Local and Private Legislation

HB 1855 extends the expiration date for a 3% hotel and motel tax in Laurel, Mississippi, from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2036. The tax applies to room rentals at hotels, motels, and similar accommodations (including Airbnb) within Laurel, with proceeds collected by the state and paid to the city. Funds must be used exclusively for tourism promotion - such as marketing, facility improvements, and public safety - held in a dedicated special account, not general city funds. The bill requires a voter referendum before implementation and mandates annual audits to ensure proper use of the revenue.

HB 4038 authorizes the City of Greenwood, Mississippi, to create a program requiring owners of vacant or abandoned residential and commercial properties to register them. The program mandates property maintenance, proof of insurance, and building plans for first responders, while imposing fees and penalties for noncompliance. It directly affects property owners of blighted structures contributing to safety hazards, declining values, and hindered neighborhood revitalization. The law aims to promote public health, safety, and community investment through structured property management.

HB 4109 authorizes Jackson County's Board of Supervisors to contribute up to $5,000 annually from county funds to the nonprofit Friends of Arts, Culture and Education (F.A.C.E.). This funding supports F.A.C.E.'s work promoting arts and cultural programs for Jackson County residents. The authorization expires on July 1, 2030, and does not create a permanent obligation.

This bill authorizes Lee County's Board of Supervisors to decide whether the county sheriff's department can use radar speed detection devices in school zones. If the board approves by a unanimous vote, they will establish rules for how the sheriff's department can use these radar units on county roads outside city limits when schools are in session. The law defines school zones as roadways near or along school buildings and grounds where school activities take place. This legislation gives local officials the power to regulate speed enforcement in areas where student safety is a concern.

HB 4011 extends the expiration date of Jackson's existing convention and visitors tax from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2030. It authorizes an additional 1% tax on hotel and motel sales and a 0.5% tax on restaurant sales within Jackson, but requires a public election before these new rates take effect. The taxes would apply to businesses meeting the $100,000 annual sales threshold in Jackson (excluding small lodgings under 10 units and 501(c)(3) non-profits). This bill directly affects hotels, motels, and qualifying restaurants in Jackson by potentially increasing their tax burden if voters approve the new rates.