MS Senate Floor - 12 February, 2026; 9:30 AM [Source] Translate

The meeting commenced with a roll call confirming a quorum, followed by an invocation from Dr. Brent Parker and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senator England. Senator Blackwell moved to dispense with the reading of the journal and other reports, which was approved. Senator Chazanog requested floor privileges for the presentation of the Governor's Awards in Arts, recognizing several honorees, including Greg Harkins for traditional craft, Jesse Robinson for Lifetime Achievement in music, Heather Christian for her contributions to theater, and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra for excellence in performing arts. David Lewis, Executive Director of the Arts Commission, invited members to the Governor's Awards ceremony that evening. Senator Blackwell introduced students from the Mississippi Society of Radiologic Technologists, and several senators made personal introductions. The Senate then discussed Senate Bill 2915 regarding alcoholic beverages, which passed after an amendment was accepted. Senator Harkins introduced Senate Bill 2828, the Money Transmission Modernization Act, which required a full reading due to objections. The bill included provisions for transaction fees and tax credits, aiming to address money laundering issues. Concerns were raised about the bill's impact on legal residents, particularly those on visas. An amendment to include a reverse repealer for tax credit verification was proposed. The bill passed with a vote of 34 to 17. Further discussions included a proposed bill requiring licensees to post notices about fees for money transmission transactions and establishing a Law Enforcement 287G Program Fund. The meeting also addressed a bill to create an industrial zone around a Chevron facility in Jackson County, promoting economic development without affecting school taxes. Another bill discussed involved minting commemorative coins by the state treasurer, which would not use taxpayer money and could be produced in collaboration with private entities. Senator Delano emphasized the need for legislative support for communities affected by a recent ice storm, proposing a revolving loan fund for local governments. The estimated recovery cost exceeded $400 million, with discussions on loan administration and repayment mechanisms. The meeting highlighted the severe impact of the ice storm, with accounts of prolonged power outages and community resilience. A proposed bill aimed at enhancing oversight of community mental health centers was discussed, focusing on performance audits and compliance frameworks. Senate Bill 2710 addressed gang violence and juvenile crime, proposing jurisdiction changes for certain violent acts committed by minors. Senate Bill 2708 sought to mandate postpartum depression screenings for managed care providers. The meeting also covered various bills, including those related to state employee telework policies, child care tuition assistance programs, and maximum compensation for public officers. A bill allowing sheriffs to operate radar on county roads was discussed, emphasizing traffic safety. Senate Bill 2761 aimed to exempt Long-Term Care Acute Care Hospitals from a bed tax, while Senate Bill 2769 proposed a Home Upgrade Revolving Fund for housing repairs. The meeting concluded with discussions on absentee voting processes and a bill concerning firearms possession related to domestic violence. Senate Bill 2794, addressing death benefits for law enforcement officers and firefighters, was introduced, amending provisions related to benefits for suicides. The meeting ended with motions to adjourn and discussions on pending bills.