Mississippi lawmakers will reconvene in Jackson for a special session this month, but one legislative leader is already eyeing a potential agenda for 2027.
House Speaker Jason White announced six new select committees on Wednesday with the goal of each to touch on “complex issues” that affect Mississippi. According to the Republican from West, the committees will focus on government efficiency, property taxes, redistricting, judicial operations, consolidation, and specialty schools. Committee members will be tasked with engaging stakeholders, examining policy “from every angle,” and building solutions on each topic, per White.
“As we prepare for the next legislative session, these six committees will focus on some of the most important structural and policy matters facing our state,” White said. “Whether it is ensuring government operates more efficiently, evaluating our tax structure, strengthening our judicial system, or improving how specialized educational institutions serve Mississippi families, these committees will help shape meaningful legislation that reflects our commitment to responsible governance.”
The Select Committee on Government Efficiency will review opportunities to streamline state government operations, reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, and identify ways taxpayer dollars can be used more effectively and transparently, according to the speaker. Reps. Hank Zuber (R-Ocean Springs) and Steve Lott (R-Lucedale) will co-chair the committee, with the following lawmakers serving as members of it:
Elliot Burch (R-Lucedale), Jim Estrada (R-Saucier), Bob Evans (D-Monticello), Kevin Felsher (R-Biloxi), Kevin Ford (R-Vicksburg), Clay Mansell (R-Clinton), Missy McGee (R-Hattiesburg), Jonathan McMillan (R-Madison), Tracey Rosebud (D-Charleston), Randy Rushing (R-Decatur), Omeria Scott (D-Laurel), Troy Smith (R-Enterprise), Beth Waldo (R-Pontotoc), Otha Williams (D-Clarksdale), and Lee Yancey (R-Brandon).
The Select Committee on Property Taxes will examine Mississippi’s property tax framework, explore reforms that provide relief to homeowners and businesses, and evaluate long-term strategies to ensure fairness and sustainability in local government funding, White said. Reps. Trey Lamar (R-Senatobia) and Shane Barnett (R-Waynesboro) will co-chair the committee, with the following lawmakers serving as members of it:
Shane Aguirre (R-Tupelo), Brent Anderson (R-Bay St. Louis), Manly Barton (R-Moss Point), Cedric Burnett (D-Tunica), Bryant Clark (D-Pickens), Ronnie Crudup (D-Jackson), Clay Deweese (R-Oxford), Zack Grady (R-D’Iberville), Jeff Guice (R-Ocean Springs), Josh Hawkins (R-Batesville), Hester Jackson-McCray (D-Horn Lake), Gene Newman (R-Pearl), and Brent Powell (R-Brandon).
The Select Committee on Redistricting will study current districting processes and legal considerations, ensuring Mississippi remains prepared to address future reapportionment with transparency, fairness, and adherence to constitutional requirements, added the speaker. Reps. Noah Sanford (R-Collins) and Kevin Horan (R-Grenada) will co-chair the committee, with the following lawmakers serving as members of it:
Scott Bounds (R-Philadelphia), Sam Creekmore (R-New Albany), Dan Eubanks (R-Walls), Casey Eure (R-Saucier), Rodney Hall (R-Southaven), Joey Hood (R-Ackerman), Lataisha Jackson (D-Como), Timaka James-Jones (D-Belzoni), Brad Mattox (R-Corinth), Jay McKnight (R-Gulfport), Carl Mickens (D-Macon), Tracey Rosebud (D-Charleston), and Mark Tullos (R-Raleigh).
The Select Committee on Judicial Operations will focus on the structure and administration of Mississippi’s court system, reviewing efficiency, access to justice, court resources, and opportunities to improve judicial processes statewide, White noted. Reps. Angela Cockerham (I-Magnolia) and Joey Hood (R-Ackerman) will co-chair the committee, with the following lawmakers serving as members of it:
Lawrence Blackmon (D-Canton), Chuck Blackwell (R-Ellisville), Jimmy Fondren (R-Pascagoula), Justis Gibbs (D-Jackson), Kevin Horan (R-Grenada), Sam Mims (R-McComb, Daryl Porter (D-Summit), Noah Sanford (R-Collins), Mark Tullos (R-Raleigh), Percy Watson (D-Hattiesburg), and Shanda Yates (I-Jackson).
The Select Committee on Consolidation will evaluate opportunities for consolidation within our K-12 public schools, as well as community college and Institutions of Higher Learning systems, according to the speaker. Reps. Rob Roberson (R-Starkville) and Donnie Scoggin (R-Ellisville) will co-chair the committee, with the following lawmakers serving as members of it:
Otis Anthony (D-Indianola), Tracy Arnold (R-Booneville), Donnie Bell (R-Fulton), Bubba Carpenter (R-Burnsville), Gregory Elliott (D-Meridian), Greg Holloway (D-Hazlehurst), Kenji Holloway (D-Carthage), Celeste Hurst (R-Sandhill), Trey Lamar (R-Senatobia), Kent McCarty (R-Hattiesburg), Jansen Owen (R-Poplarville), Kimberly Remak (R-Olive Branch), Rickey Thompson (D-Shannon), and Bubba Tubb (R-Hattiesburg).
The Select Committee on Specialty Schools will study Mississippi’s specialized educational institutions and programs, examining opportunities to strengthen educational access, improve outcomes, and ensure students with unique talents and needs receive the highest quality support and instruction, White said. Reps. Steve Massengill (R-Hickory Flat) and Andy Boyd (R-Columbus) will co-chair the subcommittee, with the following lawmakers serving as members of it:
Chris Bell (D-Jackson), Becky Currie (R-Brookhaven), Kevin Felsher (R-Biloxi), Stephanie Foster (D-Jackson), Karl Gibbs (D-West Point), Vince Mangold (R-Brookhaven), Missy McGee (R-Hattiesburg), Dana McLean (R-Columbus), Fabian Nelson (D-Byram), Karl Oliver (R-Winona), Jansen Owen (R-Poplarville), Rob Roberson (R-Starkville), Robert Sanders (D-Cleveland), and Shanda Yates (I-Jackson).
“Following the success of previous Select Committees, which produced substantial legislation and meaningful reforms, the House is once again taking a proactive approach to governing,” White remarked. “By beginning this work now, we will enter the next legislative session with clear priorities, well-developed policy solutions, and a continued focus on advancing commonsense conservative leadership for Mississippi.”
Last year, White created select committees to assess school choice, the state’s public employees’ retirement system, and voters’ rights, while continuing a committee focused on revitalizing the state capital of Jackson, to give his chamber a leg up in having ducks in a row ahead of this past session. He is hopeful the new committees will serve the same purpose going into 2027.
