Labor & Employment

HB 20 appropriates $92.9 million from general funds and $1.578 billion from special funds to the Mississippi Department of Human Services (DHS) for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026), covering operational expenses. It restricts spending to authorized duties under state/federal law and mandates strict limits on "Personal Services" funds (covering salaries, benefits, and vacancy funding totaling $113.9 million), requiring DHS to maintain headcount levels and avoid exceeding budgeted amounts for personnel costs. The bill also directs $1 million from DHS special funds to the Department of Health’s Child Care Licensure Program by July 31, 2025. This funding measure directly affects DHS’s ability to operate its programs, including child care services, by allocating specific resources for personnel and agency expenses.

HB 21 appropriates $7,384,650 (including $7,084,650 from general funds and $300,000 from special funds) to cover the State Fire Academy's expenses for fiscal year 2026. The bill specifically restricts $5.3 million to "Personal Services" (employee salaries, wages, and benefits) for 62 authorized positions, requiring compliance with Mississippi's salary rules and preventing funds from being used for promotions or salary increases beyond the appropriation. It mandates training 8,100 students at an average cost of $1,151.60 per student and requires detailed financial reporting to the legislature. The funding directly affects the State Fire Academy's operations and staff compensation.

SB 2039 allocates $6,164,999 in state funds for the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission's operations during fiscal year 2026, including $5,000,826 specifically for employee salaries and benefits. The bill strictly limits "Personal Services" spending to $5.00M (covering salaries, fringe benefits, and vacancy funding for 55 authorized positions) and requires the Commission to maintain detailed records and meet specific performance targets, such as resolving 900 cases within three months. It also appropriates $25,000 for the Second Injury Fund and mandates a safety training contract with the private sector. This is a funding bill with no new policy provisions, solely authorizing budgeted expenditures for the Commission's existing responsibilities.