Week of January 19, 2026

The third week of the 2026 Regular Session has concluded, with the Mississippi House focusing its floor activity primarily on health care and regulatory matters. On Wednesday, the House considered and passed four House Bills following debate and discussion among members.

House Bill 314, the Ibogaine Drug Development Clinical Trial Act, authorizes the establishment of clinical trials to study the use of the psychedelic drug ibogaine as a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance addiction.  

House Bill 534 establishes the Mississippi Health Information Exchange. This measure creates a statewide system for the secure, electronic sharing of health information and, at a minimum, provides real-time bidirectional access to patient admission, discharge, and transfer data. The exchange is intended to improve care coordination, efficiency, and communication among health care providers across the state.

House Bill 431 allows certain dental hygienists employed by the State Board of Health or public school boards to perform oral hygiene instruction, screenings, and educational demonstrations under the general supervision of a licensed dentist.

House Bill 3 revises provisions related to a hospital holding a certificate of need for a 40-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility in DeSoto County; the bill previously passed the House twice last year and passed again this week with revised provisions.

In addition to floor action, numerous House committees met throughout the week to consider legislation and advance bills ahead of upcoming deadlines. January 19 marked the deadline for the introduction of general bills and constitutional amendments. The next major deadline is February 3, the deadline for committees to report general bills and constitutional amendments originating in their own House.

The Capitol also welcomed several visitors this week, including Mississippi College, Presbyterian Day School of Kosciusko, UMMC Doctor of Physical Therapy students, the Columbia High School Choir, the Southaven Chamber, Stone Middle School Student Council, CARES School, and East Flora Elementary.