AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-65-111, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT FROM SALES TAXATION SALES OF TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY OR SERVICES TO THE MISSISSIPPI AQUARIUM IN GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-519, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE SHERIFFS AND THEIR DEPUTIES TO USE RADAR SPEED DETECTION DEVICES ON THE PUBLIC ROADS, STREETS AND HIGHWAYS FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ENFORCING SPEED LIMITS WITHIN THE SPECIAL ZONES DESIGNATED IN THE VICINITY OF SCHOOLS; TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-515, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT FUNDS FROM VIOLATIONS OF THE SPECIAL ZONES DESIGNATED IN THE VICINITY OF A SCHOOL SHALL BE USED BY COUNTIES FOR SCHOOL SAFETY BY FUNDING SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS OR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ASSIGNED TO SCHOOLS OR BY FUNDING SAFETY TRAINING OF SCHOOL FACULTY AND STAFF; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-127, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO BE EMPLOYED AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH AN EMPLOYER OTHER THAN THE EMPLOYER FOR WHICH THE RETIREE WAS WORKING AT THE TIME OF RETIREMENT AND DRAW THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE, DURING WHICH TIME THE RETIREE MAY WORK THE FULL NUMBER OF NORMAL WORKING DAYS FOR THE POSITION AND RECEIVE THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE SALARY IN EFFECT FOR THE POSITION AT THE TIME OF EMPLOYMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTIONS 25-11-149, 25-11-321 AND 25-13-37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE RECEIPT OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE SUPPLEMENTAL LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM IS CONDITIONED ON THE MEMBER'S HONEST AND FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE OF HIS OR HER PUBLIC DUTIES FOR THE STATE; TO PROVIDE THAT A MEMBER'S CONVICTION OF OR PLEA OF GUILTY OR NOLO CONTENDERE TO A FELONY INVOLVING PUBLIC FUNDS OF $50,000.00 OR MORE IS CONSIDERED TO BE A BREACH OF THE PUBLIC TRUST AND A BREACH OF THE MEMBER'S CONTRACT WITH THE STATE; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A MEMBER OF THE SYSTEM OR PLAN IS CONVICTED OF OR ENTERS A PLEA OF GUILTY OR NOLO CONTENDERE IN ANY COURT TO A FELONY INVOLVING PUBLIC FUNDS OF $50,000.00 OR MORE THAT IS COMMITTED ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2026, THE COURT SHALL CONDUCT A HEARING IN A SEPARATE CIVIL PROCEEDING TO DETERMINE IF ALL OF THE CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET; TO PROVIDE THAT IF ALL OF THE CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN MET, THE COURT SHALL ISSUE AN ORDER THAT THE MEMBER BE TERMINATED FROM MEMBERSHIP IN THE SYSTEM OR PLAN AND FORFEIT HIS OR HER RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM THE SYSTEM OR PLAN; TO PROVIDE THAT A MEMBER WHO IS CONVICTED OF SUCH A CRIME SHALL NOT BE TERMINATED FROM MEMBERSHIP IN THE SYSTEM OR PLAN OR FORFEIT HIS OR HER RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM THE SYSTEM OR PLAN UNTIL ALL APPEALS OF THE CONVICTION HAVE BEEN FINALLY CONCLUDED OR THE TIME FOR AN APPEAL FROM THE CONVICTION HAS EXPIRED; TO PROVIDE THAT AFTER RECEIVING THE TERMINATION AND FORFEITURE ORDER FROM THE COURT, THE SYSTEM SHALL REQUEST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR A DETERMINATION OF WHETHER ALL APPEALS OF THE CONVICTION HAVE BEEN FINALLY CONCLUDED OR THE TIME FOR AN APPEAL FROM THE CONVICTION HAS EXPIRED; TO PROVIDE THAT AFTER THE ATTORNEY GENERAL NOTIFIES THE SYSTEM THAT ALL APPEALS OF THE CONVICTION HAVE BEEN FINALLY CONCLUDED OR THE TIME FOR AN APPEAL FROM THE CONVICTION HAS EXPIRED, THE SYSTEM SHALL TERMINATE THE MEMBER FROM MEMBERSHIP IN THE SYSTEM OR PLAN AND THE MEMBER SHALL FORFEIT HIS OR HER RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM THE SYSTEM OR PLAN; TO PROVIDE THAT A MEMBER WHO IS TERMINATED FROM MEMBERSHIP IN THE SYSTEM OR PLAN SHALL HAVE HIS OR HER CONTRIBUTIONS REFUNDED WITHOUT ANY INTEREST; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A MEMBER OF THE SYSTEM OR PLAN IS ALSO A MEMBER OF ANOTHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM ADMINISTERED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE SYSTEM, AND THE CRIME FOR WHICH THE MEMBER WAS CONVICTED OR ENTERED A PLEA OF GUILTY OR NOLO CONTENDERE IS A FELONY INVOLVING PUBLIC FUNDS OF $50,000.00 OR MORE THAT IS COVERED BY ONLY ONE OF THE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS, THE MEMBER WILL BE TERMINATED ONLY FROM THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM IN WHICH HIS OR HER EMPLOYMENT WAS COVERED AT THE TIME THAT HE OR SHE COMMITTED THE CRIME, AND WILL FORFEIT RETIREMENT BENEFITS ONLY FROM THAT RETIREMENT SYSTEM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SYSTEM MAY CONCLUSIVELY RELY ON A TERMINATION AND FORFEITURE ORDER FROM THE COURT AND THE NOTICE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ACT HAVE BEEN MET IN TERMINATING A MEMBER FROM MEMBERSHIP IN THE SYSTEM OR PLAN; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT LIABLE FOR ANY MISTAKE IN THE PAYMENT OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS TO A MEMBER IN GOOD FAITH RELIANCE ON A TERMINATION AND FORFEITURE ORDER FROM THE COURT AND THE NOTICE FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY AMBIGUITY OR UNCERTAINTY ABOUT WHETHER A MEMBER SHOULD BE TERMINATED FROM MEMBERSHIP IN THE SYSTEM OR PLAN OR FORFEIT HIS OR HER RETIREMENT BENEFITS FROM THE SYSTEM OR PLAN SHALL BE RESOLVED IN FAVOR OF THE MEMBER; TO AMEND SECTIONS 25-11-105, 25-11-111, 25-11-117, 25-11-120, 25-11-129, 25-11-305, 25-11-309, 25-11-311, 25-11-319, 25-13-3, 25-13-11, 25-13-21, 25-13-28 AND 25-13-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "AVERAGE COMPENSATION" FOR MEMBERS IN THE NEW TIER TO MEAN THE AVERAGE OF THE FOUR HIGHEST CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF EARNED COMPENSATION, OR OF THE LAST 48 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OF EARNED COMPENSATION, WHICHEVER IS GREATER; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 25-11-109, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-111, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS IN THE NEW TIER WHO HAVE COMPLETED AT LEAST EIGHT YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP SERVICE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE UPON WITHDRAWAL FROM SERVICE AT THE AGE OF 60, AND MEMBERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED AT LEAST 30 YEARS OF CREDITABLE SERVICE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE UPON WITHDRAWAL FROM SERVICE REGARDLESS OF AGE; TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS IN THE NEW TIER WHO WITHDRAW FROM SERVICE BEFORE AGE 60 AND HAVE COMPLETED AT LEAST EIGHT YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP SERVICE AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REFUND OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE UPON ATTAINING THE AGE OF 60; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ANNUAL RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE OF A MEMBER WHO HAS ATTAINED THE AGE OF 60 BUT HAS NOT COMPLETED AT LEAST 30 YEARS OF CREDITABLE SERVICE SHALL BE REDUCED BY AN ACTUARIAL EQUIVALENT FACTOR FOR EACH YEAR OF CREDITABLE SERVICE BELOW 30 YEARS OR THE NUMBER OF YEARS IN AGE THAT THE MEMBER IS BELOW AGE 65, WHICHEVER IS LESS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 25-11-112, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-114, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT WITH RESPECT TO RETIREMENT ALLOWANCES FOR DEATH BEFORE RETIREMENT OR DEATH OR DISABILITY IN THE LINE OF DUTY; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 25-11-115, 25-11-117 AND 25-11-147, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-123, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PROCEEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-21-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM ASSISTANT TEACHER SALARY TO $20,000.00; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO APPLY TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR A WAIVER FROM THE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADES 3 THROUGH 8; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO INCORPORATE COMPONENTS WITHIN THE EXISTING FINANCIAL LITERACY CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 6 THROUGH 8 BEGINNING WITH THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR; TO REQUIRE PASSAGE OF A ONE-HALF CARNEGIE UNIT COURSE IN FINANCIAL LITERACY AS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE IN CHARTER SCHOOLS, BEGINNING WITH THE 2031 GRADUATING CLASS; TO ESTABLISH THE FINANCIAL LITERACY TRUST FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY TO SUPPORT FINANCIAL LITERACY EDUCATION; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADMINISTER THE FUND; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-7-301, 37-16-7 AND 37-28-45 MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-126, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE CRITERIA AND SCALE OF COMPENSATION FOR ELIGIBLE RETIRED TEACHERS WHO RETURN TO THE TEACHING PROFESSION AS CONTRIBUTING BUT NONBENEFIT ACCRUING MEMBERS OF THE PERS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-19-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE 50/50 SPLIT OF EMPLOYER'S CONTRIBUTION OF RETIRED TEACHERS AS PENSION LIABILITY PARTICIPATION ASSESSMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "MISSISSIPPI TOURISM REORGANIZATION ACT"; TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM; TO REQUIRE THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT, WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE, AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM; TO PRESCRIBE THE GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM OF GRANTS TO BE MATCHED BY TOURISM ENTITIES IN THE STATE; TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM TO SELL ADVERTISING AND OTHER TOURISM PROMOTIONAL INFORMATION AND TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM ADVERTISING FUND; TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI TOURISM ASSOCIATION MARKETING ADVISORY BOARD TO ASSIST THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM; 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 TOURISM REQUIRED BY THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 27-65-75, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DIVERT A PORTION OF SALES TAX REVENUE COLLECTED FROM RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM ADVERTISING FUND INSTEAD OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TOURISM FUND; TO REPEAL SECTION 57-1-59, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WITH RESPECT TO TOURISM; TO REPEAL SECTION 57-1-60, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM OF GRANTS TO FINANCE, PROMOTE AND ADVERTISE LOCAL TOURIST ATTRACTIONS; TO REPEAL SECTION 57-1-61, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS OF THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM DIVISION OF THE AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL BOARD TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT; TO REPEAL SECTION 57-1-63, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE TRANSFER OF POWERS AND DUTIES OF STATE AGENCIES RELATING TO TOURISM TO THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; TO REPEAL SECTION 57-1-64, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO SELL ADVERTISING AND OTHER TOURISM INFORMATION AND CREATES THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TOURISM ADVERTISING FUND; TO REPEAL SECTION 57-1-64.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES THE MISSISSIPPI TOURISM ASSOCIATION MARKETING ADVISORY BOARD TO ASSIST THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO DESIGNATE A SEGMENT OF MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY 537 LOCATED IN YAZOO COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, AS THE "COLONEL DONNELL BERRY MEMORIAL HIGHWAY"; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE COURTS TO ADD AN ENHANCED PENALTY FOR CRIMES COMMITTED WHILE WEARING A FACIAL MASK OR FACIAL COVERING DURING THE COMMISSION OF SUCH CRIME; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ESTEEMED AND LAUDABLE LEGISLATIVE CAREER AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE MOST HONORABLE, DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN FROM TAYLORSVILLE, FORMER REPRESENTATIVE BLAINE H. "BO" EATON II.

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE MISSISSIPPI VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER LENGTH-OF-SERVICE AWARDS PROGRAM FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING SHIP ISLAND EXCURSIONS ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY.