Fair Minimum Wage Act; create.

HB 524, the "Fair Minimum Wage Act," would have established Mississippi's minimum wage at $15.00 per hour for all workers, effective immediately, with automatic annual adjustments based on inflation (using the U.S. Consumer Price Index). It directly affects all employers and low-wage workers across the state by requiring them to pay at least $15 hourly, prohibiting the use of tips or commissions to meet this standard, and mandating future increases tied to cost-of-living changes. The bill was referred to committee in early 2026 but died there on February 3, 2026, so it never became law. Key provisions included eliminating the federal minimum wage as the baseline and requiring the Department of Employment Security to calculate annual adjustments starting in 2026.