In the sixth week of the 2026 Legislative Session, the Mississippi Senate passed Senate Bill 2632, which establishes the "Local Governments Disaster Recovery Emergency Loan Program Act," which creates a special fund that shall be utilized as an emergency loan program for counties and municipalities that were impacted by the severe winter storm that occurred on January 23-27, 2026. The loans will be administered by the Department of Finance and Administration, and local governments that are within the federally declared disaster area will be eligible to take out a loan or loans to assist with eligible expenditure recovery efforts. Loan disbursements shall not exceed any one county's pro rata share of the overall disaster assessments as determined by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) at the time of the effective date of this act or at the time of the first assessment by MEMA for any counties added to the federally declared disaster area. No loans shall be issued under this act after July 1, 2027, and the term of the loans shall not exceed a five-year period.
Senate Bill 2911, provides alternative return to work provisions for the Public Employees Retirement System, (PERS), including shortening the sit out time for retired state employees, who are returning to work for the state from 90 to 30 days. It also gives employers more salary options for rehiring needed personnel.
Senate Bill 2909, shortens from 35 years to 30 years, the time required for state employees hired after March 1, 2026, to retire under Tier 5 of the Public Employees Retirement System, (PERS).
Senate Bill 2208, creates Mississippi Public University System Governance Study Committee.
Senate Bill 2344, requires students at state colleges, universities and junior and community colleges to complete a financial literacy course before graduation.
Senate Bill 2031, changes the age of majority from 21 years of age to 18.
Senate Bill 2817, allows the Department of Public Safety to consolidate 11 agencies/offices into seven, and allows the department to revise certain fees for services.
Senate Bill 2263, requires law enforcement officers of the Department of Marine Resources to have probable cause to stop or board a vessel.
Senate Bill 2664, offers lifetime resident sportsman hunting and fishing license for a one-time
$500 fee for those under 18 years old and $1,000 for those 18 years old and older.
Senate Bill 2436, requires the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to create and issue harvest tags for a black bear hunting season beginning with the 2027-2028 hunting season.
Senate Bill 2801, seeks to improve driver safety by increasing the fine for those charged with the secondary offense of reading, writing or sending text messages with a mobile telephone while driving a vehicle. Violations in a school zone or work zone would be punishable by a $250.00 fine.
Senate Bill 2272, would exempt certain agricultural and logging items from state sales tax for commercial farmers and professional loggers.
Senate Bill 2589, modifies the political campaign finance reporting process and makes reports publicly accessible via a website maintained by the Secretary of State.
Senate Bill 2050, requires disclosure when artificial intelligence is used in political advertisements.
Senate Bill 2610, seeks to rename the Alcorn State University biotechnology building the "Willie
L. Simmons Biotechnology Building," in honor of former Mississippi District 13 Senator and current Mississippi Central District Transportation Commissioner, Willie L. Simmons, an Alcorn alumnus.
Senate Bill 2444, directs the Mississippi State Department of Health to conduct a study on the prevention and reduction of amputations resulting from diabetes and related complications to lower the numbers and develop “strategies to expand access to limb-saving services, including multidisciplinary care teams, wound care, podiatry and patient education.”
Senate Bill 2369, directs casinos to withhold outstanding child support arrearages from winnings of $2,000 or more from noncustodial parents who are delinquent in child support payments, through a partnership with the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
The bills now go to the House for consideration.
The Mississippi Valley State University Choir on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, sang in the second-floor rotunda of the Capitol as part of Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann’s tradition of allowing students to share their talents.
Senator Neil Whaley, Senator Tyler McCaughn, Senator Andy Berry, and Senator Ben Suber led the Mississippi Senate on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in welcoming rodeo queens to the Dixie National Livestock and Rodeo Show and honoring them with the presentation of Senate Resolution 37, recognizing Abbey Harty from Edam, Saskatchewan, as Miss Rodeo Canada 2026, Senate Resolution 38, recognizing Brinkley Boswell of Star, Mississippi, as Miss Rodeo Mississippi 2026, and Senate Resolution 39, recognizing Olivia Favero from Taylor, Utah, as Miss Rodeo America 2026.
Senator Chad McMahan, Senator Hob Bryan and Senator Kathy Chism, on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, led the Senate’s presentation of a proclamation to the Tupelo Christian Preparatory School Cheer Team for winning their fourth consecutive 1A State Championship in December 2025.
Senator Theresa Gillespie-Isom, Senator Kamesha B. Mumford and Senator Sarita Simmons on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, led the body’s presentation of Senate Resolution 40, to members of The Links Incorporated and declaring "Mississippi Links Day at the Capitol 2026," for outstanding service.
Senator Jeff Tate on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, presented State Games of Mississippi 2025 Ochsner Rush Health Athletes of the Year with resolutions. Senate Resolution 29, commended Daniel Wile of Meridian, as State Games of Mississippi 2025 Male Athlete of the Year. Senate Resolution 31, commended Kaytelyn Harris of Quitman as State Games of Mississippi 2025 Female Athlete of the Year.
On Thursday, February 12, 2026, Senator Lydia Chassaniol led the Senate’s presentations to recipients of the Governor’s Arts Awards for Excellence. They were: Senate Resolution 13,
recognizing master craftsman Greg Harkins as recipient of the 2026 Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Traditional Craft; Senate Resolution 14, recognizing Mississippi Blues Musician Jesse Robinson as recipient of the 2026 Governor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement; Senate Resolution 15, recognizing composer/playwright/performer Heather Christian as 2026 Governor's Arts Award recipient for Excellence in Music Composition; Senate Resolution 16, recognizing Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO) as recipient of the 2026 Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Performing Arts, and Senate Resolution 17, recognizing Dorothy "Dottie" Armstrong as recipient of the 2026 Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Arts Education.
The Senate met a Thursday, February 12, 2026, deadline for original floor action on general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the Senate, and a Friday, February 13, 2026, deadline for reconsideration and passage of general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the Senate.
The Senate faces a Monday, February 16, 2026, deadline to dispose of motions to reconsider general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the Senate.
