Mississippi Local Minimum Wage Preemption Statute

Mississippi reserves wage and employment benefit policy to the state and federal governments under Miss. Code Section 17-1-51. The statute prohibits political subdivisions from establishing a minimum wage, requiring paid or unpaid leave, mandating fringe benefits, or otherwise regulating compensation that exceeds state or federal requirements. Because Mississippi has no state minimum wage law, the federal Fair Labor Standards Act minimum of $7.25 governs covered employers statewide. Cities considering living wage or local minimum wage measures lack authority to enforce them. The statute also bars local ordinances regulating hours of work, scheduling, or other employment terms beyond federal standards.

Any local minimum wage or benefit ordinance is void; employers may decline to comply, and the state may seek to enjoin enforcement.