HB 985 appropriates $10.6 million from the state general fund to Humphreys County's Board of Supervisors for recovery costs following the March 2023 EF4 tornado. The funds specifically cover 25% of debris removal costs, road repairs, replacement of county equipment, construction of a new fire station/barn, housing restoration, 911 system upgrades, and a community center. The bill, intended for fiscal year 2025-2026, died in committee on February 26, 2025, and does not affect any individual residents directly but supports county-level recovery efforts.
HB 1201 creates a 25% income tax credit for developers who rehabilitate blighted, tax-forfeited properties in Mississippi, requiring costs to exceed $50,000 for owner-occupied homes or $100,000 for commercial buildings. The credit applies to eligible properties declared unsafe by local authorities and placed into use as residences or businesses within 36 months. Developers can carry forward unused credit amounts for up to 10 years if the credit exceeds their annual tax liability, or opt for a 75% rebate instead. This law directly affects developers who redevelop qualifying properties, aiming to increase property values and community safety through tax incentives.
HB 1921 appropriates $300 million ($100 million to each) to Mississippi's three HBCUs - Alcorn State, Jackson State, and Mississippi Valley State - for repairing and upgrading campus buildings and infrastructure. The funds cover specific projects like restoring historic structures, modernizing electrical/plumbing systems, improving student housing, creating new academic spaces, enhancing safety systems, and supporting energy efficiency. Each university must submit a detailed plan for approval and provide annual progress reports to the legislature on how the money is spent.
HB 1818 allocated $500,000 from the state general fund to Hinds County's Board of Supervisors to cover costs for removing run-down houses and blighted properties in areas overlapping House District 69 and Supervisor's District 3. The funds were intended for fiscal year 2025-2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026), specifically targeting property removal in those designated areas. The bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, meaning it did not advance further. This was a funding measure, not a policy change, and directly affected Hinds County's efforts to address deteriorated properties in the specified districts.
HB 1688 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund the City of Jackson (in Hinds County) for acquiring, removing, and demolishing blighted properties. The bill creates a special fund to cover these cleanup costs, using bond proceeds without requiring additional legislative appropriations. The bonds would be backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi, with interest payable semiannually. This direct funding mechanism targets property remediation in Jackson’s blighted areas, specifically addressing acquisition, demolition, and removal expenses. The bill died in committee without becoming law.
HB 1801 increases funding for Sunflower County's homeless services by allowing the Board of Supervisors to supplement an annual $40,000 contribution to the Sunflower County Ministerial Alliance Counseling Service (a nonprofit that runs the Transition Center). The bill permits the county to add funds equal to what municipalities, faith groups, or private citizens contribute specifically for the Transition Center's daily operations. This directly supports the county's facility serving homeless residents. The law expires on July 1, 2026.
HB 1695 authorizes Mississippi to issue state bonds to provide funds for the City of Gulfport to remove blighted properties in the western part of the city. The state would borrow money through these bonds, backed by Mississippi’s full credit, with proceeds used exclusively for property removal costs and related expenses. The bonds would be exempt from state taxes and managed by the State Bond Commission, with repayment secured by the state treasury if needed.
HB 1086 authorizes the University of Mississippi to lease specific campus properties (including Kincannon, West Row, South Parking Lot, and other designated areas) to private partners for 45 years (with renewal options) to develop academic buildings, housing, dining, parking, and retail spaces. All lease proceeds must be deposited into a special fund exclusively for the university’s use, and the properties must revert to the university at lease end. The bill requires approval from the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and preserves the state’s mineral rights. The bill died on the calendar in March 2025 and was never enacted.
HB 332 allocates $15 million from the State General Fund to Coahoma Community College's Board of Trustees for constructing a new 200-bed dormitory on campus. This appropriation, effective July 1, 2025, covers costs associated with the dormitory project during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill directly affects the college by providing funding for infrastructure development, specifically to expand student housing capacity. As a procedural funding measure, it does not establish new policy but authorizes a specific expenditure.
HB 273 creates a two-year pilot program at Coahoma Community College and Jones County Junior College to provide job training and education for low-income youth who have not finished high school. The program requires each college to apply for federal grant funding (with Mississippi’s Department of Human Services providing a 25% match) to support construction training focused on rehabilitating housing for low-income families and special needs populations. Participants will spend half their time in classroom instruction (including leadership development and job skills) and half on hands-on construction work. The bill mandates specific services, including housing rehabilitation, and requires a 2028 report on the program’s effectiveness before the legislature.
