HB1129 • 2026

Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act; create.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "RECOGNIZING JUDEA AND SAMARIA ACT"; TO PROHIBIT STATE AGENCIES FROM USING THE TERM "WEST BANK" IN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT MATERIALS; 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 and therefore has no legal effect.

Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act

This bill creates the Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act which stops state agencies from using the term 'West Bank' in official government materials.

What This Bill Does

Creates a new law called the Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act.
Requires state agencies to not use the term 'West Bank' when referring to land controlled by Israel from Jordan during the Six-Day War, instead using terms like 'Judea' or 'Samaria'.
Defines what is considered an official government material prepared by a state agency.
Prohibits state agencies from using state money to create materials that refer to Judea and Samaria as 'West Bank'.
Allows the head of a state agency to make exceptions if it's in the best interest of the state, with written explanation submitted within 30 days.

Who It Names or Affects

State agencies in Mississippi.
People who read official government materials from these agencies.

Terms To Know

Official government material: Documents or communications prepared by a state agency, such as rules, press releases, or briefings.
State agency: Departments, divisions, offices, boards, commissions, and institutions of the Mississippi state government.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass in the session it was introduced.
It only applies to materials prepared by state agencies within Mississippi.
There are no details on how compliance with this act will be enforced or monitored.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/19 (H) Referred To State Affairs

Official Summary Text

Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act; create.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 1129 *HR43/R2069* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R2069
PAGE 1 (MCL\KP)

To: State Affairs
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Hall

HOUSE BILL NO. 1129

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "RECOGNIZING JUDEA AND SAMARIA ACT"; TO 1
PROHIBIT STATE AGENCIES FROM USING THE TERM "WEST BANK" IN 2
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT MATERIALS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 4
SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the 5
"Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act." 6
SECTION 2. It is the intent of the Legislature to refer to 7
the land controlled by Israel from Jordan during the Six-Day War 8
by its historical name of "Judea and Samaria", with the land south 9
of Jerusalem being considered "Judea" and the land north of 10
Jerusalem being considered "Samaria"; and No longer use the term 11
"West Bank" in official government materials. 12
SECTION 3. The following words and phrases have the meanings 13
as provided in this section unless the context clearly indicates 14
otherwise: 15
(a) "Official government material" means a guidance, 16
rule, material, briefing, press release, or communication prepared 17
by a state agency; and 18
H. B. No. 1129 *HR43/R2069* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R2069
PAGE 2 (MCL\KP)
ST: Recognizing Judea and Samaria Act; create.
(b) "State agency" means every department, division, 19
office, board, commission, and institution of this state. 20
SECTION 4. (a) Except as provided under subsection (b) of 21
this section, a state agency shall not use the term "West Bank" to 22
refer to Judea and Samaria in an official government material. 23
A state agency shall not use state monies to create an official 24
government material that refers to Judea and Samaria as "West 25
Bank". 26
(b) The executive head of a state agency may waive the 27
prohibition under subsection (a) of this section if the executive 28
head determines that it is in the interests of the state to do so, 29
and submits a written explanation of the waiver no later than 30
thirty (30) days after the date on which the executive head of the 31
state agency makes a determination under this section to the: 32
(i) Legislature, if the Legislature is in session; 33
or 34
(ii) Governor, if the Legislature is not in 35
session. 36
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from 37
and after July 1, 2026. 38