SB2610 • 2026

Alcorn State University biotechnology building; rename the "Willie L. Simmons Biotechnology Building."

AN ACT TO RENAME THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY BIOTECHNOLOGY BUILDING, LOCATED IN LORMAN, JEFFERSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, THE "WILLIE L. SIMMONS BIOTECHNOLOGY BUILDING"; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO PREPARE OR HAVE PREPARED A DISTINCTIVE PLAQUE TO PLACE WITHIN THE BUILDING THAT STATES THE BACKGROUND, ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SERVICE OF WILLIE L. SIMMONS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNIVERSITY, TO ERECT THE PROPER LETTERING OR SIGNAGE ON THE OUTDOOR FACADE OF THE BUILDING DISPLAYING THE OFFICIAL NAME; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: Butler, Simmons (13th), Brumfield, Blackmon, Gillespie Isom
Last action: 2026-03-30
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill's effectiveness depends on Willie L. Simmons retiring from his position at the Mississippi Transportation Commission and approval by the Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning.

Rename Alcorn State University Biotechnology Building

This bill renames the Alcorn State University Biotechnology Building to 'Willie L. Simmons Biotechnology Building' and requires a plaque and signage to be placed inside and outside the building.

What This Bill Does

Changes the name of the Alcorn State University Biotechnology Building in Lorman, Jefferson County, Mississippi, to 'Willie L. Simmons Biotechnology Building'.
Requires the Department of Finance and Administration to create a plaque that highlights Willie L. Simmons' background, accomplishments, and service.
Directs the Department of Finance and Administration to work with Alcorn State University to put up signs on the building's exterior showing its new name.

Who It Names or Affects

Alcorn State University
The Department of Finance and Administration

Terms To Know

Biotechnology Building: A specific building at Alcorn State University in Mississippi that will be renamed.
Plaque: A small sign or board with an inscription, often placed on a wall or monument to commemorate someone or something.

Limits and Unknowns

The renaming and signage changes are contingent upon Willie L. Simmons retiring from his position at the Mississippi Transportation Commission.
Approval by the Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning is required before the act can take effect.

Bill History

2026-03-30 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/30 (S) Died In Conference
2026-03-26 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/26 (H) Conferees Named Scoggin,Holloway (76th),Calvert
2026-03-26 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/26 (S) Conferees Named Boyd,Butler,McCaughn
2026-03-24 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/24 (S) Decline to Concur/Invite Conf
2026-03-05 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/05 (H) Returned For Concurrence
2026-03-04 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/04 (H) Passed As Amended
2026-03-04 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
03/04 (H) Amended
2026-02-25 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/25 (H) Title Suff Do Pass
2026-02-16 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/16 (H) Referred To Universities and Colleges
2026-02-12 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/12 (S) Transmitted To House
2026-02-11 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/11 (S) Passed
2026-02-11 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/11 (S) Committee Substitute Adopted
2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (S) Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub
2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/19 (S) Referred To Universities and Colleges

Official Summary Text

Alcorn State University biotechnology building; rename the "Willie L. Simmons Biotechnology Building."

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S. B. No. 2610 *SS26/R1236CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS26/R1236CS
PAGE 1

To: Universities and
Colleges
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Butler, Simmons (13th),
Brumfield, Blackmon, Gillespie Isom

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
SENATE BILL NO. 2610

AN ACT TO RENAME THE ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY BIOTECHNOLOGY 1
BUILDING, LOCATED IN LORMAN, JEFFERSON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, THE 2
"WILLIE L. SIMMONS BIOTECHNOLOGY BUILDING"; TO REQUIRE THE 3
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TO PREPARE OR HAVE 4
PREPARED A DISTINCTIVE PLAQUE TO PLACE WITHIN THE BUILDING THAT 5
STATES THE BACKGROUND, ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SERVICE OF WILLIE L. 6
SIMMONS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION, 7
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNIVERSITY, TO ERECT THE PROPER LETTERING 8
OR SIGNAGE ON THE OUTDOOR FACADE OF THE BUILDING DISPLAYING THE 9
OFFICIAL NAME; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 10
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 11
SECTION 1. Subject to approval by the Board of Trustees of 12
the State Institutions of Higher Learning and upon the retirement 13
of Willie L. Simmons as a member of the Mississippi Transportation 14
Commission, the Alcorn State University Biotechnology Building, 15
located at 1000 ASU Drive in Lorman, Jefferson County, 16
Mississippi, shall be renamed the "Willie L. Simmons Biotechnology 17
Building." At such time, the Department of Finance and 18
Administration shall prepare or have prepared a distinctive 19
plaque, to be placed in a prominent place within the building, 20
that states the background, accomplishments and service of Willie 21
L. Simmons to Alcorn State University and to the State of 22
S. B. No. 2610 *SS26/R1236CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS26/R1236CS
PAGE 2
ST: Alcorn State University biotechnology
building; rename the "Willie L. Simmons
Biotechnology Building."
Mississippi. Additionally, the Department of Finance and 23
Administration, in conjunction with Alcorn State University, shall 24
erect or cause to be erected, at the time of renaming, proper 25
lettering or signage on the outdoor facade of the building 26
displaying the official name of the building as the "Willie L. 27
Simmons Biotechnology Building." 28
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 29
and after July 1, 2026. 30