House Passes HB 2 (School Choice/Vouchers)

The Mississippi House of Representatives debated HB 2, that chamber's school choice bill, for four hours on Thursday, January 15, 2026. HB 2 narrowly passed the House on a 61-59 vote. Click here to see how your representative voted. House Education Chairman Rob Roberson of Starkville, Rep. Jansen Owen of Poplarville, and Rep. Celeste Hurst of Sandhill presented the bill on the floor. The vote board originally reflected a 60-58 vote, but a system error did not record the votes of Rep. Jerry Turner (yes) or Rep. Fabian Nelson (no). This error was rectified after the House adjourned, and the two votes are reflected in the final 61-59 vote. The bill was held on a motion to reconsider, but that motion is expected to be tabled in the coming days and HB 2 will head to the Senate for that chamber’s consideration.  Please contact your senator with your thoughts on the bill. 

Please join MPE in thanking the 59 representatives who listened to the concerns of their constituents – including many educators - and voted against HB 2. We appreciate each of them. It is important to note that 17 Republican House members went against the wishes of the Speaker of the House and voted “No” on HB 2. Such a close vote certainly does not reflect broad public support for the measure.

The Senate Education Committee did not meet this week. Tuesday, February 3, is the deadline for committees to pass general bills originating in their chamber.