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MississippiHB 19012026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Appropriation; Public Utilities Staff.

Sponsored By: C. Scott Bounds (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Appropriations BAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

2027 funding for Utilities Staff

The law provides $2,476,315 from the State General Fund to the Public Utilities Staff for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. It adds $80,000 from the Project Atlas Fund for Project Atlas, allocated by the State Treasurer to speed services. For this fiscal year, total funding is $2,556,315.

Tie-bid preference for Blind Industries

When two or more bids are the same in price, quality, and service, the agency gives preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind. The same rule applies to purchases made without competitive bids.

Budget and recordkeeping rules for agency

The Public Utilities Staff must keep accounting and personnel records in the same detail as in Fiscal Year 2026. The agency must send its Fiscal Year 2028 budget request to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in the same format used for Fiscal Year 2027. These rules standardize records and make oversight easier.

Pay and hiring limits at Utilities Staff

The law caps personal services at $2,329,836 for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027: $2,249,836 in general funds and $80,000 in special funds. Salaries and fringe benefits are limited to $2,112,264, with $217,572 held as Vacancy Funding to fill approved empty positions. The agency may have 23 permanent positions, and personal services money cannot be moved to other uses. Vacancy funds cannot be used for raises or title changes, and may be adjusted if jobs were filled after March 1, 2026. No employee’s pay may fall below State Personnel Board minimums. The State Personnel Board and the Department of Finance and Administration must approve actions that would push pay over the cap, and no general funds may replace lost federal or special salary funds. The agency must follow IRS Publication 15-A rules on contractor pay reporting.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • C. Scott Bounds

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Brent Anderson

    House

  • Bryant W. Clark

    Democratic • House

  • Casey Eure

    Republican • House

  • Jeff Hale

    Republican • House

  • Reginald Jackson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Bill Pigott

    Republican • House

  • John Read

    Republican • House

  • Tracey T. Rosebud

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 343 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

Passed

Yes: 122 • 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,DeLano,Suber

    3/19/2026Senate

  9. Conferees Named Bounds,Cockerham,Mims

    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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