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MississippiSB 30702026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Appropriation; Development Authority, Mississippi.

Sponsored By: Hopson

Signed by Governor

Appropriations EAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

FY2027 funding for MDA operations

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law provides $22,530,799 from the General Fund and $296,325,957 from special funds to run the Mississippi Development Authority through June 30, 2027. The agency can also escalate and spend up to $10,000,000 from any source under state finance rules. This funding keeps MDA programs and operations going for the FY2027 budget year.

More funds for business growth projects

The law funds major development work starting July 1, 2026: $25,162,916 for Major Economic Impact Projects (with annual reports due by January 5) and $14,000,000 for site development grants. It also provides $1,600,000 for Project Atlas and $356,000 for Project Poppy to speed project services, $1,017,000 to Innovate Mississippi, and $880,000 for MDA marketing, planning, and research. It reappropriates up to $617,065 for Gulf Coast Restoration Fund administration and up to $93,897 for air service development, limited to unspent balances as of June 30, 2026. It also provides $156,000 for the Energy High School Academy.

More budget and event transparency

Starting July 1, 2026, agencies must tell local lawmakers at least 5 days before grant award ceremonies or openings, and signs must say, “Funds were made available for this project by the Mississippi State Legislature.” MDA must notify the Legislative Budget Office when it moves General Fund money out of “Subsidies.” MDA must also report in its FY2028 budget request how it met FY2027 performance targets.

Bid preference for Blind Industries

When bids are equal on price, quality, and service, agencies give preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind. The same preference applies to purchases made without competitive bids. This rule starts July 1, 2026.

More tourism and visitor support funding

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law funds $4,876,298 for tourism ads and promotion, including $299,000 for tourism grant awards. These funds cannot pay for cultural exchange programs. It also moves $800,000 to run state welcome centers; gives $100,000 each to the Delta and Hills National Heritage Areas; $20,025 to the Mississippi River Parkway Commission; $50,000 to the Mississippi Book Festival; and $500,000 to the Mississippi Main Street Association. MDA may support National Park Service sites in Mississippi during a federal shutdown.

Support for Tennessee-Tombigbee authority

For FY2027, the law provides $253,789 from the General Fund to the Tennessee‑Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority and allows spending up to $357,802 from special funds actually collected. It also authorizes three permanent positions. This supports the authority’s operations for the budget year starting July 1, 2026.

Stricter pay and hiring rules at MDA

For FY2027, MDA’s Personal Services is capped at $16,232,397 ($12,980,883 General Fund; $3,251,514 Special Funds). Of that, $14,609,157 is for salaries and fringe, and $1,623,240 is Vacancy Funding only to fill jobs vacant on June 30, 2026—not for raises or promotions. The agency may have 162 permanent and 43 time‑limited positions and adds two new project management jobs. Pay must follow the State Variable Compensation Plan, and no one paid from these funds can be below State Personnel Board minimums. The State Personnel Board publishes projected payroll costs. MDA cannot use General Funds to replace lost federal or special salary funds, cannot move Personal Services money to other categories, and must follow IRS Publication 15‑A for contractor pay reporting.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Hopson

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Kevin Blackwell

    Republican • Senate

  • DeBar

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Michael McLendon

    Republican • Senate

  • Rita Potts Parks

    Republican • Senate

  • Sarita Simmons

    Senate

  • Brice Wiggins

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 339 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 118 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Passed

Yes: 51 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/9/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026Senate

  4. Conference Report Adopted

    3/29/2026Senate

  5. Conference Report Adopted

    3/29/2026House

  6. Conference Report Filed

    3/27/2026Senate

  7. Conference Report Filed

    3/27/2026House

  8. Conferees Named Oliver,Cockerham,Massengill

    3/19/2026House

  9. Conferees Named Hopson,Blackwell,DeBar

    3/19/2026Senate

  10. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/17/2026Senate

  11. Returned For Concurrence

    3/13/2026House

  12. Passed As Amended

    3/12/2026House

  13. Amended

    3/12/2026House

  14. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/11/2026House

  15. DR - TSDPAA: AP To A4

    3/11/2026House

  16. DR - TSDPAA: A4 To AP

    3/11/2026House

  17. Referred To Appropriations E;Appropriations A

    2/24/2026House

  18. Transmitted To House

    2/23/2026Senate

  19. Passed

    2/19/2026Senate

  20. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/19/2026Senate

  21. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/18/2026Senate

  22. Referred To Appropriations

    2/17/2026Senate

Bill Text

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