l9n/ Mississippi

2026 Regular Session

House Bill 538

Sanctuary policies; prohibit certain government entities and employees from adopting or interfering with federal immigration enforcement.

Became law as Chapter 447, Laws of 2026, signed April 8, 2026, 86 days after it was filed.

What it does

The synopsis the Legislature published with the bill.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-1-119, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE LAW PROHIBITING SANCTUARY POLICIES IN THE STATE INCLUDES ANY POLICY, ORDER, ORDINANCE, PRACTICE OR PROCEDURE, THAT LIMITS, RESTRICTS, BANS OR INTERFERES WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS BY ANY PERSON; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND EMPLOYEES TO COOPERATE AND COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHEN ENFORCING FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS; TO AUTHORIZE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE ANY VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Sponsors

Who carried the bill in each chamber, and who signed on. Each name leads to the member's page.

In the House of Representatives

2 co-sponsors

Noah Sanford, Rodney Hall

Its course

January 12 to April 8, 2026, on one scale. In the top row each mark is a day something happened; taller marks are busier days.

Each committee stop sits inside its chamber.

Every action22 actions on 16 days

In the House of RepresentativesJan 12 to Feb 1231 days

Judiciary AJan 12 to Feb 322 days

In the SenateFeb 12 to Mar 1026 days

Judiciary, Division BFeb 19 to Mar 312 days

Back in the House of RepresentativesMar 10 to Apr 223 days

With the GovernorApr 2 to Apr 86 days

Amendments

Each amendment offered, and what became of it.

  • House of Representatives floor amendmentPending

  • Senate committee amendmentPending

  • Senate floor amendmentPending

Text

Each version as the Legislature printed it.

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

What happened

In l9n's words, one line for each step. Every action as the Legislature published it is below.

In the House of Representatives Jan 12 – Feb 12

  1. Jan 12Referred to the House committee on Judiciary A
  2. Feb 3Reported from committee in the House: title sufficient, do pass
  3. Feb 11Read the third time in the House
  4. Feb 12Passed the House

In the Senate Feb 13 – Mar 10

  1. Feb 13Sent to the Senate
  2. Feb 19Referred to the Senate committee on Judiciary, Division B
  3. Mar 3Reported from committee in the Senate: title sufficient, do pass as amended
  4. Mar 10Amended in the Senate
  5. Passed the Senate as amended

Back in the House of Representatives Mar 10 – Apr 2

  1. Mar 10Motion in the Senate to reconsider entered
  2. Mar 11Motion in the Senate to reconsider tabled
  3. Mar 12Returned to the House to concur in the Senate's amendments
  4. Mar 17Declined in the House to concur, and invited a conference
  5. Mar 23Conferees named in the House: Hood, Blackwell and Yancey
  6. Conferees named in the Senate: Fillingane, Sparks and Hill
  7. Mar 30Conference report filed in the Senate
  8. Conference report filed in the House
  9. Mar 31Conference report adopted in the Senate
  10. Conference report adopted in the House
  11. Apr 2Enrolled bill signed in the House

To the Governor Apr 2 – Apr 8

  1. Apr 2Enrolled bill signed in the Senate
  2. Apr 8Approved by the Governor
All 22 actions, as published
  1. Jan 12Referred To Judiciary AHouse of Representatives
  2. Feb 3Title Suff Do PassHouse of Representatives
  3. Feb 11Read the Third TimeHouse of Representatives
  4. Feb 12PassedHouse of Representatives
  5. Feb 13Transmitted To SenateHouse of Representatives
  6. Feb 19Referred To Judiciary, Division BSenate
  7. Mar 3Title Suff Do Pass As AmendedSenate
  8. Mar 10AmendedSenate
  9. Mar 10Passed As AmendedSenate
  10. Mar 10Motion to Reconsider EnteredSenate
  11. Mar 11Motion to Reconsider TabledSenate
  12. Mar 12Returned For ConcurrenceSenate
  13. Mar 17Decline to Concur/Invite ConfHouse of Representatives
  14. Mar 23Conferees Named Hood,Blackwell,YanceyHouse of Representatives
  15. Mar 23Conferees Named Fillingane,Sparks,HillSenate
  16. Mar 30Conference Report FiledSenate
  17. Mar 30Conference Report FiledHouse of Representatives
  18. Mar 31Conference Report AdoptedSenate
  19. Mar 31Conference Report AdoptedHouse of Representatives
  20. Apr 2Enrolled Bill SignedHouse of Representatives
  21. Apr 2Enrolled Bill SignedSenate
  22. Apr 8Approved by GovernorGovernor