This bill extends the expiration date of a 3% hotel and motel tourism tax in the City of Richland, Mississippi, from its original end date to July 1, 2030. The tax applies to room rentals at hotels and motels within city limits and is collected by the state Department of Revenue, with proceeds designated for tourism promotion and parks and recreation. Before the tax can be imposed, city officials must hold a public election where at least 60% of voters must approve the levy. The bill also establishes separate accounting for tax revenues, requires annual audits, and allows the city to use tax proceeds to repay debt or discontinue the tax through a future resolution.
This bill restores a special sales tax in the City of Tupelo to help fund the Northeast Mississippi Regional Water Supply District. The tax revenue will be used to pay off existing debt and cover costs for building water facilities, including the Wellspring industrial development project. The City of Tupelo is authorized to issue up to $53 million in bonds to finance construction, with the sales tax proceeds helping to service that debt. The project aims to address water shortages in the region by providing water for municipal, residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
This bill restores voting rights to Ray Gillespie, a resident of Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, who had previously been barred from voting due to a conviction for armed robbery. The legislation declares that the Mississippi Department of Corrections has no records of Gillespie and notes that he has since lived as a law-abiding citizen. If passed, the law would take effect on July 1, 2026, allowing Gillespie to participate in elections again.
This Mississippi bill authorizes the Prentiss County Board of Supervisors to collect additional fees from court convictions to fund repairs and renovations of the historic Prentiss County Courthouse. The assessment would charge up to $25 for most convictions and up to $50 for driving under the influence cases, excluding DUI charges from the lower fee tier. Funds collected must be used specifically for courthouse maintenance, and the provision would expire on July 1, 2030. The bill applies only to convictions processed in Prentiss County's Justice, County, and Circuit Courts.
This Senate resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act, which would allow veterans with disabilities to receive both their full military retirement pay and VA disability compensation without any reduction. Currently, federal law reduces one benefit dollar-for-dollar against the other for veterans medically retired with fewer than 20 years of service, affecting approximately 50,000 veterans. The proposed legislation would eliminate this offset, enabling eligible veterans to collect both types of benefits simultaneously. The resolution directs this request to federal leaders and the Mississippi congressional delegation for consideration.
This bill extends the expiration date of a local hotel and motel tax in Jackson County, Mississippi, allowing the county Board of Supervisors to continue collecting a 2% tax on overnight room rentals to fund tourism promotion. The tax applies only to hotels and motels, excluding medical facilities and non-overnight day-use rooms, and must be approved by voters through a referendum requiring at least 60% support before implementation. Revenue collected from the tax must be used exclusively for tourism-related activities in Jackson County, with separate accounting and annual audits if funds are directed to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau.
This bill restores the right to vote to Kenneth Almons of Hinds County, Mississippi, who had lost his voting rights due to past criminal convictions. The legislation specifically addresses his disqualification stemming from a 1993 armed robbery conviction and a 2004 burglary and firearm possession conviction, noting that his sentence had fully expired by March 28, 2006. The measure declares that Almons has since lived as a law-abiding citizen and formally reinstates his eligibility to participate in elections. Once passed, the act takes effect immediately, allowing Almons to register and vote without further legal barriers.
This bill restores the right to vote to Robert L. Adams of Washington County, Mississippi, who had previously lost his voting rights due to two manslaughter convictions. The legislation specifically addresses his disqualification resulting from crimes committed in 2002 and 2010, noting that he has since been discharged from correctional supervision and conducted himself as a law-abiding citizen. By passing this act, the Mississippi Legislature formally reinstates Adams' eligibility to participate in elections without requiring any additional legal procedures. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage and applies only to this individual rather than changing broader voting laws.
This Mississippi bill restores the right to vote to Kynoa Trotter of Pike County, who had lost his voting rights due to prior felony convictions for burglary and firearm possession. The legislation formally removes the legal barriers preventing Trotter from participating in elections, acknowledging his completed sentences and post-release conduct as a law-abiding citizen. Once enacted, Trotter will regain full eligibility to register and vote in Mississippi elections without further legislative action.
This bill restores the right to vote to Leporion Versell, a resident of Hinds County, Mississippi, who had lost his voting rights due to past felony convictions. The legislation specifically addresses his disqualification resulting from a 1999 robbery conviction and subsequent probation violations, noting that he has since lived as a law-abiding citizen. By passing this act, the Mississippi Legislature formally reinstates his eligibility to participate in elections without requiring additional legal proceedings. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage and applies only to this individual rather than establishing a broader policy change.
This bill is a concurrent resolution that formally honors Carroll E. Rhodes for his lifetime of service to civil rights and constitutional principles in Mississippi. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves as an official legislative commendation recognizing Rhodes' career in legal advocacy and his contributions to voting rights and democratic participation. The resolution expresses the Mississippi Legislature's gratitude and admiration for Rhodes' work and intends to present the document to him as a symbol of respect.
This bill authorizes the Marshall County Board of Supervisors to provide annual funding of up to $7,500 to the Byhalia Area Arts Council, a local nonprofit organization. The funding can be given each year starting in fiscal year 2026/2027 and must end no later than the conclusion of fiscal year 2027/2028. The decision to contribute and the specific amount remain at the discretion of the county board within the authorized limit. This legislation enables the county to support arts programming and activities in the Byhalia community through direct financial contributions.
