SB 2026 Mississippi Senate · 2025 First Extraordinary Session

Appropriation; Corrections, Department of.

SB 2026 appropriates $438.2 million from the state General Fund and $30.8 million from special funds for Mississippi's Department of Corrections during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill allocates specific funding to key areas including $122 million for medical services, $69.5 million for private prison contracts, and $144 million for personnel costs (salaries, benefits, and staffing positions). These funds directly support state correctional facilities like Parchman, South Mississippi Correctional, and community corrections programs, covering operational expenses and staffing for approximately 2,900 positions. As a funding measure, it does not change policy but authorizes financial resources for existing correctional operations.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced May 28, 2025 Signed Jun 17, 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. No substantive policy changes, funding amounts, or eligibility criteria were altered in this version.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill status designation from 'As Passed the Senate' to 'As Sent to Governor' to reflect the bill's progression through the legislative process.

As Introduced → As Passed the upper · 11 edits

MAJOR

This bill was amended to increase appropriations for the Mississippi Department of Corrections, with significant restructuring of funding allocations across different facilities and programs. The changes include substantial increases in funding for private prisons, medical services, and regional facilities, while also adding new sections regarding inmate welfare funds and work incentive programs. The bill also establishes specific performance targets and reporting requirements for the department.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include more detailed performance measures and accountability requirements, with new sections addressing inmate welfare funds, work incentive programs, and specific reimbursement rates for county jail housing.

FISCAL

Total appropriations increased from approximately $438 million to over $582 million, with major increases allocated to private prisons ($69.4M), medical services ($122M), and regional facilities ($54.8M).

New Section 13 allocates $690,000 specifically for monitoring and reviewing the medical services contract.

New Section 16 designates up to $9.25 million from the Inmate Welfare Fund for transitional housing and post-release reentry programs.

New Section 17 allocates up to $1 million from the Inmate Incentive to Work Program Fund for inmate wages.

REQUIREMENT

New Section 12 requires the Department of Corrections to report on all funds clawed back from contractors who fail to meet contractual obligations.

New Section 21 establishes a $20 per day reimbursement rate for municipalities housing inmates convicted of larceny or shoplifting between $500-$1,000, capped at $125,000 annually.

New Section 24 provides $2.4 million for monitoring technology for probation and parole officers to improve operational efficiency and reduce recidivism.

New Section 19 extends lease and inmate housing agreement renewal authority up to 10 years to support continued facility operations.

New Section 10 sets regional facility per diem rates at $32.71 per inmate, with a prohibition on exceeding this amount.

New Section 11 limits medical care payments to negotiated fees or Mississippi Medicaid reimbursement rates, prohibiting payment for cosmetic procedures.

New Section 9 requires prisoners at Parchman to work a minimum of eight hours per day, excluding those with physical disabilities or maximum security status.

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

How they voted

39–10

Passed · 10 other

Total votes 59

May 28, 2025

D Democratic20

6 Yea 10 Nay 4

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 17, 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