MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blackwell
A RESOLUTION TO AMEND SENATE RULES 28 AND 35C TO PROVIDE FLOOR RESTRICTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE NEWS MEDIA.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, That Senate Rule 28 is amended to read as follows:
VISITORS
28. No person shall be
entitled to enter upon the floor of the Senate while in session except the
following persons: members and their immediate families; elected state
officials; former members of the Legislature, unless the former member is a
registered lobbyist; officers and employees of the Senate; members, officers
and employees of the House of Representatives; joint legislative employees;
ministers or other official guests invited by the President on behalf of the
Senate; and such others as the Rules Committee may designate by name. The
Sergeant-at-Arms shall clear the Senate of all other visitors * * * thirty (30) minutes
before each session convenes and shall not allow other visitors on the floor of
the Senate for ten (10) minutes after the session has recessed.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Senate Rule 35C is amended to read as follows:
DECORUM
35C. No person * * * may be admitted to * * * the floor of the Senate for
the purpose of transcribing the debates and proceedings of the Senate. No
person except for news media with proper credentials issued by the Rules
Committee shall take any photograph or transcribe debates and proceedings of
the Senate in the Senate Gallery while the Senate is in session. No person
shall be allowed to consume food or display any banner or sign in the Senate
Gallery while the Senate is in session. No member of the audience shall be
allowed to consume food or display any banner or sign in Senate committee rooms
while the committee meetings are taking place.