SB 2002 Mississippi Senate · 2025 First Extraordinary Session

Appropriation; IHL - Subsidiary programs.

SB 2002 is a funding bill that allocates $86.1 million (from state general and special funds) to support 15 specific research centers and programs at Mississippi's public universities for fiscal year 2026. It directly affects institutions like the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Mississippi Law Research Institute, and Jackson State University's Urban Research Center. The bill specifies exact dollar amounts for each program, such as $8.6 million for the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and $5.4 million for the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. This is a routine appropriations bill that provides operating funds for existing university research initiatives, not a policy change.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced May 28, 2025 Signed Jun 4, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the upper → Current version · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill title was updated from 'As Passed the Senate' to 'As Sent to Governor', indicating the bill has completed its legislative journey and is now awaiting the Governor's signature. This change reflects the bill's progression through the legislative process rather than a substantive policy modification.

TECHNICAL

The bill's status designation was changed from 'As Passed the Senate' to 'As Sent to Governor', reflecting its current position in the legislative process.

As Introduced → As Passed the upper · 9 edits

MAJOR

SB 2002 was substantially rewritten and reorganized during passage through the Senate, with the most significant change being the addition of Section 12, which appropriates $1,500,000 for the National Center for Cannabis Research and Education at the University of Mississippi. The bill also added new reporting requirements for deficit spending, clarified fund usage restrictions, and included provisions for Sea Grant matching funds. The original bill's formatting was also completely restructured, though the core appropriations for university research institutes remained largely consistent.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include new funding for cannabis research and education, and added specific reporting requirements for institutions not complying with deficit spending laws.

FISCAL

Added Section 12 appropriating $1,500,000 for the National Center for Cannabis Research and Education at the University of Mississippi for data analysis and educational initiatives.

Added Section 3(b) provisions for Sea Grants matching funds of $175,000 for the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, with provisions for proportional reductions if budget cuts occur.

Added Section 13 reappropriating $300,000 from the Capital Expense Fund for fire detection and suppression system repairs at the IHL Education and Research Center.

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 7 requiring the Board of Trustees to report yearly to the Legislature any institution not in compliance with Mississippi Code Section 97-11-51 regarding deficit spending.

Added Section 9 requiring preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing commodities or equipment.

Added Section 10 prohibiting use of funds for research involving killing or destroying human embryos.

Added Section 11 requiring compliance with Mississippi Code Section 27-104-25 regarding state agency indebtedness limits.

Added Section 12 requiring Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory to stop providing additional services if client charges are 90 days past due.

TECHNICAL

The bill's formatting and structure were completely reorganized, with page headers and numbering changed, though substantive content remained largely intact.

Floor votes · Senate May 28, 2025

How they voted

41–10

Passed · 8 other

Total votes 59

May 28, 2025

D Democratic20

8 Yea 10 Nay 2

50% Nay

R Republican39

33 Yea 6

84% 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 28, 2025

Committee

Referred To Appropriations A

lower

May 28, 2025

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

May 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

May 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

upper

May 28, 2025

Committee

Referred To Appropriations

upper

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors