Appropriation; Transportation, Department of.

This bill appropriates approximately $1.44 billion from the state treasury to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Department of Transportation for the 2025 fiscal year. The funds are allocated to specific areas including highways, maintenance, debt service, and aeronautics, while also authorizing a permanent workforce of 2,698 employees. Key provisions include strict rules on salary increases, requiring written approval for any position escalations and prohibiting the use of these funds to replace withdrawn federal money. Additionally, the legislation mandates new project planning policies to track construction costs and restricts the construction of new highway segments under ten miles unless specific justifications are recorded and notified to legislative committees.