State-Managed Disaster Assistance Program; establish.

SB 2897 established the State-Managed Disaster Assistance Program, creating a state-run disaster fund administered by Mississippi’s Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to cover preparedness, response, and recovery costs. The bill created a dedicated trust fund in the state treasury for state-funded disaster assistance, allowing MEMA to allocate up to $20 million annually to state agencies (like transportation or the National Guard) for emergency work without waiting for federal aid. It requires the director to request funds based on damage assessments, ensures unspent funds roll over yearly, and mandates annual reports to the legislature. The bill died in the Appropriations Committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.