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HB 1550

Minimum wage; establish at $8.50 for certain employees and set requirements for exemptions and overtime.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bo Brown and 2 co-sponsors

Mississippi bill HB 1550 would raise state minimum wage to $8.50/hour with exemptions and overtime requirements but died in committee without advancing to a vote.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1550

Legislative bill overview

HB 1550 would have established a minimum wage of $8.50 per hour for certain Mississippi employees and created requirements around exemptions and overtime pay. The bill was referred to the Workforce Development and Business and Commerce committees in January 2025 but died in committee by early February, meaning it did not advance for a floor vote.

Why is this important

Mississippi currently has no state minimum wage and follows the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour, among the lowest in the nation. Any increase would directly affect tens of thousands of workers in retail, food service, and other low-wage industries, while also creating compliance obligations for businesses. The outcome signals the state legislature's current position on wage policy during a period of national debate over living costs and worker compensation.

Potential points of contention

  • Business cost concerns: Employers argue higher wages increase payroll costs, potentially leading to reduced hiring, reduced hours, or higher consumer prices, particularly in rural or economically disadvantaged areas
  • Adequacy of the increase: At $8.50, the proposed wage remains below many states' minimums and may not meaningfully address cost-of-living pressures, limiting the practical benefit to workers
  • Exemption definitions: The bill's language on which employees qualify for exemptions (potentially salaried, agricultural, or other categories) could create ambiguity and enforcement challenges

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

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