SB 2401 Mississippi Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Workforce development; extend the date of repeal of certain sections and make technical amendments.

SB 2401 extends temporary exemptions for Mississippi's Office of Workforce Development from standard public procurement requirements. It delays the expiration dates for these exemptions on leasing and specific contracts (covering sections 27-104-7, 37-153-7, and 37-153-17 of the Mississippi Code). The bill makes technical adjustments to related provisions without changing the core policy. These extensions allow the Office of Workforce Development to continue operating under existing procurement rules for a longer period. The bill does not create new requirements or affect other state agencies.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Signed Apr 8, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the upper → Current version · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the Mississippi Public Procurement Review Board's composition and term dates, removes specific exemptions for certain specialized contracts (like aircraft maintenance and attorney services) while retaining others, and clarifies the definition of 'sole source' procurement. It also amends workforce development board membership rules and extends the repeal date for certain workforce training sections to July 1, 2029.

Scope change

The bill narrows the scope of exemptions from public procurement requirements by removing specific categories of contracts (e.g., aircraft maintenance, legal services) that were previously exempt, while simultaneously extending the sunset date for other workforce-related exemptions.

TIMELINE

Changed the bill status from 'As Passed the Senate' to 'As Sent to Governor' and updated the effective date to June 30, 2026.

Extended the repeal date for certain sections of the Mississippi Comprehensive Workforce Training and Education Consolidation Act from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029.

EXEMPTIONS

Removed exemptions for contracts regarding aircraft maintenance, attorney/accounting services, and ARPA Rural Water Association grants, meaning these contracts will now likely require standard competitive bidding.

ELIGIBILITY

Adjusted the Public Procurement Review Board membership terms and clarified conflict-of-interest rules regarding business ownership interests.

REQUIREMENT

Refined the definition of 'sole source' procurement to clarify that it applies when only one source is available to provide the specific service.

Removed the requirement to bring forward Section 37-153-15 for possible amendment, effectively removing the specific incentive grants for industry certifications from this bill.

As Introduced → As Passed the upper · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Mississippi's public procurement rules and restructures the Office of Workforce Development. It extends the exemption from public procurement requirements for the Office of Workforce Development until 2029, allowing it to lease space and hire staff without standard bidding. The bill also creates a new Public Procurement Review Board with specific powers to oversee contracts, set minority business set-asides, and approve high-value services. Additionally, it redefines workforce development roles, establishes new reporting requirements for grants, and introduces incentives for students earning industry certifications.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Office of Workforce Development by extending its exemption from public procurement laws, allowing it to operate with greater flexibility in leasing and contracting until 2029. It also broadens the scope of the Public Procurement Review Board to include oversight of personal and professional services contracts previously exempted.

TIMELINE

Extended the Office of Workforce Development's exemption from public procurement requirements for leasing and contracting from 2026 to 2029.

REQUIREMENT

Created a new Public Procurement Review Board to approve high-value contracts, adopt regulations for minority business set-asides, and oversee personal and professional services solicitations.

Established mandatory standards for sole-source contracts, requiring agencies to publish justifications and allowing public objection to non-competitive awards.

Required the Office of Workforce Development to submit detailed quarterly and annual reports on fund usage, project outcomes, and tool selection to legislative committees.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated the composition and appointment process for the State Workforce Investment Board to align with federal workforce laws, including specific representation for business, labor, and government.

FISCAL

Introduced a $600 per-student incentive grant for public schools where students earn qualifying industry certifications linked to high-demand occupations.

TECHNICAL

Amended existing code sections to make technical corrections and clarify the repeal dates for previous workforce development statutes.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 5, 2026 · House Mar 4, 2026

How they voted

52–0

Passed

Total votes 52

Feb 5, 2026

D Democratic18

18 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican34

34 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 8, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor

executive

Mar 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Conference Report Adopted

lower

Mar 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Conference Report Filed

upper

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Mar 4, 2026

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

Referred To Workforce Development

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

upper

Jan 19, 2026

Committee

Referred To Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors