The twelfth week of the 2026 Regular Session has concluded with crime, workforce development, immigration and Jackson’s Water Authority Act topping the list of legislative action.
Key deadlines during the week included March 23 for final action on motions to reconsider appropriation and revenue bills, March 26 for concurrence or nonconcurrence on general bills and constitutional amendments, March 27 for the introduction of local and private bills, and March 28 for the filing of conference reports on appropriation and revenue bills and final action on general bills and constitutional amendments.
The House will return on Sunday to consider conference reports filed ahead of the March 28 deadline. March 30 is the deadline for final adoption of conference reports on appropriation and revenue bills and for conference reports on general bills and constitutional amendments to be filed.
The Mississippi House of Representatives focused primarily on conference negotiations, naming conferees on dozens of House and Senate bills as lawmakers work toward final passage ahead of key deadlines. The chamber also passed several local and private measures.
Conference bills included:
HB 525 – Establishes mandatory minimum penalties for sexual battery offenses.
HB 538 – Prohibits sanctuary policies and restricts interference with federal immigration enforcement.
HB 562 – Creates the Mississippi Career and Technical Education Employability (MissCATEE) program to provide tuition-free community college opportunities.
HB 1224 – Establishes the Mississippi Keeping Kids Safe Online Act.
HB 669 – Authorizes direct sales and shipment of distilled spirits to residents in the state.
HB 1640 – Requires the Department of Human Services to utilize commercial wage verification services for eligibility determination.
HB 1677 – Creates the Metro Jackson Water Authority Act.
HB 1793 – Provides a sales tax exemption on retail sales of firearm safes during the annual Mississippi Second Amendment Weekend holiday.
Several suffrage restoration bills were passed, and conference work continued on Senate legislation related to immigration enforcement, workforce development, juvenile justice, and appropriations. A number of conference reports were adopted during the week, covering legislation related to disaster funding, seafood labeling requirements, and higher education property transactions.
In addition to conference activity, the House passed a series of local and private bills related to counties and municipalities, including measures concerning economic development, infrastructure, tourism, and court operations. These bills were transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
The Mississippi State Capitol welcomed a number of visitors throughout the week, including the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Blind, Germantown High School Choir, Brandon Mayor’s Youth Council, Jefferson Davis County Mayor’s Youth Council, Heritage Christian Academy, USM Army ROTC, New Albany Middle School SGA, City of D’Iberville Youth Leadership Council, Coast Episcopal School, Old Town Middle School, Pascagoula Mayor’s Youth Council, Simpson Academy Girls Basketball team, Milam Girls Leadership, Harper McCaughan Elementary School and Northwest Jackson Middle School.
