Transcript Highlights:

• rights for sexual assault victims and authorizing a civil penalty for violations under criminal jurisprudence
• I will put the desires and the needs of the Texans that we serve and the voters who sent us here, and
• rights for sexual assault victims and authorizing a civil penalty for violations under criminal jurisprudence
• And for the Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence.
• SB 1038 by Sparks relates to the administrative remedies for certain fraud and abuse violations under

Bills: HJR99, HB1399, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HCR35, SB14, HB 12, HB1522, HB422, HB675, HB204, HB748, HB912, HJR99, HB1399, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HCR35, HCR123, HCR124, HR57, HR87, HR111, HR228, HR230, HR322, HR624, HR625, HR626, HR627, HR628, HR630, HR631, HR634, HR635, HR636, HR637, HR638, HR639, HR640, HR645, HR646, HR648, HR649, HR651, HR652, HR653, HR654, HR664, HR665, HR668, HR675, HR676, HR678, HR679, HR680, HR683, HR686, HR688, HR689, HR694, HR695, HR697, HR698, HR699, HR472, HR622, HR632, HR633, HR643, HR655, HR657, HR660, HR661, HR662, HR663, HR667, HR670, HR674, HR681, HR682, HR696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• c> but ours is declining and um and and and but ours is declining and um and and and we<00:15:22.399>
• > that there and said it on the speech and that there and said it on the speech and that school
• <00:44:10.480> and<00:44:10.640> and and try to assimilate and and and and try to assimilate
• And as a result, the university has had to provide remedial courses when they first come in to bring
• <00:51:19.680> a by the hand and and help them maybe a by the hand and and help them maybe

Bills: SB344, SB344

Keywords: Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, monuments, historic preservation, memorial buildings, memorial schools, memorial streets, architecturally significant buildings, public property, waiver process, Committee on Alabama Monument Protection, Attorney General, civil penalty, historic marker, renaming, relocation, removal, public memorials, heritage preservation, state historic preservation fund, governmental entity

Bills: HR58, HR59, HR60, HR61, HR62, HR63, HR64, HCR32, HB43, HB447, HB573, HB1000, HB1001, HB1002, HB1003, HB1004, HB1005, HR46, HR48, HR50, HR51, HR52, HR53, HR54, HR55, HR56, HR57, HCR31, HB20, HB21, HB166, HB494, HB710, HB795, HB985, HB986, HB987, HB988, HB989, HB990, HB991, HB992, HB993, HB994, HB995, HB996, HB997, HB998, SB128, SB149, SB174, SB191, SB205, SB213, SB218, SB220, SB229, SB238, SB243, SB375, SB379, HB8, HB9, HB10, HB15, HB16, HB17, HB18, HB19, HB22, HB33, HB34, HB35, HB44, HB46, HB47, HB48, HB61, HB101, HB126, HB135, HB142, HB164, HB185, HB215, HB226, HB232, HB233, HB242, HB284, HB292, HB297, HB301, HB334, HB436, HB468, HB548, HB571, HB582, HB593, HB594, HB609, HB613, HB712, HB722, HB732, HB746, HB781, HB827, HB845, HB848, HB921, HB923, HB951, HB953, HB999, HB129, HB130, HB287, HB489, HB545, HB553, HB555, HB570, HB854, HB952, HB28, HB36, HB50, HB52, HB56, HB62, HB68, HB92, HB110, HB117, HB119, HB124, HB140, HB147, HB171, HB182, HB193, HB196, HB203, HB228, HB234, HB260, HB268, HB271, HB285, HB289, HB351, HB400, HB413, HB469, HB534, HB551, HB552, HB574, HB576, HB634, HB649, HB677, HB735, HB739, HB779, HB784, HB796, HB842, HB850, HB919, HB149, HB733, HB875, HB868, HB901

Keywords: waterfowl conservation, wetlands preservation, Ducks Unlimited, environmental stewardship, Louisiana, tennis, athlete recognition, family legacy, sports achievements, coaching, student parents, higher education, academic support, family stability, workforce equity, Homeland Security, federal funding, public safety, emergency services, TSA

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just a separate body politic, and they can enter into contracts. Just one, this is the same.
• You look at the wording language of the issue. ...and they can enter into contracts.
• The public improvement chapter of the general law, Title 19, Chapter 31, and it just incorporates the
• It's really the 1% assessment that's new for the local and private authority in particular.

Keywords: Local and Private - Room 210, 30 March, 2026; 11:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The discussion focused on a bill concerning a district or body politic’s authority to own property, enter into contracts, and incorporate a district under existing public improvement law. A senator questioned the bill’s references to DMV and the general law, and staff explained that most of the bill simply incorporates authority already found in Title 19, Chapter 31, with the main new element being a 1% assessment for local and private authority purposes. Members noted the bill had just been received that morning and was unfamiliar to some of them. An amendment was offered to strike lines 161 through 170, which staff said was a conforming change to make a repealer work properly. The committee adopted the amendment, then voted that the title was sufficient to pass as amended. The bill was reported out of committee, with no opposition recorded.

Keywords: Local and Private - Room 210, 27 March, 2026; 11:15 AM, 925, all

Keywords: Local and Private - Room 210, 26 March, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several local and appropriations-related bills. House Bill 4110 would create a reserve/trust fund arrangement tied to health-related financing and state account management, with discussion focused on how the money would be deposited and used. House Bill 4111 concerned Hancock County and the Hancock County Tourism Bureau, with testimony indicating the county did not want the bureau dissolved and instead wanted it retained. House Bill 4113 would direct funds to the Gulf Coast Tourism Commission, and House Bill 4115 involved a local matter in Hattiesburg related to a 30-year municipal issue. The committee also considered House Bill 4130, which related to Yazoo City and an industrial development project, and House Bill 4134, which would authorize Mississippi Industrial Development Authority action involving an airport-related project in Lowndes County. House Bill 4135 addressed Waynesboro and a municipal low-income housing or development issue. Throughout the discussion, members repeatedly invited questions and indicated the bills were being advanced without objection. No substantive opposition was recorded in the transcript, and the exchanges were brief and procedural. The overall action was to move the bills forward after limited explanation of each measure's local purpose and funding or governance implications.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and we appreciate your willingness to serve, and you are a reappointment like you said.
• Terry and I served together.
• I am a reappointment as well and have enjoyed serving at the will and pleasure and under the General
• and have enjoyed serving at the will and and have enjoyed serving at the will and pleasure<00:04
• to serve and to serve and everything<00:04:23.360> checked<00:04:23.720> out.

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, 25 March, 2026; 11:45 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee considered several reappointments and appointments to transportation-related boards. Jerry Waldrop of Hattiesburg, associated with Pam Auto Group, appeared in person for a reappointment and was confirmed after staff noted his oath and statement of economic interest were in compliance. James Morris Richards of Ridgeland appeared by Zoom for reappointment to the Commercial Transportation Appeals Board; he described his long career with KLLM Transport, including serving as president and CEO and overseeing a large refrigerated trucking operation, and his reappointment was also approved. The committee then heard from Curtis Leon Auber Jr. of Hattiesburg for a reappointment. He said he is originally from Pascagoula, attended the University of Southern Mississippi and MC Law, worked at Entergy, served with the Public Service Commission and as chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under President Bush, and is now a partner at Brunini. Members said his paperwork was in order and thanked him for his service. For each nominee, the committee moved to advise and consent, took voice votes with no opposition noted, and approved the appointments. The meeting concluded with a motion to rise and report.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's got a four-year and parks.
• This is the tax on restaurant food for the purpose of parks and recreation and tourism.
• This is the tax on the hotel, motel, and restaurant tax for the purposes of tourism and parks.
• purposes of parks and tourism.
• This is the tax on the hotel, motel, and restaurant tax for the purposes of tourism and parks.

Keywords: Local and Private - Room 210, 24 March, 2026; 10:45 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up a long list of local and special-purpose bills, mostly involving county or municipal utility districts, repealers on local taxes, and small local appropriations. Early actions included House Bill 2210 for Bolivar County, creating a utility district in Choctaw for sewer operations and maintenance, and Senate Bill 3408, which by committee substitute renamed the Yazoo economic partnership to the Yazoo Economic Alliance and clarified its economic and industrial development powers. Members asked whether the Yazoo entity already existed and whether it could own property; the sponsor said it was already in statute and the change was primarily a name update with added flexibility to share and contribute funds to projects. Both bills passed without opposition. The committee also approved Senate Bill 3409 for Lowndes County, authorizing the Mississippi Industrial Fire and Rescue District to serve as the site of a megasite around the Golden Triangle Regional Airport Authority. Other local measures passed included House Bill 1599 extending Brandon’s prepared-food sales tax repealer for tourism and parks, House Bill 1811 for Noxubee County extending justice court assessment repealers for county capital improvements, and several Humphreys County bills authorizing one-time contributions to the Fannie Lou Hamer Cancer Foundation and the Belzoni Humphreys Development Foundation. Additional bills extended or renewed local tourism, parks, and recreation taxes in Belzoni, Oakland, Ripley, Southaven, and Fulton, and authorized or extended local court-cost assessments in Prentiss County. Later, the committee approved House Bill 1870 for Bolivar County, creating a sewer district and allowing the county to operate it, noting it duplicated the earlier Senate bill at the senator’s request. It also passed House Bill 1887 authorizing a $5,000 contribution to the Benevolent Protection of the Elks World Hill Lodge, House Bill 4000 for Grenada allowing construction, acquisition, and maintenance of wastewater collection and treatment systems, and House Bill 4112 for Tupelo restoring funds for the Northeast Mississippi Regional Wastewater District after an unintended consequence of a prior grocery tax change. Finally, Senate Bill 3410 was added off-agenda to authorize Brandon and the West Rankin utility system to enter into an agreement with a local operator for use of treated water for industrial purposes; a member asked who would approve the contract, and the sponsor said the board and city would approve it. All measures discussed were reported out or passed, generally by unanimous or voice vote, with no recorded opposition.

Keywords: Local and Private - Room 210, 17 March, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Keywords: Universities and Colleges - Room 216, 12 March, 2026; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Keywords: Local and Private - Room 216, 11 March, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I will go ahead and explain the bill.
• And we do have another hospital that is waiting at the door to come in.
• to file uh Chapter 9 for bankruptcy so that someone else could come in and take them over.
• And we do have another hospital that is waiting at the door to come in.
• Rise and report. Yes. Good shot.

Keywords: Local and Private - Room 210, 4 March, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 3230, which would authorize the board of trustees of Greenwood Laflur Hospital to petition for relief from debt and financial obligations, including filing Chapter 9 bankruptcy. The sponsor explained that the measure was being moved quickly because the hospital needed Chapter 9 authority so another hospital could take over operations, and described the bill as largely a formality. No additional questions or testimony were recorded. A motion was made for a do pass recommendation, and the committee voted in favor without opposition. The motion carried, and the committee rose and reported the bill onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• universities, and looking at workforce and CTE.
• uh and commercial and um residential uh uh and commercial and um uh<00:04:39.840> it<00:04:40.000
• if you know, we sell 22 acres today and if you know, we sell 22 acres today and as<00:05:18.960>
• Um and so there's already a a MDA.
• and verification standards, and they would have to include reporting to oversight bodies with this.

Keywords: Universities and Colleges - Room 216, 3 March, 2026; 11:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first considered a strike-all related to the Mississippi Upskill Grant Program and a K-12 bridge bill tied to CTE and special purpose schools. Members discussed the alignment of workforce and career-technical education from pre-K through higher education. Senator Hopson moved to add a reverse repealer, which was adopted, and the strike-all was then passed as amended and forwarded to appropriations. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1488, which would authorize the University of Southern Mississippi to sell or enter into a long-term lease for university property in Hattiesburg. Senator Johnson explained that the roughly 600-acre tract, gifted in the 1920s and formerly used as a golf course, has a master plan for redevelopment; the bill would streamline the sale process while preserving requirements such as two appraisals and IHL approval. After questions about the acreage and safeguards, the bill was passed as amended and sent to appropriations. Members also approved a strike-all addressing financial literacy requirements for colleges and universities, including added content on mortgages and real estate, and then passed House Bill 1495, a companion to Senate Bill 2238, allowing Mississippi State University and the Oktibbeha County school district to co-mingle funds by mutual agreement for their partnership school/high school project. Finally, House Bill 1582 on community college energy performance contracts was discussed at length; the chair said it needed further vetting by the public property committee, so the committee added a reverse repealer and passed the bill as amended. The meeting ended with a rise and report.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then traveling southeast and east along County Road 413 and continuing through the point at which County
• My motion would take him up and<00:01:34.640> block. and block. and block.
• c><00:02:24.560> section<00:02:25.040> one And it tells you in section one And it tells
• County Road 124 and County Road 413. County Road 124 and County Road 413.
• and I have no objections to to me and and I have no objections to any<00:05:25.120> of<00:05:

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, 25 February, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several Mississippi highway designation bills. House Bill 223 would name a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Jones County the Sergeant John Howard Tanner Memorial Highway, effective July 1, 2026. House Bill 342 would designate two segments in Edwa County: Highway 370 as the Roger Campbell Memorial Highway and Highway 363 as the Jacob Edward Kent Memorial Highway, also effective July 1, 2026. House Bill 655 would create the Davis Lake Road Scenic Byway in Chickasaw County, covering about 12.32 miles along County Roads 124, 413, and 134 to Mississippi Highway 41. House Bill 1402 would name about one mile of Highway 49 North in Yazoo County the Colonel Donald Barry Memorial Highway, effective July 1, 2026. Members asked whether the affected senators were in favor of the bills, and the chair responded that the senators were not in the districts involved or had not objected. Senator Barrett said he had no objections to the measures but asked for clarification on the mileage and route descriptions, particularly for House Bills 342 and 655. The chair and staff confirmed the routes and noted that the scenic byway bill covered 12.32 miles. After discussion, a motion was made that the title was sufficient and the bills should do pass. The committee approved the motion, and the measures were recorded for the rise report.

Transcript Highlights:

• ; And I I appreciate that and I appreciate >> And I I appreciate that and I appreciate you<00:10
• lived in these areas and that left their homes and families to get out and cut trees and try to remove
• colleagues and their fellow Mississippians. get out and cut trees and try to remove get out and cut
• and and with Natches military uh grounds and and with Natches historical<00:18:58.000> area,<
• <00:25:12.720> and<00:25:13.039> because and I so appreciate that and and because and

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, 18 February, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard from Brad White, head of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, as part of his confirmation process. White said the department has improved staffing and funding over the last four years, citing support from the legislature, supplemental appropriations, ARPA funds, and fuel tax adjustments. He emphasized that MDOT is still rebuilding its engineering and maintenance workforce and needs continued salary flexibility to remain competitive and respond to disasters. A major portion of the discussion focused on MDOT’s response to the recent severe ice storm. Several senators questioned whether the response was adequate and whether district lines, coordination with local governments, and emergency task-force planning should be changed. White said the storm was unusually severe, with freezing rain, flash-freeze conditions, widespread power outages, and more than 15,000 miles of highway impacted. He said MDOT crews were spread thin, but still logged more than 26,000 man-hours, worked with law enforcement and rescue units, and were aided by about 400 employees in the affected area plus 500 others from other regions. He said the department is reviewing lessons learned and expects winter-storm response to change going forward. Senators also asked about comparisons with Tennessee and whether the storm response was a funding issue. White said it was not primarily a money problem, but that Mississippi’s budget and weather patterns differ from neighboring states, making stockpiling materials less practical. He said cities and counties could help in emergencies if coordinated with MDOT, and he supported properly funding agencies such as MDOT, MEMA, the National Guard, and public safety. Another senator raised long-delayed road projects, including Highway 61 and the Port Gibson bypass, and White said the capacity program remains active and that emergency response had not stopped project work. The committee then considered several appointments to the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission and related boards. Kenneth Jeffrey Smith of Pontotoc, William J. Van Deender, and Ranatada Tracy McGawan of Jackson were each introduced, praised, and recommended by motion. The committee voted unanimously to advise and consent on each nomination, with no opposition recorded.

Keywords: Universities and Colleges - Room 210, 3 February, 2026; 5:15 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The transcript is extremely brief and contains only a few transitional remarks, including a reference to the “Brien report” and a short acknowledgment response. No substantive discussion of any bill, policy issue, testimony, motion, or vote is included in the excerpt. Because the exchange is so limited, it is not possible to identify the meeting topic or any legislative action taken from this transcript alone.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then it goes on to say what the damages would be and what the remedies are if somebody agrees to
• And then it goes on to say what the damages would be and what the remedies are if somebody agrees to
• /c><00:02:35.440> the likeness, and image. and it lays out the likeness, and image. and it lays
• use and and lays out how it can be used. use and and lays out how it can be used.
• and I will take any questions. and I will take any questions.

Keywords: Universities and Colleges - Room 216, 2 February, 2026; 4:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard an explanation of a bill dealing with confidentiality of certain contracts between students, the university, and personnel reviewing those contracts. The measure would require those agreements and their terms to be kept confidential except as otherwise provided by law or court order, and it would set out damages and remedies for unauthorized disclosure, including by agents. The committee then moved title sufficient and do pass, with committee substitute, and the motion carried. Senator Blackman presented SB 2046, a bill that would create a property right in an individual’s name, likeness, and voice, including rules for transfer, contract, inheritance, penalties for misuse, and First Amendment protections. Senator Leno offered a reverse repealer amendment, which was adopted, and the committee then voted title sufficient, do pass, committee substitute. The committee next discussed SB 2208, creating the Mississippi Public University Governance Study Commission to review system-level governance, accountability, oversight, and coordination among public institutions of higher learning. The sponsor said the commission would study other states, including Florida and Tennessee, report by December 1, and dissolve January 1 of the following year, with support from the Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review. After questions about comparable models and the goals of the study, the committee voted title sufficient, do pass. Finally, the committee considered SB 2342, the Safe Dormitories Act, which would require public institutions of higher learning and community colleges to report on dormitory safety policies, including coeducational and single-sex housing arrangements, bathrooms, curfews, and age requirements. Members questioned whether the report could already be requested without codifying it and asked about a fiscal note; the sponsor said there was no fiscal note. Senator Deleno moved to table the bill, and the motion carried. The committee then took up a final measure simply bringing forth IHL code sections, with the sponsor saying the committee was still working with the College Board on related factors; the committee voted title sufficient, do pass, and then rose and reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what we're doing here is we're just extending the repealer, and it's going to extend to July 1st,
• Um, starting, uh, this is in the code section for radar for municipalities, campus police, and municipal
• <00:13:49.600> of advantage and and and that sort of advantage and and and that sort of thing
• it's in the code section. it's in the code section.
• and a $50 fine on DUIs.

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, 30 January, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2269, the Mississippi Fully Autonomous Vehicle Enabling Act. The bill was described as simply extending the repealer date to July 1, 2029. A motion was made that the title was sufficient and the bill do pass, and it passed without opposition. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2614, which would authorize county sheriffs and deputies to use radar on county roads, subject to county board approval and population-based limits on the number of radar units. Senator Thompson said the measure was intended to reduce Mississippi’s high rate of speed-related highway fatalities, not to create revenue or speed traps. He explained that fines would be directed to the Mississippi Department of Education to support driver’s education programs, and that the bill includes a 1,000-foot buffer from municipal limits and a definition prohibiting speed traps. Members asked about engineering reviews of speed limits, opt-in/opt-out authority for supervisors, quotas, body cameras, and how the bill would affect counties that already use radar. Thompson said the bill does not require roadway reassessments, that county boards must approve radar use, that he would not oppose a quota-related amendment, and that a body-camera requirement would be beyond the bill’s scope and could burden departments that cannot afford it. Several senators spoke in support, citing public safety and sheriff support, while one senator raised concerns about transparency and public trust. The committee then voted that the title was sufficient and the bill do pass, and the motion carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also need to pass the bill as written, don't we? You just did. Okay. Yeah. All right.
• Memorial Highways: designate certain honoring Judge Lloyd Gilmer Spivey III and amend the designation
• And amend the designation rules of um. This is for just naming one mile of the highway after him.
• designate a segment of Mississippi Highway 550 in Lincoln County as the Lamar Smith Memorial Highway, and
• Rise and report. Thank you. sub on that one. Do I hear a motion? sub on that one.

Keywords: Highways and Transportation - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 2:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several memorial highway and scenic byway measures. It first discussed designating a segment of US Highway 98 in Greene County as the Michael Robinson Memorial Highway, and members agreed to a committee substitute to reduce the designation to one mile before advancing it. The committee also considered Senate Bill 2267 to honor Judge Lloyd Gilmer Spivey III with a one-mile memorial highway designation, and Senate Bill 2629 to designate a segment of Mississippi Highway 32 in Calhoun County as the Joe Tunnel Memorial Highway; both were moved forward without recorded opposition. The committee then considered a scenic byways measure to designate certain road segments in Chickasaw County as the Davis Lake Road Scenic Byway, which was also advanced on motion. Finally, it took up a memorial highway bill for Mississippi Highway 550 in Lincoln County to honor Lamar Smith; members amended that bill to a one-mile designation via committee substitute and then approved the committee substitute and title sufficient do pass. The chair then announced the next item would be a radar bill for Senator Rhodes.

Keywords: Universities and Colleges - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all