MS HB1193

Establishes Mississippi's first state minimum wage at $7.50/hour starting January 1, 2016, increasing to $7.75/hour in 2017 and $8.00/hour in 2018

Requires the state minimum wage to automatically increase to 0.5% above the federal minimum wage whenever the federal rate is raised

Exempts employers with fewer than 5 employees, businesses covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, government employees (except public schools), agricultural workers meeting certain criteria, and nonprofit/religious organization volunteers

Allows employers to pay tipped employees up to 50% less than the minimum wage if gratuities make up the difference, and permits learners/workers under 18 to be paid 85% of minimum wage for their first 200 hours

Authorizes municipal and county governments to mandate wages higher than the state minimum, reversing previous prohibitions on local wage-setting authority

Imposes felony penalties for wage violations, with fines ranging from $400 to $10,000 and potential imprisonment up to one year depending on the amount of unpaid wages owed