MAS Weekly Legislative Recap Newsletter

March 28, 2025

Regular Legislative Session

The Twelfth week of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session has passed. The deadline to concur or not concur in amendments from other House to general bills and constitutional amendments has passed. The deadline for Final Adoption of conference reports on appropriation and revenue bills and the deadline for conference reports on general bills and constitutional amendments to be filed is Monday March 31^st.

** TIP: Text in blue, bold and underlined is hyperlinked.

Governor Reeves Signs House Bill 1 Into Law

The 'Build Up Mississippi Act'

On Thursday, March 27^th, Governor Tate Reeves signed the House Bill 1 (The Build Up Mississippi Act) into law. This measure reforms certain components of Mississippi’s Tax Code. In addition, it will provide significant “recurring” revenue for state infrastructure funding as it pertains to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and for the State Aid Road Construction Fund.

Please see the following bullet points to get a general overview of the key highlights in House Bill 1:

Income Tax Elimination: HB-1 proposes to eliminate the 4% income tax by reducing it by 0.25% annually from 2027 to 2030 and eventually lowering it to 3%. After 2030, it will further be reduced depending on the health of state revenue.

Gasoline Tax Increase: HB-1 proposes to increase the gasoline tax by 9 cents over a three years raising the tax from 18.4 cents to 27 cents. NOTE: Additional future increases would be (Indexed) or tied to road construction costs.

Grocery Tax Reduction: HB-1 proposes to reduce the sales tax on groceries from 7% to 5%.

Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) Changes: HB-1 proposes that from and after March 2026 for new members to the system that there will be hybrid of a defined contribution plan and defined benefit plan.

Measure Due from the Governor

House Bill 1644: This measure addresses the ad valorem exemption on equipment for broadband services. It increases the speed requirements to receive the exemption as well as provides for a standard of accountability for reporting to the county tax assessor.

NOTE: This measure is due from the Governor (3-31-25).

House Bill 1644

Measure Signed by the Governor

Senate Bill 2857: This measure provides funding for the Small Municipalities Limited Counties Population Grant Fund. The funding level is at $1 million.

NOTE: This measure was signed by the Governor on 3/12/25

Senate Bill 2857

Key Measures in Conference

Senate Bill 3095: This measure is currently in conference. The House and Senate have now named their conferees:

House Conferees: Lamar, Steverson, Zuber

Senate Conferees: Harkins, Johnson, Sparks

NOTE: Senate Bill 3095 currently contains the House's strike-all amendment.

***Please click the bolded, underlined blue text to view current language.

Senate Bill 2835: This measure addresses E-911 funding from a comprehensive perspective. It increases the communication device surcharge that counties receive.

This measure has been sent to conference.

Senate Bill 3041: This measure provides reimbursements for the homestead exemption at $94 million. This represents a $2 million increase from last year.

This measure has been sent to conference.

Senate Bill 3033: This measure provides funding for the Beaver Control Assistance Program (BCAP). This program is level funded at $1.1 million from last year.

This measure has been sent to conference.

Senate Bill 2802: This measure will provide additional funding for county and municipal fire funds.

This measure has been sent to conference.

Weekly Legislative Recap Zoom Call

Next Friday, April 4, 2025

Please join us next Friday, April 4 at 10:30 am for our weekly legislative recap Zoom call.

Zoom Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/3852299667?omn=87618272847

To Dial In:

888.788.0099

Then Enter Meeting Id Number:

Meeting Id Number: 385 229 9667

Zoom Link

Helpful Technology

Download the Mississippi Legislature Roster to your iPhone. or Android by visiting the App Store on your phone and search “ECM Legislative Roster”. (This App is provided by the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi).

Mississippi Association of Supervisors

793 North President Street

Jackson, MS 39202

www.mssupervisors.org