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HB 1500

Licensed contractors; require itemized statements and establish acceptable fees for residential builders and remodelers.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John Hines

Requires Mississippi residential contractors to provide itemized bills and caps fees, balancing consumer transparency against contractor business flexibility; died in committee.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1500

Legislative bill overview

HB 1500 would require licensed residential contractors and remodelers in Mississippi to provide itemized statements to customers and establish caps or guidelines on acceptable fees for their services. The bill died in the Business and Commerce Committee in February 2025 without advancing to a floor vote.

Why is this important

Construction and remodeling projects represent significant financial investments for homeowners, often costing tens of thousands of dollars. Clear itemization requirements and fee transparency could help consumers understand what they're paying for and potentially reduce disputes, while fee regulations could protect consumers from what legislators viewed as excessive contractor markups.

Potential points of contention

  • Business burden vs. consumer protection: Contractors argued detailed itemization requirements increase administrative costs and paperwork, while consumer advocates contended transparency is necessary to prevent overcharging
  • Price regulation concerns: Some argued that establishing acceptable fee limits could suppress competition, reduce market-driven pricing efficiency, or discourage qualified contractors from working in Mississippi
  • Definition challenges: Determining what constitutes "acceptable fees" is subjective—whether based on labor hours, materials, regional standards, or contractor experience level was likely contentious

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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