HB 1903 increases tax credits for businesses donating to specific charitable organizations focused on child welfare, youth education, and workforce development. It raises the annual limit on credits for these contributions and allows unused credits to carry forward for five years. The bill also extends deadlines for broadband infrastructure tax credits until 2029 and clarifies equipment eligibility for property tax exemptions related to broadband deployment. These changes directly affect Mississippi businesses making qualifying donations or investing in broadband technology.
HB 1074 establishes a dedicated "Electronic Government Services Fund" within the State Treasury, allowing unspent funds to roll over annually instead of lapsing into the general fund. It expands the existing Electronic Government Oversight Committee to include additional state agency representatives and mandates a new procurement portal for vendors to access state buying opportunities, featuring a searchable database, FAQs, and links to agency websites. The bill requires the portal to link to Mississippi's Transparency website and ensures the Department of Information Technology Services provides administrative support, with expenses covered by state appropriations starting July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects state agencies managing digital services and vendors seeking to sell goods/services to the state government.
HB 1239 revises Mississippi's tax exemption rules for data center enterprises, targeting businesses investing at least $500 million and creating 50+ new jobs paying 125% of the state average wage. It requires detailed applications to the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) outlining project plans, job creation timelines, and annual compliance documentation. Approved businesses receive a 10-year exemption from specified state taxes (sales, use, franchise, and electricity taxes), but must maintain performance commitments or face forfeiture after a 60-day remedy period for noncompliance. The bill explicitly excludes digital asset mining operations from eligibility and sets an expiration date of June 30, 2025.
HB 1380 protects Mississippi state/local governments and commercial entities (like businesses handling personal data) from lawsuits related to cybersecurity incidents if they follow specific, nationally recognized security standards. The bill requires these entities to adopt cybersecurity programs aligned with frameworks such as NIST, HIPAA, or ISO 27000, creating a strong legal defense against liability claims. It establishes that compliance with these standards is presumed valid unless a plaintiff proves otherwise with clear evidence. This law directly affects organizations managing sensitive data by reducing legal risks tied to data breaches while mandating adherence to established security practices. The protection applies to covered entities starting January 1, 2026.
SB 2267 establishes the Mississippi Statewide Data Exchange Act, requiring the Department of Information Technology Services (ITS) to create a secure, cloud-based platform for state agencies to share data efficiently. It mandates a comprehensive study, a phased implementation plan, and a centralized digital hub for businesses to submit and track state filings. The bill also creates a CIO Council of agency IT leaders to oversee the system, ensure privacy/security compliance, and provide strategic guidance. This directly affects all Mississippi state agencies and businesses interacting with state government services through digital filings. The platform aims to reduce duplication, improve service delivery, and standardize data sharing across state operations.
SB 3266 authorizes the Greenwood Utilities Commission to construct and lease unused fiber optic cable (dark fiber) within its service area to improve broadband access for residents and businesses. The bill allows the commission to decide how to build and lease this infrastructure to meet digital needs, attract technology investments, and support local economic growth. It directly affects Greenwood residents and businesses by aiming to expand high-speed internet availability. The bill was referred to committee but died there on April 3, 2025, meaning it did not advance further.
SB 2835 creates the Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority within the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to oversee emergency communications. It requires all emergency communications districts (ECDs) to adopt a next-generation 911 (NG911) system plan by December 31, 2030, and establishes a fund to collect fees from service providers on emergency communications. The authority will manage these fees, set standards for NG911 systems, audit charges, and require annual financial reports from ECDs. The bill also repeals outdated sections of law related to emergency telephone services.
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Public Safety
HB 768, the "ELVIS Act," would establish that every individual has the right to control how their name, voice, image, or likeness is used commercially, including protection against unauthorized AI-generated deepfakes. It requires consent for using these elements in advertising, fundraising, or selling products, with specific rules for minors (parental consent) and deceased individuals (heirs' consent for 10 years). Violations could lead to civil lawsuits, misdemeanor penalties (up to 11 months in jail or $3,000 fine), and court orders to seize unauthorized materials like AI-generated content. The bill aims to prevent exploitation of personal identity through AI technology by creating enforceable legal protections.
SB 2779, the Mississippi Consumer Data Privacy Act, would give Mississippi consumers new rights regarding their personal data collected by businesses. It would allow consumers to request that businesses disclose what data they collect, delete that data, and opt out of having their data sold. Businesses meeting specific thresholds (like annual revenue over $10 million or handling data for 50,000+ consumers) would be required to comply with these requests and provide clear privacy notices. However, this bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.
SB 2642 requires political campaigns and advertisers in Mississippi to disclose when artificial intelligence (AI) generates or significantly alters content in political advertisements. It applies to ads for candidates, offices, or ballot measures that use AI to create images, audio, or video mimicking real people. Advertisers must include clear, conspicuous disclosures - like "This message was generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence" - in text, audio, or video formats with specific visibility requirements. The bill excludes news broadcasts and paid media platforms from these rules. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and is not currently law.
