SB 2006 appropriates $6,262,007 from the State General Fund and $1,369,899 from special sources (including $450,000 from the Education Enhancement Fund) to cover the operating and maintenance costs of Mississippi State University's Forest and Wildlife Research Center for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill specifies that general funds cannot replace withdrawn federal or special funds and requires that any matching federal grants be accounted for under the special source funds. It also reappropriates $1,000,000 from the Capital Expense Fund for Deer Lab renovations, subject to prior unexpended balances. This is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes, directly affecting the research center’s operations.
SB 2001 allocates nearly $1.5 billion in state funds to Mississippi's eight public universities (Alcorn State, Delta State, Jackson State, Mississippi State, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State, Ole Miss, and Southern Miss) for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides $376 million from the state general fund for core operations, $1.09 billion from federal/student fees, and $1.5 million from the Ayers Endowment for specific university support. The bill also earmarks $145,000 for the Governor's School for Gifted Students (requiring nominations from all high schools) and $349,200 for the Teacher Corps program. Key provisions include requiring 65% of on-campus funding for off-campus centers and prohibiting general funds from replacing federal or special funds.
SB 2011 appropriates $227.65 million from the State General Fund and $65.79 million from the Education Enhancement Fund for Mississippi's public community and junior colleges during fiscal year 2026. The bill directly affects 14 specific institutions (including Hinds, Mississippi Gulf Coast, and Northeast Mississippi Community Colleges) by funding their operations through a formula based on full-time equivalent student enrollment, with weighted allocations for academic, technical, nursing, and allied health programs. Key provisions include $30.81 million for employee life/health insurance, $6.75 million for workforce development and equipment, $179,050 for sign language interpreter training, and $10 million for education technology. Funds are distributed based on student enrollment counts as of the sixth week of each semester, with advance payments allowed for colleges facing immediate cash flow needs.
SB 2008 allocates $47.3 million from state funds and $11 million from federal sources to support Mississippi's student financial aid programs for fiscal year 2026. It prioritizes aid for students from families earning under $42,500 annually (based on income thresholds in Section 11) and prohibits funding for specific loan programs like the Southeast Asia POW/MIA Grant. The bill requires detailed annual reports tracking recipients, award amounts, repayment status, and institutional distribution of funds. It also restricts students from receiving multiple state grant awards simultaneously in the same enrollment term.
SB 2002 is a funding bill that allocates $86.1 million (from state general and special funds) to support 15 specific research centers and programs at Mississippi's public universities for fiscal year 2026. It directly affects institutions like the Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Mississippi Law Research Institute, and Jackson State University's Urban Research Center. The bill specifies exact dollar amounts for each program, such as $8.6 million for the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and $5.4 million for the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. This is a routine appropriations bill that provides operating funds for existing university research initiatives, not a policy change.
SB 2010 allocates $69.27 million in state funds for Mississippi's Community College Board to cover administrative costs and specific programs for fiscal year 2026. It directly affects community colleges, students (through GED test fee reimbursements), and workforce training initiatives by providing $50.8 million for workforce education, $30 million for career/technical programs, and $542,459 for the Greenville Higher Education Center. Key mechanisms include funding from the Education Enhancement Fund, fees for virtual programs, and requirements that funds cover only new obligations starting July 1, 2025. The bill does not change laws but authorizes spending for existing operations and student support services.
SB 2051 amends Mississippi's fiscal 2025 budget to redirect $1.4 million from the State Department of Education's (MDE) existing appropriation specifically for the continuation of the current school safety platform. This bill does not create new programs but ensures a designated sum remains available for ongoing school safety technology and services. The funding revision applies directly to MDE's budget allocation for school safety operations. The bill passed the legislature on May 28, 2025, but ultimately died in committee.
HB 42 appropriates over $5.2 billion in state funds for Mississippi's K-12 education system for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It directly funds public schools, the State Department of Education, vocational programs, and specific initiatives like literacy programs, school facilities, special education services, and the Mississippi Student Funding Formula. Key provisions include $2.7 billion for the general education budget, $268 million for the student funding formula, and targeted allocations for programs such as Early Learning Collaboratives ($21.2 million) and Mississippi School for Math and Science ($1.1 million). The bill also restricts $37.6 million in funds to "Personal Services" (salaries and benefits) for education staff, requiring compliance with state personnel pay rules. This is a funding bill, not a policy change, directing existing state resources to existing education programs.
SB 2003 appropriates $7,887,984 from the State General Fund and $335,000 from the Education Enhancement Fund to support Alcorn State University's agricultural research, extension, and land-grant programs for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The funds directly support specific programs, including $165,000 for the Poultry Sciences Research Center and $715,000 for broader agricultural research (covering poultry, animal, and environmental science). The bill specifies that general funds cannot replace withdrawn federal or special funds and requires compliance with state budgeting rules. It was signed into law by the governor on June 4, 2025, and takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 48 redirects $1.4 million in the FY2025 state education budget to continue Mississippi's existing school safety platform. The bill specifically revises an appropriation section to ensure this funding remains available for the current safety system, rather than for other purposes. This change affects Mississippi public schools by maintaining their current safety infrastructure funding without altering safety requirements or creating new programs. The bill passed the legislature and was signed into law by the governor in June 2025.
