HB 66 appropriates $300 million from Mississippi's general fund to repair and improve campus facilities at three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, and Mississippi Valley State University. The funding, allocated equally at $100 million per institution, covers specific projects including historic building restoration, infrastructure upgrades (electrical/plumbing/HVAC), student housing improvements, academic space development, safety enhancements, and sustainability initiatives. Each university must submit a detailed plan for approved repairs and provide annual progress reports to the legislature. The funds are available from the bill's passage through June 30, 2027, with all projects required to be completed within this timeframe.
HB 65 appropriates $831,000 from Mississippi’s state general fund to the Delta Health System in Greenville for two specific purposes: $481,000 to procure and install advanced 3D mammography equipment (including biopsy and C-arm tools), and $350,000 to replace/update critical infrastructure like boilers that support sensitive medical equipment. The funds will cover costs for the fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027), directly benefiting patients using Delta Health System’s mammography services. This is a funding allocation, not a policy change, and specifies exact equipment and infrastructure upgrades without altering existing laws or creating new obligations.
HB 62 appropriates $750,000 from Mississippi's State General Fund to the Department of Health for physician grants under the existing Mississippi Qualified Health Center Grant Program for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). This funding supports grants that help qualified health centers hire physicians, primarily benefiting underserved communities in Mississippi. The bill is a routine budget allocation with no new policy changes, directing existing program funds for physician recruitment.
HB 63 allocates $300 million equally to Jackson State University (JSU), Alcorn State University (ASU), and Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) for renovations and restorations. The funding targets projects that have been requested by the legislature for over two years, addressing long-pending infrastructure needs at these historically Black universities. It directs the State Treasurer to disburse funds from the General Fund for the 2027 fiscal year (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027), as specified in the appropriation. The bill does not create new policies but provides direct financial support for existing project requests.
HB 67 appropriates $4 million from Mississippi's State General Fund to the Department of Health for the Mississippi Qualified Health Center Grant Program during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). This funding directly supports qualified health centers across Mississippi by enabling them to receive grants for providing primary care services. The bill establishes a specific budget allocation to maintain these community health centers' operations and services. It does not change eligibility rules or create new programs but ensures dedicated funding for existing grant recipients.
HB 140 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund repairs, renovations, and upgrades at the Mississippi Delta Community College Law Enforcement Training Academy in Sunflower County. The bill directly affects the academy by providing dedicated state funding for facility improvements. Key provisions include creating a special fund for bond proceeds and pledging the state's full faith and credit for bond repayment. This is a funding mechanism, not a policy change affecting broader populations or regulations.
HB 168 exempts certain retail sales from Mississippi's sales tax: (1) electronic devices and educational software sold during the last weekend in July, and (2) all sales of feminine hygiene products year-round. The bill adds these categories to Mississippi's existing sales tax exemptions under Section 27-65-111 of the Mississippi Code. This directly affects retailers selling these items and consumers purchasing them during the specified July weekend or for feminine hygiene products generally. The policy change removes sales tax liability for these specific transactions without altering other tax classifications.
HB 151 appropriates $2 million from the state general fund to the Mississippi State Department of Health for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This funding will establish and support a medical residency program at Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville, Mississippi, specifically for training physicians. The bill directs the State Treasurer to disburse the funds upon proper requisitions, aligning with existing state law for graduate medical education programs. This directly affects Delta Regional Medical Center and future medical residents seeking specialized training in Greenville.
HB 181 exempts retail sales of certain electronic devices, educational software, textbooks, and school supplies from Mississippi's sales tax during the last weekend in July. This applies only to purchases made by consumers during that specific weekend, not year-round. Retailers must first obtain authorization from their local municipality or county board of supervisors before the exemption can take effect in their area. The bill adds these items to Mississippi's existing sales tax exemptions, which currently cover other categories like medical supplies and educational institutions. The exemption is limited to one annual weekend and does not apply to other tax categories.
HB 136 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund repairs, renovations, and upgrades of campus buildings, facilities, and infrastructure at Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, and Mississippi Valley State University. The bill establishes that the bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi, with proceeds exclusively used for these specific university projects. The State Bond Commission manages the bond issuance, sale, and disbursement of funds into a dedicated special fund. This legislation directly affects the three public universities by providing dedicated funding for their physical infrastructure improvements.
HB 145 increases sales taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, motorcycles, ATVs, jet skis, and alcoholic beverages, and raises excise taxes on tobacco products like cigarettes. The new tax revenue must be deposited into a dedicated "Mississippi Hospitals Uncompensated Care Assistance Fund" administered by the Department of Health. This fund will directly provide financial assistance to Mississippi hospitals covering the costs of medical care they provide to patients who cannot pay (uncompensated care). The bill ensures these specific tax increases fund only hospital care support, with no diversion of funds to other state uses.
HB 58 exempts one motor vehicle owned by the unremarried surviving spouse of a law enforcement officer or employee who died while performing official duties (or was wounded in the line of duty and later died from those injuries) from Mississippi's ad valorem property tax. This adds the surviving spouses of qualifying law enforcement personnel to an existing list of groups exempt from vehicle property tax, similar to exemptions currently available for military spouses. The exemption applies to the vehicle owned by the spouse and requires no additional application beyond standard registration processes. This is a specific tax relief measure targeting families of law enforcement members who lost their lives in service.
