MS HB1274

Arbitration clauses in contracts between sellers/providers and Mississippi citizens become nonbinding, allowing citizens to pursue all legal remedies in state courts regardless of arbitration provisions

Applies to contracts executed on or after July 1, 2022

Amends multiple sections of Mississippi Code including provisions governing arbitration agreements, Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning international contracts, and Mississippi Transportation Commission construction contracts

Public contract bidders retain the right to refuse binding arbitration clauses and must state refusal on bid documents before contract execution

Arbitration provisions are waived if either party initiates litigation and the other party fails to assert arbitration as a defense before the answer deadline