New laws taking effect, old laws taking shape heading into 2026

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV) — With the start of another calendar year comes the implementation of new laws across the Magnolia State.

One of the biggest changes coming on January 1st, 2026, has to do with income taxes.

Mississippi will reduce its individual income tax from 4.4% to 4% on New Year’s Day. It’s the beginning stages of House Bill 1, which went into effect on July 1st, 2025, and will decrease the state income tax over the next few years until it is ultimately eliminated.

House Bill 1063 will also go into effect. This law gives state government employees, including university employees, six weeks of paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of their child.

Other laws that were first implemented back on July 1st are continuing to take shape.

House Bill 1 included a gas tax increase, with taxes going up three cents per gallon over the next three years. It also included a decrease on taxes from grocery sales, with those rates going from 7% to 5%.

One popular law on the Coast also went into effect over the summer. House Bill 602 states that all seafood and crawfish must be clearly labeled as either imported or domestic.

The Safe Solicitation Act has been implemented as well. This requires a person who solicits or panhandles along roads to purchase a permit. The permit costs $25 and individuals must apply for a new one each time they panhandle.

One last major law from July 1st — child grooming is now a felony offense in Mississippi. This law applies to anyone over the age of 21 who knowingly attempts to gain sexually explicit conduct from anyone under 16.

The 2026 Mississippi Legislative Session begins on January 6th. Laws impacting education, government reform and insurance reform are expected to be major topics.