SB 2783 Mississippi Senate · 2026 Regular Session

BEAM; amend definitions for "applicant" and "eligible project" and add "retail end user."

SB 2783 amends Mississippi's broadband grant program definitions to distinguish between projects serving retail end users (homes/businesses) and other projects. It redefines "applicant" to require retail-focused applicants to be qualified broadband providers with state authorization and proven resources, while other applicants only need standard grant eligibility. The bill also clarifies "eligible project" for retail projects as discrete initiatives in unserved areas, and updates "broadband service" to require minimum speeds (100 Mbps down/20 Mbps up). These changes directly affect entities applying for state broadband grants under the BEAM program, ensuring clearer eligibility criteria for funding.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 16, 2026 Last action Mar 3, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced Current version · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended during Senate passage to improve clarity and consistency in its definitions. The primary changes involve formatting adjustments to the title and purpose statement, plus a new definition for 'retail end user' that clarifies who qualifies as a retail customer. These changes help ensure the bill's language is more precise and easier to understand for all stakeholders.
Scope change
The bill's overall scope remains focused on broadband infrastructure funding, but the clarification of 'retail end user' may affect how projects are categorized between those serving retail customers versus other eligible projects.
DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'retail end user' to clarify that it includes any person or entity purchasing broadband for their own use or to provide service to others.

Adjusted formatting in the definition of 'applicant' to ensure consistency with the new 'retail end user' definition language.

Updated the definition of 'eligible project' to maintain parallel structure between projects funding retail services and other eligible projects.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting inconsistencies in the bill title and purpose statement to improve readability and professional presentation.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 11, 2026

How they voted

520
Passed
Total votes 52
Feb 11, 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
7
Key actions
3
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Feb 16, 2026
Committee
Referred To Public Utilities
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Introduced
Transmitted To House
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed As Amended
upper
Feb 11, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass
upper
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
Referred To Energy
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Rita Parks
Rita Parks
RRepublican
MS
4