SB 3091 Mississippi Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Appropriation; Agriculture and Commerce, Department of.

This bill appropriates $9,545,229 from the State General Fund and $18,998,335 from special sources for Mississippi's Department of Agriculture and Commerce for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It directly funds the department’s operations, including divisions like Plant Industry, Fair Commission, Livestock Coliseum, and the Agriculture Museum. Key provisions restrict $14,954,881 of the total to "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits), requiring strict adherence to budget limits and prohibiting use for promotions or salary increases for current staff. Funds must cover authorized headcounts (215 permanent, 13 time-limited positions) without exceeding appropriations, with specific rules for filling vacancies using "Vacancy Funding."

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 23, 2026 Signed Apr 8, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the upper → Current version · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and sent to the Governor with updated appropriation amounts, reflecting an increase in the total budget for the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. Key changes include a higher funding allocation for employee salaries and a revised deadline for filling vacant positions, which now extends from February 1 to March 1. Additionally, a new section was added to provide specific funds for structural repairs at the museum and auditorium.

FISCAL

Total appropriations for the Department of Agriculture and Commerce increased from $14,954,881 to $15,353,749, with specific increases in General Funds ($8,005,847 to $8,221,236) and Special Funds ($6,949,034 to $7,132,513).

The budget for 'Personal Services' (salaries, wages, and benefits) increased from $14,954,881 to $15,353,749, allowing for higher employee compensation or additional staff.

A new provision (Section 23) was added to allocate $270,000 specifically for structural repairs, including the Museum Cafe, Fire Suppression System, and flooring at the Sparkman Building.

REQUIREMENT

The deadline for utilizing 'Vacancy Funding' to fill open positions was extended from February 1, 2026, to March 1, 2026, giving the agency more time to staff approved vacancies.

TECHNICAL

The authorized number of permanent employees increased from 215 to 221, and the bill title was updated to reflect its status as sent to the Governor.

As Introduced → Committee Substitute · 7 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from its original introduction to a committee substitute version, resulting in significant structural reorganization and the addition of new funding sources and performance metrics. The primary changes include the introduction of specific performance targets for various programs, the addition of new appropriations for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Pilot Program and Healthy Food and Families Program, and the reorganization of funding sections to clearly distinguish between General and Special Funds. These changes aim to increase transparency, ensure program efficiency, and expand the department's ability to serve specific populations like seniors and low-income families.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include specific performance measures for program outcomes and new funding allocations for previously unmentioned initiatives, such as the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Pilot Program and the Mississippi Healthy Food and Families Program.

REQUIREMENT

Added a comprehensive list of specific performance measures and targets for various programs, including inspection counts, attendance numbers, and revenue goals, requiring the agency to report on achieving these targets in the next budget request.

FISCAL

Created new appropriations for the Mississippi Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Pilot Program ($30,000) and matching funds for the Mississippi Healthy Food and Families Program ($400,000).

Added specific appropriations for the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum ($750,000) and the Regulatory program ($250,000), as well as reappropriated funds for elevator repairs and fairgrounds lighting.

Reorganized the funding structure in Sections 1, 2, and 3 to clearly separate General Funds from Special Funds and to detail specific line items for Personal Services, Vacancy Funding, and authorized headcounts.

DEFINITION

Added detailed definitions for terms like 'Vacancy Funding' and clarified that such funds must be used strictly to fill authorized vacancies and not for salary increases or promotions.

ENFORCEMENT

Established stricter controls on salary escalations and headcount increases, requiring written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration and prohibiting actions that would exceed appropriated funds without proof of additional funding.

TECHNICAL

Included new sections regarding enterprise funds for the museum, preferences for the Mississippi Industries for the Blind, and requirements for maintaining detailed accounting records.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 19, 2026 · House Mar 12, 2026

How they voted

50–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 52

Feb 19, 2026

D Democratic18

17 Yea 1

94% Yea

R Republican34

33 Yea 1

97% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 8, 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

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Committee

Referred To Appropriations B;Appropriations A

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Committee

Referred To Appropriations

upper

1 primary · 6 co-sponsors