Hello, my name is Gene Newman and I am thankful for the opportunity to represent the voters of Mississippi House of Representative District 61. As a Pearl school graduate who has lived in Pearl for most of my life, I have been a dedicated community leader committed to bringing a strong voice to the area. If you have a legislative issue or any issue or problem dealing with a state agency, please contact me and I will do my best to help.
I will post House updates below and on the @genenewman61 Facebook page.
Here are the House Committees that I serve on:
Here is a link to bills that I have sponsored or cosponsored in the 2026 session: Legislation introduced by Representative Gene Newman
Thank you!
- Gene
You can call or text me at: 601-316-2491
You can email me at gene@genenewman.ms
RULES: If you put me in a group text or a chain email - I will block you.
The Following Link will take you to AI Bill Summary page. Just put the number of the bill in the space provided and it will give you a summary of the bill.
https://www.legislature.ms.gov/summary/aisummary
- Mississippi Legislature - Bill Summary
2026 Mississippi Legislative Session
Week of February 2, 2026
The fifth week of the 2026 Regular Session has concluded. February 3 marked the deadline for committees to report general bills and constitutional amendments. February 12 is the deadline for original floor action on these measures, and February 13 is the deadline for their reconsideration and passage.
During the week, the House considered and passed several significant pieces of legislation, including:
House Bill 430, “Certificate of Need,” Revises the state’s Health Care Certificate of Need law by removing end-stage renal disease facilities from CON requirements, allowing these facilities to be established or expanded without going through the Certificate of Need approval process.
House Bill 571, “Foreign National Contributions,” Prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or expenditures in connection with any state or local ballot measure and bars the solicitation or acceptance of such contributions.
House Bill 737, “Medicaid Provider Repayment Plans,” Requires the Division of Medicaid to allow providers to repay incorrect Medicaid payments through an installment plan for non-fraudulent overpayments that would cause financial hardship if repaid immediately, with full repayment required no earlier than twelve months from the start of the plan.
House Bill 788, “Affidavit Ballots,” Provides that an eligible voter’s affidavit ballot may be used as voter registration, allows a valid affidavit ballot to serve as a written request to transfer voting precincts or wards, and return inactive voters to active status upon casting an affidavit ballot.
House Bill 895, “Medical Cannabis,” Extends certification and registry card validity periods, removes the mandatory six-month follow-up visit, allows equal purchase limits for nonresident cardholders, and removes THC potency limits for certain cannabis products.
House Bill 908, “Absentee ballots,” Requires absentee ballots for federal elections to be received by the day before the election if federal law preempts state absentee voting rules.
House Bill 925, “CLEAR Act,” Establishes the Creating Logic for Efficiency and Accountability Reform (CLEAR) Act, authorizing the PEER Committee to review newly adopted state agency rules, evaluate health regulatory boards, conduct Medicaid program assessments, and oversee compliance with subpoenas to improve efficiency, accountability, and transparency in state government operations.
House Bill 999, “Mississippi Parkinson’s Disease Research Registry,” Establishes a state registry under the Department of Health to track Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, collect data from healthcare providers, allow patient opt-out, ensure confidentiality, and provide researchers and the public with information to support research and awareness.
House Bill 1034, “Compassionate Access to Medical Cannabis Act” or “Ryan’s Law,” Allows terminally ill patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice facilities to safely use medical cannabis, with secure storage and administration handled by the patient or their caregiver, while prohibiting smoking or vaping.
House Bill 1072, “Voluntary Portable Benefit Plan Act,” Allows hiring parties to voluntarily contribute to independent contractors’ portable benefit accounts, with tax deductions for contributions and exclusion from the contractor’s taxable income.
House Bill 1126, “Teacher Salary Increase,” Increases the teacher salary scale by $5,000 and maintains the assistant teacher program. Includes performance-based pay, mentor teacher supplements, and additional pay for nationally certified teachers, nurses, counselors, and speech-language pathologists.
House Bill 1294, “Child Grooming and Sexual Battery Amendment Act,” Strengthens laws against child grooming and sexual battery, clarifying definitions, including electronic device use, and increasing penalties, especially for offenders in positions of trust.
House Bill 1404, “Fraudulent Utility Conversion,” Creates the crime of fraudulent utility conversion when a landlord fails to pay utilities after collecting payment from a tenant, establishes penalties based on the amount involved, and requires landlords to reimburse tenants for unpaid utilities.
House Bill 1581, “Mississippi Mobile Sports Wagering Act,” Legalizes online sports pool and race book betting in Mississippi, establishes licensing requirements for platforms and gaming establishments, sets rules for age verification and geofencing, and allows the Gaming Commission to collaborate with DHS to withhold winnings for unpaid child support.
House Bill 1665, “Pharmacy Benefit Management and State Employee Health Plan Reform,” Updates and amends provisions related to the State and School Employees Life and Health Insurance Plan, including administration, strategic planning, benefits, retiree coverage, and the Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act, while ensuring transparency, advisory council input, and compliance with current health care practices.
House Resolution 25 - Gulfport High School Football Team; commended on winning the MHSAA Class 7A State Championship.
The Capitol welcomed students, educators, and community groups this week, including Mississippi Academy of Physicians, Prentiss Christian School, St. Francis Xavier Academy, Leadership Greater Jackson, Leadership Jones County, Petal Mayor’s Youth Council, Mississippi Early Learning Alliance, North Pike Junior High Student Council, Southeast Lauderdale Gifted Education, St. Andrews Episcopal School, Coffeeville High School, St. Augustine School, and Girl Scout Troop 4775.
Week 4: Week of January 26, 2026
The fourth week of the 2026 Regular Session has concluded. Committee work and floor action on a range of health care and insurance-related legislation were a major focus this week, with more than 15 House committees meeting to consider bills. February 3 is the deadline for committees to report general bills and constitutional amendments. The State of the State Address has been postponed until February 4, due to a severe ice storm that impacted large areas of Mississippi.
House Bill 565, known as “Jill’s Law,” would require state-regulated health insurance plans, including Medicaid and the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan, to cover biomarker testing when it is medically necessary to diagnose, treat, manage, or monitor a patient’s condition. The measure is named in honor of Jill Eure, the late wife of Representative Casey Eure.
House Bill 1117, the “Creating Transparency and Accountability in Dental Services Act,” would require dental insurance carriers to calculate and report their dental loss ratios, the amount they collect in premiums versus what they pay out in claims. The reports must be turned in to Mississippi’s Insurance Commissioner, who will make the information publicly available to increase transparency and accountability in the dental insurance market.
The Capitol welcomed several visitors this week including SPIRE Learning Center, EMCC School of Nursing, UMMC Dental Hygiene students, Jefferson Davis High School, the Mississippi Nurse Practitioner Association, the Alderwomen of Clinton, Mississippi College nursing students, Boys2Men, the Mississippi Coalition against Domestic Violence, and the Lamar School Football Team.
Week 3: January 19, 2026
The third week of the 2026 Regular Session has concluded, with the Mississippi House focusing its floor activity primarily on health care and regulatory matters. On Wednesday, the House considered and passed four House Bills following debate and discussion among members.
House Bill 314, the Ibogaine Drug Development Clinical Trial Act, authorizes the establishment of clinical trials to study the use of the psychedelic drug ibogaine as a potential treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance addiction.
House Bill 534 establishes the Mississippi Health Information Exchange. This measure creates a statewide system for the secure, electronic sharing of health information and, at a minimum, provides real-time bidirectional access to patient admission, discharge, and transfer data. The exchange is intended to improve care coordination, efficiency, and communication among health care providers across the state.
House Bill 431 allows certain dental hygienists employed by the State Board of Health or public school boards to perform oral hygiene instruction, screenings, and educational demonstrations under the general supervision of a licensed dentist.
House Bill 3 revises provisions related to a hospital holding a certificate of need for a 40-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility in DeSoto County; the bill previously passed the House twice last year and passed again this week with revised provisions.
In addition to floor action, numerous House committees met throughout the week to consider legislation and advance bills ahead of upcoming deadlines. January 19 marked the deadline for the introduction of general bills and constitutional amendments. The next major deadline is February 3, the deadline for committees to report general bills and constitutional amendments originating in their own House.
The Capitol also welcomed several visitors this week, including Mississippi College, Presbyterian Day School of Kosciusko, UMMC Doctor of Physical Therapy students, the Columbia High School Choir, the Southaven Chamber, Stone Middle School Student Council, CARES School, and East Flora Elementary.
Week 2: January 12. 2026
The second week of the 2026 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature has concluded. The House continued its work on a variety of issues, with education remaining the main focus. Lawmakers engaged in discussions and committee work on several measures related to schools, families, and educational policy, while also considering legislation regarding judicial structure and state funding.
The House took up legislation proposing revisions to the Fourth and Seventh Circuit Judicial Districts. After review and consideration by the Judiciary B Committee, the bill was brought to the House floor, where it passed. Lawmakers discussed aspects of judicial administration and the potential consequences for the districts involved.
In addition, the House considered legislation related to lottery and gaming fees, which included proposals to revise the distribution of these funds to support the State Highway Fund and the Education Enhancement Fund. These measures were reviewed by the Transportation Committee, and after discussion on funding priorities and the potential impact on state programs and projects, it was brought to the House floor and passed.
Education policy remained at the forefront during the week. On Tuesday, the House Education Committee met to consider House Bill 2, the Mississippi Educational Freedom Program Act of 2026. The committee engaged in extensive discussion, carefully reviewing various perspectives and potential implications of the bill. Following deliberation, the committee approved the measure and sent it to the full House for further consideration.
On Thursday, HB 2 was debated on the House floor for over four and a half hours. Lawmakers participated in an insightful discussion that included perspectives from both supporters and opponents of the bill. Topics addressed included the potential effects of school choice and expanding educational opportunities. The debate allowed members to present questions, concerns, and points of support, ensuring a thorough review of the measure before the chamber. After careful consideration, HB 2 was passed by the House and will continue through the legislative process.
The Mississippi Educational Freedom Program Act of 2026 seeks to create an education choice program by establishing Magnolia Student Accounts (MSAs) for eligible students. These accounts would allow state education funds to follow students to participating schools—public or private—approved education service providers, or legitimate home instruction programs. The act phases in eligibility over several years, prioritizing low-income families and students with special needs. It also integrates existing Education Scholarship Account (ESA) programs into the new framework and sets caps on yearly participation that gradually increase. The Office of the State Treasurer would serve as the fund manager, with authority over eligibility, disbursements, vendor contracts, audits, and enforcement of rules.
With the passage of these measures, the House concluded another week of focused work on education and state policy. The House is adjourned until 4:00 p.m. on Monday.
Week 1: January 5, 2026
The Mississippi State Legislature began its 2026 regular session on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Lawmakers convened at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson at noon to start session, which
is scheduled to run for 90 days through early April.
On Tuesday, Representative Justin Crosby was formally sworn in and took the oath of office.
The House also referred several vetoes from the 2025 Regular Session and the Extraordinary
Session back to their original committees for further review and consideration.
By the second day of session, committee activity was already underway. The House Education
Committee held a hearing focused on school choice, during which parents from across the state
shared their experiences navigating Mississippi’s education system. The discussion was
centered on the challenges families face in securing what they believe to be the most
appropriate educational setting for their children. Committee members heard directly from
parents about the obstacles impacting Mississippi students and families.
On Thursday, additional legislative business took place on the House floor as the first bill of the
2026 legislative session was brought forward for consideration. Representative Jansen Owen (R
– Poplarville) presented House Bill 1, a judicial and court-related measure that revises the
number of chancellors in the Third Chancery Court District and updates certain qualifications
subject to the governor’s approval.
Legislative business is continuing to move forward as bills are being referred to the appropriate
committees for consideration. The Judiciary B Committee met to begin reviewing assigned
legislation, while the House Rules Committee convened to address procedural matters related
to the flow and scheduling of bills during the session.
The House is adjourned until 4:00 p.m. on Monday.
House members took the oath of office on the first day before the election of Speaker of the House and Speaker Pro Tempore. As part of the House Rules, both positions and the House Clerk are elected by the members and are sworn into office on the first day of session. Representative Jason White (R – West) was elected Speaker of the House after previously serving as Speaker Pro Tempore. Former Local and Private Chairman Manly Barton (R – Moss Point) was chosen as Speaker Pro Tempore. Andrew Ketchings was re-elected as House Clerk for his fourth term.
Members also had to elect fellow representatives to serve on both the Management and Rules committees. All members split into the four Mississippi congressional districts and nominate members to serve on these committees. Both committees are comprised of two members from each of the congressional districts, as well as the Speaker and the Pro Tempore.
Speaker Jason White announced several new House committees, including a major change to Appropriations. There will be four new standing committees within Appropriations (Appropriations B, Appropriations C, Appropriations D and Appropriations E), and these will each be comprised of eight members from the main Appropriations Committee. The Chairman of Appropriations will also serve as an ex officio voting member of the four committees. Each committee will be tasked with a portion of the state budget. Other new committees include Business and Commerce, Housing and State Affairs.
Six statewide elected officials were sworn into office by Chief Justice Michael Randolph before a joint session of the House and Senate on Thursday, January 4. The joint session also re-elected Steven Parks as state librarian.
The inauguration ceremony of Governor Tate Reeves is scheduled for next Tuesday, January 9 at 10:30 a.m. before a joint session of the House and Senate.
Early Wednesday morning, officials received a bomb threat to the Capitol, and the building was evacuated. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety conducted a thorough sweep of the premises and gave the all-clear around 11 a.m. A similar threat was made on Thursday morning to the Capitol, Mississippi Supreme Court and some Hinds County buildings. Mississippi was one of several states that received a bomb threat, and the FBI announced these were all hoaxes.
The Capitol was overflowing with guests this week due to inaugurations. Visitors to the Capitol are always welcome to meet with their legislators and witness the legislative process.
Being Sworn in January 2, 2024