How the Mississippi legislature works

The Mississippi legislature gaveled in on Tuesday as lawmakers arrived back in Jackson for the 90-day legislative session. Throughout the process, we will keep you posted but wanted to provide background information on this year, along with key dates, and details on how you can stay engaged.

As you probably recall from government class, there are three branches of our government—executive, judicial, and legislative. The Legislature makes laws and funds our state government, subject to approval or veto from the governor.

Mississippi has a bicameral (two chambers) legislature— a House and Senate. 

The House members elect their leader, the Speaker of the House (Speaker Jason White), and the leader of the Senate is the Lieutenant Governor (Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann), who is elected by Mississippi voters.

The legislative process is built around a calendar on when bills have to be introduced, passed, and potentially signed into law by the Governor.

Here are key dates to pay attention to:

• January 20: Deadline for introduction of general bills and constitutional amendments
• February 4: Deadline for committees to report on bills originating in their own chamber (this is where you will see most bills that have been introduced die)
• February 13: Deadline for floor action on general bills and constitutional amendments originating in their own chamber
• February 26: Deadline for floor action on appropriations and revenue bills originating in their own chamber
• March 4: Deadline for committees to report on bills originating in the other chamber
• March 12: Deadline for floor action on general bills and constitutional amendments originating in the other chamber
• March 18: Deadline for floor action on appropriations and revenue bills originating in the other chamber
• March 29: Deadline for conference reports on appropriations and revenue bills
• April 4: Deadline for adoption of conference reports on general bills and constitutional amendments
• April 6: Sine Die

This is very much a snapshot. You can find all deadlines here.

Other key information for you:

• Find your lawmaker: https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/ 
• Find committee assignments: https://www.legislature.ms.gov/committees/
• Track legislation: https://www.legislature.ms.gov/legislation/
• Watch the legislature: https://www.legislature.ms.gov/webcastmenu/

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

I hope you will join me in praying for our elected leaders that they may show wisdom and discernment on all matters before them. 

If you have any questions, let me know!