HB54 • 2026

Court-ordered restitution; require payment to victim first before court costs/fines are disbursed.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-37-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IF A JUSTICE, COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL COURT ORDERS RESTITUTION TO A VICTIM, THE COURT-ORDERED RESTITUTION SHALL BE PAID IN FULL TO THE VICTIM BEFORE ANY COURT-ORDERED COSTS AND FINES MAY BE DISBURSED TO THE COURT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Crime

Did Not Pass

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide additional details about the bill's impact beyond what is stated.

Making Sure Victims Get Restitution First

This bill changes the law to require that any money ordered by a court for victims of crimes must be paid to the victim before the court gets its costs and fines.

What This Bill Does

Changes Mississippi Code Section 99-37-3 to add a new part about restitution payments.
Requires courts to pay all restitution owed to victims first, before any money goes to cover court costs or fines.

Who It Names or Affects

Victims of crimes who receive court-ordered restitution payments.
Courts that order restitution for criminal activities resulting in financial loss to victims.

Terms To Know

Restitution: Money a person convicted of a crime must pay to the victim as part of their punishment.
Court costs and fines: Money that courts collect from people who break laws, which goes towards running the court system.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass during its session.
It only applies to cases where a justice, county or municipal court orders restitution.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-07 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/07 (H) Referred To Judiciary B

Official Summary Text

Court-ordered restitution; require payment to victim first before court costs/fines are disbursed.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 54 *HR26/R1312* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR26/R1312
PAGE 1 (GT\KW)

To: Judiciary B
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Arnold

HOUSE BILL NO. 54

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-37-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO 1
PROVIDE THAT IF A JUSTICE, COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL COURT ORDERS 2
RESTITUTION TO A VICTIM, THE COURT-ORDERED RESTITUTION SHALL BE 3
PAID IN FULL TO THE VICTIM BEFORE ANY COURT-ORDERED COSTS AND 4
FINES MAY BE DISBURSED TO THE COURT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. Section 99-37-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 7
amended as follows: 8
99-37-3. (1) When a person is convicted of criminal 9
activities which have resulted in pecuniary damages, in addition 10
to any other sentence it may impose, the court may order that the 11
defendant make restitution to the victim; provided, however, that 12
the justice court shall not order restitution in an amount 13
exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). 14
(2) In determining whether to order restitution which may be 15
complete, partial or nominal, the court shall take into account: 16
(a) The financial resources of the defendant and the 17
burden that payment of restitution will impose, with due regard to 18
the other obligations of the defendant; 19
H. B. No. 54 *HR26/R1312* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR26/R1312
PAGE 2 (GT\KW)
ST: Court-ordered restitution; require payment
to victim first before court costs/fines are
disbursed.
(b) The ability of the defendant to pay restitution on 20
an installment basis or on other conditions to be fixed by the 21
court; and 22
(c) The rehabilitative effect on the defendant of the 23
payment of restitution and the method of payment. 24
(3) If the defendant objects to the imposition, amount or 25
distribution of the restitution, the court shall, at the time of 26
sentencing, allow him to be heard on such issue. 27
(4) If the court determines that restitution is 28
inappropriate or undesirable, an order reciting such finding shall 29
be entered, which should also state the underlying circumstances 30
for such determination. 31
(5) If a justice, county or municipal court orders 32
restitution to a victim, the court-ordered restitution shall be 33
paid in full to the victim before any court-ordered costs and 34
fines may be disbursed to the court. 35
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 36
and after July 1, 2026. 37