AN ACT TO CREATE THE "HEALING OUTREACH, PREVENTION AND EDUCATION (HOPE) ACT"; TO SET FORTH LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; TO REQUIRE THAT, BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2027, EVERY NURSE UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF NURSING WHO APPLIES FOR A NURSING LICENSE OR LICENSE RENEWAL SHALL CERTIFY TO THE BOARD THAT HE OR SHE HAS COMPLETED ONE HOUR OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING TRAINING THAT INCLUDES A TRAUMA-INFORMED CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO EDUCATE NURSES ON IDENTIFYING, RESPONDING TO AND REPORTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING; TO REQUIRE SUCH NURSES TO REPORT ANY SUSPECTED CASE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVOLVING A MINOR TO THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTIONS 43-21-353 AND 97-5-51, AND TO REPORT ANY SUSPECTED CASE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVOLVING AN ADULT TO APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES WHEN A VICTIM IS IN IMMINENT DANGER, AFTER CONFIRMING A VICTIM'S CONSENT, OR IN ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE WHEN DISCLOSURE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES IS REQUIRED BY LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 45-33-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION BY PERSONS CONVICTED OF HUMAN SEX TRAFFICKING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 75-29-951, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO FURTHER DEFINE COTTAGE FOODS AND RELATED TERMS; TO PROVIDE A LIST OF FOODS THAT ARE AUTHORIZED AS COTTAGE FOODS WITHIN THE STATE; TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM ANNUAL GROSS SALES FOR A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION TO BE EXEMPT FROM FOOD ESTABLISHMENT PERMIT FEES; TO REQUIRE THAT COTTAGE FOOD OPERATORS UNDERGO AND GET CERTIFIED FOR FOOD HANDLER SAFETY TRAINING; TO AMEND SECTION 67-3-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT HOMEMADE WINE OR LIGHT WINE SOLD IN A COTTAGE FOOD OPERATION FROM HOMEMADE WINE AND BEER RESTRICTIONS; 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 CREATE SECTION 29-5-2.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE BUREAU OF BUILDING, GROUNDS AND REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO ACT AS THE CENTRAL LEASING AGENT FOR ALL STATE AGENCIES THAT NEED OFFICE SPACE IN ANY STATE OR NONSTATE-OWNED BUILDING AND TO PRESCRIBE THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 29-5-2, 37-3-5, 41-4-7, 41-73-27, 43-13-116, 43-33-717, 49-19-5, 51-8-29, 51-8-31, 51-9-121, 51-11-11, 51-11-13, 57-1-23, 65-1-8, 65-1-17, 69-7-109, 69-27-35, 71-3-85, 73-7-3, 73-17-7, 73-39-57, 99-18-13 AND 99-39-113, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TITLED THE "DON TRIPLETT ACT"; TO ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN FOR PARENTAL ASSISTANCE WITHIN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF THE OMBUDSMAN BY THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE OMBUDSMAN SHALL REPORT TO THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION; TO ESTABLISH THE MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK EXPERIENCE, TOGETHER WITH KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, REQUIRED FOR THE OMBUDSMAN POSITION; TO PROVIDE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY OF OMBUDSMAN OFFICE RECORDS, AND TO EXEMPT SUCH RECORDS FROM THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC RECORDS ACT OF 1983; TO ALLOW THE OMBUDSMAN OFFICE TO SEEK AND ACCEPT CERTAIN GRANTS, GIFTS OR OTHER FUNDS TO SUPPORT ITS OPERATIONS; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT ANY RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE ROBERT G. CLARK, JR., VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF MISSISSIPPI; TO DEFINE RELEVANT TERMS; TO PROHIBIT VOTER SUPPRESSION AND VOTE DILUTION; TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI VOTING RIGHTS COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE THE CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS FOR NOMINATING A PERSON AS A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE HOW MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE SELECTED; TO PROVIDE HOW THE COMMISSION WILL DETERMINE PRECLEARANCE FOR COVERED POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS; TO PROVIDE THE PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING PRECLEARANCE; TO ESTABLISH PROTECTIONS FOR VOTERS WHO ARE CLASSIFIED AS LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT AND/OR DISABLED; TO PROVIDE WHAT ACCOMMODATIONS SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR COVERED INDIVIDUALS IN A PROTECTED CLASS; TO PROVIDE THE FRAMEWORK TO ESTABLISH THE STATE VOTING AND ELECTIONS DATABASE AND INSTITUTE; TO PROVIDE THE MISSION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE DATABASE AND INSTITUTE; TO PROHIBIT INTIMIDATION, DECEPTION OR OBSTRUCTIONS THAT WOULD AFFECT THE RIGHTS OF VOTERS TO PARTICIPATE IN ELECTIONS; TO REQUIRE PUBLIC NOTICE OF VOTING-RELATED CHANGES, SUCH AS GOVERNMENT BOUNDARIES, METHODS OF ELECTIONS OR DISTRICT MAPS; TO PROVIDE GROUNDS FOR ENFORCEMENT, ESTABLISH VENUE AND PROVIDE REMEDIES FOR LEGAL ACTIONS FILED UNDER RIGHTS ESTABLISHED BY THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO DONATE TO THE CITY OF RIDGELAND, MISSISSIPPI, A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND SITUATED IN RIDGELAND, MISSISSIPPI; TO STIPULATE THAT THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI SHALL RETAIN MINERAL RIGHTS; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CORRECT ANY DISCREPANCIES IN THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION; TO AMEND SECTION 1, CHAPTER 414, LAWS OF 2025, TO CORRECT THE METHOD BY WHICH THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION, ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IS AUTHORIZED TO DONATE TO THE CITY OF GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, CERTAIN PARCELS OF LAND SITUATED IN GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF 13TH STREET AND 28TH AVENUE AND 15TH STREET AND 28TH AVENUE; TO AMEND SECTION 1, CHAPTER 393, LAWS OF 2019, TO PROVIDE THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO SELL CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN LOWNDES COUNTY AND THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PROCEEDS GENERATED FROM THE SALE OF THE LAND SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE MISSISSIPPI EXISTING INDUSTRY PRODUCTIVITY LOAN PROGRAM BOND SINKING FUND; TO PROVIDE THAT MDA MAY CORRECT ANY DISCREPANCIES IN THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ENACT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DISASTER RECOVERY EMERGENCY LOAN PROGRAM ACT; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO ESTABLISH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DISASTER RECOVERY EMERGENCY LOAN PROGRAM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN RECOVERING FROM CERTAIN FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTERS BY ISSUING LOANS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS; TO PROVIDE THAT NO LOAN SHALL BE ISSUED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THIS ACT AFTER A CERTAIN DATE; TO SET FORTH THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY IN ADMINISTERING THIS ACT; TO ALLOW THE MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY TO AUTHORIZE AN ADMINISTRATOR TO CARRY OUT ANY OR ALL OF THE POWERS AND DUTIES ENUMERATED IN THIS ACT; TO EXEMPT THE MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY FROM ANY REQUIREMENT THAT THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REVIEW BOARD APPROVE ANY PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS OR PRE-APPROVE ANY SOLICITATION OF SUCH CONTRACTS FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ACT; TO CREATE A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY TO BE DESIGNATED AS THE "LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DISASTER RECOVERY EMERGENCY LOAN FUND"; TO REQUIRE EACH RECIPIENT OF A LOAN UNDER THE PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH A DEDICATED SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN IN THE EVENT THAT THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY DECLINES TO REIMBURSE AN EXPENDITURE FOR WHICH LOAN PROCEEDS WERE USED; TO PROVIDE THAT THE EXECUTED LOAN AGREEMENT WILL OBLIGATE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO REPAY THE PROCEEDS OF THE LOAN IMMEDIATELY UPON RECEIPT OF REIMBURSEMENTS FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE LOAN AGREEMENT SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE REPAYMENT OF ALL FUNDS RECEIVED FROM THE EMERGENCY FUND WITHIN NOT MORE THAN TWO YEARS FROM THE DATE THAT THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY DECLINED TO REIMBURSE FOR AN EXPENDITURE FOR WHICH LOAN PROCEEDS WERE USED; TO REQUIRE A RECIPIENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO PLEDGE ITS SALES TAX REVENUE DISTRIBUTION OR ITS HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ANNUAL TAX LOSS REIMBURSEMENT, AS THE CASE MAY BE, TO MEET THE REPAYMENT SCHEDULE CONTAINED IN THE LOAN AGREEMENT IN THE EVENT THAT THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY DECLINES TO REIMBURSE AN EXPENDITURE FOR WHICH LOAN PROCEEDS WERE USED; TO AMEND SECTION 27-104-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO BY THE MISSISSIPPI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY UNDER THIS ACT ARE EXEMPT FROM APPROVAL BY THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REVIEW BOARD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE AND ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND APPLIED SCIENCES TO ASSIST POULTRY FARMERS WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLANS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-181, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE THE WILD TURKEY STAMP FUND AS A SPECIAL FUND WITHIN THE STATE TREASURY; TO PROVIDE THAT ALL REVENUE COLLECTED FROM THE PROCEEDS OF WILD TURKEY STAMPS SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO SUCH FUND AND SHALL BE DESIGNATED FOR USE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS ONLY FOR CERTAIN OBJECTIVES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-153, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A RESIDENT WHO IS 65 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER MAY PURCHASE A LIFETIME CONSERVATIONIST LEGACY LICENSE TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE CONSERVATION AND TO LEAVE A LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS; TO SET THE FEE FOR A LIFETIME LEGACY LICENSE AT NOT LESS THAN $250.00; TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-151, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PERMIT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO DESIGNATE A PERIOD OF REFLECTION AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SCHOOL DAY TO PROVIDE FOR STUDENT-INITIATED PRAYER ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-13-4, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-4.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PERMIT LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO DESIGNATE A PERIOD OF PRAYER OR REFLECTION AT SCHOOL EVENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE TOWN OF MEADVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, TO LEVY A 3% TAX UPON THE GROSS PROCEEDS FROM ROOM RENTALS OF HOTELS, MOTELS, AND BED AND BREAKFASTS WITHIN THE TOWN, EXCLUDING THE GROSS PROCEEDS OF SUCH RENTALS OF 30 DAYS OR LONGER, AND TO UTILIZE THE REVENUE FROM THE TAX TO PROMOTE TOURISM AND PARKS AND RECREATION; TO REQUIRE THAT, BEFORE SUCH TAX MAY BE LEVIED, AN ELECTION BE HELD ON THE QUESTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-7-191, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ISSUE A CERTIFICATE OF NEED TO A NONPROFIT COMPANY BASED IN JEFFERSON COUNTY THAT PREVIOUSLY HAD A CERTIFICATE OF NEED TO PROVIDE HOME HEALTH SERVICES BEFORE THE HOME HEALTH MORATORIUM WAS ENACTED, TO PROVIDE HOME HEALTH SERVICES IN ADAMS, AMITE, FRANKLIN, JEFFERSON AND WILKINSON COUNTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO RENAME THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY BIOTECHNOLOGY BUILDING, LOCATED IN LORMAN, JEFFERSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, THE "WILLIE L. SIMMONS BIOTECHNOLOGY BUILDING"; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO PREPARE OR HAVE PREPARED A DISTINCTIVE PLAQUE TO PLACE WITHIN THE BUILDING THAT STATES THE BACKGROUND, ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SERVICE OF WILLIE L. SIMMONS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNIVERSITY, TO ERECT THE PROPER LETTERING OR SIGNAGE ON THE OUTDOOR FACADE OF THE BUILDING DISPLAYING THE OFFICIAL NAME; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.