Agencies

The State Board's mission is to protect the public welfare of the citizens of the State of Mississippi, and therefore the State's commerce, through its oversight of certified public accountants (CPAs) and CPA firms.

The mission of the Adult Protective Services (APS) program is to protect vulnerable persons whose safety and protection may be adversely affected by abuse, neglect, self-neglect or exploitation; raise public awareness; and educate mandated reports of their reporting responsibilities.

The mission of the Division of Aging and Adult Services is to protect the rights of older citizens while expanding their opportunities and access to quality services. Our vision is for each older citizen to live the best life possible. The Division of Aging and Adult Services plans, coordinates and advocates for, and ensures the provision of services to all older Mississippians.

The mission of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is to regulate and promote agricultural-related businesses within the state and to promote Mississippi's products throughout both the state and the rest of the world for the benefit of all Mississippi citizens.

The mission of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is to regulate and promote agricultural-related businesses within the state and to promote Mississippi's products throughout both the state and the rest of the world for the benefit of all Mississippi citizens.

The Board of Animal Health was created by the Mississippi Legislature, Section 69-15-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, and given plenary power to deal with all contagious and infectious diseases of animals as in the opinion of the board may be prevented, controlled, or eradicated, and with full power to make, promulgate, and enforce such rules and regulations as may be necessary to control, eradicate and prevent those diseases.

The mission of the Mississippi State Board of Architecture is to protect the public’s life, health and property through the regulation of the professions of architecture, landscape architecture and certified interior design. The Board's core values are to be service oriented, principled, professional, progressive, and collaborative, and to be good stewards.

The Mississippi Department of Archives and History was founded in 1902. It is the second-oldest state department of archives and history in the country. A comprehensive historical agency, the department collects, preserves, and provides access to the archival resources of the state, administers museums and historic sites, and oversees statewide programs for historic preservation, government records management, and publications.

In 1968, the Mississippi Legislature created the Mississippi Arts Commission as the official grants-making and service agency for the arts. Since then the Commission has broadened its role as an active supporter and promoter of the arts in community life and arts education. Through the arts, diverse communities of all sizes can better identify shared values, create vibrant public spaces, and enhance the effectiveness of schools. The arts also attract visitors who leave with a strong, positive image of Mississippi. Fostering excellence in the arts provides the inspiration to generate a higher quality of life for all citizens.

The Mississippi Athletic Commission consists of a panel of board members which have all been appointed by Governor Phil Bryant. These board members work very closely together to sanction and regulate all boxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling and all contact fights that take place in the state of Mississippi.  It is their mission and goal to maintain the integrity of these sports and to protect the reputation that this commission has worked so hard to achieve.

The Attorney General is the chief legal officer and advisor for the State of Mississippi on both civil and criminal matters. His responsibility is to represent public officials and governmental agencies and to issue legal opinions that interpret state law. The Attorney General has the sole power under Mississippi law to bring or defend a lawsuit on behalf of the state. He acts as counsel to state agencies to defend them or bring suit on their behalf. Most importantly, the Office is charged with the representation of the people of the State of Mississippi.

The Mississippi Auctioneer Commission is a State licensing and regulatory authority that oversees compliance with the Mississippi Code of 1972 annotated, Chapter 4, Title 73. As a licensing and regulatory agency, we examine each applicants educational credentials, make final decisions concerning the licensing of auctioneers, livestock auctioneers, and galleries/ firms, receive and investigate complaints, and determine disciplinary actions against licensees and others who violate the Mississippi Auctioneers Licensing Act.

The Department of Audit, which employs some 150 persons, including approximately 40 Certified Public Accountants, comprises one of the largest auditing firms in the state. The Office is widely regarded as the definitive authority in matters pertaining to the use of public funds, and the recommendations offered by its auditors and other expert personnel are readily adhered to and respected throughout the state. The employees of the Department of Audit are mindful of the grave responsibility of upholding the public trust and strive to maintain the level of competence expected of them by virtue of their positions.

The Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance's (DBCF) mission is to regulate, supervise and safeguard financial institutions chartered and licensed in Mississippi.  With a vision of excellence in financial supervision, DBCF conducts examinations of all state-chartered banks, thrifts, and credit unions, independent trust companies, mortgage lenders, small loan companies, insurance premium finance companies, motor vehicle sales companies, pawn brokers, title pledge lenders, consumer loan brokers, check cashers (payday lenders), money transmitters, credit availability companies, and debt management service providers.

MIB is a leading employer of blind Mississippians. MIB offers employment opportunities at all levels of the organization, from direct labor manufacturing jobs to service jobs like document imaging to management staff positions. MIB is an agency of the State of Mississippi, but receives no regular appropriation from the Mississippi Legislature. MIB funds its manufacturing operations and employment through the sale of products it manufactures.

The Mississippi Library Commission serves as a free public library service for eligible Mississippi residents who are unable to read standard print due to a visual, physical or organic reading disability and for institutions which serve these eligible individuals (schools, hospitals, living facilities, etc).

The state capitol is the third capitol building built in the capital city of Jackson. The first building was completed in 1822, the second building in 1833 and the current capitol building was completed in 1903. The building was erected on the site of the old state penitentiary and was designed by Theodore Link, an architect from St. Louis, Missouri. The building cost $1,093,641 dollars, which was paid by the Illinois Central Railroad by the back taxes they owed the state.

The Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board (MCSAB) is pleased to invite proposals for high-quality charter schools seeking to open in the 2018-2019 school year or thereafter. The MCSAB is charged with approving only quality charter proposals that meet identified educational needs and promote a diversity of educational choices. 

The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services was created as the state’s lead child welfare agency by the 2016 Mississippi Legislature, separating it from the Mississippi Department of Human Services. In May 2016, Governor Phil Bryant signed Senate Bill 2179 establishing MDCPS as an independent agency with its commissioner serving as a member of the Governor’s cabinet. An increase in state funding from the Mississippi Legislature has enabled MDCPS to begin enhancing its infrastructure and increasing the number of social workers employed to meet the needs of children and families across the state. 

The Mississippi Board of Chiropractic Examiners was authorized by legislation to safeguard life, health, property, and the public welfare in Mississippi in order to protect its people against unauthorized, unqualified, and improper applications of chiropractic by regulating the practice of chiropractic.

Mississippi's community and junior colleges offer a wide variety of curriculum, trades and professional training opportunities to meet everyones need at an affordable cost.

The mission of the Division of Community Services is to provide a range of services to Mississippi's most vulnerable citizens. Funds are provided to individuals and/or households who qualify for services, especially the elderly, homeless, children or disabled. Refer to the menu links for additional information.

The Mississippi State Board of Public Contractors (MSBOC) is the contractor licensing authority for the state and is comprised of ten members appointed to staggered terms by the Governor. MSBOC protects consumers by licensing and regulating Mississippi’s construction industry through policies and procedures that promote the health, safety and general welfare of the public in matters relating to construction.

The mission of the Mississippi Department of Corrections is to enhance public safety by providing secure facilities and effective post-release supervision for offenders and ensuring a safe and professional work environment for staff while bringing accountability, innovation, and fiscal responsibility to the citizens of Mississippi. The support and safety of the public is paramount to the success of the agency’s mission.

The mission of the Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology is to regulate the instruction and practice of cosmetology and related professions by establishing rules and regulations relating to qualifications for licensure and procedures for the administration of examination prior to licensure. Also, by the establishment of rules and regulations setting forth sanitation requirements for the operation of cosmetological establishments, for the benefit of the consumer and for the public health.

The Mississippi Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselor’s purpose is to provide for the regulation and practice of counseling as well as the use of the title Licensed Professional Counselor to ensure the protection of the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the State of Mississippi.

The Crime Victim Compensation Division provides financial assistance to victims of crime and their family members. The goal of the division is to provide a method of compensating and assisting those persons who are innocent victims of criminal acts and who suffer bodily injury or death. In addition, the Division provides information referrals and advocacy outreach programs. The Division operates with a revenue derived from fees, fines and assessments imposed on criminals, court ordered restitution and federal grants. Applicants to the program can apply for reimbursement for lost wages, mental health and medical treatment and funeral expenses.

Established in 1854, the Mississippi School for the Deaf (MSD) is the state's official school for all children in the state who are deaf or hard of hearing. From the earliest detection of a hearing problem, we can provide children with the communication skills and confidence they need to live happy, productive lives. Our dedicated teachers are certified professionals, recognized as leaders in their field of instruction. They help each student reach their full potential by providing an excellent education in a friendly and caring environment.

The Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners is a legislatively-mandated state regulatory agency charged with the responsibilities of examining, licensing, registering, and regulating the practices of dentistry and dental hygiene to ensure competency (through examination and licensure) and ethics (through registration and regulation) among all dental professionals in the State of Mississippi for the ultimate goal of safeguarding and enhancing the health and welfare of the citizens of this State. As such, the Board is neither affiliated with nor functions as a subsidiary of any private or professional organization.

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) is the state of Mississippi's lead economic and community development agency, with approximately 300 employees engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and workers throughout Mississippi. The agency works to recruit new business to the state, and retain and expand existing Mississippi industry and business. MDA also provides technical assistance to the state's entrepreneurs and small businessmen and women and oversees programs that support Mississippi's minority and women-owned businesses.

In addition, the agency provides Mississippi's corporate citizens with export assistance, manages the state's energy programs and oversees programs that help its communities become more competitive. The agency works to promote tourism to the state, and develop and support Mississippi's tourism industry, as well.

The CDD is an appointed group of people designed to support individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and the community they live in. We are not a direct service organization, but develop strategies to support systemic change for the people we advocate. The Mississippi Department of Mental Health serves as our Designated State Agency (DSA). The CDD operates independently within the DSA, but receives much support to maintain the management of our operation. Our office is on the 10th Floor of the Robert E. Lee State Office Building, 239 North Lamar Street, Jackson, Mississippi 39201.

As an agency of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, East Mississippi State Hospital is the second largest of four state psychiatric hospitals and the third largest employer in the Meridian area. The facility is licensed for 372 psychiatric beds, 35 chemical dependency beds, 226 nursing home beds and serves more than 100 clients in the Division of Community Services. EMSH is a modern psychiatric treatment facility serving individuals in 31 counties of the state for adult psychiatric and substance abuse and adolescent males for psychiatric treatment. Adolescent males are also treated at EMSH for substance abuse from all 82 counties of the state. The Reginald P. White Nursing Facility admits residents for nursing home care from the public and private sector from all across the state. EMSH presently has a staff of approximately 1,150 workers and in recent years the hospital has also averaged around 4,000 volunteer hours per year.

The Mississippi Department of Human Services is dedicated to serving others while providing a wide range of public assistance programs, social services and support for children, low-income individuals and families. The agency seeks to empower families so they can become self-sufficient and responsible for their future success.

The Mississippi Department of Education, which operates under the direction and supervision of the State Superintendent of Education, implements a system-wide plan of performance, policy and direction for public education in Mississippi. The Mississippi Board of Education, in conjunction with the State Superintendent of Education, adopts and maintains a curriculum and a course of study to be used in public schools that is designed to prepare Mississippi's students to become productive citizens, parents, employees and leaders. The Board also regulates all matters arising in the practical administration of the school system not otherwise provided for and regulates issues such as curriculum, teacher standards and certification, student testing, accountability and school accreditation.

Mission Statement: To enrich the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing a foundation of independence and empowerment to reach for their tomorrow and make a difference in the world today. Quality Care: We are dedicated to the principle that each person is entitled to superior service and care with respect to their personal, social, emotional, behavioral, educational, vocational, and spiritual needs. To meet those needs, we are committed to a service delivery system and design of personal choice. Cooperation: We value forming alliances, partnerships, and cooperative ventures with agencies to develop, implement, and promote opportunities for the persons we serve.

The mission of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is to coordinate activities that will save lives, protect property and reduce suffering of Mississippi’s citizens and their communities impacted by disasters through a comprehensive and integrated program of disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation initiatives.

The mission of the Mississippi Emergency Medical Services for Children Program is to prevent and reduce childhood, adolescent, and youth death and disability resulting from illness and injury. Also to provide continued pediatric education to prehospital and hospital professionals to ensure that each child, adolescent and youth injured in Mississippi received the best possible care. The EMS-C program was designed by federal legislation in 1984 for this very reason as issues relating to children's emergency care required attention.

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) is a federally funded state agency. The programs of MDES, under direction of the governor of Mississippi, reports to the federal government. The U.S. Congress appropriates all funds expended to administer employment security programs. Funding for the Employment Service labor exchange functions comes from the federal Wagner-Peyser Act. Funding for the Unemployment Insurance Division comes from Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) on employers and is allocated to MDES by the U.S. Department of Labor. All federal funds received by MDES are cleared through the state treasury. The authority to expend these funds is granted by the state legislature.

The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors was established by the state legislature in 1928. The Board's mission is to safeguard life, health, and property, and to promote the public welfare by providing a complete and thorough registration process for Professional Engineers and Professional Surveyors, ensuring that each is properly qualified to practice in the state of Mississippi. The Board also regulates the practice of engineering and surveying in the state through investigation and disciplinary authority granted by Title 73, Chapter 13 of the Mississippi Code.

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is responsible for protecting the state's air, land, and water. Our mission is to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of present and future generations of Mississippians by conserving and improving our environment and fostering wise economic growth through focused research and responsible regulation. MDEQ Executive Director Trudy Fisher is appointed by the Governor. The Governor also appoints the seven members of the Commission on Environmental Quality who serve seven-year staggered terms.

Welcome to the Mississippi Ethics Commission. The Commission administers and enforces the Ethics in Government Law, codified as Sections 25-4-1 through 25-4-119, Miss. Code of 1972, and related authorities. The Commission and its staff are committed to helping public servants comply with the law and ensuring the highest standards of governmental integrity for the people of Mississippi.

The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established the Cooperative Extension System, a publicly funded, informal educational system that links the United States Department of Agriculture, the land-grant university system, and individual counties. As the off-campus educational arm of Mississippi State University, Extension provides current research and educational information to individuals in all 82 counties. Mississippi State University Extension Service is also a cooperating partner with Alcorn State University, the 1890 land-grant institution in Mississippi.

The Mississippi Fairgrounds Complex covers over 100 acres and hosts more than 700-event days per year. With various facilities for exhibitions, trade and consumer shows, you'll find all the elements to make a truly successful event, along with Mississippi's tradition of hospitality. The Fairgrounds Complex is truly one of the South's most inviting locations for practically any attraction or event.

The Mississippi Department of Human Services is dedicated to serving others while providing a wide range of public assistance programs, social services and support for children, low-income individuals and families. The agency seeks to empower families so they can become self-sufficient and responsible for their future success.

The Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration is the primary agency responsible for State government financial and administrative operations including employee payroll, vendor payments, employee insurance, construction, maintenance, and protection of State buildings in the Capitol Complex, financial information management systems, management of the State’s vehicle fleet, and numerous other related activities. DFA is composed of eighteen (18) offices with a total staff of approximately 400 employees.

The fire fighters who put their lives on the line every time they answer a call rely on the training they have received for their safety and protection. There is no place where they will receive more dedicated training than the Mississippi State Fire Academy (MSFA). MSFA staff remain vigilant and aware of the changes in firefighting challenges and techniques. They are constantly evaluating and training in fundamental and advanced skills to save lives and property.

The mission of the State Fire Marshal's Office is to foster, promote and develop ways and means of protecting life and property from fire and related perils through direct action and coordination with Mississippi fire and law enforcement services.

The Mississippi Forest Inventory (MFI) program was responsible for developing and implementing Mississippi's forest resource inventory until 2017. At the present time, Mississippi's forest inventory data is provided by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program, which provides the information needed to assess America's forests.

The Forest Service significantly enhanced the FIA program by changing from a periodic survey to an annual survey, by increasing their capacity to analyze and publish data, and by expanding the scope of data collection to include soil, under story vegetation, tree crown conditions, coarse woody debris, and lichen community composition on a subsample of our plots. The FIA program has also expanded to include the sampling of urban trees on all land use types in select cities. 

The Mississippi Forestry Commission is proud of its service to the public and its protection of the state's valuable forest resource. Committed to delivering quality services and assistance to both rural and urban landowners, the Forestry Commission looks forward to the continued privilege of caring for Mississippi's trees and forests. Our Mission is to provide active leadership in forest protection, forest management, forest inventory and effective forest information distribution, necessary for Mississippi's sustainable forest-based economy.

The Mississippi State Board of Funeral Service is responsible for implementing the provisions of the Funeral Service Law for the purpose of better protection of life and health and regulating the practice of embalming, funeral directing and the care and disposition of dead human bodies.

The Board is authorized to prescribe a standard of proficiency as to the qualifications of embalmers and funeral directors, to revoke or suspend licenses for any violations of this law, to adopt rules and regulations and to set standards of sanitation to be observed in the embalming or cremation of dead human bodies. Any person desiring to engage in the practice of embalming and/or the practice of funeral directing or operating a funeral establishment must first meet the requirements of the law and rules and be licensed by the Board.

The mission of the Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) is to enforce the Gaming Control Act and Charitable Gaming Laws of the State of Mississippi. The MGC will establish and enforce regulations under the authority of those laws in such a manner that will ensure the integrity of the State of Mississippi and maintain the public confidence in both the charitable gaming and casino gaming industries by working in conjunction with the industry.

The state of Mississippi provides about $40 million each year to help students go to college. 

The state offers three undergraduate grant programs: 

• HELP, which awards full tuition for students with financial need;
• MTAG, which awards $500 per year to freshmen and sophomores and $1,000 per year to juniors and seniors; and
• MESG, which awards $2,500 per year to high-achieving students with a 29 or higher ACT and 3.5 or higher GPA. 

All three grant programs require students to enroll full-time each term.

During the 2003 session, the Legislature passed HB 861, which created the Mississippi Coordinating Council for Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems. The coordinating council is responsible for coordination of remote sensing and geographic information system activities within Mississippi. It is mandated to establish and enforce policies and standards that will "make it easier for remote sensing and geographic information systems around the state to share information and to facilitate cost-sharing arrangements to reduce the costs of acquiring remote sensing and geographic information system data." The coordination council's authority covers all local, regional, and state governmental agencies in Mississippi except for institutions of higher learning.

The Mississippi Board of Registered Professional Geologists was established by the state legislature in 1997. The Board's mission is to safeguard life, health, and property, and to promote the public welfare by providing a complete and thorough registration process for Professional Geologists, ensuring that each is properly qualified to practice in the state of Mississippi. The Board also regulates the practice of geology in the state through investigation and disciplinary authority granted by Title 73, Chapter 63 of the Mississippi Code.

The Mississippi Geospatial Clearinghouse (MGC) provides access to a comprehensive spatial information warehouse of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) resources of Mississippi for use by government, academia, and the private sector. The goal of the MGC is to make the application of spatial information technologies within the State of Mississippi more efficient by reducing the duplication of spatial data production and enhancing distribution through effective cooperation, standardization, communication, and coordination.

Phil Bryant is the Governor of the State of Mississippi.  

Located eight miles northwest of Port Gibson, Mississippi, off Highway 61, this 400 acre landmark is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes Fort Cobun and Fort Wade, the Grand Gulf Cemetery, a museum, campgrounds, picnic areas, hiking trails, an observation tower, and several restored buildings dating back to Grand Gulf's heyday. Park guests can step back in time and relive history as it was made.

Public health protection takes a wide variety of forms, from ensuring the safety of your food and water to setting standards for health and care facilities. Mississippi's State Board of Health was established in 1877 to protect and advance health throughout Mississippi, and became the Mississippi State Department of Health in 1982.

The Mission of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHSP) is to be a service-oriented organization dedicated to providing for the safety of the public on Mississippi highways and to keep Mississippi citizens free from the fear of lawlessness. MHSP promotes the safe operation of motor vehicles on the state’s roads and highways by professionally and competently enforcing the rules of the road as set forth in Title 63 of the Mississippi Code of 1972. 

The Mission of the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety is to encourage and assist State and Local agencies, institutions and the private sector in establishing or expanding cooperative highway safety programs based on specifically identified traffic safety problems.​​​

The Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) was created by the Mississippi Home Corporation act of 1989 to address these housing needs. MHC plays a critical role in these efforts working with the Governor, the Mississippi Legislature, the U.S. Congressional delegation, and others in the affordable housing industry to develop private and public partnerships throughout the state and nation to increase the awareness of Mississippi’s desperate need for affordable housing

The mission of the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security (MOHS) is to partner with federal, state, and local emergency response personnel during both man-made and natural disasters, as well as working to prevent, protect, and respond to threats and/or acts of terrorism within our state. This office will act as the nexus for information sharing through its direction of the Mississippi Analysis and Information Center (MSAIC) and will lead efforts in "All Hazard" prevention, preparedness, and response by continuing to foster strong partnerships across professional response disciplines.

Hudspeth Regional Center (HRC) is one of five state operated comprehensive regional programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities operated under the administration of the Department of Mental Health, Bureau of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. HRC is a licensed Intermediate Care Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (IID), which provides 24-hour care. Hudspeth Regional Center has been providing quality services to individuals with Intellectual Disabilities since 1974.

The Mississippi Department of Human Services is dedicated to serving others while providing a wide range of public assistance programs, social services and support for children, low-income individuals and families. The agency seeks to empower families so they can become self-sufficient and responsible for their future success

The mission of ITS is to provide trusted information technology and telecommunications leadership and services that offer proven, cost-effective solutions to all stakeholders in Mississippi government. The rapid evolution and expansive growth of data, voice, and video technologies provides a continuous challenge to seamless integration of technology resources and services that are customer-centric, scalable, secure, efficient, and effective.

In this diverse technical ecosystem, the Legislature has tasked ITS with providing statewide services that facilitate cost-effective information technology and telecommunication solutions that can be shared with all state agencies. In addition, ITS, with the full cooperation of state agencies, strives to identify opportunities to minimize duplication, reduce costs, and improve the efficiency of providing common technology services across state agency boundaries.

Craig Orgeron, Executive Director (appointed by ITS Board)

The Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) consist of the eight public universities: Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for University, Mississippi Valley State University, The University of Mississippi, The University of Southern Mississippi, including the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service, Mississippi Agricultural, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, ten off-campus centers, and various other locations throughout the state. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is the accrediting body for each of the public universities in Mississippi. 

The Licensing Division is responsible for licensing insurance producers, agents and business entities. The Division ensures that all applicants have complied with the licensing laws prior to receiving a license to engage in the business of insurance in the State of Mississippi. The Division's primary goals are to provide prompt and efficient customer service, attain uniformity with other states and comply with the provisions of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

The Commissioner of Insurance is elected to a four-year term and may be re-elected. Miss. Code Ann. § 83-1-1 et seq. The Commissioner is charged with execution of all laws relative to insurance companies, corporations, associations and fraternal orders, their agents and adjusters. The Commissioner licenses and regulates the practices of all insurance companies, agents, burial associations, fraternal societies, bail bondsmen, and other entities engaged in the business of insurance.

The mission of the Mississippi Insurance Department is to impartially enforce the laws and regulations enumerated in Mississippi Code Ann. Section 83-1-1 et seq., thereby creating an environment conducive to a competitive marketplace for the sale of insurance products and services while providing the State's citizens with the maximum amount of consumer protection. 

Provides help for businesses and job seekers through a variety of employment, training and business services.

PEER is an acronym for Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review, a standing committee of the Mississippi Legislature. Created in 1973, PEER provides the Legislature with timely and accurate information on Mississippi state government in order to enable that body to perform its function of legislative oversight. PEER analyzes state agency programs and operations and helps the Legislature make state government more effective, efficient and accountable. The forms which PEER analyses take include: performance evaluations, investigations, and expenditure reviews. The PEER Committee is comprised of seven members of the Senate and seven members of the House of Representatives and employs a staff of about twenty-seven.

Duties and Responsibilities: To receive, investigate and process allegations of judicial misconduct and disability and, where appropriate, recommend judicial discipline to the Mississippi Supreme Court, in accordance with Section 177A of the Mississippi Constitution.

A simple webpage that gives the status of both current and past Legislative Bills.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Legislative Budget Office is to provide the technical staff support necessary to enable the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Legislature to adopt a balanced state budget, and to provide the data processing support necessary to the proper functioning of both the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Legislature. The Legislative Budget Office serves as the fiscal support agency for both the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and the Legislature, pursuant to Section 27-103-101, et seq., Mississippi Code Annotated (1972). The Legislative Budget Office also provides data processing support for all House and Senate operations.

The Mississippi Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Mississippi. The bicameral (divides the legislators into two separate assemblies, chambers, or houses). The Legislature is composed of the lower Mississippi House of Representatives, with 122 members, and the upper Mississippi State Senate, with 52 members. Both Representatives and Senators serve four-year terms without term limits.

The Legislature convenes at the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson. 
 
 

The Mississippi Library Commission offers a wide variety of direct and indirect services to libraries, government agencies and the citizens of Mississippi.

Tate Reeves is the Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi.

In 1994, the Mississippi Legislature created the Department of Marine Resources as a separate governing agency to enhance, protect and conserve marine interests of the state. We manage all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas, and provide for the balanced commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes.

The Mississippi Automated Resource Information System (MARIS) Technical Center provides access to Mississippi's statewide geographic information system (GIS). Through the MARIS website we offer you access to a range of resources, including: search and retrieval of data descriptions (metadata) - retrieval of Mississippi data sets - posting of news related to GIS developments - announcements of upcoming meetings and events - mapping of data sets - access and retrieval to aerial photography covering Mississippi.

The Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy is a regulatory board created by the legislature to promote the highest possible standards of professionalism for all licensed Massage Therapists and to ensure quality of care to safeguard public health.

Medicaid is a national health care program. It helps pay for medical services for low-income people. For those eligible for full Medicaid services, Medicaid is paid to providers of health care. Providers are doctors, hospitals and pharmacists who accept Medicaid.

The mission of the Division of Medicaid is to ensure access to health services for the Medicaid eligible population in the most cost efficient and comprehensive manner possible and to continually pursue strategies for optimizing the accessibility and quality of health care.

The goal of the Board is to educate physicians, physician assistants, radiologist assistants, and acupuncturists, as well as the general public with this website. The Board's primary objective is to ensure the protection of the health, safety and welfare of Mississippians through implementation and enforcement of laws involving the licensing and regulation of physicians, podiatrists, physician assistants, radiology assistants and acupuncturists and through the objective enforcement of the Mississippi Medical Practice Act.

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health is committed to developing and maintaining a comprehensive, statewide system of prevention, service, and support options for adults and children with mental illness or emotional disturbance, alcohol/drug problems, and/or intellectual or developmental disabilities, as well as adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia.

The Mississippi Management and Reporting System (MMRS) is an office of the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). The 1993 regular session of the Mississippi Legislature established MMRS for the purpose of creating and maintaining a central repository of current, accurate, and relevant management information. In that effort, MMRS is responsible for the development, enhancement, maintenance, and support of several statewide applications that combine to form this central repository of management information. 

At the state level, Mississippi's Governor reserve the ability, to call up members of the Mississippi National Guard in time of domestic emergencies or need. The National Guard's state mission is perhaps the most visible and well known. Nearly everyone has seen or heard of Guard units responding to battle fires or helping communities deal with floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, or other emergency situations. In times of civil unrest, the citizens of a state can rest assured that the Guard will be ready to respond.

We are the regulatory agency for sales, distribution, and advertising of new vehicles. We license manufacturers and representatives, dealers, and their salespeople.

Created by statutory authority in 1971, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics enforces the State's Uniform Controlled Substances Law. As the State's primary drug enforcement agency, the MBN accomplishes its mission by confiscating drugs and other contraband, and by arresting suspected drug violators for prosecution under applicable state and federal laws.

The mission of the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is to promote understanding and appreciation of Mississippi's biological diversity through collections, research, scientific databases, education, and exhibits; and to inspire the people of our state to respect the environment and to preserve natural Mississippi.

Located in Oxford, the North Mississippi Regional Center is one of six comprehensive regional centers in Mississippi. NMRC operates under the authority of the MS Department of Mental Health and is licensed as an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR), providing an array of services to individuals with intellectual and related developmental disabilities in the northern 23 counties of the state.

North Mississippi State Hospital (NMSH) is an acute care psychiatric facility offering treatment and services for mentally ill adult men and women in northeast Mississippi. The 50-bed hospital was opened in Tupelo in 1999. NMSH is a facility of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.

The Mississippi State Board of Nursing Home Administrators was established in July 1972 (Mississippi Code of 1972, Chapter 17) with the mission being regulation of nursing home administrators.

The two major programs administered by the Board are:

1. Pre-licensure / Examination; and
2. Licensure and Regulatory.

The Mississippi Board of Nursing is a Mississippi state agency charged with protecting the public through the regulation of the practice of nursing within the state. As part of its responsibilities, the Board implements the Mississippi Nurse Practice Law by issuing rules and regulations through the Administrative Code. The Board's law and code provide minimum qualifications for licensure, define fundamentals for scope of practice, and provides disciplinary processes all in the interest of public protection. The Board grants licenses to licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and certified clinical hemodialysis technicians (CCHTs).

The Board does not enforce laws and rules pertaining to nursing education, other healthcare professions, or healthcare facilities. Visit Related Organizations for other healthcare regulatory agencies.

The Program Objective of the State Oil and Gas Board is to promulgate and enforce rules to regulate and promote oil and gas drilling, production and storage so as to protect the coequal and correlative rights of all owners of interests; and to promulgate and enforce rules to regulate the disposal of nonhazardous oil field waste in an environmentally safe manner consistent with federal and state regulations.

The Mississippi State Board of Optometry was created by the legislature to meet the public's need for protection from incompetent or negligent optometric practice. The Board protects the public through licensure and disciplinary procedures. The Mississippi State Board is charged with ensuring that the licensed Optometrists maintain high standards of professionalism and quality of care to safeguard public health. The Board conducts two (2) licensure examinations each year, on the second Saturday of January and July. Pursuant to §73-19-9. In its regulatory role, the Board receives, investigates, and responds to consumer's complaints.

The Division of Youth Services (DYS) administers probation/aftercare services and institutional programs for juveniles who have been adjudged delinquent in Mississippi Youth Courts or are at-risk of becoming delinquent. DYS provides professional counseling, probation, supervision, and related services to children in their home communities, as well as education, rehabilitation, and treatment services to children committed to institutional care.

Information about parole in Mississippi, including the current Parole Board Members, Parolee Search, and Victim Parole Notification.

The Pat Harrison Waterway District (PHWD) is a Mississippi State Agency that provides camping, cabins and recreational facilities in Mississippi and is responsible for managing the rivers and their tributaries along the Pascagoula River Basin in Southeastern and East Central Mississippi. In order to effectively accomplish this mission, PHWD focuses on three specific areas; flood control, water management, and recreation.

PHWD operates a total of 9 water parks with recreational facilities including cabins, R.V. Camping sites, water slides, boat launches, shelters and lodge halls, nature trails, etc. These water parks are located adjacent to reservoirs and rivers.

As the central personnel agency for State government, the Mississippi State Personnel Board seeks to recruit qualified individuals from all segments of society. If you are looking for challenging and rewarding work with unlimited career growth potential, you've come to the right place. The Mississippi State Personnel Board has under its purview more than 32,000 employees who serve the State of Mississippi each day.

The Mississippi Board of Pharmacy was established by legislative action in 1920. The mission of the Board is to protect and promote the health of Mississippi citizens by regulating and controlling the practice of pharmacy and the distribution of prescription drugs and devices. The Mississippi Board of Pharmacy is comprised of seven pharmacist members, all appointed by the Governor. They are assisted by an administrative staff headed by an Executive Director appointed by the Board.

The Board is a state licensing and regulatory agency authorized by the legislature to protect the public against the unqualified, incompetent, unprofessional and unlawful practice of physical therapy. The Mississippi Physical Therapy Practice Act establishes the standards for the practice of physical therapy and defines the scope and limitations of practice. The Board adopts regulations to carry out the laws governing the practice of physical therapy.

The Mississippi State Port Authority is an Enterprise Agency of the State of Mississippi and is responsible for the daily operations of the Port of Gulfport. The Port of Gulfport is a bulk, break-bulk and container seaport which encompasses 204 acres, has nearly 6,000 feet of berthing space and averages over 2 million tons of cargo a year shipping over 200,000 TEU'S. The Port of Gulfport has gained a solid reputation as the second largest importer of green fruit in the United States and the 3rd busiest container port on the US Gulf of Mexico.

The Mississippi Board of Psychology was authorized by legislation to "safeguard life, health, property, and the public welfare" in Mississippi in order to protect its people against "unauthorized, unqualified, and improper applications of psychology" by regulating the practice of psychology. The Board accomplishes these goals by examining education and training credentials, administering examinations for minimal competency to practice, requiring continuing professional education, investigating practice complaints and providing penalties for violations of practice standards or ethical principles.

Known as Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) since 2003 when Mississippi ETV and Public Radio in Mississippi (PRM) merged, the organization has been a leader in informational broadcasting. Through our award-winning productions, our educational resources, and our acclaimed hurricane coverage and response operation, MPB has exhibited a commitment to educating and informing Mississippians.

The Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS) proudly serves the state of Mississippi by providing retirement benefits for individuals working in state government, public schools, universities, community colleges, municipalities, counties, the Legislature, highway patrol, and other such public entities. These retirement benefits not only help recruit and retain a strong public workforce in Mississippi, they help stimulate local economies in every county in the state and help reduce the need for social assistance.

The DPS mission is to make Mississippi a safer place by patrolling its roads and highways, keeping drugs off our streets and providing training and funds to law enforcement agencies across Mississippi. The department is made up of eight different offices and 1200 state employees dedicated to the safety of our fellow Mississippians. Some of these offices like the Mississippi Highway Patrol or driver service's bureaus are more familiar to you than others, but they all provide a valuable asset that improves the quality of life for residents. Under the DPS umbrella are offices like the State Crime Lab and State Medical Examiner's Office, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and the Mississippi Department of Homeland Security. 

The Public Service Commission regulates telecommunications, electric, gas, water and sewer utilities. The agency is charged with assuring that rates and charges for services are just and reasonable, that the service rendered is reasonably adequate, and that any facilities constructed or acquired are required for the convenience and necessity of the public. Additionally, the agency exercises safety jurisdiction over gas pipelines and has area jurisdiction over all public utilities. In carrying out its responsibilities, the commission answers complaints, makes investigation and conducts both formal and informal hearings.

 The Mississippi Real Estate Commission (MREC) administers control over the commercial real estate industry in the State of Mississippi, licensing all real estate brokers and salespersons. MREC works to assure that all real estate transactions are performed in a professional and ethical manner. Potential licensees undergo comprehensive testing and are subjected to continuing education requirements.

MREC protects the consumer by setting forth a set of rules for its licensed members, and is responsible for investigating reports of rule violations and unethical practices. The Mississippi Real Estate Commission also monitors real estate commerce taking place between brokers licensed in Mississippi and those in other states. MREC's offices are located in Jackson, Mississippi.

The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services is a state agency that provides resources to help Mississippians with disabilities find new careers, live more independently, overcome obstacles, and face new challenges. All of our employees are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of the people we serve. I invite you to explore our website and learn about the different programs, services, career opportunities, and personal stories of some of the people we serve.

The Department of Revenue is the primary agency for collecting tax revenues that support state and local governments in Mississippi. This website provides information about the various taxes administered, access to online filing, and forms. The Department of Revenue is responsible for titling and registration of motor vehicles, monitoring ad valorem assessments throughout the state to ensure consistent appraisal and valuation of properties among the municipalities and counties of the state, enforcement of Mississippi's Prohibition and Local Option Law and operating as the wholesale distributor of alcoholic beverages.

The Office of the Secretary of State is dedicated to being both a service and information agency. There are eight divisions of the Secretary of State’s Office: Business Regulation and Enforcement, Business Services, Education and Publications, Elections, Policy and Research, Securities, Charities and Public Lands. In addition, the agency employs executive and administrative staff which help oversee the various functions of the office.

The Mississippi Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage & Family Therapists purpose is to ensure that the public is protected from the unprofessional, improper, unauthorized and unqualified practice of social work and marriage and family therapy.

The mission of the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission is to effectively guide, promote and demonstrate the conservation, development, protection and proper utilization of the soil, water and related resources of the State.

As one of this State's comprehensive service centers administered by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, we have supported individuals with developmental disabilities since 1978. Our website offers information about who we are, who we serve and how those supports are organized among 16 locations in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, George, Stone and Pearl River counties. Please see the synopses of our service components, program locations and job opportunities on this site. If you need specific help, just phone or email us.

South Mississippi State Hospital in Purvis is an acute-care, regional behavioral health program with the primary purpose to offer a continuum of services for adults with mental illness within the patient's region of residence. This closer proximity allows family, friends and community to more actively support the treatment, recovery and aftercare of the patient.

South Mississippi State Hospital serves Lamar, Forrest, Marion, Perry, Greene, Wayne, Jones, Covington, Jefferson Davis, Pearl River, Stone, Hancock, Harrison, George and Jackson counties. Patients receive the highest quality care available through the services of an interdisciplinary treatment team led by a board certified psychiatrist.

Specialized Treatment Facility (STF) provides psychiatric residential services for up to 48 adolescent Mississippians who have been diagnosed with a mental disorder. Care is centered around evidence-based or best practice models. Adolescents eligible for admission are between the ages of 13 and 18 who present an Axis I Diagnosis of a severe emotional disturbance and need psychiatric residential services. The Facility also provides an alcohol and drug prevention program that is certified by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health.

Mississippi State Hospital is a publicly funded behavioral health program of Mississippi Department of Mental Health. The hospital is located on a 350-acre campus in Whitfield, MS, 15 miles southeast of Jackson, the state capital. Mississippi State Hospital operates 384 hospital beds and is accredited by the Joint Commission. The program also includes 355 licensed nursing home beds.

It has been said that happiness is a state of mind. Well, visit a Mississippi State Park for a new mind-altering experience. Leave your worries at the gate and allow your mind to enjoy all our parks have to offer. World-class golf, fabulous fishing, abundant bird and wildlife viewing, hiking on nature trails or mountain biking in the hills are just a few of our offerings. And yes, just a quiet place to relax and perhaps read a book, or reflect on the day.

Mississippi's state parks are conveniently located along most major travel routes in the state. A reservation is just a click away, so put your mind at rest today, and reserve a visit to a Mississippi State Park.

Mississippi has a two-tier appellate court system that reviews decisions of law and fact made by the trial courts. The Mississippi Supreme Court is the court of last resort among state courts. Decisions of the Chancery, Circuit and County Courts, and Court of Appeals may be appealed to the Supreme Court. Appeals which go directly to the Supreme Court include annexations, bond issues, constitutionality challenges, death penalty cases, disciplinary matters involving attorneys and judges, election contests, certified questions from federal court, utility rates, cases of first impression and issues of broad public interest.

Nine Supreme Court justices are elected from three districts. Non-partisan elections are staggered so that not all positions are up for election at once. Supreme Court justices serve eight-year terms. Each Supreme Court justice participates in deciding appeals from the entire state. Decisions are by a majority vote of the court.

The Mississippi Office of Surplus Property was organized in March of 1946, with the authority to acquire surplus goods from the Federal Government. Once property has been declared as excess to the needs of the Federal Government, the highest and best utilization of that property is by public and private organizations of the State of Mississippi who are dedicated to the education, training, health, civil protection, safety, administration, and other public benefits of our taxpayers.

The Board of Tax Appeals is a quasi-judicial state agency independent of the Department of Revenue that was created by the Mississippi Legislature to hear administrative appeals from orders of the Board of Review of the Department of Revenue and other specific acts of the Department. Our goal is to promptly hold administrative appeals hearings and issue timely, impartial written decisions.

Mississippi Tourism is a division of the Mississippi Development Authority. Thank you for your interest in Mississippi, and we look forward to your visit to our state. Please feel free to contact us if you need further information about any aspect of Mississippi tourism. We want to be your trusted guide to everything wonderful about our state. We are here to help you Find Your True South in Mississippi.

 The State of Mississippi vests oversight of its transportation resources and operations in a three-member elected commission representing three geographic areas in the state—Northern, Central and Southern districts. The Commissioners have the authority and responsibility for the supervision of all modes of transportation in the state dealing with aeronautics, highways, public transit, ports and railroads.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation is responsible for providing a safe intermodal transportation network that is planned, designed, constructed and maintained in an effective, cost efficient and environmentally sensitive manner.

 The mission of Mississippi Trauma Care System is to develop and maintain a statewide trauma system to ensure Mississippians receive the highest quality of care possible, provide a continuum of care from initial injury detection through definitive care including rehabilitation, and decrease injury and death due to traumatic injury.

The Office of the State Treasurer’s mission is to secure and invest the financial trust for the state of Mississippi. In order to fulfill that mission, we have become pioneers in banking and financial solutions, as well as credible and trustworthy stewards of the state trust. We are transparent in our activities, innovative in our use of technology, strategic in our business partnerships, and knowledgeable of the financial markets. It is our goal and our pleasure to provide excellent customer service to the taxpayers of Mississippi.

The University of Mississippi Medical Center, located in Jackson, is the state's only academic health science center. UMMC includes seven health science schools: medicine, nursing, dentistry, health related professions, graduate studies, population health, and pharmacy. (The School of Pharmacy is headquartered on the University of Mississippi campus in Oxford.) Enrollment in all programs is more than 3,000 students.

The University Press of Mississippi was founded in 1970 and is supported by Mississippi's eight state universities. UPM publishes scholarly books of the highest distinction and books that interpret the south and its culture to the nation and the world. From its offices in Jackson, the University Press of Mississippi acquires, edits, distributes, and promotes more than sixty new books every year.

Over the years, the Press has published more than 900 titles and distributed more than 2,500,000 copies world wide, each with the Mississippi imprint. The University Press is the only not-for-profit book publisher in the state.

The Veterans Affairs Board is devoted to caring for Mississippi Veterans and theri dependents through superior service, care, and assistance. Here you will find information about the Mississippi Veterans Homes, benefits that Mississippi Veterans are entitled to, Veterans events that are going to take place, and much more.

The Veterans' Home Purchase Board (VHPB) was established by an Act of the Mississippi State legislature to provide a benefit in the form of a mortgage loan to Mississippi veterans in appreciation for their service to our country. Providing affordable interest rates and utilizing VA mortgage financing enables the VHPB to provide affordable home ownership opportunities and improve quality of life for many Mississippi veterans. With our advantageous interest rates, the VHPB is able to assist many veterans who would not normally qualify for another mortgage loan. 

The mission of the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service is to engage and support Mississippians of all ages and backgrounds in service to their communities. The Mississippi Commission for Volunteer service began with a small staff and a big dream: to make good things happen for Mississippi through the power of volunteers.

Since 1994 when it was established to promote community service and volunteerism to help meet local needs more effectively, the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service had brought new resources to the state's volunteers and volunteer organizations. We believe that volunteers are a powerful force for community improvement, whose efforts make the most of limited resources; the Commission seeks to involve Mississippians to make a difference in every community in the state.

It is the mission of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks to conserve and enhance Mississippi's natural resources, to provide continuing outdoor recreational opportunities, to maintain the ecological integrity and aesthetic quality of the resources and to ensure socioeconomic and educational opportunities for present and future generations.

Mississippi code of 1972, establishes the Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission to ensure critical personnel have effective communications services available in emergency situations. The enabling legislation specifically directs the Commission to implement a statewide wireless communications system for state and local governments that enables interoperability between various wireless communications technologies.

The Commission is further tasked with the responsibility for approving all wireless communication purchases within the state and for setting forth rules and regulations governing these purchases.

The vision of the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women is the improvement of the overall quality of life of women, specifically in the areas of education, health, economics, political participation, and race relations. The Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women was created in 2001 by the Mississippi Legislature under House Bill 797, and is codified in Miss. Code Ann. Section 43-59-1.  Our Commissioners are appointed by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Attorney General.  Each of our Commissioners serves in a voluntary capacity, with a particular focus on issues that impact the lives of our state's women and children, and by extension, all Mississippians.

The Mississippi Worker's Compensation Commission's goal is to provide the public with useful information regarding Workers' Compensation in the State of Mississippi.