This bill authorizes DeSoto County, Mississippi, to stop paying for its local Crime Stoppers program and instead direct court fees toward the state Crime Stoppers initiative. It allows cities within the county to levy up to $1 per misdemeanor case, with those funds going to the state program rather than the local private organization. The legislation changes how additional court costs are collected and allocated, shifting funding from a county-level entity to a state-level system for crime reporting and investigation support.
This Mississippi state bill authorizes the City of Tupelo to issue up to $53 million in bonds to restore funding for the Northeast Mississippi Regional Water Supply District. The money will be used to service existing debt and pay for construction costs related to water infrastructure projects, including the Wellspring industrial development site. The legislation allows the district to provide water access to municipalities and counties in the Eutaw-McShan aquifer area, with costs shared through user fees across participating counties. The bill defines specific terms related to water projects and establishes procedures for how the district will calculate and allocate expenses among its customers.
This bill extends the expiration date of a local tax in the Town of Raleigh, Mississippi, from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2030. The tax allows the town's governing authorities to collect up to 2% of gross sales from restaurants to fund tourism and parks and recreation projects. Implementation requires a public election where at least 60% of voters must approve the tax before it can be enforced. Restaurants must add the tax to sales prices and remit collected funds to the state Department of Revenue, which then forwards the money to the town for designated uses. The bill also mandates separate accounting and annual audits for the tax revenue to ensure it is used only for its intended purposes.
HB 1832 authorizes Humphreys County, Mississippi's Board of Supervisors to contribute up to $25,000 from county funds in 2026 to the Belzoni-Humphreys Development Foundation. The bill specifically directs these funds toward promoting tourism within Humphreys County. This is a procedural authorization with no broader policy changes, limited to a single year (2026) and a defined purpose.
HB 1837 would allow Noxubee County, Mississippi, to impose a 2% tax on short-term rental properties (like Airbnb listings) to fund tourism promotion and parks/recreation. The tax requires a countywide election where 60% voter approval is needed before implementation. Revenue collected must be kept in a separate special fund and spent exclusively on tourism and parks/recreation projects, not general county operations. The tax would expire on July 1, 2030.
HB 1870 authorizes Bolivar County’s Board of Supervisors to create a new utility district specifically for the Choctaw Sewer Association system in the community of Choctaw. This district would directly own, operate, and maintain the existing sewer infrastructure - including lift stations, treatment lagoons, and pipes - transferring responsibility from the current association. The bill establishes a governing board of commissioners (3-5 members) to manage the system, exempting it from certain regulatory approvals, and allows the district to contract services, collect fees, and partner with water associations to address delinquent payments. The change aims to resolve long-standing system disrepair by creating a dedicated entity focused on maintenance and improvement.
HB 1887 authorizes Humphreys County, Mississippi, to contribute up to $5,000 from county funds in 2026 to the Improved Benevolent Protective Elks of the World Hill Lodge #811. The Elks Lodge, a 501(c)(8) nonprofit, provides community and civic services to Humphreys County residents. The bill simply grants the county board discretion to make this contribution using available funds.
HB 4000 authorizes Grenada County, Mississippi, to create the Grenada County Utility Authority, a new public entity to manage water and wastewater services for residents. The authority will be governed by a board of directors, build and maintain water/wastewater systems, and finance projects through revenue bonds and special assessments on benefiting properties. It specifically excludes areas within municipal boundaries and allows service providers to contract with the authority. This bill directly affects Grenada County residents and property owners by establishing a dedicated entity for utility infrastructure.
This bill authorizes Jackson County's Board of Supervisors to optionally contribute up to $5,000 annually from county funds to the Junior Auxiliary of Pascagoula-Moss Point, a nonprofit focused on community improvement for children, youth, and families. The funding is temporary, set to expire on July 1, 2030, and does not require the county to make contributions. It specifically applies to this single organization in Pascagoula-Moss Point and does not create broader policy changes.
HB 4060 modifies Mississippi's sales tax code to benefit agricultural producers. It exempts retail sales of lime used for farming from the standard 7% sales tax (adding it to Section 27-65-103's list of agricultural exemptions). Additionally, it reduces the tax rate on fencing materials for livestock containment from 7% to 1.5% when sold directly to commercial farmers (amending Section 27-65-17). These changes specifically affect farmers purchasing agricultural lime and livestock fencing materials.
This bill appropriates $3,692,008 from general funds and $257,168,829 from special funds (including $3,050,000 from gasoline taxes) for Mississippi's Department of Marine Resources during fiscal year 2027. It directly affects the department's staffing and budgeting, requiring all funds to be used strictly for personnel costs like salaries and fringe benefits, with no transfers to other spending categories. The bill prohibits using vacancy funding for employee raises or promotions and mandates strict adherence to approved staffing levels (108 permanent and 65 time-limited positions). It also requires the department to maintain detailed records for all expenditures and comply with state personnel compensation rules.
HB 1902 appropriates $572,914 from general funds and $44,328,969 from special funds to cover the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission's administrative expenses and operations for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It strictly limits "Personal Services" spending (salaries, wages, and benefits) to $1,076,083, including $90,784 designated for filling authorized vacancies. The bill requires the Commission to adhere to Mississippi’s Variable Compensation Plan, prohibits using general funds to replace other funding sources, and mandates strict budget adherence for personnel costs. This funding supports the Commission’s ongoing work under Mississippi Code § 69-27-1 et seq., directly affecting its staff and operational budget.
