KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

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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HB595 • 2026

Assessment of public and charter school facilities; require the State Department of Education to perform and present recommendations.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY AND ASSESSMENT OF ALL PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROCURE THE SERVICES OF A THIRD-PARTY PROVIDER SPECIALIZING IN FACILITY OPTIMIZATION TO CONDUCT THE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT; TO SPECIFY THE SCOPE OF THE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT; TO REQUIRE A REPORT OF FINDINGS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR; TO AUTHORIZE THE APPROPRIATION OF FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FROM STATE LOTTERY PROCEEDS TO FUND THE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Education Taxes
Did Not Pass

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation includes some speculative elements that are not supported by the official text, such as a two-year timeframe without specifying exact dates or detailed scope beyond what is provided in the bill summary.

Study of School Buildings

This bill requires the State Department of Education to study all public and charter school buildings and report findings to lawmakers and the governor.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires the State Department of Education to conduct a two-year study on all public and charter school facilities.
  • Allows the department to hire experts specializing in facility optimization to help with the study.
  • Includes checking how well schools are using their space, safety conditions, and if buildings meet modern standards.
  • Requires the department to give a report of findings to lawmakers and the governor by January 1, 2029.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The State Department of Education
  • Public and charter school facilities in Mississippi

Terms To Know

Facility optimization
Improving the use of space and resources to make buildings more efficient.
Infrastructure assessment
Evaluating the condition and needs of physical structures like schools.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass during its session.
  • It is unclear if similar studies have been done before or how this one will differ.

Bill History

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

    02/03 (H) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-13 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/13 (H) Referred To Education

Official Summary Text

Assessment of public and charter school facilities; require the State Department of Education to perform and present recommendations.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 595 *HR43/R1597* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R1597
PAGE 1 (DJ\KP)

To: Education
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Summers

HOUSE BILL NO. 595

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO 1
CONDUCT A STUDY AND ASSESSMENT OF ALL PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOL 2
FACILITIES; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROCURE THE SERVICES OF 3
A THIRD-PARTY PROVIDER SPECIALIZING IN FACILITY OPTIMIZATION TO 4
CONDUCT THE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT; TO SPECIFY THE SCOPE OF THE 5
STUDY AND ASSESSMENT; TO REQUIRE A REPORT OF FINDINGS TO BE 6
SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR; TO AUTHORIZE THE 7
APPROPRIATION OF FIVE MILLION DOLLARS FROM STATE LOTTERY PROCEEDS 8
TO FUND THE STUDY AND ASSESSMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 9
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 10
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds that a comprehensive 11
evaluation of public and charter school facilities is necessary to 12
ensure the optimal utilization of academic space, assess current 13
facility conditions, and identify opportunities for modernization. 14
Such an evaluation is critical to prioritize expenditures 15
efficiently within budget limitations while considering 16
construction project costs and the life cycle costs of facilities' 17
capital maintenance, repair, and renovation. 18
SECTION 2. (1) The State Department of Education shall 19
conduct a study and assessment of all public and charter school 20
facilities across the state. 21
H. B. No. 595 *HR43/R1597* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1597
PAGE 2 (DJ\KP)

(2) The department is authorized to procure the services of 22
a third-party provider specializing in facilities optimization, 23
infrastructure assessment, and budget prioritization to assist 24
with the study. 25
(3) The study and assessment shall include, but not be 26
limited to, the following areas: 27
(a) Facilities' conditions assessment, including 28
structural integrity, safety, and compliance with applicable 29
standards and codes; 30
(b) Utilization of academic space, evaluating whether 31
current facilities meet the needs of students and educators 32
effectively; and 33
(c) Facilities modernization, identifying opportunities 34
for upgrades and renovations to align with modern educational 35
practices and technology. 36
(4) The study and assessment shall span a period of two (2) 37
years and be completed before December 31, 2028. Upon completion 38
of the study and assessment, the department shall compile a 39
comprehensive report of its findings and recommendations to be 40
submitted to the Legislature and the Governor by January 1, 2029, 41
for policy considerations. 42
SECTION 3. The Legislature shall appropriate Five Million 43
Dollars ($5,000,000.00) of the portion of state lottery proceeds 44
dedicated for deposit into the Education Enhancement Fund to the 45
State Department of Education for the purpose of funding the study 46
H. B. No. 595 *HR43/R1597* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1597
PAGE 3 (DJ\KP)
ST: Assessment of public and charter school
facilities; require the State Department of
Education to perform and present
recommendations.
and assessment. Of the funds appropriated, the department shall 47
allocate Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) 48
for fiscal year 2027 for purposes of this act, and the second Two 49
Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00) shall be 50
allocated in fiscal year 2028. 51
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from 52
and after July 1, 2026. 53