HB 1787 appropriates approximately $5.5 million in state funds to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Public Service Commission for the fiscal year 2025. The bill authorizes the agency to maintain a permanent staff of 51 employees and six time-limited positions while establishing strict rules to prevent salary increases for current workers and ensuring that general funds are not used to replace withdrawn federal money. Additionally, the legislation sets specific performance targets for the commission, such as resolving utility complaints within three days and processing a set number of regulatory cases, and requires the agency to report on its progress toward these goals.
This bill appropriates approximately $286 million in state funds to cover the expenses of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for the fiscal year 2025. The legislation authorizes the hiring of specific permanent and time-limited positions while establishing strict rules to prevent using these funds for salary increases or promotions of current employees. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department cannot issue speed limit citations based on quotas and sets specific performance targets for enforcement activities, driver services, and forensic analysis.
HB 1825 allocates state funding to support the Mississippi Library Commission for the 2025 fiscal year, providing approximately $16 million from general and special funds. The bill authorizes a staff headcount of 48 permanent positions and one time-limited role while establishing strict rules to prevent salary increases for existing employees and ensuring funds are used only for approved vacancies. Specific portions of the budget are designated for the Magnolia database, health insurance for library staff, and grants to public libraries, alongside setting performance targets for services like workshops and interlibrary loans. Additionally, the legislation requires the commission to maintain detailed financial records and submit future budget requests in a specific format to the legislature.
HB 1003 amends Mississippi law to extend the deadline for specific veterans and surviving spouses to apply for a homestead property tax exemption. Currently, these individuals must apply within 30 days of a home purchase or by December 31 of that year, but the bill removes this strict time limit for them. The change directly affects totally disabled veterans, unremarried surviving spouses of disabled veterans, and unremarried surviving spouses of service members who died on active duty. While the bill does not alter the general April 1 filing deadline for other homeowners, it provides greater flexibility for this specific group of military-connected residents to secure their tax benefits.
This bill appropriates state funds to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency for the fiscal year 2025. The legislation authorizes the hiring of a specific number of permanent and temporary staff members and establishes strict rules to prevent salary increases for current employees unless new funding is approved. Additionally, the bill allocates money to support various disaster relief programs, including assistance for victims of hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and the pandemic. These funds are designated for administrative costs and state contributions to public assistance, individual grants, and mitigation efforts related to numerous past and ongoing disasters.
This bill provides $5,374,870 in state funding to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi State Personnel Board for fiscal year 2025. The legislation authorizes the hiring of 46 permanent staff members and establishes strict rules to ensure that these funds are used only to fill vacant positions rather than for salary increases, promotions, or title changes for current employees. It also mandates that the Board publish projected payroll costs and requires written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration before any salary escalations can occur. Additionally, the bill includes a preference for purchasing goods from the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal and requires the agency to maintain detailed financial records.
HB 1788 appropriates $2,666,616 from the State General Fund and an additional $80,000 from a special fund to cover the expenses of the Mississippi Public Utilities Staff for fiscal year 2025. The bill authorizes a permanent staff headcount of 27 employees and establishes strict rules to ensure these funds are used only for hiring new positions rather than increasing salaries for current staff. It also mandates that the agency give preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods or services and requires detailed financial record-keeping for future budget reviews.
This bill appropriates over $320 million in state and special funds to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services for the fiscal year 2025 to cover its operating expenses. The legislation authorizes the hiring of approximately 1,934 staff members and establishes strict rules to ensure salary funds are used only for new hires rather than raises or promotions for existing employees. Specific allocations within the budget support critical services, including a 24-hour hotline for trafficking victims, kinship care payments, foster home maintenance, and technology upgrades aimed at improving efficiency. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department give preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods and requires detailed accounting records for all expenditures.
This bill appropriates approximately $7.7 million in state funds to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Arts Commission for the 2025 fiscal year. The funding comes from the State General Fund, special source funds, and specific allocations for arts education and building projects. The legislation authorizes the commission to maintain 12 staff positions and includes strict rules ensuring that general funds cannot be used to replace federal money or increase salaries for current employees. Additionally, the bill mandates that the commission give purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when buying goods or services. It also directs a portion of the funds toward arts training in public schools and the construction or repair of arts facilities.
This bill appropriates $12,799,648 from the state treasury to fund the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance for fiscal year 2025. The funding supports 86 permanent staff positions and includes strict rules to prevent using these funds for salary increases or promotions of current employees, ensuring money is only used to fill vacant roles. Additionally, the legislation mandates that if multiple bids are equal in price and quality, the state must give preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods or services. The bill also requires the department to maintain detailed financial records and prohibits using general funds to replace any withdrawn federal or special funds.
This bill appropriates approximately $272 million in state funds to support the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality for fiscal year 2025. The funding covers operational expenses and authorizes the creation of 377 new positions, including 212 permanent and 165 time-limited roles, while establishing strict rules to prevent salary increases for current employees. The legislation sets specific performance targets for the department, such as reducing air pollution advisories and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations across various sectors like water, waste, and mining. Additionally, the bill mandates detailed financial reporting and restricts the use of state vehicles to official business only.
This bill appropriates approximately $256 million from state funds to cover the operating expenses of Mississippi's Department of Rehabilitation Services for the 2025 fiscal year. The legislation authorizes the department to hire a total of 1,076 employees, including both permanent and time-limited positions, while establishing strict rules to ensure new hires are used to fill vacancies rather than increase salaries for current staff. Additionally, the act sets specific performance targets for the department, such as the number of individuals served and the rate of employment placement, and includes provisions to prioritize purchasing goods from Mississippi Industries for the Blind.
