MS SB2730

Establishes Mississippi's state minimum wage at $7.50 per hour beginning January 1, 2015, increasing to $7.75 on January 1, 2016, and $8.00 on January 1, 2017, with future increases tied to federal minimum wage increases plus 0.5%

Exempts employers with fewer than 5 employees and those subject to federal Fair Labor Standards Act; excludes certain agricultural workers, students, executives, independent contractors, and nonprofit employees from coverage

Creates criminal penalties for wage violations ranging from $400-$10,000 in fines and up to 1 year imprisonment depending on the amount of unpaid wages owed, with misdemeanor penalties for administrative violations

Grants the Mississippi Department of Employment Security authority to enforce the law, conduct workplace inspections, require employer records, and pursue civil litigation to recover unpaid wages; employees may also sue for unpaid wages plus attorney fees

Permits local municipalities and counties to set wage rates higher than the state minimum, while prohibiting rates lower than those established in the act