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The Mississippi House of Representatives convened at 4:00 PM on Monday to begin the twelfth
week of the 2025 legislative session.
Throughout the week, the House recognized several notable resolutions:
• House Concurrent Resolution 32 honors the life and service of James Henry Taylor of
Olive Branch, Mississippi, who perished aboard the secretive Flying Tiger Line Flight
739 during the Vietnam War. Though his name is not inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial, a newly erected monument in Maine now commemorates Taylor and all those
aboard the ill-fated flight.
• House Concurrent Resolution 43 recognizes Charles F. McClelland, Sr. for his
distinguished career and exemplary public service. As a former athlete and educator,
McClelland has made significant contributions through leadership in education, civic
engagement, and government initiatives, leaving a lasting legacy across the state.
• House Resolution 100 commends Miss Izzy Karns for being crowned Miss Teen
Volunteer America. A student at the University of Southern Mississippi, Karns is
celebrated for her dedication to volunteerism, animal welfare advocacy, and her
entrepreneurial efforts in social media branding.
Additionally, Speaker White welcomed the Northwest Mississippi Community College
women’s soccer team to the chamber in recognition of their NJCAA National Championship
victory—the first national title in the program’s history.
• HB 569 amends Section 41-7-191 of the Mississippi Code to allow a long-term care
hospital in Harrison County to participate in the Medicaid program as a crossover
provider. It revises the conditions under which a Certificate of Need (CON) is issued,
enabling the facility to expand access and eligibility for Medicaid reimbursement. The
bill primarily focuses on adjusting regulatory provisions for healthcare facility operations
and Medicaid participation.
• HB 599 amends Mississippi law to define “child pornography” and “obscene matter” and
allows individuals to bring civil lawsuits against commercial entities that knowingly
publish such content online. It excludes liability for internet service providers and similar
entities that are not responsible for content creation. The bill also includes a severability
clause and will take effect on July 1, 2025.
• HB 1063, titled the Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, establishes six
weeks of fully paid parental leave for eligible state employees who are the primary
caregivers of a child following birth or adoption. The leave must be used within 12 weeks
of the qualifying event and does not count against other accrued leave. It also permits
school districts and community colleges to adopt similar policies and includes provisions
for notice, eligibility, and coordination with the Family and Medical Leave Act.
On Thursday, Governor Reeves signed House Bill 1 into law, officially eliminating the state
income tax. He was joined by Speaker White, Lieutenant Governor Hosemann, Chairman Trey
Lamar, Chairman Josh Harkins, and several members of both the House and Senate.
Looking ahead, the House faces a deadline for Monday, March 31, for final adoption of
conference reports on appropriations and revenue bills; and deadline for conference reports on
general bills and constitutional amendments to be filed.
The House is set to reconvene on Monday at 1:00 PM.
