The Mississippi National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program; create., the official text

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Veterans and Military Affairs

By: Senator(s) Tate, Barnett, Barrett, Berry, Blackmon,
Blackwell, Blount, Boyd, Brumfield, Bryan, Butler, Carter, Chassaniol, Chism,
DeLano, DuPree, England, Fillingane, Frazier, Gillespie Isom, Harkins,
Hartness, Hickman, Hill, Hopson, Jackson, Johnson, Kirby, Ladner, McCaughn,
McLendon, McMahan, Michel, Mumford, Norwood, Parks, Pope, Rhodes, Seymour,
Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Sparks, Suber, Taylor, Thomas, Thompson,
Turner-Ford, Whaley, Wiggins, Williams, Younger

Senate Bill 2018

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO ENACT THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD TRICARE
PREMIUM REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM TO REIMBURSE MEMBERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL
GUARD FOR THE COST OF PREMIUMS FOR TRICARE RESERVE SELECT HEALTH CARE PLANS; TO
STATE THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA; TO PROVIDE
THAT ELIGIBLE MEMBERS SHALL RECEIVE A REIMBURSEMENT FOR ELIGIBLE TRICARE
RESERVE SELECT PREMIUMS PAID AT THE CURRENT TRICARE RESERVE SELECT PREMIUM
RATE; TO REQUIRE THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD TO
PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM; TO
PROVIDE THAT THE FUNDS FOR THIS PROGRAM SHALL BE SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION BY
THE LEGISLATURE; TO REQUIRE AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE; AND FOR
RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1.
(1)  As used in this section, the following terms have the meaning herein
ascribed unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a)  "Adjutant
General" means the individual appointed and commissioned under Section
33–3–7 as the Adjutant General of the department.

(b)
"Department" means the Mississippi Military Department recognized
under Section 33–3–3.

(c)  "Mississippi
National Guard" has the meaning assigned under Section 33–1–1(c).

(d)
"Program" means the "Mississippi National Guard Tricare Premium
Reimbursement Program."

(2)  There is hereby
established the Mississippi National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement
Program within the department to be administered by the Adjutant General subject
to appropriation by the Legislature.

(3)  The purpose of the
program is to:

(a)  Reimburse members
of the Mississippi National Guard for the cost of premiums for Tricare Reserve
Select health care plans;

(b)  Enhance the
medical readiness of the Mississippi National Guard;

(c)  Assist members
with their healthcare needs; and

(d)  Retain qualified
personnel in the Mississippi National Guard.

(4)  A person shall be
eligible for this program if he or she meets the following criteria:

(a)  The person is
eligible for Tricare Reserve Select Coverage;

(b)  The person is not
insured by another employer; and

(c)  The person is an
actively drilling member of the Mississippi National Guard.

(5)  Eligible members who
meet the reimbursement requirements as established by the department shall
receive a reimbursement for eligible Tricare Reserve Select premiums paid at
the current Tricare Reserve Select premium rate for "Tricare Reserve
Select – Member only."

(6)  The Adjutant General shall
promulgate rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of the
program.

(7)  The funds for this
program shall be subject to appropriation by the Legislature.

(8)  Beginning December 1,
2026, and each year thereafter, the Adjutant General shall provide a report to
the Legislature on the effectiveness of the program, including the number of
participants, the impact on medical readiness and any recommendations for
improvement.

SECTION 2.  This act
shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.