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HB695 • 2026

Deputy circuit clerk; remove bond requirements.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-7-123, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE BOND REQUIREMENTS FOR DEPUTY CHANCERY CLERKS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on how many deputy chancery clerks are currently affected by bond requirements.

Remove Bond Requirements for Deputy Chancery Clerks

This bill removes the requirement for deputy chancery clerks to post a bond.

What This Bill Does

  • Removes the need for deputy chancery clerks to provide a financial guarantee (bond) when they are appointed.
  • Updates Section 9-7-123 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to reflect this change.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Deputy chancery clerks who are appointed after July 1, 2026
  • Courts and judges who approve deputy appointments

Terms To Know

bond requirement
A financial guarantee that a person must provide before taking on an official position.
deputy chancery clerk
An assistant to the main chancery court clerk who helps with duties and responsibilities of the office.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass during its session.
  • It is unclear how many deputy chancery clerks are currently affected by bond requirements.

Bill History

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

    02/03 (H) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-14 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/14 (H) Referred To Judiciary A

Official Summary Text

Deputy circuit clerk; remove bond requirements.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
H. B. No. 695 *HR43/R1148* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/HR43/R1148
PAGE 1 (GT\KP)
ST: Deputy circuit clerk; remove bond
requirements.
To: Judiciary A
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Fondren

HOUSE BILL NO. 695

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-7-123, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO 1
REMOVE THE BOND REQUIREMENTS FOR DEPUTY CHANCERY CLERKS; AND FOR 2
RELATED PURPOSES. 3
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 4
SECTION 1. Section 9-7-123, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 5
amended as follows: 6
9-7-123. * * * The clerk of the circuit court shall have 7
power, with the approbation of the court, or of the judge in 8
vacation, to appoint one or more deputies, who shall take the oath 9
of office * * *, and who thereupon shall have power to do and 10
perform all the acts and duties which their principal may lawfully 11
do; such approval, when given by the judge in vacation, shall be 12
in writing, and shall be entered on the minutes of the court at 13
the next term. 14
* * * 15
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 16
and after July 1, 2026. 17