Senate Bill 2268

AN ACT TO REQUIRE ALL OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE BOARDS IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO BE LOCATED WITHIN A STATE-OWNED BUILDING BY 2027, OR AS SOON AS PRACTICABLY POSSIBLE; TO REQUIRE OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE BOARDS TO SHARE BUILDING SPACE AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT STAFF; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) All occupational licensure boards within the State of Mississippi, must all have their offices located in a state-owned building by 2027, or as soon as practicably possible.

(a) Existing boards with offices that are currently located in buildings that are not owned by the state, shall not extend or renew any lease agreements or other obligations the board currently may have, and must exercise due diligence to relocate into a state-owned building that can accommodate the business and needs of the board. This section shall not be interpreted to require existing boards to break any lease agreement or obligation for which the board is currently legally bound.

(b) Boards created after July 1, 2025, must only enter into lease agreements with the state to lease office space within a state-owned building.

(2) Occupational licensure boards within the State of Mississippi must collaborate to identify and execute location and staff-sharing strategies. Boards operating within the same location shall implement strategies to downsize and share administrative and support staff, whenever possible.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.