One Fair Wage Act; create.

HB 869, the "One Fair Wage Act," establishes a phased increase in Mississippi's minimum wage for most workers, starting at $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2027, rising to $17.50 by 2030, and then adjusting annually based on the Consumer Price Index. It specifically addresses tipped employees by allowing employers to pay a lower base wage (as low as $12.00/hour in 2028) if total wages plus tips meet the minimum wage requirement, with the tip credit phasing out entirely by 2029. The law applies to most employers and employees in Mississippi, excluding state government, the U.S. government, tribal entities, and certain domestic workers. It explicitly states that federal law takes precedence and ensures the wage schedule is prospective, not retroactive.