Bill > HB1398

This bill modifies Mississippi state law regarding municipal judges by establishing a fixed term of office for these judicial positions that will run concurrently with the terms of the municipal governing authorities who appoint them. Specifically, the bill amends sections of the Mississippi Code related to municipal judges in cities with populations above and below 10,000 residents. Under the new provisions, municipal judges will serve for a term aligned with their appointing governing body, and they will automatically forfeit their office and become ineligible to serve if they become unqualified for any reason. The bill applies these new term provisions to municipal judges in different-sized municipalities, including those with the ability to appoint multiple judges and those with discretionary judicial appointments. The changes aim to provide more consistency and clarity in the appointment and service of municipal judges across different municipalities in Mississippi. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving municipalities time to prepare for and implement the new judicial appointment guidelines.

Justice

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB1398.xml