MississippiHB 15712026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

ARPA programs and funds; direct transfer of certain available and unexpended funds on September 30, 2026.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

16 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 1 costs, 5 mixed.

Loan help for Mississippi nurses

Mississippi LPNs and RNs working full time in a skilled nursing home or a licensed general acute care hospital can get loan help. The program pays up to $6,000 each year for up to three years, sent to your lender. You must hold a current Mississippi nursing license and have student loans that are not in default. Funds are available through September 30, 2026; this section repeals July 1, 2027.

Large 2026 ARPA transfers to MDOT

On or after September 30, 2026, the state identifies unspent ARPA program balances and moves them into the State Fiscal Recovery Fund by October 15, 2026. By October 15, 2026, up to $162,958,012 is shifted to the Lost Revenue Fund and up to $100,000,000 goes into MDOT’s ARPA Project Lost Revenue Fund. The MDOT fund is a standing, non-lapsing fund for eligible surface transportation projects in the three-year plan. The State Fiscal Officer, at the Governor’s direction, may reassign any remaining ARPA balances to eligible uses so all funds are fully spent by December 31, 2026, with notice to legislative leaders.

Tourism funds for DMOs and museum

The state funds destination marketing groups to rebuild tourism. One allocation pays up to 75% of 2019 marketing costs (about $9.43 million total) and another splits about $20.57 million by 2019 visitor share, with at least $250,000 per group. Another section provides $21,000,000 for DMOs with a similar two-pool formula and at least $125,000 per group, plus $1,000,000 for the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. DFA must approve DMO spending plans within 30 days, send funds promptly, and require certification to obligate by December 31, 2024 and spend by September 30, 2026. DMOs must keep records, report twice a year, and prefer Mississippi vendors when practical.

Fixed grants to support hospitals

The state gives hospitals fixed grants based on size and type. Examples: hospitals with under 100 beds and an ER get $625,000; critical access rural hospitals with an ER get $500,000; hospitals with an ER and over 100 beds get $1,000,000. Specialty hospitals are eligible, except VA and state mental health hospitals. Funds are available through September 30, 2026.

Grants for city and county water

The state funds water, sewer, and stormwater projects for cities, counties, and some utilities. Grants must be matched one-to-one with local ARPA funds; places with under $1,000,000 in local ARPA funds can qualify for a two-to-one match. Professional fees counted toward the match are capped at 4% of total project cost. DEQ may keep up to 5% for administration, must report regularly, and can use faster procurement until January 1, 2027. Projects must follow ARPA rules, focus on disadvantaged areas, and are subject to audit and clawback.

Rebates for added hospital COVID beds

Hospitals can be reimbursed for COVID-related expansion costs from March 3, 2021 to December 31, 2024. The cap is $200,000 per ICU bed and $50,000 per negative-pressure bed, with pro rata payments if requests exceed funds. Applications had to be filed by December 31, 2023. The Department of Health may keep up to $150,000 to run the program and must report results each year by October 1. Funds come from ARPA and stay available through September 30, 2026; the section repeals July 1, 2027.

Rural water association grants

The Health Department funds rural water association projects with ARPA dollars. First-round grants can be up to $2,500,000 per entity; second-round grants can be up to $2,000,000. Groups that already got this aid or MCWI aid before April 14, 2023 cannot get more. For funds appropriated after April 1, 2024, projects must obligate by October 1, 2024 and spend by September 30, 2026. The department may keep up to 5% for administration; a procurement exemption ends July 1, 2027.

Support for state employee health plan

The state creates a special fund to support the State and School Employees’ Life and Health Insurance Plan. By October 15, 2026, up to $62,958,012 moves into this fund. The money pays eligible plan expenses, and any investment earnings stay in the fund.

Unspent ARPA funds moved to roads

The state now moves ARPA money that is not obligated on October 1, 2024 into a road maintenance fund. Transfers can continue any time from October 6, 2024 through September 30, 2026. If a subgrantee misses two monthly reports or two reimbursement requests, its money is reclaimed and shifted to road work. By October 30, 2026, the finance department reports all transfers and remaining balances. Up to $25,000,000 may be set aside statewide for ARPA administration before transfers.

Grants to help local health providers

Licensed local health care providers can apply for grants to keep services going. Each business can file one application, and the most you can get is $250,000. Grants can reimburse eligible costs paid between March 3, 2021 and December 31, 2024. The Health Department runs the program and may use up to 1.5% of funds for administration. Grant funds are available through September 30, 2026.

Earlier ARPA deadlines and faster contracting

State ARPA grant money is available only through September 30, 2026 instead of December 31, 2026. Recipients must certify they will finish projects with other funds if no federal extension and work is not done by September 30, 2026. To speed work, the Finance Department can skip some procurement approvals for these tasks until July 1, 2027.

Water grants: two rounds and caps

The state water, sewer, and stormwater grant program runs only two application rounds. Professional fees can count toward the local match only up to 4% of total project cost. Grants can also reimburse some past eligible costs if they follow ARPA rules. This program authority ends January 1, 2027.

Private college infrastructure grants and transfers

Designated private colleges get infrastructure grants, split by student counts. Money sits in a dedicated fund and earns interest for the program. On December 31, 2024, up to $10 million moves to the State and School Employees’ Health Insurance Fund, and any other allowed leftovers go to the Unemployment Fund. Grant funds are available through September 30, 2026; this section repeals July 1, 2027.

Up to $100K for independent schools

Independent private schools can get reimbursable grants for water, wastewater, stormwater, broadband, and ventilation projects. Each eligible school can receive up to $100,000. Funds must be obligated by December 31, 2024 and spent by September 30, 2026. DFA may keep up to $200,000 to run the program. The section repeals July 1, 2027.

Tighter ARPA reporting and deadlines

Agencies that run listed ARPA programs must report subgrantee spending and balances to the finance department by October 1, 2025. DFA must send a combined report to legislative leaders by November 3, 2025. Each agency must also report unspent ARPA allocations by November 1, 2025 and file by December 1, 2025. The State Fiscal Officer must determine any funds not obligated by October 1, 2024 using U.S. Treasury guidance.

Limits on hospital bed reimbursements

The Health Department cannot reimburse hospitals for costs already paid under the Mississippi ICU Infrastructure Act. It also cannot reimburse professional fees for creating ICU or negative-pressure beds under this program.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

John Read
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 169 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

Passed

Yes: 52 • No: 0

House vote • 2/5/2026