HB 1799 provides $22,068,556 in funding for the Mississippi Department of Insurance for the fiscal year 2025, covering expenses from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The bill authorizes the department to maintain 131 permanent staff positions while establishing strict rules to prevent using these funds for salary increases or promotions for existing employees. Additionally, the legislation sets specific performance targets for licensing insurance agents, conducting fire inspections, and handling customer inquiries, requiring the department to report on its progress toward these goals. The act also includes provisions for purchasing equipment with a preference for the Mississippi Industries for the Blind and mandates that public announcements about grants must acknowledge state funding.
This bill authorizes the Mississippi Department of Revenue to issue special license tags featuring the phrase "In God We Trust" for a fee of $30 per vehicle. The revenue generated from these tags is distributed among specific organizations, including the American Family Association, the Mississippi Burn Care Fund, and the State Highway Fund. Additionally, the legislation reauthorizes and expands the issuance of distinctive tags to supporters of various local schools, foundations, and interest groups such as the Mississippi Hunting Dog Association and the New Orleans Pelicans. Vehicle owners must pay an extra fee annually to retain these tags, with proceeds going directly to the designated recipients rather than general state revenue.
This bill appropriates $662,799 from the State General Fund to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Board of Tax Appeals for the fiscal year 2025. The funding supports a permanent staff of six employees and includes strict rules to prevent salary increases for current workers while allowing new hires only when essential. Additionally, the legislation requires the agency to maintain detailed financial records, gives purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind, and mandates that no funds be used to replace withdrawn federal money.
This bill extends the Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Act and updates several programs designed to help schools hire and keep teachers in areas with staffing gaps. It continues funding for moving expense reimbursements for new hires, travel costs for job interviews, and scholarships for educators pursuing advanced degrees. The legislation also allows retired teachers with at least 30 years of service to return to the classroom for up to five years while still receiving their pension, and it adjusts award criteria for existing loan repayment programs. Additionally, the bill permits school boards to use non-school-bus vehicles for transporting small groups of students on field trips.
This bill authorizes the City of Ridgeland to levy a special tax on restaurants and hotels to fund improvements for Freedom Ridge Park. Restaurants with annual sales of at least $100,000 would pay a 1% tax on their gross sales, while hotels and motels would pay a 2% tax on room rentals. Before the tax takes effect, the city must hold a public election where at least 60% of voters must approve the measure. The collected funds would be kept in a separate account, audited annually, and used exclusively for capital projects at the park until the improvements are complete.
HB 1798 appropriates approximately $9.1 million from state funds to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi State Fire Academy for fiscal year 2025. The bill authorizes the hiring of 62 permanent staff members and sets strict guidelines to ensure these funds are used only for new hires rather than salary increases or promotions for existing employees. Additionally, the legislation allocates specific amounts for capital improvements, including replacing heat building components and an auditorium roof, as well as providing a state match for the purchase of a specialty rescue truck. The bill also establishes performance targets, such as training 12,000 students, and grants a purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal.
This bill appropriates $6.66 million to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi State Treasurer's Office for the 2025 fiscal year, including funding for 37 permanent staff positions. It establishes strict rules to prevent salary increases for current employees and mandates that any new hires be essential, while also requiring detailed financial record-keeping for future budget reviews. Additionally, the legislation allocates specific funds for prepaid college tuition programs and grants a purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal. The bill also includes standard provisions prohibiting the use of funds for attorney fees or payments to relatives of state officials.
HB 1776 provides funding for the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for the 2025 fiscal year, authorizing approximately $39 million in total appropriations from state general and special funds. The bill authorizes a workforce of 165 employees, including 155 permanent positions and 10 time-limited roles, while establishing strict rules to prevent salary increases for current staff and requiring written approval for any position escalations. Specific allocations include $2 million for preserving Mississippi Landmark Properties, $100,000 for repairs at the Beauvoir Shrine, and $750,000 for maintenance of state historic buildings like the Old Capitol and War Memorial. Additional provisions mandate that the department charge maximum allowable fees for its services, give purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind, and ensure compliance with federal tax reporting requirements.
Law W/out Governor's Signature
This bill modifies how the Mississippi Public Employees' Retirement System collects contributions from employers by canceling a previously scheduled rate increase for July 2024 and replacing it with a gradual one-half percent hike each year from 2024 through 2028. To ensure these financial decisions are well-founded, the law requires the retirement board to submit at least two independent actuarial assessments before recommending any changes to employer contributions, with the final authority to implement those changes resting solely with the Legislature. Additionally, the legislation explicitly states that no current retirees or members will lose any benefits they have already earned, while expressing an intent to create a new tier for future members during the 2025 legislative session to help maintain the system's long-term stability.
HB 1820 provides state funding for the Mississippi judicial system and related legal organizations for the fiscal year 2025. The bill allocates money to cover operating expenses for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, trial judges, the Administrative Office of Courts, and the Board of Bar Admissions. It authorizes specific numbers of permanent staff positions for these entities and sets aside funds for continuing legal education programs for lawyers. Additionally, the legislation establishes special funds for the Board of Bar Admissions and Continuing Legal Education, ensuring that interest earned on these funds remains within those specific accounts rather than going to the general state treasury.
Approved by Governor
