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HB1128 • 2026

"Defend DeSoto County Act"; create.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "DEFEND DESOTO COUNTY ACT"; TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO IDENTIFY, FUND AND IMPROVE STRATEGIC ENTRY POINTS INTO DESOTO COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, IN ORDER TO ENHANCE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND SUPPORT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Hall
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass, so it has no effect.

Defend DeSoto County Act

This act allows the Mississippi Department of Transportation to improve entry points into DeSoto County to enhance traffic safety and support local law enforcement operations.

What This Bill Does

  • Creates a new law called the 'Defend DeSoto County Act'.
  • Gives the Mississippi Department of Transportation permission to find, fund, and fix strategic entry points into DeSoto County.
  • Authorizes the department to collect data and coordinate with local police departments.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The Mississippi Department of Transportation
  • Local police departments in DeSoto County

Terms To Know

Strategic entry points
Important roads or bridges that lead into a county.
Law enforcement operations
Activities carried out by police to keep the public safe and enforce laws.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass during its session.
  • It is unclear how much money will be spent on improving entry points.
  • Details about specific improvements are not provided in the summary.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (H) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/19 (H) Referred To Transportation

Official Summary Text

"Defend DeSoto County Act"; create.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 1128 *HR43/R2064* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R2064
PAGE 1 (BS\KP)
ST: "Defend DeSoto County Act"; create.
To: Transportation
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Hall

HOUSE BILL NO. 1128

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "DEFEND DESOTO COUNTY ACT"; TO AUTHORIZE 1
THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO IDENTIFY, FUND AND 2
IMPROVE STRATEGIC ENTRY POINTS INTO DESOTO COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, IN 3
ORDER TO ENHANCE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND SUPPORT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT 4
OPERATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the 7
"Defend DeSoto County Act". 8
SECTION 2. The Mississippi Department of Transportation is 9
authorized to identify, fund and improve strategic entry points 10
into DeSoto County, Mississippi, in order to enhance traffic 11
safety and support local law enforcement operations. The 12
Mississippi Department of Transportation may take necessary 13
actions related to collection and coordination of data with 14
municipal police departments and county sheriff departments in 15
order to carry out the purposes of this section. 16
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from 17
and after July 1, 2026. 18