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MississippiHB 14042026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Fraudulent Utility Conversion; create crime when landlord fails to pay utilities and tenants' utilities are interrupted.

Sponsored By: Shanda Yates (Independent)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary AJudiciary, Division B

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Landlords face penalties for utility theft

The law makes it a crime to take tenant utility money and not pay the bill. The person who gets the payment must use it within 60 days of getting the bill. Lying or using false promises to avoid paying is also a crime. Penalties scale by amount: $25,000+ up to 20 years/$50,000; $5,000–$24,999 up to 10 years/$10,000; $1,000–$4,999 up to 5 years/$3,000; under $1,000 up to 6 months/$1,000. With two or more prior convictions at that lowest level, a new offense can mean up to 2 years and a $2,000 fine. Courts must also order full restitution to victims. The rule covers individuals, businesses, and their agents, and utilities like water, power, gas, heat, and sewer.

When landlords aren’t criminally liable for utilities

The law does not apply when a tenant failed to pay enough, on time, to cover that bill. It also does not apply if a utility company’s administrative, clerical, or technical mistake delayed the bill or the payment. These narrow exceptions protect landlords and other payors from criminal charges in those cases.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Shanda Yates

    Independent • House

Cosponsors

  • Kevin Felsher

    Republican • House

  • Clay Mansell

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 236 • No: 42

House vote • 3/18/2026

Concurred in Amend From Senate

Yes: 100 • No: 14

Senate vote • 3/9/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/5/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 85 • No: 28

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    3/25/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/20/2026Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/19/2026House

  4. Concurred in Amend From Senate

    3/18/2026House

  5. Returned For Concurrence

    3/10/2026Senate

  6. Passed As Amended

    3/9/2026Senate

  7. Amended

    3/9/2026Senate

  8. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    2/25/2026Senate

  9. Referred To Judiciary, Division B

    2/18/2026Senate

  10. Transmitted To Senate

    2/12/2026House

  11. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    2/11/2026House

  12. Motion to Reconsider Entered (Porter, Hood, Yates)

    2/5/2026House

  13. Passed As Amended

    2/5/2026House

  14. Amended

    2/5/2026House

  15. Title Suff Do Pass

    1/29/2026House

  16. Referred To Judiciary A

    1/16/2026House

Bill Text

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