Bill > HB393

This bill modifies how local ad valorem taxes, which are property taxes, are levied for school districts in Mississippi by giving more discretion to the "levying authority," typically a county or municipal board, when approving a school board's request for increased tax revenue. Previously, if a school board requested an increase in property taxes that would result in a millage rate (a unit of taxation) higher than 55 mills, and this rate was an increase from the previous year, a referendum (a public vote) was often required to approve it. This bill amends the law to allow the levying authority to approve, in full or in part, the dollar amount requested by the school board, and then determine the necessary millage rate. While referendums are still required in certain situations, particularly for significant tax increases, the bill clarifies that the levying authority's approval is a necessary step in the process, and in some specific cases, like increases related to the state's total funding formula, the levying authority's approval may not be required. The bill also makes conforming changes to related sections of the Mississippi Code of 1972 and specifies an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0393.xml