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MississippiHB 16462026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Disaster assistance; increase amount of funds MEMA may request to provide and create loan program for local governments to receive.

Sponsored By: Clay Deweese (Republican)

Signed by Governor

State AffairsAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Emergency loans for cities and counties

The law creates a MEMA loan program for counties, cities, and local districts in the federally declared disaster area that have applied to FEMA. Loans can cover up to 75% of FEMA‑eligible costs in Categories A–F, excluding insured or donated amounts; for Category F, only government utility co‑ops qualify. Loans charge 0% interest until FEMA pays and that money is applied; then the rate is 3% a year, for up to five years. No new loans are allowed after July 1, 2027. The state sets up a special fund for this program; repayments and interest stay in the fund, and up to 0.5% of loan proceeds may be used for administration if the Legislature approves.

Loan repayments secured by local taxes

Borrowers must set a dedicated revenue source and sign a loan agreement before getting money. Counties must pledge use tax or other lawful revenues; cities must pledge sales tax distributions or other lawful revenues. Borrowers agree to pay no greater than 12.5% of FEMA’s required match. If FEMA later disallows a reimbursement paid with loan money, the borrower must repay on a schedule and finish within two years. The Department of Revenue can withhold pledged revenues (semiannually from counties, monthly from cities), and the State Auditor can trigger enforcement that withholds state payments, including homestead exemption reimbursements, until the loan is current.

More state funds for disaster aid

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state can transfer up to $2,500,000 per disaster and up to $5,000,000 per fiscal year into the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund. Transfers can come from the Working Cash‑Stabilization Reserve Fund, the Budget Contingency Fund, and other special funds, if money is available. The Director must find the money is immediately needed and notify legislative leaders.

Faster MEMA contracting for this program

For this loan program, MEMA does not need Public Procurement Review Board approval for certain service contracts. MEMA is also exempt from normal state rulemaking steps for its program policies. These changes speed buying and hiring but reduce outside review.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Clay Deweese

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Jeff Hale

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 345 • No: 0

House vote • 3/26/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 121 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/26/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 52 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 52 • No: 0

House vote • 2/12/2026

Passed

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/6/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/27/2026Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/27/2026House

  4. Conference Report Adopted

    3/26/2026Senate

  5. Conference Report Adopted

    3/26/2026House

  6. Conference Report Filed

    3/25/2026Senate

  7. Conference Report Filed

    3/25/2026House

  8. Conferees Named Hopson,DeBar,DeLano

    3/23/2026Senate

  9. Conferees Named Zuber,Deweese,Clark

    3/23/2026House

  10. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/17/2026House

  11. Returned For Concurrence

    3/12/2026Senate

  12. Passed As Amended

    3/10/2026Senate

  13. Amended

    3/10/2026Senate

  14. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/3/2026Senate

  15. Referred To Appropriations

    2/20/2026Senate

  16. Transmitted To Senate

    2/13/2026House

  17. Passed

    2/12/2026House

  18. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/12/2026House

  19. Read the Third Time

    2/11/2026House

  20. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/3/2026House

  21. DR - TSDPCS: AP To SA

    2/3/2026House

  22. DR - TSDPCS: SA To AP

    2/3/2026House

  23. Referred To State Affairs;Appropriations A

    1/19/2026House

Bill Text

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