HB 1197 Mississippi House · 2025 Regular Session

The Safe Solicitation Act; create to regulate issuance of solicitation permits.

HB 1197, the "Safe Solicitation Act," requires anyone soliciting money or goods in public spaces (like streets or sidewalks) to obtain a permit from their local municipality, county, or political subdivision. It limits solicitation to daylight hours, prohibits blocking traffic, restricts activities to within 100 feet of an approved intersection, and bans harassment or amplification devices. Violations can result in fines up to $300 or jail time for forgery, while permits cost no more than $25. The law amends existing traffic obstruction statutes to align with these requirements and allows local governments to opt out within six months of enactment.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Signed Mar 21, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the lower → Current version · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill title was updated from 'As Passed the House' to 'As Sent to Governor,' indicating the bill has completed its legislative journey and is now awaiting the Governor's signature. This change reflects the bill's progression through the legislative process rather than a substantive policy modification.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill status designation from 'As Passed the House' to 'As Sent to Governor' to reflect the bill's current stage in the legislative process.

As Introduced → Committee Substitute · 12 edits

MAJOR

The bill was revised from its original introduction to a committee substitute version, primarily adding detailed enforcement authority for the Department of Public Safety and Capitol Police, expanding jurisdiction over state properties, and clarifying permit procedures. The core solicitation permit requirements remain similar, but the committee version significantly strengthens law enforcement capabilities and adds specific provisions for security contracts at various state facilities.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general solicitation regulation to include specific enforcement authority for state agencies over Capitol Complex properties and other state facilities, with added provisions for security contracts and inter-agency coordination.

ENFORCEMENT

Added detailed authority for Department of Public Safety and Capitol Police to issue solicitation permits within the Capitol Complex Improvement District and enforce laws on state properties.

Created new provisions allowing Department of Public Safety to enter into security contracts with various state departments including Agriculture, Higher Education, and Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Expanded Department of Public Safety jurisdiction to include concurrent authority with City of Jackson and Hinds County within the Capitol Complex Improvement District.

Added requirement for written approval from Capitol Police Chief before events on streets adjacent to state properties that could impede access.

Established regular coordination meetings between law enforcement agencies within the Capitol Complex Improvement District.

Changed penalty for forgery of solicitation permit from unspecified to specific: up to $300 fine and/or 6 months county jail.

Updated obstruction of sidewalk penalties to allow up to $500 fine and/or 6 months jail instead of previous unspecified penalties.

Modified obstruction of street penalties to allow up to $400 fine and/or 4 months jail instead of previous unspecified penalties.

Added provision allowing Department of Public Safety to transfer accrued leave to employees transferred under the new enforcement authority.

Added authority for Department of Public Safety to enter into contract with counties for custody of misdemeanor offenders arrested under the act.

TECHNICAL

Changed effective date from unspecified to July 1, 2025.

Removed original sponsor list formatting and page headers from the bill text.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 12, 2025 · House Feb 5, 2025

How they voted

39–12

Passed

Total votes 51

Mar 12, 2025

D Democratic16

9 Yea 7 Nay

56% Yea

R Republican35

30 Yea 5 Nay

85% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 21, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor

executive

Mar 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

upper

Feb 17, 2025

Committee

Referred To Judiciary, Division A

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Introduced

Transmitted To Senate

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

lower

Jan 20, 2025

Committee

Referred To Judiciary A

lower

1 primary · 17 co-sponsors