3/13/26 Legislative Update

As shared in our post of Wednesday, March 11, it is encouraging that there are now two teacher pay raise bills alive as this increases the avenues available by which a pay raise may ultimately be passed this legislative session. This week's bill tracking spreadsheet reflects action as of 12:00 noon yesterday on those bills we are tracking, but here is a quick update:

• HB 1395 contains the strike all amendment passed by the Senate this past Wednesday that provides a $6,000 teacher pay raise phased in over three years, as well as a $2,000 pay raise for assistant teachers and an annual salary supplement for special education instructors. It is awaiting return to the House where that chamber may concur with the Senate amendment or invite conference on the bill.
• HB 1944 increases tax credits the state may award via the Children’s Promise Act for donations to private schools. It has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee and is awaiting consideration by that committee.
• SB 2103 contains the strike all amendment passed by the House last Friday that provides a $5,000 teacher pay raise, a $3,000 assistant teacher pay raise, and a $3,000 annual supplement for special education instructors, all of which are effective with the 2026-27 school year. SB 2103 has been returned to the Senate and that chamber may now concur with the House amendment or invite conference on the bill.

It is extremely critical that legislators pass a pay raise this session, not only due to the need for a pay raise, but because Governor Reeves stated during a press conference Tuesday, March 10, that he hasn’t ruled out a special session on school choice or teacher pay and that these are two issues that should be tied together. A teacher pay raise should not be held hostage to any other issue, especially school choice. Please continue to encourage your representative and senator, as well as Lt. Governor Hosemann (601-359-3200) and Speaker White (601-359-3300), to pass a significant pay raise during this regular session of the legislature. 

Wednesday evening, March 11, was the floor deadline for each chamber to act on general bills that originated in the other chamber. The Senate and House will now consider amendments to general bills made by the other chamber. They may either concur with an amendment made by the other chamber or invite conference on the bill. If a bill goes to conference, a conference committee comprised of three senators and three representatives will try to negotiate a compromise between the two chambers.