MS HB1246

Establishes Mississippi state minimum wage at $9.00 per hour effective July 1, 2018, with tipped employees exempt and paid at $3.62 per hour.

Requires overtime compensation at no less than 1.5 times regular rate for employees earning $455 or less per week, and mandates overtime pay for manual laborers, law enforcement, and most non-management employees regardless of salary.

Prohibits counties and municipalities from establishing mandatory minimum wage rates or minimum vacation/sick day requirements, reserving such authority for the state legislature.

Brings forward nine existing code sections for possible amendment, including provisions on State Auditor internships, election worker training, school employee leave, and criminal fine payment work credit.

Exempts employers from state minimum wage requirements for tipped employees while still requiring a base wage of $3.62 per hour when tips do not reach the full minimum.