AN ACT TO PROVIDE A STATE INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR TAXPAYERS CLAIMING THE FEDERAL EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT; TO PROVIDE THE AMOUNT OF THE CREDIT; TO PROVIDE THAT IF THE AMOUNT OF CREDIT CLAIMED BY A TAXPAYER EXCEEDS THE AMOUNT OF INCOME TAX IMPOSED UPON THE TAXPAYER FOR THE TAXABLE YEAR, THEN THE TAXPAYER SHALL RECEIVE A REFUND FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE FOR THE AMOUNT OF SUCH EXCESS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON WHO IS CONVICTED OF A DRUG OFFENSE OR A NONVIOLENT CRIME AND IS SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS OR LESS AND IS HELD IN THE PHYSICAL CUSTODY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SHALL HAVE HIS OR HER SENTENCE COMMUTED TO TIME SERVED; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 47-7-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE "ROBERT G. CLARK, JR., EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY, JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AND MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY" FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO QUALIFYING STUDENTS PURSUING A DEGREE IN EDUCATION, WHO WILL THEN COMMIT TO THE PRACTICE OF TEACHING IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE DESIGNATED AS GEOGRAPHICAL CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGE AREAS BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEANS OF THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY, JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AND MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, RESPECTIVELY, SHALL ADMINISTER THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM; TO CAP THE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED ANNUALLY; TO LIMIT TO FOUR YEARS DURATION FOR WHICH A STUDENT MAY RECEIVE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS; TO DEFINE TERMINOLOGY USED IN THE ACT; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEANS OF THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION OF EACH RESPECTIVE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING DESIGNATED HEREIN TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE RESPECTIVE PRESIDENTS OF ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY, JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING; TO PRESCRIBE THE MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR RECEIPT OF SCHOLARSHIP, CONTINUED MAINTENANCE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP AND POST PROGRAM COMPLETION OBLIGATIONS AND PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO PERFORM THE CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP AGREEMENT; TO AUTHORIZE THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY, JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY AND MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGES OF EDUCATION TO ACCEPT GIFTS, DONATIONS, BEQUESTS, GRANTS AND ANY OTHER MONIES FROM ANY SOURCE WHATSOEVER TO BE USED FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE EACH DEAN TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT WHO RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS UNDER THE PROGRAM AND HOW MUCH EACH PERSON RECEIVED, AND THE AMOUNT OF ANY GIFTS, DONATIONS AND OTHER FUNDS RECEIVED AND HOW THOSE FUNDS WERE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "MISSISSIPPI GROCERY INITIATIVE ACT"; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES SHALL, SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION, ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI GROCERY INITIATIVE TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS IN FOOD DESERTS IN MISSISSIPPI AND AREAS AT RISK OF BECOMING FOOD DESERTS BY PROVIDING GRANTS AND OTHER FORMS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CERTAIN FOOD RESOURCES; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES MAY PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND COUNSELING TO MISSISSIPPI GROCERY INITIATIVE PARTICIPANTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO CONVERT THE THREE RESTITUTION CENTERS IN THE STATE TO POST-RELEASE REENTRY CENTERS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE POST-RELEASE REENTRY CENTERS SHALL BE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE, INCLUDING THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE AND EARLY RELEASE SUPERVISION, IF SUCH INDIVIDUALS DO NOT HAVE IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO HOUSING UPON RELEASE; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ADMINISTER SERVICES IN THE POST-RELEASE REENTRY CENTERS AS WELL AS OTHER FACILITIES THAT PROVIDE POST-RELEASE REENTRY SERVICES; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST RESIDENTS OF THE CENTERS IN OBTAINING CERTAIN REENTRY NECESSITIES SUCH AS HOUSING, JOB SKILLS TRAINING AND DRIVER'S LICENSES; TO AMEND SECTION 45-33-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN RESIDENCE RESTRICTIONS SHALL NOT APPLY TO POST-RELEASE REENTRY CENTERS; TO AMEND SECTION 45-33-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO CONVERT THE THREE RESTITUTION CENTERS IN THE STATE TO POST-RELEASE REENTRY CENTERS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE POST-RELEASE REENTRY CENTERS SHALL BE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE, INCLUDING THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE AND EARLY RELEASE SUPERVISION, IF SUCH INDIVIDUALS DO NOT HAVE IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO HOUSING UPON RELEASE; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ADMINISTER SERVICES IN THE POST-RELEASE REENTRY CENTERS AS WELL AS OTHER FACILITIES THAT PROVIDE POST-RELEASE REENTRY SERVICES; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ASSIST RESIDENTS OF THE CENTERS IN OBTAINING CERTAIN REENTRY NECESSITIES SUCH AS HOUSING, JOB SKILLS TRAINING AND DRIVER'S LICENSES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 45-33-35 AND 47-5-110, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTIONS; TO REPEAL SECTION 99-37-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO OPERATE RESTITUTION CENTERS; TO REPEAL SECTION 99-37-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES CERTAIN POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES REGARDING RESTITUTION CENTERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE PEER COMMITTEE, AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS, TO REVIEW AND EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES OF SUBCONTRACTS AND SUBGRANTS OF TANF FUNDS AWARDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, TO EXAMINE HOW THE SUBCONTRACTORS, SUBGRANTEES AND LOWER-TIER SUBRECIPIENTS OF THOSE FUNDS EXPENDED THE FUNDS AND DETERMINE WHETHER THOSE EXPENDITURES MET THE REQUIREMENTS OR GOALS FOR THE USE OF THOSE FUNDS; TO REQUIRE THE COMMITTEE TO PREPARE A REPORT OF ITS FINDINGS AND EVALUATIONS AND SUBMIT THE REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD AND THE STATE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD TO WORK JOINTLY TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO BE KNOWN AS THE "CAREER PATHWAYS INITIATIVE"; TO REQUIRE THE INITIATIVE TO INCREASE THE ACCESS OF LOW-INCOME PARENTS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS TO EDUCATION CREDENTIALS THAT QUALIFY THEM FOR HIGHER-PAYING JOBS IN THEIR LOCAL AREAS, IMPROVE THE PREPAREDNESS OF THE MISSISSIPPI WORKFORCE FOR HIGH-SKILL AND HIGH-WAGE JOBS, DEVELOP TRAINING COURSES AND EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS AFTER CONSULTING LOCAL EMPLOYERS AND LOCAL WORKFORCE BOARDS TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND NEEDED SKILLS AND TRAINING TO MEET EMPLOYERS' NEEDS, PROVIDE RESOURCES ON THE BASIS OF PERFORMANCE INCENTIVES, INCLUDING PARTICIPANTS ENROLLING IN COURSES, COMPLETING THE COURSES, OBTAINING JOBS IN THE TARGETED JOB CATEGORIES, AND STAYING EMPLOYED IN THE TARGETED JOB CATEGORIES; TO REQUIRE THE INITIATIVE TO USE AVAILABLE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) FUNDS FOR PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE CUSTODY OR LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR A CHILD UNDER TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE AND WHOSE FAMILY INCOME IS LESS THAN TWO HUNDRED FIFTY PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL; TO REQUIRE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING TO CONTRACT FOR THE PROVIDING OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING THAT WILL RESULT IN JOB TRAINING CERTIFICATES OR HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREES FOR LOW-INCOME ADULTS WITH STATE AGENCIES, TWO-YEAR COLLEGES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OR PRIVATE OR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS; TO AUTHORIZE TANF FUNDS TO BE COMBINED WITH OTHER FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL FUNDS IN WAYS CONSISTENT WITH FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE MORE FUNDING FOR THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FUNDS FOR THE MISSISSIPPI HOSPITAL EMERGENCY GRANT PROGRAM ESTABLISHED IN HOUSE BILL NO. _____, 2026 REGULAR SESSION, FOR THE PERIOD BEGINNING UPON THE PASSAGE OF THIS ACT AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2027.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT ANY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MAY BE EMPLOYED BY A COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT WHILE HOLDING THE POSITION OF SUPERVISOR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-17-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM INCOME AND RESOURCES LIMITS FOR ELIGIBILITY FOR TANF BENEFITS; TO DELETE THE FAMILY CAP ON THE RECEIPT OF TANF BENEFITS; TO DELETE THE MANDATORY UP-FRONT JOB SEARCH FOR TANF APPLICANTS; TO DELETE THE REQUIREMENT TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE DRUG TESTING AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE TANF BENEFITS; TO REMOVE THE FULL FAMILY SANCTION FOR REFUSAL OF AN ADULT OR CARETAKER RELATIVE TO PARTICIPATE IN ALLOWABLE WORK ACTIVITY AND HAVE THE SANCTION APPLY ONLY TO THAT PERSON; TO DELETE THE SANCTION FOR PERMANENT DISQUALIFICATION FOR TANF BENEFITS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE WORK REQUIREMENTS FOR TANF RECIPIENTS SHALL NOT APPLY TO THOSE RECIPIENTS WHO RESIDE IN AREAS THAT HAVE A HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OR DO NOT HAVE A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF JOBS TO PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT, AND SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY TANF RECIPIENTS DURING A FORMAL STATE OR FEDERAL DECLARATION OF A NATURAL DISASTER OR STATE OF EMERGENCY; TO AMEND SECTION 43-12-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE SANCTION PROVISIONS TO THOSE IN THE PRECEDING SECTION; TO REPEAL SECTION 43-12-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR A FAMILY CAP ON THE RECEIPT OF TANF BENEFITS; TO REPEAL SECTION 43-17-6, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REQUIRES APPLICANTS FOR AND RECIPIENTS OF TANF BENEFITS TO BE SCREENED AND TESTED FOR CERTAIN DRUGS AND RECEIVE TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-13-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI MEDICAID COMMISSION TO ADMINISTER THE MEDICAID PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP AND APPOINTMENT OF THE COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSION; TO ABOLISH THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID AND TRANSFER THE POWERS, DUTIES, PROPERTY AND EMPLOYEES OF THE DIVISION TO THE MEDICAID COMMISSION; TO AMEND SECTIONS 43-13-103, 43-13-105, 43-13-109, 43-13-113, 43-13-115, 43-13-116, 43-13-117, 43-13-120, 43-13-121, 43-13-123, 43-13-125, 43-13-139 AND 43-13-145, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-17-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT NO TANF FUNDS SHALL BE USED TO PAY FOR COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PERSONS WHO ARE NOT RECIPIENTS OF TANF BENEFITS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-17-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT NO TANF FUNDS SHALL BE PROVIDED TO ANY PERSON WHOSE INCOME IS MORE THAN 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 43-17-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE AND TRANSPORTATION FOR APPLICANTS FOR TANF BENEFITS DURING THE APPLICATION PROCESSING PERIOD, JOB READINESS CLASS, WORK PROGRAM INTAKE PROCESS AND OTHER INITIAL ORIENTATION MEETINGS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.