SB 2623 Mississippi Senate · 2026 Regular Session

State apprenticeship program advisory council; create.

SB 2623 creates the Mississippi Office of Apprenticeship under the Department of Employment Security and establishes a State Apprenticeship Council. The Office will implement apprenticeship programs, define terms like "apprentice" and "apprenticeship agreement," and promulgate necessary rules. The Apprenticeship Council, composed of specified members, provides advisory guidance to the Office on program operations but cannot replace it as the state's registration agency. This bill sets up the administrative framework for Mississippi's apprenticeship system without creating new financial benefits or direct program requirements for employers or workers.

Issues: ✓ Labor & Employment

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 11, 2026 Last action Mar 3, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Substitute → Current version · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill title was updated from 'Committee Substitute' to 'As Passed the Senate', indicating it has been approved by the Senate and is now in its final form before moving to the House. This change reflects the legislative process progression rather than substantive policy modifications.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill designation from 'Committee Substitute' to 'As Passed the Senate' to reflect its current legislative status.

As Introduced → Committee Substitute · 8 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to restructure the Mississippi Office of Apprenticeship under the Department of Employment Security, clarify definitions for apprenticeship terms, establish a new Apprenticeship Advisory Council, and add specific limitations on how the office interacts with existing state funding and education programs. These changes aim to align the state's apprenticeship system with federal standards while protecting existing state funding streams and the Department of Education's role in career and technical education.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly creates a Mississippi Office of Apprenticeship within the Department of Employment Security and establishes an Apprenticeship Advisory Council with specific member appointments. It also adds limitations preventing the office from requiring sponsors to register or affecting existing state/federal funding distributions.

STRUCTURE

Created the Mississippi Office of Apprenticeship as a division of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, under the direction of the Executive Director.

Established the Mississippi Apprenticeship Advisory Council with six specific members including representatives from employer organizations, employee organizations, and the Mississippi Community College system.

DEFINITION

Updated and expanded definitions for key terms including 'Apprentice', 'Apprenticeship', 'Apprenticeship agreement', and 'Related technical instruction' to align with federal standards.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that the Office of Apprenticeship must submit an application to the U.S. Office of Apprenticeship by October 1, 2026, to be recognized as the state apprenticeship agency.

FISCAL

Added provisions allowing the Office of Apprenticeship to allocate state funds for apprenticeship training programs based on sponsor allocations.

EXEMPTIONS

Added limitations stating the act does not require sponsors to register with the Office, affect existing state/federal funding distributions, or affect the Department of Education's role in career and technical education.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date to July 1, 2026, with repeal on June 30, 2026, indicating this is a temporary or transitional provision.

ENFORCEMENT

Added requirements for the Office to establish regulations for program cancellation, deregistration, and appeals processes in compliance with federal standards.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 10, 2026

How they voted

52–0

Passed

Total votes 52

Feb 10, 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

Feb 16, 2026

Committee

Referred To Workforce Development;Appropriations A

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

upper

Jan 19, 2026

Committee

Referred To Government Structure

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors