Mississippi House Bill HC26

Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/25
• Refer: 1/20/25
• Failed: 2/4/25

Caption

Constitution; amend to revise the Legislature's authority to limit a county's right to levy taxes on certain electrical plants.

Impact

If enacted, this amendment will redefine certain aspects of property taxation specifically for nuclear-powered electrical generating plants. It would allow the Legislature to restrict or impose specific conditions on county and other taxing authorities regarding the ability to levy taxes on these plants. As a result, it will establish a unique mode of assessment and valuation for such facilities, potentially impacting how local governments generate revenue from one of the state's energy sectors. This could lead to significant changes in budgeting processes and allocations for public services, particularly in counties hosting these plants.

Summary

House Concurrent Resolution 26 proposes an amendment to Section 112 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890. This amendment revises the Legislature's authority concerning a county's ability to levy county and/or special taxes on nuclear-powered electrical generating plants. The proposed amendment aims to provide a clearer framework for how these plants are valued and assessed for taxation purposes, ensuring that all procedures are aligned with general laws governing taxation in the state. This legislative initiative will be presented to qualified electors in a general election scheduled for November 2026, allowing the public to decide on the amendment's future.

Contention

Discussions surrounding this amendment may bring up points of contention regarding local autonomy in taxation. While proponents argue that the amendment creates a more efficient and predictable tax structure for an essential state resource—nuclear energy—opponents may raise concerns that limiting county taxing authority could undermine local control and decision-making. There may also be debates related to equity in taxation across different property types, which could further complicate the use and distribution of revenue derived from nuclear-powered facilities.