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 2025 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.

https://www.legislature.ms.gov/summary/aisummary

- Mississippi Legislature - Bill Summary

 

2026 Mississippi Legislative Session

Week of 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