Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control - Qualified Resort Area Definition

Mississippi Legislative Events

Published April 6th, 2026

Detected April 7th, 2026

Summary

Mississippi HB1330 was signed into law on April 6, 2026, amending the Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law to revise the definition of "qualified resort area" under Section 67-1-5 of the Mississippi Code. The bill also authorizes governing authorities for qualified resort areas to adopt ordinances allowing package retailer's permits for alcoholic beverages. The legislation passed the House 113-2 and the Senate 47-3 after conference committee adoption.

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What changed

Mississippi HB1330 modifies two key sections of the Mississippi Code. Section 67-1-5 is amended to revise the definition of "qualified resort area," potentially expanding which areas qualify for relaxed alcohol sales restrictions. Section 67-1-7 is amended to grant governing authorities in qualified resort areas new ordinance-making power to authorize package retailer's permits, allowing alcoholic beverages to be received, stored, sold, possessed, and distributed under such permits within those areas.

Local governments and alcohol businesses in potential qualified resort areas should immediately review the new definition to determine if they meet the revised criteria. Local governing authorities wishing to allow package retail sales in their resort areas must now adopt enabling ordinances. Permit applicants should familiarize themselves with the new authorization pathway established by Section 67-1-7.

What to do next

Review the revised definition of 'qualified resort area' in Section 67-1-5 to determine if your jurisdiction qualifies
Assess whether local ordinances are needed to authorize package retailer's permits under the new Section 67-1-7 authority
Update compliance procedures for any existing or anticipated alcoholic beverage permits in resort areas

Source document (simplified)

ChangeBridge / Mississippi / HB1330 Signed by Governor HB1330 House Bill Signed by Governor 2026-04-06

Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law; revise definition of "qualified resort area".

An Act To Amend Section 67-1-5, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Revise The Definition Of The Term "qualified Resort Area" Under The Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law; To Amend Section 67–1–7, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Authorize The Governing Authorities For Certain Qualified Resort Areas To Provide, By Ordinance, That Package Retailer's Permits May Be Issued In The Applicable Qualified Resort Areas And That Alcoholic Beverages May Be Received, Stored, Sold, Possessed And Distributed In Accordance With Such Permits; And For Related Purposes.

Bill Details

State Mississippi

Session 2026 Regular Session

Chamber House

Official Source billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history...

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Action History

2026-04-06 S Enrolled Bill Signed 2026-04-06 H Enrolled Bill Signed 2026-04-01 S Conference Report Adopted 2026-04-01 H Conference Report Adopted 2026-03-31 S Conference Report Filed 2026-03-31 H Conference Report Filed 2026-03-31 H Recommitted For Further Conf 2026-03-31 S Recommitted For Further Conf 2026-03-31 S Reconsidered 2026-03-31 S Motion to Reconsider Entered 2026-03-31 S Conference Report Adopted 2026-03-30 H Conference Report Filed 2026-03-30 S Conference Report Filed 2026-03-24 S Conferees Named Harkins,Michel,Barrett 2026-03-12 H Conferees Named Zuber,Powell,Yates 2026-03-11 H Decline to Concur/Invite Conf 2026-03-05 S Returned For Concurrence 2026-03-04 S Passed As Amended 2026-03-04 S Amended 2026-02-26 S Title Suff Do Pass As Amended 2026-02-18 S Referred To Finance 2026-02-13 H Transmitted To Senate 2026-02-12 H Passed 2026-02-11 H Read the Third Time 2026-02-03 H Title Suff Do Pass 2026-01-19 H Referred To State Affairs

Votes

2026-02-12 House Passed Yea: 105 Nay: 9 2026-03-04 Senate Passed As Amended Yea: 43 Nay: 8 2026-03-31 Senate Conference Report Adopted Yea: 44 Nay: 6 2026-04-01 House Conference Report Adopted Yea: 113 Nay: 2 2026-04-01 Senate Conference Report Adopted Yea: 47 Nay: 3