Appropriation; IHL - Mississippi State University - Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.

SB 3005 appropriates $24.5 million from the state general fund and $10.5 million from special source funds to support the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill specifies $1.35 million of the special funds must come from the Education Enhancement Fund and prohibits using state funds to replace existing federal or other special funds allocated for MAFES. It sets performance targets for MAFES, including research publication goals and scientist positions, requiring annual reporting on these metrics in the 2027 budget request. Additionally, the bill mandates that MAFES give preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods or equipment.