MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Judiciary, Division A
By: Senator(s) Wiggins
AN ACT TO REDISTRICT THE CHANCERY COURT DISTRICTS OF THE STATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 152 OF ARTICLE 6 OF THE MISSISSIPPI CONSTITUTION OF 1890; TO AMEND SECTION 9-5-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE COUNTIES AND INDIVIDUAL PRECINCTS IN THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE THOSE COUNTIES AND PRECINCTS AS THEY EXISTED ON JULY 1, 2025; TO PROVIDE THAT A CHANCELLOR SHALL BE A RESIDENT OF THE DISTRICT IN WHICH HE SERVES BY THE DATE ON WHICH THE PERSON QUALIFIES AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE JUDICIAL OFFICE; TO AMEND SECTION 9-5-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE CRITERIA FOR THE NUMBER OF CHANCELLORSHIPS THROUGHOUT THE STATE SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE LEGISLATURE; TO AMEND SECTIONS 9-5-9, 9-5-11, 9-5-13, 9-5-15, 9-5-17, 9-5-19, 9-5-21, 9-5-22, 9-5-23, 9-5-25, 9-5-27, 9-5-31, 9-5-33, 9-5-35, 9-5-36, 9-5-41, 9-5-43, 9-5-47, 9-5-49, 9-5-50, 9-5-51 AND 9-5-55, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE PROVISIONS OF LAW RELATED TO THE NUMBER OF JUDGES, RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS, GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES, AND SUBDISTRICT BOUNDARIES OF THE SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, EIGHTH, NINTH, TENTH, ELEVENTH, THIRTEENTH, FOURTEENTH, FIFTEENTH, SIXTEENTH, SEVENTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CHANCERY COURT DISTRICTS; TO PROVIDE THE PROCEDURE FOR THE ELECTION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE JUDICIAL OFFICES CREATED BY VIRTUE OF THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 9-5-37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO UPDATE PRECINCT GEOGRAPHY IN THE ELEVENTH CHANCERY COURT DISTRICT; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN PROCEDURES TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES OF THE JUDICIAL REDISTRICTING OF HOUSE BILL NO. 1544, 2025 REGULAR SESSION, AND THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 9-5-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
9-5-1. A chancellor shall
be elected for and from each of the chancery court districts as provided in
this chapter and the listing of individual counties and precincts shall
be those counties and precincts as they existed on * * * July
1, * * * 2025. He shall hold court in any
other district with the consent of the chancellor thereof when in their opinion
the public interest may be thereby promoted. The terms of all chancellors
elected at the regular election for the year 1930 shall begin on the first day
of January, 1931, and their terms of office shall continue for four (4) years.
A chancellor shall be a resident of the district in which he serves by the
date on which the person qualifies as a candidate for the judicial office
but shall not be required to be a resident of a subdistrict if the district is
divided into subdistricts.
SECTION 2. Section 9-5-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
9-5-3. (1) The state shall be divided into an appropriate number of chancery court districts, severally numbered and composed of the counties as set forth in the sections which follow. A court to be styled "The Chancery Court of the County of ____" shall be held in each county, and within each judicial district of a county having two (2) judicial districts, at least twice a year. Court shall be held in chancery court districts consisting of a single county on the same dates state agencies and political subdivisions are open for business excluding legal holidays. The dates upon which terms shall commence and the number of days for which terms shall continue in chancery court districts consisting of more than one (1) county shall be set by order of the chancellor in accordance with the provisions of subsection (2) of this section. A matter in court may extend past a term if the interest of justice so requires.
(2) An order establishing the commencement and continuation of terms of court for each of the counties within a chancery court district consisting of more than one (1) county shall be entered annually and not later than October 1 of the year immediately preceding the calendar year for which the terms of court are to become effective. Notice of the dates upon which terms of court shall commence and the number of days for which the terms shall continue in each of the counties within a chancery court district shall be posted in the office of the chancery clerk of each county within the district and mailed to the office of the Secretary of State for publication and distribution to all Mississippi Bar members. If an order is not timely entered, the terms of court for each of the counties within the chancery court district shall remain unchanged for the next calendar year.
(3) The number of chancellorships for each chancery court district shall be determined by the Legislature based upon the following criteria:
(a) The population of the district;
(b) The number of cases filed in the district;
(c) The caseload of each chancellor in the district;
(d) The geographic area of the district;
(e) An analysis of the needs of the district by the court personnel of the district; and
(f) Any other appropriate criteria, as determined by the Legislature.
(4) The Judicial College of the University of Mississippi Law Center and the Administrative Office of Courts shall determine the appropriate:
(a) Specific data to be collected as a basis for applying the above criteria;
(b) Method of collecting and maintaining the specified data; and
(c) Method of assimilating the specified data.
(5) In a district having more than one (1) office of chancellor, there shall be no distinction whatsoever in the powers, duties and emoluments of those offices except that the chancellor who has been for the longest time continuously a chancellor of that court or, should no chancellor have served longer in office than the others, the chancellor who has been for the longest time a member of The Mississippi Bar shall be the senior chancellor. The senior chancellor shall have the right to assign causes and dockets and to set terms in districts consisting of more than one (1) county.
SECTION 3. Section 9-5-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-9. The Second Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Jasper County;
(b) Newton County; and
(c) Scott County.
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-9. (1) The Second Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Covington County;
( * * *b) Jasper County;
(c) Jefferson Davis County;
( * * *d) Newton County; * * *
(e) Simpson County;
( * * *f) Scott County * * *; and
(g) Smith County.
(2) There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Second Chancery Court District. The three (3) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two" and "Place Three." The chancellor to fill Place One must reside in either Jasper County, Newton County or Scott County. The chancellor to fill Place Two must reside in either Covington County, Jefferson Davis County, Simpson County, or Smith County. The chancellor to fill Place Three may reside in any county in the district.
SECTION 4. Section 9-5-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-11. (1) The Third Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) DeSoto County;
(b) Grenada County;
(c) Montgomery County;
(d) Panola County;
(e) Tate County; and
(f) Yalobusha County.
(2) The Third Chancery Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 3-1 shall consist of DeSoto County.
(b) Subdistrict 3-2 shall consist of Grenada County, Montgomery County, Panola County, Tate County and Yalobusha County.
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-11. * * * The Third Chancery Court District is
composed of the following counties:
(a) * * * Carroll County;
(b) Grenada County;
(c) Montgomery County;
(d) Panola County;
(e) Tallahatchie County;
( * * *f) Tate County; and
( * * *g) Yalobusha County.
* * *
SECTION 5. Section 9-5-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-13. (1) There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Third Chancery Court District.
(2) (a) The chancellor of Subdistrict 3-1 shall be elected from DeSoto County. The two (2) chancellors of Subdistrict 3-2 shall be elected from Grenada County, Montgomery County, Panola County, Tate County and Yalobusha County.
(b) For purposes of appointment and election, the three (3) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct. The chancellorship in Subdistrict 3-1 shall be denominated only as "Place One," and the chancellorships in Subdistrict 3-2 shall be denominated only as "Place Two" and "Place Three."
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-13. (1) There shall be * * * two (2) chancellors for the
Third Chancery Court District.
(2) * * *
For purposes of appointment and election only, the * * * two (2) chancellorships shall
be separate and distinct and denominated as "Place One * * *" and "Place Two * * *." * * * The chancellor of Place
One must reside in Tate County, Panola County or Yalobusha County. The
chancellor of Place Two must reside in Carroll County, Grenada County, Montgomery
County or Tallahatchie County.
SECTION 6. Section 9-5-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-15. (1) The Fourth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Amite County;
(b) Franklin County;
(c) Pike County; and
(d) Walthall County.
(2) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Fourth Chancery Court District. The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-15. (1) The Fourth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Adams County;
( * * *b) Amite County;
( * * *c) Franklin County;
(d) Jefferson County;
( * * *e) Pike County; and
( * * *f) * * * Wilkinson County.
(2) There shall be * * * three (3) chancellors for the
Fourth Chancery Court District. The * * * three (3) chancellorships shall
be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and
election only as "Place One," * * * "Place Two * * *" and "Place Three." The
chancellor for Place One must reside in Adams County or Jefferson County. The
chancellor for Place Two must reside in Amite County or Wilkinson County. The
chancellor for Place Three must reside in Franklin County or Pike County.
SECTION 7. Section 9-5-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2031, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-17. (1) The Fifth Chancery Court District is composed of Hinds County.
(2) The Fifth Chancery Court District shall be divided into the following four (4) subdistricts:
(a)
Subdistrict 5-1 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 1,
2, 4, * * *
6, 8, 9, 10, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 44, 45, 46, 47, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78,
79, 92, 93, 96 and 97.
(b)
Subdistrict 5-2 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 11,
12, 13, 14, * * *
16, 17, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85,
Brownsville, Cynthia, Pocahontas and Tinnin.
(c)
Subdistrict 5-3 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 18,
19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 31, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58,
59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, * * * 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 86 * * * and 89 * * *.
(d) Subdistrict 5-4 shall consist of the following precincts in Hinds County: 87, 88, 90, 91, 94, 95, Bolton, Byram 1, Byram 2, Byram 3, Cayuga, Chapel Hill, Clinton 1, Clinton 2, Clinton 3, Clinton 4, Clinton 5, Clinton 6, Clinton 7, Dry Grove, Edwards, Learned, Old Byram, Pinehaven, Raymond 1, Raymond 2, Spring Ridge, St. Thomas, Terry 1, Terry 2, Utica 1 and Utica 2.
[From and after January 1, 2031, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-17. * * *(1) The Fifth Chancery Court
District is composed of Hinds County.
* * *
SECTION 8. Section 9-5-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2031, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-19. (1) There shall be four (4) chancellors for the Fifth Chancery Court District. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from each subdistrict.
(2) While there shall be no limitation whatsoever upon the powers and duties of the said chancellors other than as cast upon them by the Constitution and laws of this state, the court in the First Judicial District of Hinds County, in the discretion of the senior chancellor, may be divided into four (4) divisions as a matter of convenience by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.
[From and after January 1, 2031, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-19.
(1) There shall be four (4) chancellors for the Fifth Chancery Court District. * * * The four (4) chancellorships shall be separate
and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as
"Place One," "Place Two," "Place Three" and
"Place Four."
(2) While there shall be no limitation whatsoever upon the powers and duties of the said chancellors other than as cast upon them by the Constitution and laws of this state, the court in the First Judicial District of Hinds County, in the discretion of the senior chancellor, may be divided into four (4) divisions as a matter of convenience by the entry of an order upon the minutes of the court.
SECTION 9. Section 9-5-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-21. The Sixth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Attala County;
(b) Carroll County;
(c) Choctaw County;
(d) Kemper County;
(e) Neshoba County; and
(f) Winston County.
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-21. The Sixth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Attala County;
* * *
( * * *b) Choctaw County;
( * * *c) Kemper County;
( * * *d) Neshoba County; * * *
(e) Webster County; and
(f) Winston County.
SECTION 10. Section 9-5-22, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-22. (1) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Sixth Chancery Court District.
(2) The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-22. (1) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Sixth Chancery Court District.
(2) The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two." The chancellor for "Place One" must reside in Attala County, Choctaw County or Webster County. The chancellor for "Place Two" must reside in Winston County, Neshoba County or Kemper County.
SECTION 11. Section 9-5-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-23. (1) The Seventh Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Bolivar County;
(b) Coahoma County;
(c) Leflore County;
(d) Quitman County;
(e) Tallahatchie County; and
(f) Tunica County.
(2) The Seventh Chancery Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 7-1 shall consist of Bolivar County and Coahoma County;
(b) Subdistrict 7-2 shall consist of Leflore County, Quitman County, Tallahatchie County and Tunica County.
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-23. (1) The Seventh Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Bolivar County;
(b) Coahoma County;
(c) Leflore County;
(d) Quitman County;
(e) * * * Sunflower County; and
(f) Tunica County.
(2) The Seventh Chancery Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 7-1 shall consist of Bolivar County, Tunica County, Quitman County, and Coahoma County;
(b) Subdistrict 7-2 shall
consist of Leflore County * * *, Quitman County, Tallahatchie County and * * *
Sunflower County.
SECTION 12. Section 9-5-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-25. There
shall be * * * two (2) chancellors for the
Seventh Chancery Court District. The * * *
two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct. One (1)
chancellor shall be elected from each subdistrict * * *.
SECTION 13. Section 9-5-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-27. The Eighth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Hancock County;
(b) Harrison County; and
(c) Stone County.
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-27. The Eighth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Hancock County; and
(b) Harrison County * * *.
* * *
SECTION 14. Section 9-5-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-31. (1) The Ninth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Humphreys County;
(b) Issaquena County;
(c) Sharkey County;
(d) Sunflower County;
(e) Warren County; and
(f) Washington County.
(2) The Ninth Chancery Court District shall be divided into three (3) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 9-1 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Sunflower County: Boyer-Linn, Drew, Fairview-Hale, Indianola 2 East*, Indianola 3 North*, Indianola 3 Northeast*, Indianola 3 South*, Rome, Ruleville, Ruleville North and Sunflower Plantation; and
(ii) Washington County: American Legion, Brent Center, Buster Brown Community Center, Darlove Baptist Church*, Elks Club, Extension Building, Grace Methodist Church*, Greenville Industrial College, Leland Health Department Clinic, Leland Rotary Club, Metcalf City Hall and Potter House Church.
(b) Subdistrict 9-2 shall consist of Humphreys County and the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Sunflower County: Doddsville, Indianola 2 East*, Indianola 2 West, Indianola 3 North*, Indianola 3 Northeast*, Indianola 3 South*, Indianola Southeast, Inverness, Moorhead, Sunflower 3 and Sunflower 4; and
(ii) Washington County: Arcola City Hall, Christ Wesleyan Methodist Church, Darlove Baptist Church*, Glen Allan Health Clinic, Grace Methodist Church*, Hollandale City Hall, St. James Episcopal Church, Swiftwater Baptist Church, Tampa Drive and Ward's Recreation Center.
(c) Subdistrict 9-3 shall consist of Issaquena County, Sharkey County and Warren County.
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-31. (1) The Ninth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Humphreys County;
(b) Issaquena County;
(c) Sharkey County;
* * *
( * * *d) Warren County; and
( * * *e) Washington County.
(2)
The Ninth Chancery Court District shall be divided into * * * two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a)
Subdistrict 9-1 shall consist of * * *
Washington County and
Humphreys County; and
(b)
Subdistrict 9-2 shall consist of * * *
Issaquena County, Sharkey County and Warren
County.
* * *
SECTION 15. Section 9-5-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-33. There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Ninth Chancery Court District. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from each subdistrict.
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-33.
There shall be * * * two (2) chancellors for the Ninth Chancery Court
District. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from each subdistrict.
SECTION 16. Section 9-5-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-35. The Tenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Forrest County;
(b) Lamar County;
(c) Marion County;
(d) Pearl River County; and
(e) Perry County.
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-35. The Tenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
* * *
( * * *a) Lamar County;
( * * *b) Marion County;
( * * *c) Pearl River County; and
( * * *d) * * * Walthall County.
SECTION 17. Section 9-5-36, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-36. (1) There shall be four (4) chancellors for the Tenth Chancery Court District.
(2) The four (4) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two," "Place Three" and "Place Four." The chancellor to fill Place One and Place Four may be a resident of any county in the district. The chancellor to fill Place Two must be a resident of Lamar, Marion, Pearl River or Perry County. The chancellor to fill Place Three must be a resident of Forrest County. Election of the four (4) offices of chancellor shall be by election to be held in every county within the Tenth Chancery Court District.
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-36. (1) There shall be four (4) chancellors for the Tenth Chancery Court District.
(2) The four (4)
chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of
appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two,"
"Place Three" and "Place Four." The chancellor to fill
Place One and Place Four may be a resident of any county in the
district. The chancellor to fill Place Two must be a resident of Lamar * * * County. The
chancellor to fill Place Three must be a resident of * * *
Pearl River County. * * *
(3) While there shall be no limitation whatsoever upon the powers and duties of the chancellors other than as cast upon them by the Constitution and laws of this state, the court in the Tenth Chancery Court District, in the discretion of the senior chancellor, may be divided into separate divisions for the efficient handling of cases based on subject matter, judicial economy, or other factors by entry of an order upon the minutes.
SECTION 18. Section 9-5-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-41. (1) The Thirteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Covington County;
(b) Jefferson Davis County;
(c) Lawrence County;
(d) Simpson County; and
(e) Smith County.
(2) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Thirteenth Chancery Court District. The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-41. (1) The Thirteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) * * * Forrest County;
(b) * * * Perry County; and
(c) * * * Stone County * * *.
* * *
(2) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Thirteenth Chancery Court District. The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 19. Section 9-5-43, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-43. (1) The Fourteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Chickasaw County;
(b) Clay County;
(c) Lowndes County;
(d) Noxubee County;
(e) Oktibbeha County; and
(f) Webster County.
(2) The Fourteenth Chancery Court District shall be divided into three (3) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 14-1 shall consist of Chickasaw County, Webster County and the following precincts in Oktibbeha County: Bell Schoolhouse*, Bradley, Center Grove, Central Starkville*, Craig Springs, Double Springs, East Starkville*, Gillespie Street Center*, Maben, North Adaton, North Longview, North Starkville 2*, North Starkville 3, Northeast Starkville, Self Creek, South Adaton, South Longview, South Starkville*, Sturgis and West Starkville*.
(b) Subdistrict 14-2 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Clay County: Cedar Bluff, Central West Point, East West Point, Siloam, South West Point and Vinton; and
(ii) Lowndes County: Air Base A, Air Base B, Air Base C, Air Base D, Air Base E, Brandon A, Brandon B, Brandon C, Brandon D, Caledonia, Columbus High School A, Columbus High School B, Columbus High School C, Columbus High School D, Dowdle Gas Training Center B, Fairgrounds C, Fairgrounds E, Fairgrounds F, Hunt C, Lee Middle School, Mitchell A, New Hope A, New Hope B, New Hope C, New Hope D, New Hope E, Rural Hill A, Rural Hill B, Rural Hill C, Sale A, Sale B, Sale C, Steens A, Steens B, Steens C, Trinity B, Union Academy B, Union Academy C and University A.
(c) Subdistrict 14-3 shall consist of Noxubee County and the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Clay County: Cairo, Caradine, North West Point, Pheba, Pine Bluff, Tibbee, Union Star and West West Point;
(ii) Lowndes County: Artesia, Coleman A, Coleman B, Crawford A, Fairgrounds A, Fairgrounds B, Fairgrounds D, Fairgrounds G, Hunt A, Hunt B, Mitchell B, New Hope F, Plum Grove A, Plum Grove B, Plum Grove C, Propst Park Community Hut, Trinity A, Union Academy A, University B, West Lowndes A and West Lowndes B; and
(iii) Oktibbeha County: Bell Schoolhouse*, Central Starkville*, East Starkville*, Gillespie Street Center*, Hickory Grove, North Starkville 2*, Oktoc, Osborn, Sessums, South Starkville*, Southeast Oktibbeha and West Starkville*.
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-43. (1) The Fourteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Chickasaw County;
(b) Clay County;
(c) Lowndes County;
(d) Noxubee County; and
(e) Oktibbeha County * * *.
* * *
(2) The Fourteenth Chancery Court District shall be divided into three (3) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 14-1
shall consist of Chickasaw County * * * and the following precincts in:
(i)
Oktibbeha County: * * * Center Grove/North
Adaton, Central * * * Starkville, Craig Springs/South
Bradley, * * * East Starkville*, * * * Hickory
Grove/Southeast Oktibbeha*, Maben, * * *
Needmore Voting District*, North Longview, North Starkville 2*, North
Starkville 3, * * * Self Creek/Double
Springs, South Adaton, South Longview, South Starkville*, Sturgis/North
Bradley and West Starkville*; and
(ii) Clay County: Pheba* and Pine Bluff.
(b) Subdistrict 14-2 shall consist of the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Clay County: Cedar Bluff, Central West Point, East West Point, Siloam, South West Point and Vinton; and
(ii) Lowndes
County: Air Base * * *, Brandon * * *, Caledonia, * * * East Columbus Gym, * * * First Assembly, * * *
Immanuel, * * * New Hope * * *,
Plum Grove* Rural Hill * * * Southside
Church*, * * * Steens * * *, Townsend Park,
Trinity * * * and University * * *.
(c) Subdistrict 14-3 shall consist of Noxubee County and the following precincts in the following counties:
(i) Clay County:
Cairo, Caradine, North West Point, Pheba*, * * *
Tibbee, Union Star and West West Point;
(ii) Lowndes
County: 15th Street Church, Artesia, Coleman * * * Crawford * * *, * * * Hunt * * * Plum Grove* * * *, * * * Southside Church* and West
Lowndes * * *;
and
(iii) Oktibbeha
County: Bell * * * Schoolhouse, Central
Starkville*, East Starkville*, * * * Hickory Grove/Southeast Oktibbeha*,
Needmore Voting District, North Starkville 2*, Oktoc, Osborn, Sessums,
South Starkville* * * * and West Starkville*.
SECTION 20. Section 9-5-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-47. The Fifteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Copiah County; and
(b) Lincoln County.
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-47. (1) The Fifteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Claiborne County;
( * * *b) Copiah County; * * *
(c) Lawrence County; and
( * * *d) Lincoln County.
(2) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Fifteenth Chancery Court District. The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."
SECTION 21. Section 9-5-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-49. (1) The Sixteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) George County;
(b) Greene County; and
(c) Jackson County.
(2) The local contributions required for the maintenance of the Sixteenth Chancery Court District shall be paid on a pro rata basis by each county in the district based on the proportion of that county's population to the district as a whole according to the most recent federal decennial census. The amount of the local contributions under this subsection (2) shall be determined by the Jackson County Board of Supervisors to be ordered by the senior chancellor of the Sixteenth Chancery Court District.
[From January 1, 2027, and until January 1, 2031, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-49. (1) The Sixteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) George County; and
* * *
( * * *b) Jackson County.
(2) The local contributions required for the maintenance of the Sixteenth Chancery Court District shall be paid on a pro rata basis by each county in the district based on the proportion of that county's population to the district as a whole according to the most recent federal decennial census. The amount of the local contributions under this subsection (2) shall be determined by the Jackson County Board of Supervisors to be ordered by the senior chancellor of the Sixteenth Chancery Court District.
[From and after January 1, 2031, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-49. The Sixteenth
Chancery Court District * * * is composed of the following counties:
shall be Jackson County.
SECTION 22. Section 9-5-50, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-50. (1) There shall be three (3) chancellors for the Sixteenth Chancery Court District.
(2) The three (3) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two" and "Place Three."
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-50. (1) There shall be * * * four (4) chancellors for the
Sixteenth Chancery Court District.
(2) The * * * four (4) chancellorships
shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and
election only as "Place One," "Place Two," * * * "Place Three * * *" and "Place Four."
SECTION 23. Section 9-5-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-51. (1) The Seventeenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Adams County;
(b) Claiborne County;
(c) Jefferson County; and
(d) Wilkinson County.
(2) The Seventeenth Chancery Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 17-1 shall consist of Claiborne County, Jefferson County, and the following precincts in Adams County: Airport Carpenter*, Convention Center*, Foster Mound, Maryland*, Northside School, Palestine, Pine Ridge, Thompson and Washington*.
(b) Subdistrict 17-2 shall consist of Wilkinson County and the following precincts in Adams County: Beau Pre, Bellemont, By-Pass Fire Station, Carpenter*, Concord, Convention Center*, Courthouse, Duncan Park, Kingston, Liberty Park, Maryland*, Morgantown, Oakland and Washington*.
(3) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Seventeenth Chancery Court District. One (1) chancellor shall be elected from each subdistrict.
[From and after January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-51. (1) The
Seventeenth Chancery Court District is composed of * * *
DeSoto County.
* * *
( * * *2) There shall be * * *
three (3) chancellors for the Seventeenth Chancery Court District. * * * The
chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated as "Place
One," "Place Two" and "Place Three." The chancellor
to fill Place One and Place Two shall be elected from all of the precincts
within the district. Place Three shall be a subdistrict denominated as 17-1
for purposes of appointment and election. The chancellor to fill Place Three
shall be elected from the following precincts in DeSoto County: Horn Lake
Central, Horn Lake East, Horn Lake High School*, Horn Lake Intermediate School,
Horn Lake North, Horn Lake West, Northwest Community College*, Southhaven South
and Southhaven West*
SECTION 24. Section 9-5-55, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[Until January 1, 2027, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-55. The Nineteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Jones County; and
(b) Wayne County.
[From January 1, 2027, and until January 1, 2031, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-55. (1) The Nineteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Greene County;
(b) Jones County; and
( * * *c) Wayne County.
(2) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Nineteenth Chancery Court District. The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two." The chancellor to fill Place One must reside in Jones County, and the chancellor to fill Place Two may reside in any county in the district, except Jones County.
[From and after January 1, 2031, this section shall read as follows:]
9-5-55. (1) The Nineteenth Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) George County;
(b) Greene County;
(c) Jones County; and
( * * *d) Wayne County.
(2) There shall be two (2) chancellors for the Nineteenth Chancery Court District. The two (2) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two." The chancellor to fill Place One must reside in Jones County, and the chancellor to fill Place Two may reside in any county in the district, except Jones County.
SECTION 25. Candidates for the chancellorships created by this act shall run for those offices in the general election for judicial officers to be conducted in November 2026. Candidates shall file as is provided in Section 23-15-977, and shall run for office and be elected as provided in Sections 23-15-974 through 23-15-985, which constitute the Nonpartisan Judicial Election Act. The judges elected shall serve four-year terms to begin January 1, 2027, and the terms of those offices shall thereafter be as provided for chancellors and circuit judges generally.
SECTION 26. Section 9-5-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
9-5-37. (1) The Eleventh Chancery Court District is composed of the following counties:
(a) Holmes County;
(b) Leake County;
(c) Madison County; and
(d) Yazoo County.
(2) The Eleventh Chancery Court District shall be divided into two (2) subdistricts as follows:
(a) Subdistrict 11-1
shall consist of Holmes County, Yazoo County and the following precincts in
Madison County: * * * Anderson Lodge, Canton
Bible Church, Canton Community Center, Ferns Chapel Freewill, Frankin Baptist
Church, Madison County Baptist Family Life Center * * * and Magnolia Heights * * *;
(b) Subdistrict 11-2
shall consist of Leake County and the following precincts in Madison County: * * * Camden, Cameron, * * * First
Presbyterian, Canton Catholic Parish Center, Canton Fire Station #4, Canton
National Guard Amory, Canton South Liberty, Canton St. Paul Methodist,
Cedar Grove, * * * China Grove, Colonial Heights, Couparle, Farmhaven
Fire Station, Fellowship Bible Church, First Baptist, Gluckstadt, Grace
Crossing, Greater Mt. Levi Church, Highland Colony Baptist Church, * * * Lake
Caroline Clubhouse, Mark Apartments, Mount Hope, New Life, North Bay, * * *
Parkway Church, Pleasant Gift Church, Pleasant Green, Ridgeland First
Methodist Church, * * * Ridgeland Recreational Center,
Sunnybrook, Tougaloo, * * * Trace Ridge, Twin Lakes Baptist, Vertical Church,
Victory Baptist Church * * * and Victory Christian.
SECTION 27. Partial or split precincts are identified in House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, and this act by an asterisk following the designation of the precinct. The Chairmen of the Senate Judiciary, Division A Committee and the House Judiciary B Committee shall file with the Secretary of State the Split Precinct Block List developed in conjunction with the description contained in House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, and this act that details the portions of the partial or split precincts, which are contained within a district by census block number, and such document duly filed with the Secretary of State is hereby incorporated into and shall be construed to be an integral part of this act.
SECTION 28. The boundaries of the judicial districts described above shall be:
(a) The boundaries of the counties listed above as such boundaries existed on July 1, 2025; and
(b) The precinct boundaries along such judicial district boundaries as the precinct boundaries are contained in Census Bureau's Public Law 94-171 Geographic Support Products provided for use with the September 16 data deliveries officially called the "2020 Census State Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary Files."
SECTION 29. (1) House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, and this act shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes thereof and to redistrict the Judicial districts of this state in compliance with legal requirements.
(2) If the districts described in House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, or this act do not carry out the purposes thereof because of unintentional omissions, duplications, overlapping areas, erroneous nomenclature, lack of adequate descriptions of political subdivisions, wards or other divisions thereof, or of their boundary lines, then the Secretary of State, at the request of the Chairmen of the Senate Judiciary, Division A Committee and the House Judiciary B Committee shall, by order, correct such omissions, overlaps, erroneous nomenclature or other defects in the description of districts so as to accomplish the purposes and objectives of House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, and this act.
(3) In promulgating such orders, the Secretary of State shall be guided by the following standard: in any instance in which there is a conflict between the description of a district as provided in House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, and this act and either the official map of the judicial districts developed by the Senate Judiciary, Division A Committee and the House Judiciary B Committee or, where applicable, the official map of the boundaries of the Capitol Complex Improvement District as described by Section 29-5-203, the applicable map shall control.
(4) Copies of such orders shall be filed by the Secretary of State in his office and in the offices of the affected commissioners of election and registrars. The Secretary of State may adopt reasonable rules regulating the procedure for applications for orders under House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, and this act in the manner of serving and filing a notice or copy of orders relating thereto. Upon the filing of an order, the description of any affected district shall be deemed to have been corrected in the manner provided in such order to the full extent as if the correction had been contained in the original description provided in House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, or this act.
SECTION 30. The Senate Judiciary, Division A Committee and House Judiciary B Committees are directed to provide all information necessary to assist the counties in identifying the boundaries of the districts described in House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, and this act.
SECTION 31. The Chairmen of the Senate Judiciary, Division A Committee and the House Judiciary B Committees shall file copies of House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, and this act with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the Secretary of State, the Clerk of the Mississippi House of Representatives, and the Secretary of the Mississippi State Senate.
SECTION 32. If any paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase or any part of House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, or this act is declared to be unconstitutional or void, or if for any reason is declared to be invalid or of no effect, the remaining paragraphs, sentences, clauses, phrases or parts thereof shall be in no manner affected thereby, but shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 33. The redistricting of the Circuit Court Districts by House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, and the Chancery Court Districts by this act shall be deemed to be separate and distinct from one another. The invalidity of any individual district of either the chancery or circuit courts shall not affect or require the redistricting of any other district.
SECTION 34. The enactment into law of House Bill No. 1544, 2025 Regular Session, and this act shall fulfill the Legislature's obligation to redistrict the circuit and chancery court districts by December 31 of the fifth year following any federal decennial census after the 1980 Federal Decennial Census as required by Section 152 of Article 6 of Mississippi Constitution of 1890.
SECTION 35. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.