SB 2838 Mississippi Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law; revise definition of "qualified resort area."

This bill revises the definition of "qualified resort area" under Mississippi's Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. It directly affects hotels, resorts, and related businesses in areas designated as "qualified resort areas" regarding alcohol sales permissions. The amendment modifies Section 67-1-5 of Mississippi Code to adjust how these areas are defined, though the specific wording change isn't detailed in the provided text. This is a procedural adjustment to the legal definition governing alcohol regulations in designated resort regions.

Bill status died 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Governor

Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Last action Mar 30, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Substitute → Current version · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill title was updated to reflect that it has passed the Senate, indicating it is now in a more advanced stage of the legislative process. The designation changed from 'Committee Substitute' to 'As Passed the Senate', which means the bill has been approved by the Senate committee and is ready for further consideration by the House or for final passage.

TECHNICAL

The bill's title was updated to reflect its current legislative status, changing from 'Committee Substitute' to 'As Passed the Senate'.

As Introduced → Committee Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Mississippi's alcohol control law to expand the definition of 'qualified resort areas' where alcohol sales are permitted. The Committee Substitute version significantly broadens eligibility criteria, adding numerous specific municipalities, geographic areas, and facilities that qualify for alcohol sales privileges. It also updates various definitions related to alcohol establishments and adds new categories of eligible locations including specific golf courses, event venues, and municipalities with particular geographic or demographic characteristics.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a general definition of qualified resort areas to include over 90 specific municipalities, facilities, and geographic areas throughout Mississippi, significantly broadening where alcohol sales can be legally conducted.

ELIGIBILITY

Added over 90 specific municipalities, facilities, and geographic areas that qualify as 'qualified resort areas' where alcohol sales are permitted, including specific golf courses, event venues, and municipalities with particular highway intersections or demographic characteristics.

Added provisions allowing the department to waive the five-year provision for certain clubs and requiring clubs to file member lists with the department.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'native wine', 'native winery', 'native spirit', 'native distillery', 'craft spirit', 'craft distillery', 'spa facility', 'art studio or gallery', 'cooking school', and 'campus' to clarify what establishments fall under the alcohol control law.

Modified the definition of 'hotel' to include establishments that meet the definition of 'bed and breakfast inn' and expanded restaurant definitions to include privately owned businesses in historic districts with live entertainment.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific requirements for certain qualified resort areas, including provisions for the department to approve areas in the process of being developed and restrictions on approving areas near convents or monasteries after July 1, 2018.

TIMELINE

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

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

How they voted

46–6

Passed

Total votes 52

Feb 4, 2026

D Democratic18

15 Yea 3 Nay

83% Yea

R Republican34

31 Yea 3 Nay

91% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Mar 5, 2026

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

Referred To State Affairs

lower

Feb 5, 2026

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

upper

Jan 19, 2026

Committee

Referred To Finance

upper

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor