On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Governor Tate Reeves was sworn in as Mississippi’s 65th Governor on the steps of the Mississippi State Capitol. Multiple statewide officials, state legislators, and supporters were present when Mississippi Chief Justice Mike Randolph administered the oath of office. Gov. Reeves thanked his family, supporters, and voters across the state of Mississippi for electing him for his final term as Governor and outlined his vision for the future of his next term. From his last term, Gov. Reeves highlighted multiple achievements from his previous term by citing teacher pay raises, record breaking economic investment, and creating the Office of Workforce Development. The Governor stated he aimed to continue building on the record-breaking economic investment and hinted at future announcements of additional economic projects to attract more businesses to the hospitality state.

Gov. Reeves’ inauguration and inaugural ball wrapped up statewide inaugural festivities. As the formal activities ended, the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives took their final procedural steps of setting up committees. On Thursday, Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann announced committee chairmen, vice-chairmen, and committee members. Many prominent committee chairmen retained their positions while other committees will have new leadership. Senate Appropriations will continue to be led by Senator Briggs Hopson (R-Vicksburg) with Sen. John Polk (R-Hattiesburg) as vice-chairman. Sen. Josh Harkins (R-Flowood) will remain chairman of the Senate Finance Committee as will the vice chair, Sen. Chris Johnson (R-Hattiesburg). The Senate Insurance Committee will continue to have Sen. Walter Michel (R-Ridgeland) as chairman and Sen. Michael McLendon as vice-chairman.

Other prominent committees, Agriculture, Corrections, and Highways and Transportation will feature Sen. Chuck Younger (R-Columbus), Sen. Juan Barnett (D-Heidelberg), and Sen. Jennifer Branning (R-Philadelphia), respectively, as chairmen. Longtime Sen. Hob Bryan (D-Amory) will continue to be the chairman of Public Health.

In addition, Sen. Kevin Blackwell (R-Southaven) will serve as chairman of Medicaid. Sen. David Blount (D-Jackson) will return as chairman of the Senate Gaming Committee. Sen. Dennis Debar (R-Leakesville) will continue to be the chairman of the Education Committee. The Senate Universities and Colleges Committee will feature a new chairman in Sen. Nicole Boyd (R-Oxford). The newly created Committee on Government Structure will have Sen. Chris Johnson as its leader.

Speaker Jason White (R-West) ushered in a new era of the Mississippi House of Representatives as committees were announced on Friday featuring widespread changes in leadership. The Appropriations Committee has a new structure but will have many familiar chairmen. Appropriations A will be chaired by Representative John Read (R-Gautier). Appropriations B, C, D, and E will be chaired by Rep. Scott Bounds (R-Philadelphia), Rep. Clay Deweese (R-Oxford), Rep. Sam Mims (R-McComb), and Rep. Karl Oliver (R-Winona), respectively. Rep. Trey Lamar (R-Senatobia) will return as chairman of Ways and Means with Rep. Jody Steverson (R-Ripley) as incoming vice-chairman.

Other committees saw major changes in leadership. The House Education Committee will be led by Rep. Rob Roberson (R-Starkville) as chairman and Rep. Kent McCarty (R-Hattiesburg) will return as vice-chairman. Rep. Missy McGee (R-Hattiesburg) will be the new chairman of the Medicaid Committee with first-term Rep. Clay Mansell (R-Clinton) as vice-chairman. Newly created Committee of State Affairs will have Rep. Hank Zuber (R-Ocean Springs) as chairman and Rep. Robert Johnson (D-Natchez) as vice-chairman. The Committee on Public Health will have mental and behavioral health champions as chairman and vice-chairman. Rep. Sam Creekmore (R-New Albany) will be the Public Health Chairman with Rep. Kevin Felsher (R-Biloxi) as vice-chairman.

Multiple former committee chairmen now find themselves still in leadership, but in new committees. Rep. Kevin Horan (R-Grenada) is chairman of Judiciary B and Rep Joey Hood is chairman of Judiciary A. Former Drug Policy chairman Rep. Lee Yancey (R-Brandon) is chairman of the Business and Commerce Committee. The Committee of Corrections has a whole new look as Rep. Becky Currie (R-Brookhaven) will be chairman and Rep. Charles Young (R-Meridian) serves as vice-chairman. Rep. Jerry Turner (R-Baldwyn) will be chairman of Insurance with Rep. Tracy Arnold (R-Booneville) as vice-chairman.