HB 8 Mississippi House · 2025 First Extraordinary Session

Appropriation; Marine Resources, Department of.

HB 8 appropriates $257.28 million (including $3.05 million from gasoline taxes) and $3.73 million in general funds for Mississippi's Department of Marine Resources for fiscal year 2026, covering operations, personnel, and tidelands projects. It specifically allocates $6.39 million for tidelands projects (including $3.84 million for management and $1.55 million for bond repayment), with strict rules limiting how personal services funds can be used for salaries, vacancies, or promotions. The bill directly affects the department's budget execution and requires detailed accounting of all funds.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced May 29, 2025 Signed Jun 4, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the lower → Current version · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill title was updated from 'As Passed the House' to 'As Sent to Governor', indicating the legislative process has moved to the final stage before the Governor's signature. No substantive policy changes, funding amounts, or eligibility criteria were altered in this version.

TECHNICAL

The bill's status designation was changed from 'As Passed the House' to 'As Sent to Governor', reflecting its progression through the legislative process without altering any policy provisions.

As Introduced → As Passed the lower · 10 edits

MAJOR

The bill was significantly expanded from a simple appropriation for the Department of Marine Resources to include detailed funding allocations for numerous specific projects across multiple municipalities and state agencies. The version passed the House added extensive GOMESA (Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act) project funding totaling over $114 million, expanded tidelands project allocations, and included new sections on uniform allowances, utility payments for state housing, and prior year expense reimbursements. These changes substantially increase the bill's scope beyond basic departmental operations to include targeted infrastructure and environmental restoration projects throughout Mississippi.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from general departmental support to include specific funding allocations for over 100 individual projects across cities, counties, and state agencies, primarily focused on coastal infrastructure, water systems, and environmental restoration.

FISCAL

Added Section 11 allocating $114,833,582.00 for specific GOMESA projects including sewer improvements, marina expansions, and coastal protection for multiple municipalities.

Added Section 6 allocating $6,390,440.00 from Tidelands Fund No. 3345200000 for tidelands projects with detailed breakdown for public access, management, bond repayment, and prior year projects.

Added Section 12 authorizing up to $10,000,000 for GOMESA funds to be used in accordance with Department of Finance and Administration rules.

Reorganized funding presentation from narrative text to structured tables showing General Funds ($3,731,912), Special Funds ($11,217,898), and Total Funds ($14,949,810) for Personal Services.

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 5 requiring uniform allowances of up to $600 per year for Marine Conservation Officers and Supervisors.

Added Section 13 prohibiting use of funds to pay utilities for state-furnished housing, with specific exclusions for dormitories.

Added Section 15 authorizing reimbursement of up to $408,657.40 for expenses incurred during prior fiscal years.

Added Section 8 authorizing the Department to move tidelands funds between approved projects upon request with proper Form TTF-6 documentation.

Added Section 9 requiring continued agency partnerships for environmental restoration projects related to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

Added Section 10 establishing preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing commodities or equipment with equal bids.

Floor votes · Senate May 29, 2025 · House May 28, 2025

How they voted

39–6

Passed · 14 other

Total votes 59

May 29, 2025

D Democratic20

8 Yea 6 Nay 6

40% Yea

R Republican39

31 Yea 8

79% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 4, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor

executive

May 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

May 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

upper

May 29, 2025

Committee

Referred To Appropriations

upper

May 29, 2025

Introduced

Transmitted To Senate

lower

May 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

lower

May 28, 2025

Committee

Referred To Appropriations A

lower

1 primary · 7 co-sponsors