SB 3056 appropriates $25,686,902 from the State General Fund and $10,542,565 from special sources for the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station's operations during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill requires the station to meet specific performance targets (e.g., 29.78 scientist FTEs in Plant Systems, 150 research publications) and report on progress in its 2028 budget request, while directing $1.35 million from the Education Enhancement Fund to support these activities.
SB 3101 appropriates $5,940,191 from the State General Fund and $22,189,165 from special funds to cover the salaries and operating expenses of Mississippi's State Veterans Affairs Board and State Veterans Homes for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifically allocates $4,941,898 for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits), restricting these funds to 39 permanent and 25 time-limited staff positions without transfer to other budget categories. It mandates that "Vacancy Funding" ($236,833) must only fill unfilled positions from the prior year, not fund promotions or salary increases for current employees. The bill also requires compliance with Mississippi's Variable Compensation Plan and prohibits using general funds to replace federal or special funds.
This bill appropriates $466 million in state funds for Mississippi's Department of Corrections operations during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). It allocates resources to fund salaries, maintenance, and services across all state correctional facilities - including Parchman Prison, South Mississippi Correctional Facility, and regional prisons - as well as medical services, parole operations, and community corrections programs. The funding comes from both the state General Fund and special funds designated for corrections. This is a routine budgetary measure to support existing correctional system operations, not a policy change.
SB 3328 extends the funding mechanism for Jackson's Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) by delaying its expiration date and authorizes an additional 1% tax on hotel/motel sales and 0.5% tax on restaurant sales within Jackson. These new taxes would fund the CVB but require a public election to approve their implementation. The bill specifically defines "hotel/motel" (excluding properties with ≤10 units) and "restaurant" (requiring ≥$100,000 annual sales) for tax purposes. It also updates the CVB's structure, requiring nine appointed members representing tourism sectors, business, arts, education, and attractions. The measure directly affects Jackson-based hotels, motels, and restaurants by potentially increasing their tax burden if voters approve the new rates.
This bill appropriates $7,222,072 for the Mississippi State Treasurer's Office operations during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). It specifically allocates $3,719,488 for employee salaries, wages, and benefits, authorizing 38 permanent staff positions including one new "Program Specialist III" role. The bill restricts how funds can be used - prohibiting their reallocation for promotions or salary increases beyond the budgeted amount - and requires compliance with the state's Variable Compensation Plan for salaries. It also includes $150,000 for investing in the Education Improvement Trust Fund.
SB 3104 allocates additional state funds to cover legal expenses related to specific court cases for multiple Mississippi state agencies. It provides $294,000 for the Attorney General's office to handle costs in cases like Curtis Flowers v. State and $720,000 for other legal matters including election-related lawsuits. Additional funds include $2.475 million for the Emergency Management Agency (for a settlement agreement) and $149,500 for Educational Television to cover related legal costs. The appropriations, covering fiscal years 2026-2027, are limited to existing legal obligations and do not create new policies.
HB 1941 authorizes Mississippi to issue up to $1 million in state general obligation bonds to fund the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. The bond proceeds must be deposited into this trust fund, which supports outdoor conservation programs and activities. The bill limits total bond issuance to $1 million and prohibits new bonds after July 1, 2030. It also revises existing rules to allow the fund to use more money for administrative expenses related to its conservation work.
HB 1944 increases the maximum annual tax credit amount for Mississippi businesses that donate to qualifying charities and creates a new income tax credit for voluntary cash contributions to these organizations. It affects businesses (corporations, LLCs, partnerships, or sole proprietorships) that make qualifying donations, expanding eligibility to include charities focused on child welfare, foster care services, or education for vulnerable children. Unused credits can be carried forward for five years, and qualifying organizations must provide certification proving they meet specific criteria (e.g., 501(c)(3) status, no abortion funding) and serve children in foster care, with chronic illnesses, or from low-income families. The bill also prohibits using these credits for any abortion-related services or activities.
SB 3124 revises Mississippi's Pregnancy Resource Act to expand eligibility for a state income tax credit. It allows individual taxpayers (not just businesses) to claim a credit for cash donations to pregnancy resource centers meeting specific criteria, such as not providing or referring for abortions and limiting administrative spending to 20% of funds. The bill requires organizations to certify compliance with these standards annually and verify they serve Mississippi residents. Taxpayers can use the credit to offset up to 50% of their state income or property tax liability, with unused credits carrying forward for five years.
HB 4110 creates the Oktibbeha County Reserve and Trust Fund to permanently hold net proceeds from the sale of Oktibbeha County's OCH Regional Medical Center. The fund's principal (initial deposit) must be preserved in perpetuity with annual inflation adjustments, while up to 85% of annual earnings can be distributed for county purposes like operations, maintenance, or capital improvements. The Board of Supervisors manages the fund, must hire a qualified financial fiduciary for investments, and faces strict limits on withdrawing the principal. This directly affects Oktibbeha County residents through its long-term financial planning for public services.
SB 3229 authorizes the State of Mississippi to issue revenue bonds to cover repair costs for electric utilities damaged by the 2026 winter storm. Electric utilities can petition the Public Service Commission for a financing order, which, if approved, allows the state to issue bonds for storm-related repairs. The cost will be recovered through a new "system restoration charge" added to customers' monthly utility bills, adjusted annually to ensure it covers bond payments. The bonds are limited to the exact repair costs specified in the financing order and cannot be used for other purposes.
HB 4073 creates the Mississippi Work and Save Program, a state-run retirement savings initiative that allows eligible employers (those without an existing retirement plan) to offer employees payroll-deducted contributions to Roth IRAs. The program, managed by the State Treasurer, uses funds from state bonds deposited into a dedicated "Mississippi Work and Save Administrative Fund" to cover administrative costs. It directly affects moderate- and lower-income workers at participating businesses, providing a new retirement savings option without requiring employer contributions. The bill also includes a separate provision exempting sales tax on admissions at university athletic events, but the primary focus is the retirement program's structure and implementation.
