Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. §25-61-19, the following legislation was enacted during the 2024 session that revised the powers and duties of the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning:

• HB 939 — MS University Research Authority; revise
  The Board of Trustees shall be made of an odd number of members chosen from among research officers at the eight universities and the medical center, the vice president of the IHL, the director (or designee) of the Mississippi Development Authority, and the Commissioner as ex-officio member.


• SB 2244 — Foster care children; allow free transcripts
  The Board of Trustees will adopt policies requiring public institutions of higher learning to provide free transcripts to foster children when requested.


• SB 2408 — Identification cards; 988 crisis contact info
  The Board of Trustees will require all faculty and students to be issued an ID badge featuring the words "Crisis Lifeline – Dail or Text 988, or chat 988lifeline.org". The language will be added to any new badges, both printed and electronic.


• SB 2557 — Ground lease for solar installation
  The Board of Trustees may allow Mississippi State University and Alcorn State University to lease agriculture land to solar farm developments.

Contact Information
Laura Mayer
Assistant Commissioner for External Affairs
lmayer@ihl.state.ms.us
Telephone: 601.432.6493