HB 638 Mississippi House · 2025 Regular Session

MS Transportation Commission; authorize to delegate authority to enter into supplemental agreements for expenditures not exceeding $250,000.

HB 638 allows the Mississippi Transportation Commission to delegate approval authority for additional contracts (supplemental agreements) related to previously approved projects. This applies only to agreements costing $250,000 or less, directly affecting the Commission's staff and contractors handling smaller transportation projects. The bill amends Section 65-1-8 of Mississippi law to explicitly permit this delegation, streamlining minor contract adjustments without requiring full Commission review. It does not change existing funding sources or alter broader transportation policies.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Signed Mar 12, 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 bill has completed its legislative journey and is now awaiting the Governor's signature or veto. No substantive policy changes were made to the bill's content, scope, or requirements.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header and title to reflect its current status in the legislative process, changing from 'As Passed the House' to 'As Sent to Governor'.

As Introduced → As Passed the lower · 28 edits

MAJOR

HB 638 was amended to expand the Mississippi Transportation Commission's authority to delegate contract approvals and accelerate highway project completion. The bill adds new powers for the Commission to manage insurance, promotional materials, antenna leases, and workforce programs, while updating delegation thresholds from $100,000 to $250,000.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily authorizing supplemental agreement delegation to include numerous new operational powers for the Transportation Commission, including workforce programs, insurance purchases, and project acceleration agreements.

FISCAL

Delegation threshold for supplemental agreements increased from $100,000 to $250,000

SCOPE

New authority to purchase employment practices liability insurance and excess workers' compensation coverage

New authority to purchase promotional materials for safety, beautification, and recruitment purposes

New authority to lease antenna space on owned communication towers

New authority to receive nonstate funds for educational scholarships in transportation fields

New authority to contract with counties for highway maintenance in those counties

New authority to accelerate highway project completion through agreements with various entities

New authority to use persons convicted of offenses or under court-imposed conditions for road construction work

New authority to administer railroad revitalization program

New authority to purchase service pins for Transportation Department employees

New authority to cooperate with State Tax Commission for weight enforcement personnel

New authority to cooperate with Mississippi Forestry Commission on right-of-way forestry management

New authority to establish and collect fees from businesses using motorist service signs

New authority to cooperate with Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on roadside parks

New authority to cooperate with Department of Archives and History on historical markers and roadside driveways

New authority to regulate and abandon railroad grade crossings

New authority to control cutting/opening of road surfaces for subsurface installations

New authority to remove obstructions and prescribe minimum clearance heights for structures above highways

New authority to establish set-back regulations

New authority to provide for purchase of equipment, vehicles, and permanent district offices

New authority to establish and operate highway testing laboratories

New authority to provide motorist services business signs and collect reasonable fees

New authority to expend funds for insect pest and disease control on highway rights-of-way

New authority to expend funds for Great River Road location, construction, and maintenance

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for commission findings and minutes regarding project acceleration agreements

New exemption for rural water systems in municipalities with 10,000 or fewer residents from bearing water/sewer line removal costs

New exemption for municipal sewer and gas systems in municipalities with 10,000 or fewer residents from bearing line removal costs

TIMELINE

Added effective date of July 1, 2025

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025 · House Feb 12, 2025

How they voted

50–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 51

Mar 6, 2025

D Democratic16

16 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican35

34 Yea 1

97% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor

executive

Mar 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

upper

Feb 17, 2025

Committee

Referred To Highways and Transportation

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Introduced

Transmitted To Senate

lower

Feb 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Jan 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

lower

Jan 15, 2025

Committee

Referred To Transportation

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors