Gov. Tate Reeves has vetoed four bills passed by the legislature, with more anticipated as he continues to review legislation. Three of the vetoes focused on public health measures—specifically two medical cannabis bills and a rural health oversight bill—while the fourth targeted a disaster relief loan program intended to assist communities recovering from last winter’s ice storm.
Disaster Loan Program
Reeves’ first veto this session occurred on March 23, when he rejected Senate Bill 2632, a disaster relief loan program aimed at helping cities and counties recover from the severe winter ice storm experienced in late January, which is considered Mississippi’s most significant winter weather event since 1994. The program was designed to be administered by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and was to provide short-term, low-interest loans to local governments following federal emergency relief.
The veto sparked a public disagreement between the governor and legislative leaders. Reeves claimed in his veto message that Senate staff had committed a “plainly unconstitutional (and possibly criminal) act” by altering the bill’s interest rate language after it had passed through the legislature. The conflict hinged on whether the loans would carry a 1 percent monthly rate (equaling 12 percent annually) or a 1 percent annual rate. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann denounced the veto message as “malicious, unnecessary, and false,” asserting that the change to remove the word “monthly” had been unanimously approved by both chambers. The original bill had passed unanimously.
Subsequently, lawmakers reintroduced the program in House Bill 1646, setting the interest rate at 0 percent until FEMA reimbursements were processed, followed by a 3 percent annual rate. This revised bill also passed unanimously on March 26 and was sent to Reeves for review.
Medical Cannabis Legislation
On March 26, Reeves vetoed two medical cannabis bills. House Bill 1152, titled the Right to Try Medical Cannabis Act, aimed to establish a pathway for patients with serious illnesses not included on the state’s qualifying conditions list to petition the state health officer for medical cannabis access. This bill, filed by Rep. Lee Yancey (R-Byhalia), garnered veto-proof margins in both chambers, passing 104-7 in the House and 34-17 in the Senate.
In his veto message, Reeves acknowledged the bill’s original intent as “commendable” but criticized a Senate amendment that removed the residency requirement, potentially allowing “every person on the planet” to access medical cannabis through Mississippi providers.
The governor also vetoed House Bill 895, which proposed extending the validity period of practitioner recommendations, lifting THC potency caps on tinctures, and altering caregiver background check requirements. Reeves argued that the bill would undermine crucial safeguards preventing recreational use of medical marijuana, maintaining that the current Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act is “largely successful” and merits no alterations. HB 895 received a strong majority, passing 98-11 in the House and 33-19 in the Senate.
Following the vetoes, medical cannabis patients, dispensary owners, and growers rallied at the Capitol, urging lawmakers to consider overriding the vetoes. Overriding a governor’s veto necessitates a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
Rural Health Oversight
Reeves’ latest veto dismissed a bill aimed at enhancing legislative oversight over his administration’s allocation of over $200 million in federal funding through the Rural Health Transformation Program. This five-year initiative is expected to deliver approximately $1 billion to the state. The proposed legislation would have mandated quarterly reports to the legislature, established a competitive procurement process for a statewide health information exchange, and prioritized funding for rural and Delta regions.
Increased Use of Veto Power
Overall, Reeves has exercised his veto authority more aggressively than his recent predecessors. He vetoed eight bills in the 2025 session and has issued four vetoes so far in 2026, with more anticipated. In contrast, Gov. Haley Barbour employed the line-item veto only twice in his eight years, while Gov. Phil Bryant utilized it three times, exclusively in 2017.
Overriding a governor’s veto in Mississippi is a rare occurrence. Only one of Reeves’ vetoes has been overridden—an education spending bill in 2020. Before that instance, no governor’s veto had been overturned since 2002 when four vetoes by Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove were overridden. Both Barbour and Bryant left office with no overrides.
This current session is notable, particularly as both medical cannabis bills passed with veto-proof margins—HB 1152 with 104-7 in the House and 34-17 in the Senate, and HB 895 with 98-11 in the House and 33-19 in the Senate. It remains uncertain whether lawmakers will attempt to override the vetoes.
Anticipated Further Vetoes
Reeves has already vetoed four bills, equaling half the number he issued in each of the last two sessions; thus far, he continues to examine legislation, with additional vetoes likely. The legislature wrapped up its work on April 4 but retained a procedural window to reconvene until April 15 without a special session request, acknowledging the possibility of more vetoes and the potential for overrides.
Under the Mississippi Constitution, the governor has five days to sign or veto a bill during the legislative session; otherwise, it automatically becomes law without his signature. If the legislature adjourns during this five-day timeframe, the governor has 15 days from when the bill is transmitted to sign or veto it, or it becomes law without his signature. As bills continue to reach the governor, the timing of his decisions will significant impact legislative actions going forward.