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 MISSISSIPPI IT OPTIMIZATION ACT; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO ESTABLISH THE STATEWIDE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM WHICH SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE COORDINATED PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND OVERSIGHT OF THE ENTERPRISE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ARCHITECTURE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN EFFECTUATING THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE EACH AGENCY'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR AGENCY HEAD TO COMPLY WITH THIS ACT IN CERTAIN WAYS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE TECHNOLOGY OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM SHALL BE MANAGED BY ITS AND EXTERNALLY SUPPORTED BY THE CIO COUNCIL; TO PROVIDE THAT SENSITIVE INFORMATION, RECORDS AND DOCUMENTATION SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC RECORDS ACT AND THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED BY PHASE; TO GRANT PERMISSION TO CERTAIN PARTIES TO USE ACQUISITIONS MADE ON BEHALF OF OR BY ITS FOR PURPOSES OF SHARED USE; TO AUTHORIZE ITS TO RECEIVE DONATIONS, GRANTS AND OTHER FUNDING; TO AUTHORIZE ITS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT AN INTERNSHIP, FELLOWSHIP OR OTHER RELATED PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE FOR FUNDS DESIGNATED BY AGENCIES FOR PROCUREMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY; TO AUTHORIZE ITS TO EXERCISE ALL POWERS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
AN ACT TO CREATE A STATE SECURITY OPERATIONS CENTER (SSOC) WITHIN THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES; TO PROVIDE SERVICES RENDERED BY THE CENTER; TO PROVIDE THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SSOC; TO OUTLINE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGENCIES; TO GRANT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT CERTAIN ENFORCEMENT POWERS; TO AUTHORIZE THE SSOC TO COLLABORATE WITH CERTAIN PARTIES; TO ESTABLISH AN ANNUAL REPORTING REQUIREMENT; TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT TO ADOPT RULES, STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THIS ACT; TO CREATE CERTAIN LIMITATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
AN ACT TO ENACT THE KIDS ONLINE PROTECTION AND ANTI-GROOMING ACT; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO PROVIDE THAT EVERY OWNER OR OPERATOR OF A COVERED PLATFORM WHO CONTRACTS WITH A MINOR SHALL OWE A DUTY OF CARE TO THE MINOR; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DUTY OF CARE SHALL REQUIRE THE COVERED PLATFORM TO TAKE CERTAIN REASONABLE MEASURES; TO REQUIRE A COVERED PLATFORM TO NOTIFY THE LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE OF A MINOR IF A MINOR MAKES A MICROTRANSACTION ON A COVERED PLATFORM, A MINOR IS EXPOSED TO SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL ON A COVERED PLATFORM OR A CONNECTION IS MADE BETWEEN AN ADULT AND A MINOR ON A COVERED PLATFORM; TO AUTHORIZE A LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE OF A MINOR TO OPT OUT OF THE PROTECTIONS REQUIRED IN THIS ACT BY PROVIDING EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT TO A COVERED PLATFORM; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY OWNER OR OPERATOR OF A COVERED PLATFORM WHO IS FOUND TO HAVE VIOLATED THIS ACT SHALL BE LIABLE TO AN INDIVIDUAL FOR DAMAGES, COURT COSTS, AND REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 77-3-22, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION TO CANCEL A MUNICIPALITY'S CERTIFICATE TO PROVIDE WATER SERVICE GREATER THAN ONE MILE OUTSIDE OF ITS BOUNDARIES UPON A FINDING OF INADEQUACY OF SERVICE; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 77-3-21 AND 77-3-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-45-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MIRROR CERTAIN ELEMENTS OF FEDERAL COMPUTER FRAUD; TO CRIMINALIZE THE UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS OF A COMPUTER; TO CRIMINALIZE THE ACCESS OF A PROTECTED COMPUTER WITH INTENT TO DEFRAUD AND GAIN A THING OF VALUE; TO CRIMINALIZE THE ACCESS OF A COMPUTER WITH INTENT TO DEFRAUD AND TRAFFIC PASSWORDS; TO CRIMINALIZE THE TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATION TO EXTORT FROM ANY PERSON ANY MONEY OR OTHER THING OF VALUE; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS RELATED TO COMPUTER FRAUD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
AN ACT TO ENACT THE TEACHING HONESTY, RESPECT, INTEGRITY, VIRTUE, AND EXCELLENCE (THRIVE) ACT; TO DIRECT THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL REQUIRE DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SUCCESS SEQUENCE AND CHARACTER EDUCATION COURSES TO BE TAUGHT IN ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF THIS STATE; TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT, NOT LATER THAN JUNE 30, 2026, TO APPROVE A LIST OF COMPLIANT COURSES AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS; TO PROVIDE A LIST OF VALUES AND CHARACTER TRAITS THE COURSES ARE TO TEACH; TO DIRECT EACH SCHOOL BOARD TO ADOPT A PROCESS TO ISSUE A PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE ADOPTION OF THE SUCCESS SEQUENCE AND CHARACTER EDUCATION COURSES, TO MAKE COURSE MATERIALS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION, AND TO PROVIDE PARENTS A MEANS TO OPT THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF PARTICIPATION IN THE COURSES; TO REQUIRE ANNUAL REPORTING BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO THE LEGISLATURE; TO REQUIRE EACH SCHOOL BOARD TO ADOPT A POLICY TO MAKE THE SCHOOL PREMISES AVAILABLE FOR VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION BY STUDENTS, WITH THE CONSENT OF THE STUDENT'S PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN, IN AFTER-SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY THIRD PARTIES THAT INSTRUCT PUPILS IN THE PHILOSOPHICAL, HISTORICAL, TRADITIONAL, OR RELIGIOUS JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE SUCCESS SEQUENCE AND CHARACTER EDUCATION COURSES; 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 BE KNOWN AS THE "GOLD AND SILVER COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT"; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE TREASURER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENT WITH A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE MINTING COMPANY FOR THE PURPOSES OF MINTING ONE-OUNCE GOLD STATE COMMEMORATIVE COINS OR ONE-OUNCE SILVER COMMEMORATIVE COINS FOR THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
AN ACT TO ENACT THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD TRICARE PREMIUM REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM TO REIMBURSE MEMBERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD FOR THE COST OF PREMIUMS FOR TRICARE RESERVE SELECT HEALTH CARE PLANS; TO STATE THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA; TO PROVIDE THAT ELIGIBLE MEMBERS SHALL RECEIVE A REIMBURSEMENT FOR ELIGIBLE TRICARE RESERVE SELECT PREMIUMS PAID AT THE CURRENT TRICARE RESERVE SELECT PREMIUM RATE; TO REQUIRE THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE FUNDS FOR THIS PROGRAM SHALL BE SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION BY THE LEGISLATURE; TO REQUIRE AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CYBERSECURITY ACT; TO REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT, WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE, AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CYBERSECURITY; TO PRESCRIBE THE GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CYBERSECURITY AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE DUTIES PRESCRIBED UNDER THIS ACT; TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CYBERSECURITY FUND; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND THE STATE PERSONNEL BOARD SHALL HAVE THE POWERS NECESSARY IN CARRYING OUT THE CREATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CYBERSECURITY REQUIRED BY THIS ACT; 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 DECLARE LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS; TO REQUIRE STUDENTS AT STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND JUNIOR COLLEGES TO COMPLETE A FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSE AS A CONDITION OF GRADUATION; TO OUTLINE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCH FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSE; TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION FOR INSTITUTIONS AND COLLEGES; TO GRANT THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD AUTHORITY TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS NECESSARY FOR IMPLEMENTATION; TO GIVE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD THE AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM LEARNING OUTCOMES AND COMPETENCY STANDARDS; TO ALLOW THE BOARDS TO COORDINATE; TO CREATE COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES; TO PROVIDE FOR HIGH SCHOOL FINANCIAL LITERACY COURSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-151-205, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE MISSISSIPPI STUDENT FUNDING FORMULA TO INCREASE THE WEIGHT AND MULTIPLIER FOR GIFTED EDUCATION; TO REQUIRE THAT AMOUNTS PROVIDED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS A RESULT OF SUCH GIFTED EDUCATION WEIGHT AND MULTIPLIER GO DIRECTLY TOWARD GIFTED EDUCATION INSTRUCTION; TO INCLUDE SEVENTH- AND EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENTS AMONG STUDENTS ENROLLED IN A CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSE FOR WEIGHT PURPOSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-13-8.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS TO ALLOW A CHRISTIAN BIBLE PROVIDED BY A PERSON OR ENTITY OTHER THAN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO BE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOMS AND LIBRARIES; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-6, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS TO TAKE SUCH ACTIONS AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS THAT SCHOOLS PROPERLY DISPLAY THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES AND RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE DAILY IN CLASSROOMS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT REQUIRING THE DAILY RECITATION OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.