MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A
By: Representative Shanks
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-7-26, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND THE DATE OF THE REPEALER ON THE STATUTE REQUIRING THE APPOINTMENT OF FOUR TEMPORARY SPECIAL CIRCUIT JUDGES IN THE SEVENTH CIRCUIT COURT DISTRICT; TO EXTEND THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE TERMS OF THE SPECIAL CIRCUIT JUDGES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 9-7-26, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
9-7-26. (1) The Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court shall appoint four (4) temporary special circuit
judges for the Seventh Circuit Court District. No limitation whatsoever shall
be placed upon the powers and duties of the judges other than those provided by
the Constitution and laws of this state. The term of the temporary special
circuit judges shall expire on December 31, * * * 2029.
(2) The judges shall be appointed no later than fifteen (15) days after July 1, 2023, according to applicable state laws. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may elect to reappoint circuit judges that are serving on a temporary basis as of July 1, 2023, in the Seventh Circuit Court District.
(3) (a) Each temporary special circuit judge shall receive an office operating allowance to be used for the purposes described and in amounts equal to those authorized in Section 9-1-36.
(b) The Administrative Office of Courts shall establish personnel policies to compensate the support staff for each temporary special circuit judge.
(4) This section shall
stand repealed on December 31, * * * 2029.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.