AN ACT ENTITLED THE "MISSISSIPPI VETERANS MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION THERAPY QUALITY OF CARE ACT OF 2026"; TO SET FORTH THE PURPOSE OF THE ACT; TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI VETERANS SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE PROGRAM; TO DESCRIBE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE BOARD IN MAINTAINING THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THE STATE VETERANS AFFAIRS BOARD TO CREATE A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PROGRAM; TO OUTLINE CRITERIA THE PLAN MUST MEET; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO COMPLETE THE PLAN AND MAKE IT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2026; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO PERIODICALLY UPDATE THE PLAN AND MAKE SUCH UPDATES PUBLICLY AVAILABLE; TO PROHIBIT UNETHICAL CONDUCT AND IMPROPER COLLECTION OF FEES RELATING TO ASSISTANCE OR REFERRALS IN VETERANS BENEFITS MATTERS; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON WHO RECEIVES COMPENSATION FOR ASSISTING AN INDIVIDUAL REGARDING ANY VETERANS BENEFITS IS HELD TO THE SAME ETHICAL STANDARD AS AN ATTORNEY; TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION OF THIS ACT SHALL BE DEEMED A DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE ACTIONABLE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 75-24-5, 75-24-15 AND 35-3-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 43-17-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SHALL SET ASIDE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF THE MONIES RECEIVED BY THE STATE UNDER THE FEDERAL TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES BLOCK GRANT DURING EACH FISCAL YEAR TO FUND GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SPECIFICALLY WORKING WITH MILITARY OR FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES, OR BOTH, TO PROVIDE MARRIAGE COUNSELING, PREPARATION AND SUPPORT; TO AMEND SECTION 43-17-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING PROVISION; TO ENACT THE MISSISSIPPI VETERANS CLAIMS REPRESENTATION PROTECTION ACT; TO DEFINE TERMS; TO PROHIBIT UNACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVES FROM REPRESENTING, ADVISING OR ASSISTING VETERANS OR DEPENDENTS IN PREPARING OR FILING CLAIMS FOR VA BENEFITS; TO PROHIBIT UNACCREDITED REPRESENTATIVES FROM ADVERTISING OR HOLDING THEMSELVES OUT AS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING CERTAIN SERVICES; TO CREATE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO MAINTAIN A REGISTRY OF ACCREDITED VA CLAIMS REPRESENTATIVES AND PROVIDE PUBLIC NOTICE TO ASSIST VETERANS IN IDENTIFYING THE SAME; TO REQUIRE A STUDY ON THE QUALITY OF CARE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION THERAPY CARE PROVIDED BY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS COMPARED TO NONDEPARTMENT PROVIDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT UNETHICAL CONDUCT AND IMPROPER COLLECTION OF FEES RELATING TO ASSISTANCE OR REFERRALS IN VETERANS BENEFITS MATTERS; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON WHO RECEIVES COMPENSATION FOR ASSISTING AN INDIVIDUAL REGARDING ANY VETERANS BENEFITS IS HELD TO THE SAME ETHICAL STANDARD AS AN ATTORNEY; TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION OF THIS ACT SHALL BE DEEMED A DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE ACTIONABLE BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 75-24-5, 75-24-15 AND 35-3-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CODIFY SECTION 27-115-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE A "VETERANS' ASSISTANCE LOTTERY" TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE MISSISSIPPI LOTTERY CORPORATION; TO PRESCRIBE THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CORPORATION TO MARKET AND ADVERTISE THE VETERANS' LOTTERY TO ENSURE THAT THE GAME REMAINS COMPETITIVE; TO PROVIDE FOR SALES AGENTS; TO CREATE THE FUND FOR VETERANS' ASSISTANCE AS A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY WHICH SHALL RECEIVE PROCEEDS FROM THE VETERANS' LOTTERY WHICH SHALL BE APPROPRIATED TO THE MISSISSIPPI VETERANS' AFFAIRS BOARD FOR THE SUPPORT OF VETERANS' PROGRAMS IN MISSISSIPPI; TO AMEND SECTION 27-115-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE DEPOSIT OF MONIES RECEIVED FROM THE SALE OF VETERANS' LOTTERY TICKETS INTO THE FUND FOR VETERANS' ASSISTANCE; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-115-5, 27-115-17 AND 27-115-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY; 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 NEW SECTION 43-17-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SHALL SET ASIDE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF THE MONIES RECEIVED BY THE STATE UNDER THE FEDERAL TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES BLOCK GRANT DURING EACH FISCAL YEAR TO FUND GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SPECIFICALLY WORKING WITH MILITARY OR FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES, OR BOTH, TO PROVIDE MARRIAGE COUNSELING, PREPARATION AND SUPPORT; TO AMEND SECTION 43-17-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING PROVISION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 33-1-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OR AUTHORIZED DAYS OF PAID ANNUAL MILITARY LEAVE FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ALSO MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD; 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 AUTHORIZE STATE AGENCIES AND DIVISIONS THEREOF TO ENTER INTO INTERGOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT AGREEMENTS WITH MILITARY BRANCHES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI VETERANS SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE PROGRAM; TO DESCRIBE THE ACTIVITIES OF THE BOARD IN MAINTAINING THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THE STATE VETERANS AFFAIRS BOARD TO CREATE A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PROGRAM; TO OUTLINE CRITERIA THE PLAN MUST MEET; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO COMPLETE THE PLAN AND MAKE IT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE BEFORE DECEMBER 1, 2026; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD TO PERIODICALLY UPDATE THE PLAN AND MAKE SUCH UPDATES PUBLICLY AVAILABLE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT CIRCUIT COURT JUDGES FROM PROVIDING ANY POLITICAL CANDIDATE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC DURING COURT TERMS; TO AMEND SECTION 23-15-973, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT CIRCUIT JUDGES FROM ALLOWING ANY POLITICAL CANDIDATE TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC DURING COURT TERMS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-34-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE COMMISSIONS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF ANOTHER STATE WHO RESIDE WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF THE BORDER OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 5-8-3 AND 5-8-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE REGISTERED LOBBYISTS TO INCLUDE IN ANNUAL REGISTRATION STATEMENTS WHETHER THE LOBBYIST'S CLIENT IS A FOREIGN PRINCIPAL OF A FOREIGN ADVERSARY AND TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A "DISABLED VETERAN AND DEPENDENTS PATRIOT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM" TO PROVIDE TUITION AND FEE WAIVERS FOR ELIGIBLE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS; TO PROVIDE CRITERIA FOR CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY AND FOR THE MAXIMUM DURATION OF THE WAIVER; TO PROVIDE FOR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND THE ADJUTANT GENERAL; TO AMEND SECTION 37-106-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM PROVISIONS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN OF PRISONERS OF WAR OR MIA/S IN SOUTHEAST ASIA; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-13-56, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT, BEGINNING IN THE 2027-2028 SCHOOL YEAR, EVERY PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOL WITHIN THE STATE SHALL TEACH CIVICS COURSES STARTING IN THE 8TH GRADE AND BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF 12TH GRADE; TO PROVIDE THE AIM AND CONTENT OF SUCH COURSES; TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL PRESCRIBE THE COURSE OF STUDY AND SHALL UPDATE COURSE STANDARDS TO ALIGN WITH CURRENT CIVICS SCHOLARSHIP; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 33-11-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE ADJUTANT GENERAL TO MAKE CONVEYANCES OF REAL PROPERTY ON BEHALF OF THE STATE TO ANY COUNTY, MUNICIPALITY OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF A NONPROFIT ENTITY THAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE MISSISSIPPI MILITARY DEPARTMENT OR THE BEST INTEREST OF VETERANS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.