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MississippiHB 18932026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Appropriation; Forestry Commission.

Sponsored By: C. Scott Bounds (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Appropriations BAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Beaver control gets $200,000

During fiscal year 2027, the law transfers $200,000 from funds appropriated to the State Forestry Commission to the Department of Agriculture and Commerce. The money supports the Beaver Control or Eradication Program. The law does not specify a direct household payment or outcome.

Forestry sets fire and forest targets

For fiscal year 2027, the commission targets an average fire-suppression time of 2 hours, with 95% of fires kept to 100 acres or less. It also targets prescribed burns on 15,000 acres, improvements or regeneration on 35,000 acres, and monitoring 19.2 million acres for insect, storm, or disease conditions. Other targets include inventory coverage of 20% of state forest lands by region and a 20% increase in reinventoried state forest land. The commission must report progress in its fiscal year 2028 budget request to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

Blind industries get bid preference

During fiscal year 2027, Mississippi Industries for the Blind gets preference for commission purchases when competing bids match in price, quality, and service. A similar preference applies when the commission buys without competitive bids. The rule affects vendors seeking commission contracts.

Forestry operations get $32.5 million

The government provides the State Forestry Commission with $18.0 million in general funds and $14.5 million in special funds for fiscal year 2027. The money supports commission operations from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The law does not provide direct payments to households.

Forestry workers face pay limits and payouts

For fiscal year 2027, the commission has $18,398,875 for personal services and 264 permanent and 7 time-limited positions. The $1,361,652 vacancy fund is for filling approved vacancies, with proportional adjustments for positions filled after March 1, 2026, through the end of fiscal year 2026. Employees in job classifications with a minimum salary of $70,000 or more cannot receive certain in-range raises. The State Personnel Board must halt salary actions that exceed the fiscal year 2027 limit or increase fiscal year 2028 needs, except for essential new hires. The commission can use available salary funds to pay employees for accumulated compensatory time.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • C. Scott Bounds

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Brent Anderson

    Republican • House

  • Bryant W. Clark

    Democratic • House

  • Casey Eure

    Republican • House

  • Jeff Hale

    Republican • House

  • Lataisha Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Bill Pigott

    Republican • House

  • John Read

    Republican • House

  • Tracey T. Rosebud

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 341 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 120 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

Passed

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/6/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/31/2026Senate

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    3/31/2026House

  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 Hopson,McCaughn,Tate

    3/19/2026Senate

  9. Conferees Named Bounds,Cockerham,Pigott

    3/19/2026House

  10. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/18/2026House

  11. Returned For Concurrence

    3/13/2026Senate

  12. Passed As Amended

    3/12/2026Senate

  13. Amended

    3/12/2026Senate

  14. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/12/2026Senate

  15. Referred To Appropriations

    2/27/2026Senate

  16. Transmitted To Senate

    2/20/2026House

  17. Passed

    2/19/2026House

  18. Title Suff Do Pass

    2/18/2026House

  19. DR - TSDP: AP To A1

    2/18/2026House

  20. DR - TSDP: A1 To AP

    2/17/2026House

  21. Referred To Appropriations B;Appropriations A

    2/16/2026House

Bill Text

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