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MississippiSB 27942026 Regular SessionSenate

Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund; delete prohibition for intentional harm.

Sponsored By: Joey Fillingane (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Judiciary BJudiciary, Division B

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Death benefits for officers and firefighters

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state pays a $150,000 death benefit when a covered law enforcement officer or firefighter (including volunteers) dies from accidental or intentional injury in the line of duty. Suicide or self‑inflicted injury is not covered. Each child also gets $25,000, capped at $250,000 total for children. The state may pay up to $15,000 for funeral and burial costs, if money is in the fund. You name a beneficiary in writing; if none, payments go to spouse and children equally, or to parents. These payments are on top of workers’ comp or pensions and are protected from creditors.

Grants for officer and firefighter safety

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state creates a Training and Equipment Trust Fund and a grant program. It can get transfers from the death benefits fund, appropriations, and donations. The Public Safety Commissioner and State Fire Marshal may award grants for better training and safety gear for covered officers and firefighters. Money in the fund does not lapse at year end.

Trust fund to pay death benefits

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state creates the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund. It must keep at least $4,000,000 and can receive appropriations, gifts, and other money. The State Treasurer invests it like the public employees’ retirement fund; earnings stay in the fund. Each year, any amount above $4,000,000 moves to the Training and Equipment Trust Fund. The Department of Public Safety runs the fund, pays benefits, and sets rules to standardize payments.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joey Fillingane

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 171 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

Passed

Yes: 119 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 52 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    3/19/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/13/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/12/2026Senate

  4. Returned For Enrolling

    3/10/2026House

  5. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    3/10/2026House

  6. Motion to Reconsider Entered (Horan, Owen)

    3/4/2026House

  7. Passed

    3/4/2026House

  8. Title Suff Do Pass

    2/26/2026House

  9. Referred To Judiciary B

    2/16/2026House

  10. Transmitted To House

    2/13/2026Senate

  11. Passed As Amended

    2/12/2026Senate

  12. Amended

    2/12/2026Senate

  13. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/12/2026Senate

  14. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/3/2026Senate

  15. Referred To Judiciary, Division B

    1/19/2026Senate

Bill Text

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