What You Need to Know from the State Capitol, March 17-21

As the 2025 Mississippi Legislative Regular Session moves into its final stretch, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) has been working tirelessly at the state Capitol to ensure the voices of farmers and ranchers are heard loud and clear. This week, MFBF was fortunate to welcome Leake County Farm Bureau on National Ag Day, as well as a group of 60 women from the Mississippi Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program. Their presence at the Capitol helps further strengthen the connection between Mississippi’s agricultural community and our legislators.

We are proud to host groups throughout the session, and if you or your county would like to visit the Capitol to see the work firsthand, we encourage you to reach out to your regional manager. It is critical farmers and ranchers remain engaged, especially as we approach the final weeks of the Session.

Currently, the Mississippi Legislature is focused on appropriations and revenue bills. These are critical to ensuring that funds are properly allocated to support infrastructure, state agencies, and our land grant universities. Let’s take a closer look at some priority areas and their impact on Mississippi agriculture:

Infrastructure continues to be a top priority for MFBF, particularly the maintenance and improvement of our state’s roads and bridges. These critical assets not only connect our farms to the markets where we sell our goods, but also affect the safety and efficiency of transporting equipment and livestock. MFBF is closely monitoring the funding for these projects, ensuring the Legislature is prioritizing the roads and bridges that are vital to agricultural operations.

The Mississippi Legislature is also looking at funding for the Emergency Road and Bridge Repair Fund (ERBRF) and the Strategic Multi-Modal Investments Fund (SMIF). These funds are essential for maintaining and improving local infrastructure, which benefits farmers and ranchers who rely on these roads daily.

MFBF has long advocated for adequate funding for state agencies that support agriculture, particularly the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) and the Mississippi Board of Animal Health (MBAH). These agencies play a vital role in ensuring the health and safety of our agricultural products and livestock. We are closely monitoring the appropriations for these agencies to ensure they have the resources needed to continue their important work.

Mississippi’s land grant universities, Mississippi State University (MSU) and Alcorn State University (ASU), are at the heart of agricultural research and education in our state. MFBF is closely following funding for these institutions to ensure0 they continue to support farmers and ranchers with innovative research, education programs, and extension services. These universities help our industry adapt to changing conditions, improve crop and livestock yields, and manage environmental challenges. Proper funding for MSU and ASU is essential to our state’s agricultural future.

After months of debate, the Mississippi House and Senate reached an agreement on House Bill 1, with the House voting to approve the Senate’s amended version with a typo in the trigger language. The bill includes a phased reduction of the state income tax, from 4% in 2026 to 3% by 2030, with further cuts possible if state revenue exceeds certain thresholds. It also cuts the grocery tax to 5% starting in July 2025, raises the gas tax by 3 cents annually starting in 2025, and uses those funds to support infrastructure projects. Additionally, the bill includes Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) reforms, shifting future state employees to a hybrid retirement plan. Governor Tate Reeves has signaled his support, and the bill is expected to be signed into law soon.

As we reach the final weeks of the legislative session, several important bills have already been filed without signature by the Governor or signed by the Governor that will impact Mississippi farmers and ranchers:

• House Bill 1006: This legislation prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of food products produced from cultured animal cells.
• House Bill 1295 / Senate Bill 2264: These bills revise the definition of “Agritourism Activity” and clarify the posting of signage for liability purposes.
• Senate Bill 2019: This bill provides clarification language on the Forestry Facility Grant Program, helping support our state’s vital forestry industry.
• Senate Bill 2025: This legislation provides clarification on fertilizing materials and additives, ensuring that regulations are clear for farmers.
• Senate Bill 2266: This bill requires the Mississippi Department of Revenue to publish a list by August 1, 2025, of eligible items for any sales tax exemption or reduced sales tax rate for commercial farmer permits.
• Senate Bill 2276: This bill extends the open season on deer, allowing hunting to continue until 30 minutes after sunset on the following Sunday if the season ends on a Friday.
• Senate Bill 2280: This legislation requires hunters to procure a wild turkey stamp before hunting wild turkeys in Mississippi.

As we approach the final two weeks of the 2025 Mississippi Legislative Session, it’s important to keep track of key deadlines that will shape the outcome of bills that impact agriculture:

• Monday, March 24: Deadline to dispose of motions to reconsider concurrence or nonconcurrence in appropriation and revenue bills.
• Thursday, March 27: Deadline to concur or not concur on amendments from the other chamber to general bills and constitutional amendments.
• Friday, March 28: Deadline for the introduction of local and private bills that are not revenue bills.

These deadlines are crucial as they determine which bills move forward and which may not make it past this session. As always, MFBF is committed to closely monitoring these developments and advocating for policies that benefit Mississippi’s farmers and ranchers.

As we enter the final phase of the 2025 Mississippi Legislative Session, MFBF will continue to advocate on behalf of MFBF members. We are focused on ensuring that agriculture remains a priority in the state’s budget and that policies are in place to support the continued success of Mississippi’s farming and ranching industries. Thank you to all our members for staying engaged in the legislative process—your advocacy makes a difference!