Transcript Highlights:

• . >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it
• It was 10 days. We're going to move it down to seven. All of this is going to down to seven.
• I move that the House stand adjourned till 10:00 a.m. tomorrow and ask that the journal remain open until
• The gentleman's motion is that the House stand adjourned till 10:00 a.m. tomorrow and the journal remain
• House stand adjourned till 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, and the journal remain open until the last conference

Keywords: MS House Floor - 1 April, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't<00:10:46.760> have<00:10:46.920> as<00:10:47.040> many<00:10:47.280>
• So<00:10:51.080> you<00:10:51.160> can<00:10:51.280> get<00:10:51.400> behind
• And section 10 authorizes members of the United States Armed Forces discharged for reasons other than
• :00.040> 61<01:10:00.680> and<01:10:00.760> have<01:10:00.880> the<01:10:
• <01:10:06.320> assistance<01:10:06.760> trust<01:10:07.040> fund<01:10:07.280>

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Dr. Reginald Anderson, and recited the pledge of allegiance. The journal and committee reports were dispensed with by voice vote. Early in the meeting, senators also introduced guests, including Dr. Adrian Gilliam Pierre as doctor of the day and several school groups and community visitors in the galleries. A major portion of the session was devoted to recognizing student athletes and coaches through commendation resolutions. The Senate honored the Northside High School Gators boys basketball team for winning its first Class 2A state championship, the Morton High School Panthers boys basketball team for winning the 2025 Class 4A title, East Rankin Academy teams for multiple championships, Simpson County Academy’s boys cross country team and Lily Overby, Brookhaven Academy’s fast-pitch softball team, and several other schools and programs. The chamber also recognized Mississippi artist Castro Coleman (Mr. Sipp) for his music contributions, and later introduced the Meridian High School Choir, Brookhaven Academy fifth graders, and David Hoke, who has delivered Bibles to all 50 state legislatures. The Senate then took up nominations and approved three by advise-and-consent: Kent Gerard Nico to the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority, Marcus Jones Martin to the State Tax Appeals Board, and Keith Allen Williams Jr. to the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation. After that, Senator Kirby moved to suspend the rules and take up a large block of commending resolutions, which the Senate agreed to consider together. The block included numerous resolutions honoring schools, athletes, educators, and community figures, and the Senate agreed to proceed to final passage by roll call with no objection noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, sir.<01:10:32.680> For<01:10:32.840> the<01:10:32.960> fourth<01:10:33.320>
• If<01:10:36.520> there<01:10:36.680> no<01:10:36.880> further<01:10:37.240>
• Speaker,<01:10:38.880> I<01:10:38.960> move<01:10:39.280> final<01:10:39.720>
• <02:10:01.400> Somebody<02:10:01.680> held<02:10:01.880> it<02:10:01.960>
• <02:10:02.640> And<02:10:02.720> you<02:10:02.800> wish<02:10:03.000> to<

Keywords: MS House Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a guest vocalist, and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving into routine business. Members first recognized several special guests and school groups, including championship teams from Simpson County Academy, New Albany High School, Tougaloo College, Madison-Richland Academy, East Rankin Academy, Morton High School, and others, along with honorees such as Dr. Katrina Cox, Pamela Moody, Joe Helen Joey Walker, and Jimmy Carr. The chamber also noted a prior resolution honoring Reverend Dr. Victor Dixon and the Copiah County Ministerial Alliance, and Dr. Dixon led the opening prayer. On the calendar, the House adopted a conference report on House Bill 1752 dealing with judicial salaries. The report set new salary amounts for state court judges effective January 1, 2027, froze district attorney salary increases until January 1, 2028, and then tied DAs to 95% of circuit and chancery judges’ pay. It also removed mandatory raise language for judges and county court judges, and members briefly discussed the broader issue of legislative compensation. The report passed 115-2. The House then adopted a conference report on House Bill 377, the missing persons bill, which clarified definitions, added forensic genetic genealogy testing provisions, and set timelines for law enforcement to enter credible missing-person reports into NamUs and NCIC. That report passed 120-0. The chamber also adopted a conference report on House Bill 525, changing the penalty for sexual battery in a position of trust or authority from a 0-to-30-year range to a 5-to-30-year range; it passed 112-0. Later, the House adopted a conference report on House Bill 925 after removing veto-message language, and adopted another conference report on House Bill 939 combining a low-sat repealer change and a fire truck acquisition program that creates a Fire Equipment Fund supported by recurring black tag revenue. The House also approved unanimous-consent amendments to Senate Bill 3105 and recommitted Senate Bill 2747 for further work.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 30 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Keywords: MS House Floor - 26 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 26 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Thank<00:10:13.360> you,<00:10:13.600> Mr.<00:10:13.839> President.
• 00:10:18.000> Herd<00:10:18.399> Pino<00:10:19.279> is<00:10:19.760> a<00
• <00:10:24.079> her<00:10:24.240> and<00:10:24.399> pleased<00:10:24.560> to
• >> Thank<00:10:54.880> you,<00:10:55.120> Mr.<00:10:55.360> President.
• I would ask for<00:10:56.560> I<00:10:56.800> don't<00:10:56.880> think<00:10:57.040

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 25 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Reverend Bruce Wells and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved dispensing with the reading of the journal and committee reports. The chamber also recognized a joint resolution honoring the University of Southern Mississippi Army ROTC program on its 75th anniversary, and welcomed several guests and groups in the galleries throughout the morning. A series of special recognitions followed. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 53 honoring Katie Blunt on her retirement as director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History; Blunt spoke about the success of the Two Mississippi Museums, fundraising for exhibits and public programming, and her long service to the state. The Senate also recognized the Winston Academy Patriots football team for winning the 2025 MHSAA Class 2A Division 2 state championship, the Mississippi State University All-SEC basketball guard Josh Hubard for his athletic and community service achievements, and the Columbus High School Falcons for winning the 2026 MHSAA Class 5A boys basketball state championship. A South Panola High School Air Force JROTC drone team was also honored for its third consecutive grand championship, with its instructor describing the program’s statewide and national success and its role in preparing students for careers and research opportunities. On the legislative calendar, the Senate tabled a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 2588, the Safeguard Honesty, Integrity, and Elections for Lasting Democracy Shield Act. It then adopted the conference report on Senate Bill 2654, creating the State Security Operations Center within the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, after members noted the changes were largely clerical and did not alter the bill’s substance. The Senate also confirmed several nominations by use of the morning roll call, including reappointments to the Mississippi Board of Animal Health, appointments to the State Board of Veterinary Medicine, and an appointment to the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund board.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:10:17.200> this<00:10:17.440> house<00:10:17.839> in<00:10:18.160> prayer
• <00:10:24.480> Gracious<00:10:24.880> God,<00:10:25.120> our<00:10:25.360>
• <00:10:26.320> and<00:10:26.480> we<00:10:26.640> give<00:10:26.800> you<
• <00:10:28.800> For<00:10:28.959> this<00:10:29.200> is<00:10:29.279> a
• :10:30.320> and<00:10:30.480> we<00:10:30.640> would<00:10:30.800> rejoice

Keywords: MS House Floor - 25 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer led by Pastor Darren Leech, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. After confirming a quorum, the chamber dispensed with reading the journal and handled routine introductions. Members welcomed several guests in the galleries, including Mick Bulock of NCSL and multiple youth and community groups. The House also recognized Pastor Leech’s remarks about public service and stewardship. A series of congratulatory resolutions were taken up and adopted, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. These included resolutions honoring Derek Hall for winning Super Bowl 60 with the Seattle Seahawks, the Columbia Academy Lady Cougars cross country and softball teams for state championships, and other special recognitions. The House also adopted STR 536 and several additional resolutions from the rules calendar, with votes reported at 118 yeas, 0 nays on multiple items. On the conference calendar, the House concurred in House Bill 1150, which merged the engineers and surveying boards, added an exception so title attorneys were not affected, and changed board member terms from six years to four years. The concurrence motion passed 122 yeas, 0 nays. The House also adopted a conference report on item 60 related to state security operations center language, removing a reverse repealer, by a vote of 117 yeas, 0 nays. Later, members continued introducing guests and honoring school groups, including the Winston Academy football team for its state championship, the Jeff Davis County Mayor’s Youth Council, Columbus High School’s boys basketball team and Mr. Basketball honoree Michael Hood Jr., Heritage Christian Academy, and Mississippi State basketball player Josh Huard, who was recognized for the Coach Wooden Citizenship Award. The House then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. the next day, with the journal left open until the last conference report is filed.

Transcript Highlights:

• the<00:10:04.360> statute<00:10:05.400> and<00:10:05.560> I<00:10:05.600
• and I think you have<00:10:06.080> 60<00:10:06.440> days<00:10:06.760> to<00:10
• 10:46.600> do<00:10:46.840> advise<00:10:47.360> and<00:10:47.480> consent.
• The<00:10:48.720> motion<00:10:49.080> is<00:10:49.200> that<00:10:49.320> we
• Um<00:10:57.080> we<00:10:57.280> do<00:10:57.480> have<00:10:57.840> her

Keywords: Corrections - Room 210, 24 March, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee met to consider the confirmation of Donna Rogers Perkins of Brandon, Mississippi, to the State Parole Board, effective November 17, 2025. Early in the meeting, members exchanged remarks about Chairman Barnett’s recovery and noted that the committee could continue operating under the current provision until next year, when any needed statutory changes could be addressed. Ms. Perkins testified that she has 19 years of experience with the Department of Public Safety, where she maintained law enforcement records, vetted officers from other jurisdictions, and worked with the Attorney General’s Office and State Auditor’s Office on investigations. Members raised and resolved a question about whether she was still employed elsewhere; Perkins explained she had adjusted her last day of employment to avoid a conflict, and the committee indicated the issue had been rectified. A Rankin County supporter also spoke in her favor, saying her public safety background would make her effective on the board. Members questioned Perkins about the role of the parole board and whether she understood the need to balance public safety with reducing incarceration costs. Perkins said the board does not re-sentence offenders, but determines whether they are fit to return to society, and that she would carefully review background, psychological evaluations, and behavior while incarcerated. One member asked about statutory training requirements, and Perkins said she was scheduled to attend training for newly appointed parole board members in June. The committee then voted to advise and consent to the appointment, and the motion passed. A subsequent motion to advise and report was also made and approved, and Perkins was congratulated and thanked for her service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of<00:10:43.040> Dabbs<00:10:43.480> Pharmacy.
• <00:10:44.080> We<00:10:44.200> go<00:10:44.440> way<00:10:44.760> back
• <00:10:46.560> He<00:10:46.920> relocated<00:10:47.680> to<00:10:48.120>
• <00:10:49.440> And<00:10:49.560> also<00:10:49.920> see<00:10:50.160> friends
• And also see friends Curry<00:10:51.120> and<00:10:51.240> Robin<00:10:51.560> Bounds

Keywords: MS House Floor - 24 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House opened with a prayer by guest minister Lee Carson, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. After a quorum was confirmed, the journal reading was dispensed with and there were no reports from select committees or resolutions, petitions, or memorials. Members then introduced a large number of guests, with many of the introductions focused on pharmacists and pharmacy owners from across Mississippi, along with visitors from the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Blind and other local guests in the galleries. During the floor proceedings, members also announced that students from the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Blind would be available to meet legislators in Room 402, and the clerk announced a public utilities joint hearing with the Senate Energy Committee later that day. Representative Powell reminded members that the Beam office had broadband maps available in Room 204 for review. Representative Eubanks distributed information about the Morgan Freeman Symphonic Blues Experience, and Representative Ford announced an evening Builders and Contractors of Mississippi crawfish boil. On the legislative calendar, Representative Robertson moved to invite conference on House Bill 1395, and the motion was adopted. The House then recessed subject to call so members could wait for state championship teams expected from the Senate for recognition, but before that occurred, the chamber later adjourned on motion of the gentleman from Rankin until 10:00 a.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:10:02.440> I<00:10:02.560> turn<00:10:02.960> to<00:10:03.080> Senate
• <00:10:21.320> The<00:10:21.480> Senate<00:10:21.800> declined<00:10:22.280>
• of<00:10:47.880> the<00:10:47.960> Senate<00:10:48.400> for<00:10:48.720>
• And<00:10:50.400> the<00:10:50.480> enrolled<00:10:50.880> bill<00:10:51.120>
• 10:52.400> the<00:10:52.440> Senate<00:10:53.080> and<00:10:53.200> then<

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 24 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee report titles. The main business was a lengthy exchange over Senate Bill 2632, the local governments disaster recovery emergency loan program bill. The governor’s veto message argued that the enrolled bill had been materially altered after conference adoption, specifically over the interest-rate language, and called for an investigation. Senate leaders responded that the veto message was inaccurate, saying the word “monthly” had been removed earlier by unanimous consent to avoid an unintended 12% rate and that the bill was intended to provide disaster relief financing for local governments affected by Winter Storm Erin. Senators McCaughn and others defended the process, criticized the governor’s accusations as false and offensive, and emphasized that the legislation was meant to help struggling cities and counties with no interest until FEMA reimbursement, followed by a 1% rate. After the veto discussion, Senator McCaughn moved to refer the bill back to the committee from which it began, and the motion carried. The Senate then moved through routine business, including introductions and recognition of guests. Visitors included the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Peanut Committee, the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Blind, the doctor of the day, and an NCSL representative, along with a National Ag Day milking champions presentation and a large group of junior pages. The chamber also honored the Starkville Oktibbeha County School District’s varsity boys and girls basketball teams. Senate Resolutions 64 and 65 were called up to commend the Starkville High School girls and boys teams for winning the 2026 Class 7A state championships, and both coaches addressed the Senate briefly to thank members for the recognition.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 19 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:31.280> I'd<00:10:31.360> like<00:10:31.520> to<00:10:31.679> go
• >> Mr.<00:10:36.000> Clerk,<00:10:36.320> please<00:10:36.560> read<00:10:
• >> Senate<00:10:37.440> bill<00:10:37.760> 2676,<00:10:38.800> proxy<00:10
• <00:10:46.239> The<00:10:46.400> eyes<00:10:46.640> have<00:10:46.800> it
• Mo >> motion<00:10:47.760> would<00:10:47.920> be<00:10:48.080> that<00:10

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 19 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of local and private bills, mostly extending repealer dates or authorizing small local taxes and contributions. These included measures for the City of Laurel, City of Clinton, City of Moss Point, and City of Hattiesburg to continue hotel/motel or restaurant taxes for tourism, parks, and recreation; a Marshall County bill allowing a $7,500 annual contribution to the Bahyia Area Arts Council; a Jackson County bill extending a $5,000 contribution to Friends of Arts, Culture, and Education; a City of Philadelphia bill authorizing a one-time $10,000 contribution to Philadelphia Transit; and a Dotto County bill allowing golf carts and low-speed vehicles on certain public roads. The chamber also approved a Jackson County bill revising the powers and duties of the county fair board. Most of these local bills were passed by voice vote and then by the morning roll call, with no questions raised. The Senate also took up several conference-related matters and House amendments. On Senate Bill 2676, the Proxy Advance of Transparency Act, the Senate voted not to concur and to invite conference. On Senate Bill 2882, dealing with homestead exemption eligibility, members discussed a House amendment clarifying that property owners who deed property but reserve a life estate do not have to reapply for homestead exemption; the Senate concurred and sent the bill to the governor. Additional items later in the calendar included nonconcurrence and conference invitations on bills involving a rural hospital pilot program, dependent care tax credits, health reimbursement arrangement tax credits, state park land lease tax treatment, rural hospital contributions, electronic payment processing fees, storm-related utility revenue bonds, agriculture and logging sales tax exemptions, and revisions to the Pregnancy Resource Act. Near the end of the calendar, senators chose to pass and retain several remaining items rather than take final action, and leadership noted the need to move bills off the calendar in the next session. The Senate then moved to announcements, including committee meetings and a bipartisan social event, and several members requested that the journal reflect adjournment in memory of named individuals. The chamber ultimately agreed to recess until later that day or until the last committee report was filed, with the journal to reflect adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The United States is the United States of the United States and the United States for the United States
• for the United States.
• It's a good idea of the United States. But I'm going to get a different one of the United States.
• One of the United States.
• You're going to say that we're going to see, the most of the United States of the United States of the

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 18 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The transcript appears to be heavily garbled and repetitive, with many incomplete phrases and little coherent legislative content. It does not clearly identify any specific bill numbers, committee names, or formal motions, but it repeatedly references government, community, technology, investment, and public services, suggesting a broad discussion of policy and future planning rather than a single measure. Several speakers seem to emphasize the need to work together, invest in communities, and improve outcomes over time, while others mention costs, decision-making, and the importance of public input. There are also scattered references to women, schools, the economy, and the role of government, but the exact positions or testimony are not discernible from the transcript as provided. No clear votes, amendments, or formal actions can be confirmed from the text. The meeting appears to have been dominated by extended remarks and interruptions, with no reliably extractable legislative outcome.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:10:02.560> you<00:10:02.640> would<00:10:02.880> throw<00:10:03.040> a
• Open the machine.<00:10:10.480> Item<00:10:10.800> clerk,<00:10:10.959> if<00:10
• <00:10:12.959> If<00:10:13.040> you're<00:10:13.200> opposed,<00:10:13.440><
• >> Item<00:10:32.560> number<00:10:32.800> six,<00:10:33.120> House<00:10:
• <00:10:40.959> You're<00:10:41.200> recognized<00:10:41.680> to<00:10:41.839

Keywords: MS House Floor - 18 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through routine organizational business, including confirming a quorum, dispensing with the journal reading, and introducing pages and several visiting groups. Recognitions included the Calhoun City High School Wildcats for winning the 2025 Class 1A state championship, the Florence High School girls soccer team for winning the Class 5A state championship, the Mississippi Children’s Museum, a Kosciusko-Attala business delegation, an empowerment group from Oxford, a pediatrician of the day, law enforcement leaders, and other guests. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 63 honoring the House softball team for winning the Battle of the Tombigbee. The main floor action centered on concurrence or conference motions on several bills. The House concurred in HB 1404, HB 1546, HB 1577, HB 1265, HB 895, HB 1923, HB 1937, and HB 1940, with votes ranging from near-unanimous to 99-14 and 108-8; HB 895 was amended by unanimous consent to correct a line reference. Members explained that HB 1404 added knowingly/willfully/unlawfully language, HB 1546 shortened the human-trafficking expungement period from five years to three, HB 1577 adjusted false-claims reporting language, HB 1265 removed a repealer from the Debt Management Services Act bill, HB 895 restored 12-month card validity and a two-year caregiver license period for the cannabis bill, HB 1923 funded the Athletic Commission at $174,000, HB 1937 finalized the Library Commission budget, and HB 1940 was a large deficit/appropriations bill covering settlements, public safety headquarters construction, MIMA grants, court support, DHS software, health litigation expenses, and student aid. The House also voted to invite conference on a number of bills, including HB 1390, HB 1651, HB 1649, HB 1653, HB 1654, HB 1752, HB 1648, HB 1934, HB 1935, HB 1936, HB 1938, HB 925, HB 1640, HB 1927, HB 1928, HB 1929, HB 1930, HB 1931, and HB 1924. During debate on HB 1940, members questioned the need for outside counsel and the size of legal and settlement costs, especially for Jackson water litigation; the sponsor said the Attorney General sometimes needs specialized outside attorneys. The bill ultimately passed concurrence, and the chamber continued with additional introductions and recognitions after the major votes.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 17 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Keywords: MS House Floor - 17 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:00.120> States<00:10:00.520> of<00:10:00.640> America,<00:10:01.640> and
• <00:10:01.760> to<00:10:01.880> the United States of America, and to the United States
• <00:10:06.680> indivisible,<00:10:07.720> with<00:10:07.920> liberty<00:10:08.520
• Um<01:10:42.040> that<01:10:42.320> is<01:10:42.880> below<01:10:43.480> LBR.
• The reason for that<01:10:45.840> is<01:10:46.080> that<01:10:46.400> some<01:10

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 12 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber also recognized several guests and groups, including the doctor of the day, visitors from Quebec, the Sumrall High School boys soccer team, Starkville public safety officials, and the Hattiesburg High School choral arts program. A resolution honoring the long-standing partnership between Quebec and Mississippi was read and adopted, and Ms. Nathalie Rivard of Quebec addressed the Senate about historical ties and economic cooperation between Quebec and Mississippi. The Senate then moved through a series of procedural actions on the calendar, including multiple motions to table reconsideration on medical cannabis and ARPA-related bills, and several motions to not concur and invite conference on workforce and budget measures. Among those were Senate Bill 2294, the Mississippi Future Innovators Act, Senate Bill 2288 on workforce training, Senate Bill 2401 on workforce development, Senate Bill 2189 on budget transfers, Senate Bill 2895 on ARPA funds, and Senate Bill 2917 on appropriations transfers. These motions were adopted, sending the measures to conference or otherwise advancing them as noted. A major portion of the meeting focused on appropriations bills. House Bill 1935, the Education Department appropriation, was explained in detail and adopted after a strike-all amendment; the bill includes funding for the student formula, teacher and assistant pay raises, special education supplements, school attendance officers, testing contracts, early learning coaches, and CTE instructor raises, with offsets from reduced or eliminated line items such as school safety platforms and certain vendor programs. The Senate also adopted strike-all amendments and passed House Bills 1936 and 1937 for Mississippi Public Broadcasting and the Library Commission, and then moved on to House Bill 1933 for the Bureau of Building. The Senate recessed until 2:30 p.m. and announced an appropriations meeting shortly after recess, while leadership noted that many supplemental appropriations bills would be considered later with attention to whether they contained reverse repealers and would go to conference or final passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• They had<00:10:23.279> they<00:10:23.519> had<00:10:23.760> requested<00:10:24.240
• <00:10:33.040> We<00:10:33.279> have<00:10:33.519> done<00:10:33.760> a
• :10:36.240> I<00:10:36.480> believe<00:10:36.640> 1.5<00:10:37.519> to deficit
• 10:38.880> human<00:10:39.200> trafficking<00:10:39.760> fund<00:10:41.040> uh
• <00:10:43.200> Um so<00:10:48.240> um<00:10:48.560> be<00:10:48.720> happy

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 12 March, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee began by noting the plan to suspend the rules later that afternoon so several measures could be taken up on the floor, including bills that may be on final passage or contain reverse repealers. Members were reminded to clearly identify which bills were final passage measures so the chamber would know it might be the last opportunity to vote on them. The committee then moved through a series of appropriations bills. In the education and judicial budgets, Senator DeBar explained House Bills 1928, 1933, 1935, 1936, and 1937, covering the legislative operations budget, DFA buildings reappropriations, K-12 education, MPB, and the library commission. He described increases for teacher pay, special education supplements, testing contracts, ELC coaches, financial literacy, ESA funding, and other adjustments, along with reductions in some areas and a decline in student enrollment affecting the funding formula. The bills were adopted by title sufficient, do pass, with strike-all motions where applicable. Senator Wiggins presented House Bills 1924, 1926, 1927, 1930, and 1931, covering the Attorney General, Capital Postconviction Council, district attorneys and staff, the Office of State Public Defender, and the Supreme Court/AOC budget. He highlighted salary increases for agency attorneys, human trafficking funding, new district attorney positions from judicial redistricting, public defender support for family defenders and the rural legal services pilot, and major court-system items such as judicial salary increases, youth court intake, CCID courts, and the MyCIDS replacement system. Questions focused on the meaning of personal services, vacancy funding, and possible use of opioid settlement funds for AOC; the committee was told those issues could be handled through the reverse repealer or other vehicles. The bills were advanced, with the committee noting which ones contained reverse repealers and which were final action. Subcommittee 5 and 6 then handled human services, health, licensing, and transportation-related measures. House Bills 1906, 1909, 1912, and 1921 covered Child Protective Services, Human Services, Medicaid, and Rehabilitation Services, with explanations for new attorney positions, salary and vacancy funding, SNAP administration, Medicaid agency funding, and restoring positions in rehab services. House Bill 1908 for the Department of Health added money for Jackson water litigation and public health priorities such as obesity management, remote monitoring, cancer screenings, and maternal-infant health. House Bills 1913, 1914, 1915, 1917, and 1918 were taken up together for licensing boards, with most changes described as cloud services, PIN restoration, or vacancy funding; only the Board of Medical Licensure bill had a reverse repealer. Finally, Senator Thompson handled special fund and transportation bills, including the Port Authority, waterway and river districts, Yellow Creek, and MDOT. He noted overtime concerns at the Port Authority, special-fund increases for contractual services and capital improvements at the water districts, and MDOT increases for salaries, commodities, equipment, and the three-year highway plan. Senator Wiggins raised a question about utility relocation costs in transportation projects, saying some municipalities were being told to pay those costs themselves; Senator Thompson said he would follow up with MDOT.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 12 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all