HB 1909 Mississippi House · 2026 Regular Session

Appropriation; Human Services, Department of.

HB 1909 appropriates over $1.68 billion in total funding to Mississippi's Department of Human Services for fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027), including $94.3 million from general funds and $1.588 billion from special funds. It specifically limits $117.3 million of this total for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits), requiring strict adherence to the state's Variable Compensation Plan and prohibiting funds from being used for non-essential purposes. The bill mandates that the department cannot exceed the allocated personal services budget, must use "Vacancy Funding" solely to fill authorized unfilled positions (not for raises or promotions), and must secure written approval for any fund escalations. This funding measure directly supports the department’s operations but does not create new policies or services.

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 20, 2026 Signed Apr 6, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

As Passed the lower → Current version · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to increase total appropriations for the Department of Human Services, primarily due to higher projected costs for personal services and vacancy funding. Specific funding allocations for computer expenses and youth programs were modified, and new sections were added to address prior-year invoices and establish a pilot adolescent opportunity program.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded by adding two new sections (22 and 23) that authorize a new pilot program for youth diversion and allow for the payment of specific prior-year vendor invoices.

FISCAL

Total appropriations for personal services increased from $117,351,244 to $119,136,818, driven by a rise in general funds and a decrease in special funds allocated for vacancy funding.

The appropriation for administering the SNAP Program was reduced from $4,607,813 to $2,000,000.

A new section authorizes $55,266.19 to pay overdue invoices from various vendors for expenses incurred in prior fiscal years.

The reappropriation for computer expenses was modified to remove a line item for securing federal funding for a new computer system, though the total dollar amount remained the same.

SCOPE

A new section authorizes $1,500,000 to establish and implement a pilot Adolescent Opportunity Program aimed at reducing recidivism among youth.

REQUIREMENT

The deadline for agencies to adjust vacancy funding based on filled headcounts was changed from February 1, 2026, to March 1, 2026.

As Introduced → As Passed the lower · 9 edits

MAJOR

The bill was revised to clarify funding sources, add strict spending limits on personnel costs, and introduce a comprehensive set of performance metrics for the Department of Human Services. New sections mandate that vacancy funds be used exclusively to fill empty positions rather than raising salaries for current staff and require the State Personnel Board to approve any salary escalations. The revision also expands reporting requirements, including detailed performance targets for child support, food assistance, and social services, and establishes new transfer mechanisms for specific programs like juvenile monitoring and home-delivered meals.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include detailed performance metrics and reporting requirements for multiple programs (child support, SNAP, TANF, etc.) that were not explicitly detailed in the original version. It also added specific restrictions on how vacancy funds can be used.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section requiring the State Personnel Board to approve any salary escalations or position increases without proof of new funding availability.

Added a strict prohibition on using 'Vacancy Funding' to increase salaries, titles, or benefits for current employees; these funds must only fill authorized but unfilled positions.

Introduced a detailed list of performance measures (e.g., fraud recovery amounts, number of clients served, job placement rates) that the agency must achieve by Fiscal Year 2027.

Added a requirement that the agency report on the degree to which performance targets are being met in its Fiscal Year 2028 budget request.

FISCAL

Added specific funding transfers: $1 million to the Department of Health for child care licensure and $250,000 to the Juvenile Facility Monitoring Unit.

Added $15 million specifically for administering the SNAP (food stamp) program.

Added $1.5 million for grants to regional food banks and $5.1 million for a new computer system.

ENFORCEMENT

Added requirements for the Department of Human Services to submit monthly reports from subgrantees and to limit fund advances to 60 days.

TECHNICAL

Reformatted the bill header and section numbering to reflect the 'As Passed the House' version, including the addition of Section 19 which reappropriates Capital Expense Funds.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 12, 2026 · House Feb 19, 2026

How they voted

51–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 52

Mar 12, 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 6, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor

executive

Mar 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Conference Report Adopted

lower

Mar 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Conference Report Filed

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed As Amended

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Committee

Referred To Appropriations

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Introduced

Transmitted To Senate

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Committee

Referred To Appropriations C;Appropriations A

lower

1 primary · 8 co-sponsors