HB 1921 is a funding bill that allocates $33.78 million from the State General Fund and $226.79 million from special funds to cover the Department of Rehabilitation Services' expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It specifies that $3.68 million from the Health Care Expendable Fund must fully match federal funds and support the Independent Living Program. The bill restricts how personal services funds (covering salaries, wages, and fringe benefits) can be used, requiring compliance with Mississippi’s Variable Compensation Plan and preventing overspending on personnel costs. This is a routine appropriations measure with no new policy provisions.
HB 1889 provides $13.3 million from general funds and $30.8 million from special funds to cover the Department of Archives and History's operating expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill allocates funds specifically for personnel costs, including salaries and benefits for up to 161 permanent and 10 time-limited employee positions. It includes strict rules requiring the department to stay within the allocated budget for "Personal Services" and prohibiting the use of these funds for promotions or salary increases beyond approved headcounts. This is a routine funding measure for an existing state agency's operations, not a policy change.
HB 1930 appropriates $4,678,350 from the State General Fund to cover the Office of State Public Defender's expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill funds the office’s general operations, authorizes 25 full-time positions, and allocates specific amounts for three key programs: three assistant public defenders ($446,521), indigent parental representation ($422,500), and a youth defender specialist ($235,926). It requires the office to track performance metrics (like case processing timelines) and maintain detailed financial records, while also reapplying $30,000 for Hinds County and $200,000 for a rural legal pilot program from prior capital funds. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly supporting the public defender office’s services for indigent defendants.
HB 1912 appropriates over $6.7 billion in state funds for Mississippi's Medicaid program for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It allocates specific sums to cover medical assistance under Mississippi Medicaid Law, administrative costs, and the CHIP program, with $61 million reserved for personal services like employee salaries and "vacancy funding" for authorized positions (840 permanent, 82 time-limited). The bill restricts shifts between funding categories, requires compliance with Mississippi's Variable Compensation Plan for salaries, and mandates that personal services spending not exceed the FY2027 appropriation without legislative approval. This funding directly supports the Division of Medicaid in delivering healthcare services to eligible Mississippi residents.
HB 1899 appropriates $31,629,107 from special funds to cover the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District's operational expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifically allocates funds for 99 permanent staff positions, dredging operations at Ross Barnett Reservoir ($1,427,719), construction of a new office building ($4 million), campground infrastructure renovations ($4.233 million), and repairs at Northshore Parkway ($4 million). It requires the district to maintain detailed financial records comparable to 2026 and mandates waivers of certain fees for events like the ESPN Bass Masters Classic if won by local entities. The funding must be spent in compliance with existing Mississippi Code, with no use of general funds to replace withdrawn special funds.
HB 1901 allocates $2,476,315 in general state funds and $80,000 from the Project Atlas Fund to cover the Public Utilities Staff agency’s expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). The funds are strictly restricted to "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits) for 23 authorized staff positions, with no spending allowed for promotions or salary increases without new funding approval. The bill requires strict adherence to budget limits, prohibiting annualized spending that exceeds allocated funds and mandating that any new headcount or salary changes must be approved with additional resources. This funding supports the agency’s ongoing operations and the specific "Atlas Project" initiative, with all spending subject to oversight by the State Personnel Board.
HB 1893 allocates $32.3 million in total funding (comprising $18.3 million from general funds and $14.0 million from special funds) to support the Mississippi State Forestry Commission for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifies that funds must cover personnel costs, including salaries, wages, and fringe benefits, within strict headcount limits (252 permanent and 7 time-limited positions). It requires the agency to adhere to budgeted personnel spending limits, prohibits using funds for in-range salary increases for employees earning $70,000+ annually, and mandates strict accounting for all expenditures. This is a funding bill, not a policy change, directly affecting the Forestry Commission's operational budget.
HB 1894 appropriates $363,555 from general funds and $575,059 from special funds to cover the Grand Gulf Military Monument Commission's operational costs for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifically allocates $292,480 for personnel expenses, including salaries, benefits, and "Vacancy Funding" for up to 7 permanent staff positions, with strict limits preventing fund transfers to non-personnel uses. This funding directly supports the commission’s staff and maintenance of the Grand Gulf Military Monument, ensuring compliance with state personnel budget rules and salary minimums.
HB 1898 authorizes $9,336,274 in state funds for the Pat Harrison Waterway District's fiscal year 2027 operations. The bill specifically allocates $700,000 for park facility repairs (excluding Flint Creek Horse Trail) and $480,000 for dam repairs. It requires the district to submit detailed reports on completed repairs by December 1, 2026, and annual five-year project plans by July 15 each year. The funding must be spent in compliance with state budget laws, with strict accounting records maintained for all expenditures. This appropriation directly affects the Pat Harrison Waterway District's budget and operations for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
HB 1989 amends Mississippi's sales tax code to exempt certain nonprofit organizations from paying sales tax on utilities (like electricity, gas, or water) used at properties primarily hosting agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, carnival rides, horse racing, or similar entertainment events. Specifically, it adds a new exemption for 501(c)(3) nonprofits whose utilities are utilized on property dedicated to these activities. This change directly affects qualifying nonprofits that operate such events, reducing their operational costs by eliminating sales tax on essential utilities. The bill does not create new taxes or alter existing exemptions beyond this specific utility purchase scenario.
HB 343 creates a Mississippi state income tax credit for small employers (fewer than 50 employees) who replace traditional group health insurance with Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA). The credit provides up to $400 per covered employee in the first year and $200 in the second year, tied to maintaining or matching prior coverage levels. Employers must report every three years on ICHRA continuation and benefits, and the total annual credit limit is capped at $10 million. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies to employers claiming the credit on their state tax returns.
HB 1150 merges Mississippi's separate licensure systems for land surveyors and professional engineers into a single licensing framework under the "Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Surveyors." The bill revises qualifications, increases application and renewal fees for both professions, and creates new provisions allowing surveyors to legally access land for surveys without trespass liability (Section 73-13-47). It directly affects current and future licensed land surveyors, who must now obtain licensure through the combined board, and replaces all existing land surveyor licensing statutes (Sections 73-13-71 through 73-13-105). The key mechanism is consolidating regulatory oversight while adding specific protections for surveyors' fieldwork.
