Read the full stored bill text
S. B. No. 2018 *SS36/R294.2* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS36/R294.2
PAGE 1 (ens\kr)
To: Veterans and Military
Affairs
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Senator(s) Tate, Barnett, Barrett,
Berry, Blackmon, Blackwell, Blount,
Boyd, Brumfield, Bryan, Butler, Carter,
Chassaniol, Chism, DeLano, DuPree,
England, Fillingane, Frazier, Gillespie
Isom, Harkins, Hartness, Hickman, Hill,
Hopson, Jackson, Johnson, Kirby, Ladner,
McCaughn, McLendon, McMahan, Michel,
Mumford, Norwood, Parks, Pope, Rhodes,
Seymour, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th),
Sparks, Suber, Taylor, Thomas, Thompson,
Turner-Ford, Whaley, Wiggins, Williams,
Younger
SENATE BILL NO. 2018
AN ACT TO ENACT THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD TRICARE 1
PREMIUM REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM TO REIMBURSE MEMBERS OF THE 2
MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD FOR THE COST OF PREMIUMS FOR TRICARE 3
RESERVE SELECT HEALTH CARE PLANS; TO STATE THE PURPOSE OF THE 4
PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA; TO PROVIDE THAT ELIGIBLE 5
MEMBERS SHALL RECEIVE A REIMBURSEMENT FOR ELIGIBLE TRICARE RESERVE 6
SELECT PREMIUMS PAID AT THE CURRENT TRICARE RESERVE SELECT PREMIUM 7
RATE; TO REQUIRE THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL 8
GUARD TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION 9
OF THE PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE FUNDS FOR THIS PROGRAM SHALL 10
BE SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION BY THE LEGISLATURE; TO REQUIRE AN 11
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 12
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 13
SECTION 1. (1) As used in this section, the following terms 14
have the meaning herein ascribed unless the context clearly 15
requires otherwise: 16
(a) "Adjutant General" means the individual appointed 17
and commissioned under Section 33–3–7 as the Adjutant General of 18
the department. 19
(b) "Department" means the Mississippi Military 20
Department recognized under Section 33–3–3. 21
S. B. No. 2018 *SS36/R294.2* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R294.2
PAGE 2 (ens\kr)
(c) "Mississippi National Guard" has the meaning 22
assigned under Section 33–1–1(c). 23
(d) "Program" means the "Mississippi National Guard 24
Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program." 25
(2) There is hereby established the Mississippi National 26
Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program within the department 27
to be administered by the Adjutant General subject to 28
appropriation by the Legislature. 29
(3) The purpose of the program is to: 30
(a) Reimburse members of the Mississippi National Guard 31
for the cost of premiums for Tricare Reserve Select health care 32
plans; 33
(b) Enhance the medical readiness of the Mississippi 34
National Guard; 35
(c) Assist members with their healthcare needs; and 36
(d) Retain qualified personnel in the Mississippi 37
National Guard. 38
(4) A person shall be eligible for this program if he or she 39
meets the following criteria: 40
(a) The person is eligible for Tricare Reserve Select 41
Coverage; 42
(b) The person is not insured by another employer; and 43
(c) The person is an actively drilling member of the 44
Mississippi National Guard. 45
S. B. No. 2018 *SS36/R294.2* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS36/R294.2
PAGE 3 (ens\kr)
ST: The Mississippi National Guard Tricare
Premium Reimbursement Program; create.
(5) Eligible members who meet the reimbursement requirements 46
as established by the department shall receive a reimbursement for 47
eligible Tricare Reserve Select premiums paid at the current 48
Tricare Reserve Select premium rate for "Tricare Reserve Select – 49
Member only." 50
(6) The Adjutant General shall promulgate rules and 51
regulations necessary for the implementation of the program. 52
(7) The funds for this program shall be subject to 53
appropriation by the Legislature. 54
(8) Beginning December 1, 2026, and each year thereafter, 55
the Adjutant General shall provide a report to the Legislature on 56
the effectiveness of the program, including the number of 57
participants, the impact on medical readiness and any 58
recommendations for improvement. 59
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 60
and after its passage. 61