HB1286 • 2026

One Mississippi; require State Dept of Ed. to provide copies for sale to students in Grade 2 for instruction during "Read Across America Week."

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ACQUIRE AND DISTRIBUTE COPIES OF THE BOOK ONE MISSISSIPPI TO ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS FOR GRADE 2 STUDENTS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP AND PROVIDE A LESSON PLAN TEMPLATE FOR INSTRUCTION ON THE CONTENT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BOOK; TO REQUIRE THE LESSON TO BE ADMINISTERED DURING THE NATIONAL "READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK" OBSERVANCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Children Education

Did Not Pass

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

Sponsor: Currie
Last action: 2026-02-12
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and was not signed into law, so its exact implementation details are speculative.

Distribute 'One Mississippi' Book to Second Graders

This bill requires the State Department of Education to provide copies of the book 'One Mississippi' for all second-grade students in public schools and charter schools, along with lesson plans during 'Read Across America Week'.

What This Bill Does

Requires the State Department of Education to buy enough copies of the book 'One Mississippi' to give one copy to each second-grade student.
Asks the department to create a lesson plan template for teaching about the book's content and significance.
Directs schools to teach from this lesson plan during 'Read Across America Week'.

Who It Names or Affects

Second-grade students in public schools and charter schools.
The State Department of Education.

Terms To Know

Read Across America Week: A national observance to promote reading among children.
Lesson plan template: A guide for teachers on how to teach a specific topic or lesson.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass and was not signed into law.
It is unclear if the State Department of Education had enough funding to implement this requirement.

Bill History

2026-02-12 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/12 (H) Died On Calendar
2026-02-11 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/11 (H) Read the Third Time
2026-01-29 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/29 (H) Title Suff Do Pass As Amended
2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/19 (H) Referred To Education

Official Summary Text

One Mississippi; require State Dept of Ed. to provide copies for sale to students in Grade 2 for instruction during "Read Across America Week."

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 1286 *HR43/R1112* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R1112
PAGE 1 (DJ\KP)

To: Education
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Currie

HOUSE BILL NO. 1286

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO 1
ACQUIRE AND DISTRIBUTE COPIES OF THE BOOK ONE MISSISSIPPI TO ALL 2
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS FOR GRADE 2 STUDENTS; 3
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP AND PROVIDE A LESSON PLAN 4
TEMPLATE FOR INSTRUCTION ON THE CONTENT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 5
BOOK; TO REQUIRE THE LESSON TO BE ADMINISTERED DURING THE NATIONAL 6
"READ ACROSS AMERICA WEEK" OBSERVANCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 8
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds that the state song, "One 9
Mississippi," is an important cultural and historical 10
representation of the State of Mississippi. The dissemination and 11
instruction of the book, One Mississippi, which provides context 12
and history about the state song, will promote an understanding of 13
Mississippi's heritage among students and support the development 14
of civic pride. 15
SECTION 2. (1) Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, 16
the State Department of Education, subject to appropriation for 17
such purposes, shall acquire sufficient copies of the book, One 18
Mississippi, to distribute to all public school districts and 19
charter schools in the state, which such schools shall receive 20
H. B. No. 1286 *HR43/R1112* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1112
PAGE 2 (DJ\KP)
ST: One Mississippi; require State Dept of Ed.
to provide copies for sale to students in Grade
2 for instruction during "Read Across America
Week."
enough copies to provide every student enrolled in Grade 2 with an 21
individual copy of the book. The schools shall make inventory of 22
the total quantity of books received and shall require the parents 23
or legal guardians of student to purchase the book, as a component 24
of the student's necessary instruction, at cost without recouping 25
any pecuniary benefit from such sales. 26
(2) The instruction shall be administered annually during 27
the national "Read Across America Week" observance. School 28
districts and charter schools shall ensure that teachers adhere to 29
the lesson plan template when teaching the material. 30
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from 31
and after July 1, 2026. 32