE FROM KNOWINGLY PROVIDING FALSE INFORMATION TO A PROSPECTIVE FIREARM TRANSFEROR OR TO A LICENSED GUN DEALER FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING A FIREARM; TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO TRANSFERS A FIREARM IN VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION MAY BE JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY LIABLE FOR ANY CIVIL DAMAGES PROXIMATELY CAUSED BY THE TRANSFEREE'S SUBSEQUENT USE OF THE FIREARM; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS TO THE REQUIREMENT OF A BACKGROUND CHECK; TO PROVIDE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION OF THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL BE INTERPRETED TO LIMIT OR OTHERWISE ALTER THE DUTIES OF A LICENSED GUN DEALER TRANSFERRING OR ATTEMPTING TO TRANSFER AT A GUN SHOW UNDER FEDERAL OR STATE LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 45-9-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 45-33-30, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT A PERSON WHO IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER FROM CHANGING HIS OR HER NAME WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 93-17-1, 45-33-25, 45-33-29, 45-33-33, AND 45-33-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW SECTION WITHIN TITLE 25, CHAPTER 61, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE TERMS OF ANY SETTLEMENT OF ANY CIVIL PROCEEDING BETWEEN A PUBLIC BODY AND ANY OTHER PARTY MAY NOT BE MADE CONFIDENTIAL BY THE PARTIES TO THE SETTLEMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 25-61-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 21-45-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE MUNICIPALITIES TO ENTER INTO VOLUNTARY TAXPAYER AGREEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH TAX INCREMENT FINANCING REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS; TO PROVIDE FOR OPTIONAL LIEN SECURITY FOR SUCH AGREEMENTS; TO AUTHORIZE CONDUIT BOND FINANCING SECURED BY TAXPAYER AGREEMENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH AGREEMENTS DO NOT CONSTITUTE TAXES, PUBLIC DEBT OR PLEDGES OF GOVERNMENTAL CREDIT; TO AMEND SECTION 21-45-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEFINE "TAXPAYER AGREEMENT" AND REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT" FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THAT ANY AMOUNT CHARGED TO A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC BY ANY GOVERNING BODY OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI OR ANY OF ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS THAT IS PERMITTED TO BE SATISFIED BY CASH PAYMENT SHALL BE FINALLY CALCULATED BY ROUNDING THE AMOUNT OWED TO THE NEAREST 5¢; TO SPECIFY THAT THIS ACT SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS PROHIBITING THE USE OF MONETARY UNITS SMALLER THAN 5¢ IN INTERMEDIATE CALCULATIONS OF THE AMOUNT OWED BEFORE ROUNDING; TO SPECIFY THAT PRIVATE MERCHANTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ROUND SALES, USE, EXCISE OR OTHER TRANSACTION TAXES, OR THEIR TOTAL SALES PRICE INCLUDING SUCH TAXES, TO THE NEAREST 5¢ IN THEIR SALES TRANSACTIONS, BUT IF THEY ELECT TO REMIT SUCH TAXES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IN CASH, THE AMOUNT OWED TO THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE FINALLY CALCULATED BY ROUNDING TO THE NEAREST 5¢; TO AMEND SECTIONS 25-3-21, 25-7-65, 27-15-153, 27-17-423, 27-19-81, 27-25-1, 27-31-79, 49-19-115, 65-1-46, 65-33-47, 69-7-263 AND 69-10-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-7-22.15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF THE INCOME TAX CREDIT AUTHORIZED FOR APPROVED REFORESTATION PRACTICES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 21-1-59, 27-31-1 AND 57-75-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 57-62-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW CERTAIN QUALIFIED BUSINESSES OR INDUSTRIES TO RECEIVE INCENTIVE PAYMENTS UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI ADVANTAGE JOBS ACT FOR 10 YEARS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 57-62-13, 57-114-5, 57-114-7 AND 57-114-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-7-22.48, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "ELIGIBLE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION," FOR PURPOSES OF AN INDIVIDUAL AND BUSINESS INCOME TAX CREDIT, TO INCLUDE A 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION THAT RAISES FUNDS FOR QUALIFIED TUITION PROGRAMS UNDER SECTION 529 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE FOR THE CHILDREN OF EMPLOYEES OF A MISSISSIPPI COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OR MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.