summary
Introduced
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
In Committee
01/19/2026
01/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act To Enact The Mississippi Rural Attorney Program Act; To Define Terms; To Establish The Mississippi Rural Attorneys Program Within The Mississippi Bar For The Purpose Of Identifying And Recruiting Qualified Attorneys To Practice Law In Rural And Underserved Areas; To Establish The Mississippi Rural Attorneys Commission Within The Mississippi Bar; To Provide That The Commission Shall Be Directed By A Board; To Provide For The Composition And Procedures Of The Board; To Set Forth The Powers And Duties Of The Board; To Direct The Commission, Through The Use Of Generally Applicable Definitions, To Designate Areas Of The State As Rural And Underserved; To Provide An Application Procedure For Admission Into The Program; To Provide For A Minimum Number Of Admissions To The Program Each Year; To Provide That A Participant Admitted To The Program Shall Receive A Stipend From The Commission For The Purposes Of Establishing A Law Firm In A Rural And Underserved Area Of Mississippi; To Provide That When A Participant Practices Law In A Rural And Underserved Area Of Mississippi For Five Years The Stipend Shall Be Forgiven; To Require The Commission To Make Every Effort To Establish A Practice Support System And Mentorships For Participants In The Program; And For Related Purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the Mississippi Rural Attorney Program Act to address the shortage of lawyers in rural and underserved areas of the state by creating the Mississippi Rural Attorneys Program within The Mississippi Bar, which will be overseen by a Mississippi Rural Attorneys Commission. This Commission, composed of various legal professionals, deans from law schools, and judicial representatives, will be responsible for identifying and recruiting qualified attorneys, designating areas as rural and underserved using defined criteria, and establishing a process for attorneys to apply to the program. Participants admitted to the program will receive a stipend to help them establish a law firm in these designated areas, and this stipend will be forgiven if they practice in such an area for five years; otherwise, it must be repaid. The Commission is also tasked with developing a support system and mentorship opportunities for these attorneys to increase their chances of success.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2687.xml |
| BillText | https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/SB/2600-2699/SB2687IN.htm |
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