Bill > HB748

This bill amends Section 93-1-17 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to expand the list of individuals authorized to officiate marriages by adding retired judges from various courts (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, circuit court, chancery court, and county court) to the existing list of officials who can solemnize marriage rites. Currently, the law allows active judges, ministers, rabbis, and other spiritual leaders in good standing to perform marriage ceremonies. The bill specifically inserts the phrase "any retired judge" alongside the existing judicial positions, effectively granting retired judges the same legal authority to officiate marriages as their active counterparts. The amendment will take effect on July 1, 2025, providing retired judges with an additional way to serve their communities after completing their judicial careers. This change allows retired judges to continue performing a public service by officiating marriage ceremonies throughout the state of Mississippi.

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https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0748.xml