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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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HB299 • 2026

Retired judges; authorize to solemnize marriages.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 93-1-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE RETIRED JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT, COURT OF APPEALS, CIRCUIT COURT, CHANCERY COURT OR COUNTY COURT TO SOLEMNIZE MARRIAGES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide information about the bill's impact on other marriage requirements.

Allowing Retired Judges to Perform Weddings

This bill would allow retired judges of certain courts to perform wedding ceremonies.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes a law so that retired judges can officiate weddings.
  • Includes Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Circuit Court, Chancery Court, and County Court judges in the list of people who can solemnize marriages.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Retired judges from specific courts
  • People getting married

Terms To Know

Solemnize
To perform a formal ceremony, like a wedding.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and was stopped in committee.
  • It would have taken effect on July 1, 2026, if it had passed.

Bill History

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

    02/03 (H) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-08 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/08 (H) Referred To Judiciary A

Official Summary Text

Retired judges; authorize to solemnize marriages.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 299 *HR26/R980* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R980
PAGE 1 (GT\KW)

To: Judiciary A
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Burnett

HOUSE BILL NO. 299

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 93-1-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO 1
AUTHORIZE RETIRED JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT, COURT OF APPEALS, 2
CIRCUIT COURT, CHANCERY COURT OR COUNTY COURT TO SOLEMNIZE 3
MARRIAGES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. Section 93-1-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 6
amended as follows: 7
93-1-17. Any minister of the gospel ordained according to 8
the rules of his church or society, in good standing; any Rabbi or 9
other spiritual leader of any other religious body authorized 10
under the rules of such religious body to solemnize rites of 11
matrimony and being in good standing; any judge of the Supreme 12
Court, Court of Appeals, circuit court, chancery court or county 13
court; any retired judge of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, 14
circuit court, chancery court or county court may solemnize the 15
rites of matrimony between any persons anywhere within this state 16
who shall produce a license granted as herein directed. Justice 17
court judges and members of the boards of supervisors may likewise 18
solemnize the rites of matrimony within their respective counties. 19
H. B. No. 299 *HR26/R980* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R980
PAGE 2 (GT\KW)
ST: Retired judges; authorize to solemnize
marriages.
Any marriages performed by a mayor of a municipality prior to 20
March 14, 1994, are valid provided such marriages satisfy the 21
requirements of Section 93-1-18. 22
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 23
and after July 1, 2026. 24