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MississippiHB 9582025 Regular SessionHouse

Department of Information Technology Services; revise certain provisions relating to acquisition of technology services.

Sponsored By: Henry Zuber III (Republican)

Signed by Governor

State AffairsAccountability, Efficiency, Transparency

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 6 mixed.

Some state technology purchases remain exempt

Public universities and junior or community colleges are exempt from the technology chapter for purchases paid entirely with federal funds. No state general funds can support those purchases, and public purchasing law still applies. Existing qualifying technology purchase exemptions continue until the technology department decides a new acquisition is required. Health and revenue departments also receive an exemption for medical-cannabis technology acquisitions made before June 30, 2024. Those acquisitions must implement, administer, or enforce the state medical cannabis law.

Technology advisory meetings lose public-access requirements

Mississippi technology committees formed under the technical-advisory authority are exempt from state open-meeting requirements. The exemption limits required public access only for those committee meetings, not all technology department meetings.

Technology contract protesters face new barriers

Mississippi’s technology department may require a bond when a party files a procurement protest. The bond covers state expenses or losses and cannot exceed a reasonable estimate of the total project cost. No prior court finding that the protest lacked a substantial basis or reasonable expectation of merit is required. While a protest or contract lawsuit is pending, the department may bar a party from other covered bids or contracts.

State agencies must report cyberattacks quickly

State agencies must report cyberattacks or ransomware payment demands by the close of the next business day after discovery. Reports go to Mississippi’s technology department, which must set a reporting format and regularly analyze reports. These reports are exempt from public records disclosure. The reporting text specifies July 1, 2023, although the act’s effective date is July 1, 2025.

State agencies share cybersecurity and costs

Beginning July 1, 2025, Mississippi’s technology department coordinates statewide cybersecurity, sets security rules, and can require shared services. Agencies may pay their share of setup, upkeep, and operating costs. Each agency head remains responsible for agency security, must name a security officer, and must maintain a security program. Agencies must follow applicable statewide requirements, join security efforts, and agency heads must take annual training. Agency security policies and internal assessments are confidential but available to state auditors.

Mississippi reshapes control over technology purchases

Mississippi’s technology department oversees information technology broadly, including computers, telecommunications equipment, systems, and related services. Its executive director reviews, negotiates, and signs state technology contracts. The department can delegate purchasing under rules covering purchase types, price limits, reporting, monitoring, and controls. It can provide requested government technology advice, planning, consulting, and training within available resources. The law also removes the rule placing title to agency computers and control over their disposal with the central authority.

State technology purchases gain bidding flexibility

Technology purchases above the dollar threshold in Section 31-7-13(c) must use a legally defined bid method. Methods include sealed bids, competitive proposals, simplified small purchases, sole-source purchases, and emergency purchases. This replaces specific open-specification and advertising rules, including newspaper notice at least 14 days before sealed bids. Mississippi can also use contracts acquired by other entities, inside or outside the state, without the specified advertising and bidding steps. The technology department must find those purchases in the state’s best interest.

State technology renewals and liability change

Expired state technology contracts can be renewed within a reasonable time when all parties intend to renew. The law sets no specific renewal deadline or price. Contractor liability limits require reasonable state protection and approval from the state entity buying the technology. Limits cannot cover intentional wrongdoing, negligence, death, bodily injury, bad faith, state data breaches, infringement, or damage to tangible state property.

State telecom contracts lose price caps

Beginning July 1, 2025, nonregulated state telecommunications purchases follow Section 25-53-5 where applicable; equipment support contracts also follow that section. Other telecommunications contracts use a legally defined bid instead of the former request-for-proposals requirement. The law removes support-contract duration and renewal limits, renewal price-increase restrictions, and equipment purchase and monthly lease price caps. It removes 60-month lease limits below $1 million and 120-month limits at $1 million or more, without setting replacement terms. It also repeals the option for approved month-to-month lease extensions, at stated prices, for up to one calendar year.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Henry Zuber III

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 327 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 46 • No: 2 • Other: 1

House vote • 4/1/2025

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 115 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/11/2025

Passed

Yes: 115 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/17/2025legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/7/2025Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/7/2025House

  4. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    4/2/2025House

  5. Motion to Reconsider Entered (Zuber, Johnson)

    4/1/2025House

  6. Conference Report Adopted

    4/1/2025House

  7. Conference Report Adopted

    4/1/2025Senate

  8. Conference Report Filed

    3/31/2025House

  9. Conference Report Filed

    3/31/2025Senate

  10. Conferees Named Parker,Williams,DeLano

    3/21/2025Senate

  11. Conferees Named Zuber,Johnson,Owen

    3/21/2025House

  12. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/18/2025House

  13. Returned For Concurrence

    3/13/2025Senate

  14. Passed As Amended

    3/11/2025Senate

  15. Amended

    3/11/2025Senate

  16. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/4/2025Senate

  17. Referred To Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

    2/17/2025Senate

  18. Transmitted To Senate

    2/12/2025House

  19. Passed

    2/11/2025House

  20. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/11/2025House

  21. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/4/2025House

  22. Referred To State Affairs

    1/17/2025House

Bill Text

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