MississippiSB 26342026 Regular SessionSenate

Department of Marine Resources; authorize payment of reserve unit for Special Need Events.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Pay for reserve officers at Special Need Events

Beginning July 1, 2026, some reserve officers can be paid to work Special Need Events when there is a critical staff shortage and the director approves the event. To be eligible, you must be in good standing and have a part-time or full-time Board of Minimum Standards certification, or have finished an out-of-state academy that the Board on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training recognizes. The director sets the pay rate. Before department-authorized training, you must sign an agreement. If you take a law enforcement job within three years after that training, you or the hiring agency must repay the department for the full training cost.

Volunteer Marine Patrol Reserve rules and training

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department of Marine Resources runs a volunteer Marine Patrol Reserve to help enforcement officers. Members serve without pay and are not state employees or eligible for state benefits. To join, you must be at least 21, have a high school diploma or equivalent, hold a Mississippi driver’s license, be in good physical and community standing, have no felony, be available for duty, not belong to other police or security groups, and meet one of these: honorable military discharge, three years of responsible work after high school, 60 college hours, or full enforcement-officer qualifications. When accepted, you get a one-year temporary appointment to finish required training and pass the same firearms course as enforcement officers. The director may issue uniforms and equipment; if not, you must furnish your own. The reserve size cannot exceed the number of enforcement officers, and the executive director must approve members.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Scott DeLano
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 173 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed

Yes: 121 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/9/2026