This bill allows honorably discharged U.S. military veterans to receive vehicle license tags at no cost. Specifically, veterans presenting a valid DD Form 214 can get one regular or military license tag without any fee, or a special/personalized tag only for the standard additional fee. It applies to all veterans meeting the discharge criteria, with households containing multiple veterans eligible for separate tags (each requiring their own DD Form 214). The bill amends Mississippi's vehicle registration codes to implement this exemption, directly affecting veterans seeking cost-free or low-cost license tags.
SB 3101 appropriates $5,940,191 from the State General Fund and $22,189,165 from special funds to cover the salaries and operating expenses of Mississippi's State Veterans Affairs Board and State Veterans Homes for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifically allocates $4,941,898 for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits), restricting these funds to 39 permanent and 25 time-limited staff positions without transfer to other budget categories. It mandates that "Vacancy Funding" ($236,833) must only fill unfilled positions from the prior year, not fund promotions or salary increases for current employees. The bill also requires compliance with Mississippi's Variable Compensation Plan and prohibits using general funds to replace federal or special funds.
SB 2431 creates a scholarship program waiving tuition for Mississippi combat veterans at state universities and community colleges. It directly affects veterans who are Mississippi residents, honorably discharged, qualify for in-state tuition, and lack federal educational benefits, requiring either combat service (with a campaign medal) or a 10%+ service-connected disability. The program provides free tuition for "one month for each month served" in combat, covering up to four academic years annually, funded by a $500,000 yearly appropriation into the Combat Veteran Scholarship Fund. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and would have taken effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1076, the "Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act," regulates private individuals or companies that assist veterans with benefits claims. It directly affects veterans seeking help with VA benefits and the advisors who charge for such services. Key provisions include banning upfront or nonrefundable fees, requiring written agreements that cap fees at five times any monthly benefit increase, prohibiting guarantees of specific outcomes, and mandating clear disclosures that free VA or state services are available. The bill also restricts advisors from using veterans' personal login credentials and requires background checks for anyone accessing veterans' medical or financial information.
SB 2668, the "Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans Act of 2026" (PLUS Act), regulates paid assistance with veterans' benefit claims in Mississippi. It prohibits charging fees for such services unless the veteran signs a waiver acknowledging they’re within the one-year post-discharge period and choosing to deny free VA services. The bill requires written agreements with clear fee terms (capped at 5x monthly benefit increase or $12,500), bans upfront fees, mandates a specific disclosure about free VA services, and prohibits using veterans’ personal data without consent. It directly affects veterans seeking claim assistance and businesses/individuals offering paid services, while exempting VA-accredited representatives. Violations can result in civil penalties under Mississippi’s Unfair Trade Practices Act.
SB 2669 prohibits anyone from charging fees for assisting veterans with benefits claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or Mississippi’s State Veterans Affairs Board. It directly affects veterans seeking benefits and individuals or organizations offering such assistance, banning compensation for preparing, presenting, or advising on these claims. The bill requires these helpers to follow the same ethical standards as licensed attorneys (covering confidentiality, honesty, and client duty), and violations would be treated as deceptive trade practices under Mississippi law, allowing the Attorney General to pursue enforcement. This aims to prevent exploitation of veterans navigating complex benefits systems.
SB 2667, the "Mississippi Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act of 2026," creates a 24/7 Mississippi Veterans Suicide Prevention Lifeline hotline staffed by trained veterans to provide crisis intervention and connect veterans with mental health resources. It requires the State Veterans Affairs Board to develop and publicly share an implementation plan by December 2026, including performance metrics and evidence-based practices for the hotline. The bill also prohibits unaccredited representatives from assisting veterans with VA claims or advertising such services, imposing penalties for violations and requiring a public registry of accredited representatives. Additionally, it directs funds from federal TANF block grants to support marriage counseling for military and first responder families through nonprofit organizations.
SB 2413 establishes Mississippi's "Disabled Veteran and Dependents Patriot Scholarship Program," providing tuition and fee waivers at state colleges and universities for eligible veterans and their families. It directly affects disabled veterans (with 40%+ service-connected disability, POW/MIA status, or death in service) and their dependents (spouses, children, or stepchildren), covering in-state tuition, required books, and fees up to state limits. Key provisions include residency requirements, benefit durations (5 years for 100% disabled veterans' dependents, 3 years for 40-90% disabled veterans' spouses), and new 2026 rules requiring FAFSA submission and a $2,000 semester cap on fees. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.
HB 375 would allow disabled veterans to appeal court decisions without paying fees if the case involves collecting debts from their disability benefits (from VA, Social Security, or other sources) or if they were already permitted to proceed without fees in the trial court. To qualify, veterans must file a motion with an affidavit confirming their disabled veteran status. If denied at trial, they could appeal the denial to the Mississippi Supreme Court within 30 days, attaching the trial court's written reasoning. The bill specifically protects veterans whose disability benefits are targeted for collection, ensuring they aren't barred from appealing due to inability to pay court costs. (Note: The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.)
SB 2864 clarifies that Mississippi veterans rated with a 100% permanent or 70% nonpermanent service-connected disability by the VA are exempt from the highway privilege tax when using $1 license tags for vehicles or motorcycles. It directly affects qualifying veterans (and their surviving spouses) who receive these tags, specifying they pay only $1 annually without additional tax. The bill updates existing law to explicitly state this tax exemption and requires nonpermanent disability holders to provide updated VA documentation for tag renewals. It does not change the $1 tag cost but ensures the tax exemption is legally clear in the tax code.
