Technology

SB 2426 establishes Mississippi's Artificial Intelligence Regulation (AIR) Task Force to study AI risks, ethics, and policy needs. The task force, composed of seven voting members (including legislative co-chairs and agency directors) and advisory members from sectors like healthcare, education, and private business, must annually report findings to the legislature. It will evaluate AI use in state government, review privacy and bias concerns, assess economic impacts, and recommend regulatory approaches. The bill directly affects state agencies adopting AI tools and shapes future policy by requiring structured analysis of AI applications before potential regulation.

SB 3062 updates Mississippi's tax incentives for broadband infrastructure by raising minimum speed requirements and adding budget caps. It revises the definition of eligible equipment to require fixed broadband to meet current FCC speed benchmarks (instead of the previous 35 Mbps down/3 Mbps up standard) for property tax exemptions on equipment placed in service between 2025-2030. The bill also limits annual tax credits to $15 million total ($1.5 million per company) and prohibits credits if equipment costs were covered by federal BEAD program funds. These changes directly affect telecommunications companies deploying broadband in Mississippi's designated Tier areas (Tier One to Three), impacting their tax liability for qualifying equipment investments.

HB 1644 revises Mississippi's tax incentives for telecommunications companies deploying broadband infrastructure. It establishes tiered tax credits (5-15% of equipment costs) based on rural area designations (Tier One to Three), with annual limits of $15 million total and $1.5 million per company. The bill prohibits credits for equipment paid for via the federal BEAD broadband program and requires companies to submit sworn equipment descriptions to county tax assessors by April 1 to claim property tax exemptions for equipment placed in service between 2025-2030. These exemptions last 10 years for fixed broadband and 5 years for mobile broadband, subject to FCC speed benchmarks.

HB 20, the "Statewide Digital Services and Procurement Modernization Act," requires all Mississippi state agencies to transition to a centralized cloud storage system by July 1, 2030, to improve efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness in government operations. The bill establishes a Procurement Modernization Advisory Council to oversee implementation, develop cybersecurity plans, and guide data integration across state, county, and municipal governments. It directs the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS) to create the cloud center, enforce cybersecurity standards, and provide training and technical support for agencies during the transition. MDITS must also report annually to the legislature on progress, cost savings, and cybersecurity enhancements.

HB 599 creates civil liability for commercial entities (like websites or platforms) that knowingly distribute child pornography or obscene material online. It allows individuals to sue these entities for damages up to $500,000, plus attorney fees, for publishing such content. The law explicitly exempts news organizations and internet service providers from liability for merely providing connectivity, not creating content. It also defines "material harmful to minors" and requires "reasonable age verification" methods to prevent minors' access. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, after being signed by the governor on April 10, 2025.

HB 1491 establishes a Cloud Center of Excellence (CCOE) within Mississippi's Department of Information Technology Services to guide state agencies and local governments (including school districts and municipalities) in adopting cloud computing. The CCOE will develop a two-year implementation plan by July 2027, requiring agencies to prioritize cloud-compatible systems when purchasing new IT software and report on cloud adoption progress annually. Key provisions include creating standardized migration processes, enhancing cybersecurity, and mandating justification reports for exceptions to cloud adoption. The bill directly affects all state agencies and local governing authorities through new procurement requirements and centralized technical support.