Appropriation; Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Department of.
HB 1904 allocates $21 million from general state funds and $86 million from special funds (including $5.75 million from gas tax revenue) to support Mississippi's Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for fiscal year 2027. The bill specifically directs $125,335 from the Education Enhancement Fund for Project WILD, an environmental education program. It imposes strict limits on spending for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits), capping total funds at $44.68 million and requiring the department to stay within authorized headcount levels (515 permanent and 51 temporary positions). The department must report Wildlife Heritage Fund spending to the legislature by September 1 each year.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 20, 2026
Signed Apr 6, 2026
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What changed between versions
As Passed the lower
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Current version
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5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to increase the total appropriation for the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks from $44.7 million to $46.4 million for personal services, primarily due to an increase in authorized permanent employee headcounts and fringe benefits. A new section was added authorizing eight new law enforcement positions, and the deadline for adjusting vacancy funding was extended from February to March 1, 2026. Additionally, a new fund allocation was created for land-based water safety programs.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include eight new authorized law enforcement headcounts and a new specific funding stream for water safety programs.
FISCAL
The total appropriation for personal services increased from $44,675,294 to $46,432,700, driven by higher salary and fringe benefit allocations.
A new $50,000 appropriation was created specifically for land-based water safety programs.
The general funds and special funds allocations for personal services were increased to reflect the new headcount and budget totals.
SCOPE
Eight new law enforcement headcounts were authorized and added to the total authorized personnel count.
REQUIREMENT
The deadline for agencies to adjust vacancy funding based on filled headcounts was extended from February 1 to March 1, 2026.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 12, 2026 · House Feb 19, 2026
How they voted
51–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 52
Mar 12, 2026
D
Democratic18
100% Yea
R
Republican34
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
18
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Apr 6, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor
executive
Mar 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Report Adopted
lower
Mar 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Report Filed
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed As Amended
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Mar 12, 2026
Upper · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass As Amended
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Committee
Referred To Appropriations
upper
Feb 20, 2026
Introduced
Transmitted To Senate
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Committee
Referred To Appropriations B;Appropriations A
lower
1 primary · 7 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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