HB 1393 Mississippi House · 2026 Regular Session

Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund; create.

HB 1393 creates the Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund in the state treasury to support energy-related projects that boost economic development. The fund provides grants, loans, or financial assistance to local entities (like counties, municipalities, or economic development groups) for approved projects, such as expanding transmission lines, pipelines, or facilities that improve energy infrastructure. Projects must demonstrate significant regional impact or enhance economic development sites, and electric utilities cannot directly receive funding. The Mississippi Development Authority administers the fund, sets application requirements, and has sole discretion to approve assistance based on project eligibility.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Feb 13, 2026 Signed Apr 8, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the lower → Current version · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to prepare it for the Governor's desk by removing the original legislative findings and renumbering sections. The most significant policy change is the addition of a sunset provision, requiring the entire act to be repealed on July 1, 2029, ensuring the program is temporary. Minor formatting adjustments were made to the definitions and application requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on creating the Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund, but it is now explicitly time-limited to expire in 2029.

TIMELINE

Added a requirement that the entire act must be repealed on July 1, 2029, establishing a fixed end date for the program.

DEFINITION

Removed the original legislative findings and determinations that were included in the House version.

TECHNICAL

Renumbered sections and adjusted the order of clauses to align with the new sunset provision.

As Introduced → As Passed the lower · 8 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund to create a new program where the Mississippi Development Authority can provide grants, loans, or financial assistance to local entities for approved energy and economic development projects. It establishes strict eligibility rules, prohibiting electric utility providers from receiving direct funding, and grants the Authority sole discretion in approving projects and determining the form of assistance. The legislation also significantly updates state procurement laws to allow for more flexible bidding processes, including reverse auctions and electronic bids, while adding numerous specific exemptions for various government purchases.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of state economic development by creating a new funding mechanism for energy infrastructure projects and modifies the state's general purchasing laws to increase flexibility in how government entities acquire goods and services.

FISCAL

Created a new 'Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund' to provide grants, loans, or financial assistance to local entities for approved energy and economic development projects.

ELIGIBILITY

Explicitly prohibited electric utility providers from being eligible to receive direct funding from the new Energy Infrastructure Fund.

REQUIREMENT

Required local entities to submit detailed applications proving their projects meet specific definitions of 'approved projects' and demonstrated economic impact.

Granted the Mississippi Development Authority sole discretion to approve projects and decide whether to provide grants, loans, or other financial assistance.

Updated state procurement laws to prioritize reverse auctions as the primary method for receiving bids and to allow electronic bid submissions.

Modified bidding thresholds and procedures to allow term contracts up to 60 months and price adjustment clauses based on industry cost indices.

EXEMPTIONS

Added a new exemption allowing contracts for approved energy projects to bypass standard competitive bidding requirements if the Authority determines it is in the public interest.

Expanded the list of exempted purchases to include over 30 specific categories, such as unmarked vehicles, election ballots, and certain medical and educational items.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 11, 2026 · House Feb 12, 2026

How they voted

51–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 52

Mar 11, 2026

D Democratic18

18 Yea

100% 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 31, 2026

Lower · Passed

Conference Report Adopted

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Lower · Passed

Conference Report Filed

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed As Amended

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Committee

Referred To Appropriations;Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Introduced

Transmitted To Senate

lower

Feb 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

lower

Jan 16, 2026

Committee

Referred To Public Utilities;Ways and Means

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor