Senate passes multiple local tax measures and honors Starkville state champions

The Mississippi Senate took up a series of local-and-private measures and ceremonial resolutions on March 23, 2026, advancing multiple local tax questions and honoring state-championship high-school teams.

Senate Bill 3328, explained by Senator Blunt, would increase Visit Jackson's hotel/motel tax by 1% and raise the restaurant tax by 0.5%; it passed by use of the morning roll call and requires a 60% voter referendum to take effect. Senator Blunt described the bill as a delegation-requested local measure to support the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau.

In a block of local-and-private items, senators took up measures authorizing room, hotel and restaurant taxes for small towns (examples called on the floor included Senate Bill 2262, Senate Bill 3392, and Senate Bill 3401). Sponsors said the taxes would fund tourism, parks and recreation and would be submitted to local voters via election where statutorily required. Each measure, as presented, passed by morning roll call or unanimous voice vote.

The chamber also adopted two resolutions (Senate Resolutions 64 and 65) commending the Starkville High School Yellow Jackets girls and boys basketball teams and their coaches, and invited the teams and coaches to address the Senate. Coaches Matt Wilbanks and Anthony Carile spoke briefly and received applause.

Several nomination confirmations and advise-and-consent votes to community college boards were also taken in block later in the session, and the Senate announced committee meetings and recessed for the afternoon.