HB4606 - Residency Status Affecting Bail Determinations

West Virginia enacted HB4606 requiring judicial officers to consider the residency status of criminal defendants when determining bail amounts and conditions of pretrial release. The law applies to all persons charged with criminal violations in the state court system. The bill passed with strong legislative support, receiving final passage in the Senate 34-0 and House 84-9.

College Campus Safety Mapping Requirements

West Virginia HB4592 was signed into law on April 1, 2026, extending existing school safety mapping requirements to include public and private colleges and universities. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers (House 97-0, Senate 33-0) after committee amendments. Affected higher education institutions must now develop and submit campus safety maps to state authorities.

Baylea's Law - Increased DUI Death Penalties

West Virginia Governor signed HB4712, known as Baylea's Law, into law on April 1, 2026. The bill increases criminal penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) causing death, named in honor of Baylea. The legislation passed unanimously in both chambers (House: 95-0, Senate: 34-0) after bipartisan sponsorship by nine Republican representatives. The bill creates a specific statutory enhancement for DUI fatalities, distinguishing these cases from standard DUI penalties.

Mississippi HB1899 Approves Pearl River Valley FY2027 Funds

Mississippi Governor signed HB1899 into law, approving the expenditure of special funds for the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District for Fiscal Year 2027. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers with final votes of 121-0 in the House and 50-0 in the Senate following conference committee reconciliation.

Mississippi HB1889 - Department of Archives and History Appropriation FY2027

Mississippi Governor signed HB1889 into law on April 6, 2026, making an appropriation to the Department of Archives and History for Fiscal Year 2027. The bill passed both chambers unanimously (House 113-0, Senate 50-0) following conference committee review and adoption of the conference report.

HB1893 Forestry Commission Funding Appropriation

Mississippi Governor signed HB1893 into law on April 6, 2026. The bill makes an appropriation for the support and maintenance of the State Forestry Commission for fiscal year 2027. The bill passed both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature with unanimous support.

Mississippi Arts Commission Appropriation FY2027

Mississippi HB1934 was signed into law on April 6, 2026, making a fiscal year 2027 appropriation to fund the Mississippi Arts Commission's operations and expenses. The bill passed the House unanimously (122-0) and the Senate unanimously (51-0) before conference committee adoption and gubernatorial approval.

HB1929 - PERS Appropriation, Fiscal Year 2027

Mississippi Governor signed HB1929 into law on April 6, 2026, making a state appropriation from special funds for the administrative expenses of the Public Employees' Retirement System Board of Trustees and maintenance of the retirement system building for fiscal year 2027. The bill passed both chambers unanimously, with the Senate adopting amendments before final passage.

HB1901 - Public Utilities Staff FY2027 Appropriation

The Mississippi State Legislature, signed by the Governor on April 6, 2026, enacted HB1901 making a general fund appropriation for the Public Utilities Staff for Fiscal Year 2027. The bill passed with unanimous legislative support in both chambers. This appropriation funds the state agency responsible for regulating and overseeing public utilities in Mississippi.

Appropriation; Soil and Water Conservation Commission

Mississippi enacted HB1902, appropriating funds for the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission for Fiscal Year 2027. The bill provides funding to support the commission's soil and water conservation programs and administrative operations. Governor Tate Reeves signed the bill into law on April 6, 2026, following unanimous passage in both chambers.