Direct Senate Rules Committee to contract for the restoration of the globe light fixtures originally in front of Senate Chamber.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lydia Chassaniol

Restore four ornate electric globe light fixtures in the Senate Chamber by designing replication, reconstruction, and installation, with funding pursued via appropriation or grants

Died In Committee

#rules

Purpose and Intent

SR 7 is a Senate resolution directing action to restore four ornate electric globe light fixtures that were originally located at the front of the Senate Chamber on each end of the Presiding Officer/Reading Clerk platform.

The resolution seeks authorization for the Senate Rules Committee to contract for design replication, reconstruction, and replacement/installation of these globe fixtures.

It also directs seeking funding for the restoration, from either legislative appropriations or historic preservation grants.

Key Provisions and Changes

Authorization: The President Pro Tempore and the Senate Rules Committee would be empowered to enter into contracts or memoranda of understanding with:

Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management (Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration)
Mississippi Department of Archives and History

Scope of Restoration:

Design replication
Reconstruction
Replacement/installation of four ornate electric globe light fixtures
Each fixture was originally located at the front of the Senate Chamber on the Presiding Officer/Reading Clerk dias
Fixtures are to be mounted on fluted brass stands as originally configured

Funding: The resolution authorizes seeking appropriate funding for the restoration, to be pursued via:

Legislative appropriation
Historic preservation grants

Output/Deliverables: The project aims to restore the chamber to its original architectural style and historical authenticity visually and functionally.

Who/What Is Affected

Government Entities:

Mississippi Senate (Rules Committee and President Pro Tempore)
Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration (Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management)
Mississippi Department of Archives and History

Physical Assets:

Four ornate electric globe light fixtures
Associated fluted brass stands

Funding Streams:

Potential legislative appropriations
Historic preservation grant programs

Public/Stakeholders:

Capitol building visitors and tourists
Capitol Press Corps
General public with interest in architectural history and Beaux-Arts heritage

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: Died in Committee (Action History)

Referred to Rules on 2026-01-13
Died in Committee on 2026-04-15

Implications:

As a resolution, SR 7 does not itself authorize spending without subsequent legislative action or formal appropriation; it primarily directs agencies to coordinate and pursue funding and contracts for restoration.
Since the resolution did not advance, the proposed contracts and funding requests would require new or renewed legislative action or alternative authority for implementation.

Additional Context

The bill highlights the New Capitol Building’s architectural significance (Beaux-Arts style) and the historical loss of the original fixtures due to mid-20th-century renovations.

The sponsor is Senator Lydia Chassaniol (co-sponsor), indicating cross-chamber interest in restoring historic elements of the Capitol.

If you’d like, I can provide a comparison to similar restoration efforts or outline estimated cost ranges based on comparable projects.

Bill