HB578 • 2026

Limitation on the liability to the state of prospective contractors; authorize certain agency heads to negotiate.

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR THE HEAD OF A STATE AGENCY, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE STATE AGENCY, THE PURCHASING AGENT, OR ANY OTHER PERSON DESIGNATED BY THE STATE AGENCY TO NEGOTIATE THE CONTRACT, TO NEGOTIATE A LIMITATION ON THE LIABILITY TO THE STATE OF PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTORS, PROVIDED SUCH LIMITATION AFFORDS THE STATE REASONABLE PROTECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass and therefore does not have an effective date or additional provisions beyond what is stated.

Limiting Liability for Contractors

This bill allows state agency leaders to negotiate limits on how much contractors can be held responsible if something goes wrong during a project.

What This Bill Does

Allows the head of a state agency or someone they choose to talk about limiting what happens if a contractor makes mistakes.
Requires that any limit agreed upon still protects the state's interests well enough.

Who It Names or Affects

State agencies and their leaders
Contractors working with state agencies

Terms To Know

state agency: Any part of the government that does work for Mississippi, like departments or institutions.
reasonable protection: Enough safeguards to keep the state safe and protected from harm.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass in its session.
It only applies if it becomes law after July 1, 2026.

Bill History

2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-13 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/13 (H) Referred To Judiciary A;State Affairs

Official Summary Text

Limitation on the liability to the state of prospective contractors; authorize certain agency heads to negotiate.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 578 *HR43/R951* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R951
PAGE 1 (ELS\KP)

To: Judiciary A; State
Affairs
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Zuber

HOUSE BILL NO. 578

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR THE HEAD OF A 1
STATE AGENCY, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE STATE AGENCY, THE 2
PURCHASING AGENT, OR ANY OTHER PERSON DESIGNATED BY THE STATE 3
AGENCY TO NEGOTIATE THE CONTRACT, TO NEGOTIATE A LIMITATION ON THE 4
LIABILITY TO THE STATE OF PROSPECTIVE CONTRACTORS, PROVIDED SUCH 5
LIMITATION AFFORDS THE STATE REASONABLE PROTECTION; AND FOR 6
RELATED PURPOSES. 7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 8
SECTION 1. For the purposes of this section, the term "state 9
agency" means any agency, department or institution of the State 10
of Mississippi. In the negotiation and execution of any contract 11
by or on behalf of a state agency, the executive director or the 12
head of the state agency, the governing body of the state agency, 13
the purchasing agent, or any other person designated by the state 14
agency to negotiate the contract, may negotiate a limitation on 15
the liability to the state of prospective contractors, provided 16
that such limitation affords the state reasonable protection. 17
This negotiating power shall be in addition to any other authority 18
that the executive director or head of the state agency, the 19
governing body of the state agency, the purchasing agent, or any 20
H. B. No. 578 *HR43/R951* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R951
PAGE 2 (ELS\KP)
ST: Limitation on the liability to the state of
prospective contractors; authorize certain
agency heads to negotiate.
other person designated by the state agency has to negotiate and 21
enter into contracts. 22
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 23
and after July 1, 2026. 24