MississippiHB 19042026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Appropriation; Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, Department of.

Sponsored By: C. Scott Bounds (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Appropriations BAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Funding for wildlife and safety programs

The law funds wildlife conservation, education, and safety programs during fiscal year 2027. It provides $400,000 for deer disease detection and prevention, $200,000 for youth hunting, fishing, conservation, and safety education, and $58,593 for Hunter Education. It also provides $50,000 for land-based water safety programs and $125,335 for Project WILD. The Department can provide $175,000 to the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service for a project specialist and support, and use up to $50,000 from the Gulf and Wildlife Protection Fund for conservation. Another $50,000 supports Pearl River Wildlife Management Area improvements.

Park and museum upgrades and protections

The law provides $5 million for Parks Improvement Plan projects and up to $868,119 to continue renovating the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science admission area. Museum spending cannot exceed the unspent balance on June 30, 2026. It also provides $75,000 for playground security at LeFleur’s Bluff State Park. The Department can use up to 60% of State Park Timber Endowment Fund revenue to operate and maintain parks, and can make agreements with public or private groups to manage them. It can enter multi-year contracts to place signs on park property, with proceeds kept in a Department special fund. State-owned wildlife management areas are not to be closed, and parks cannot close without legislative approval; the Department must try, to the greatest practicable extent, to avoid a net loss of hunting acreage available on July 1, 2006.

Blind industry gets bid preference

The Department gives Mississippi Industries for the Blind preference when competing bids are equal in price, quality, and service. A similar preference applies to purchases made without competitive bids. The preference does not guarantee a contract or set a dollar amount.

More money for wildlife agency operations

For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $21.85 million from the General Fund and $82.12 million from special state funds for the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The special-fund total includes $5.75 million from gasoline and petroleum excise taxes for the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund, after the Highway Bonds Sinking Fund is provided for. The law also sets aside $1.75 million for Special Projects operating costs; that money cannot pay for personal services.

Wildlife staff pay and job rules

For fiscal year 2027, the law sets the Department’s personal-services budget at $46,432,700 and authorizes 523 permanent and 51 time-limited positions, including eight new Law Enforcement Family positions. Vacancy funds must fill authorized jobs, not pay for promotions or other salary increases; changes to the personal-services total require written approval and proof of additional funds. Conservation officers and supervisors can receive up to $550 a year for uniforms. The Department can pay or reimburse commercial driver’s license costs for specifically identified employees who need a valid Mississippi license for their jobs. Bureau of Wildlife and Fisheries employees permanently transferred between Mississippi counties cannot receive the specified out-of-county duty expense money.

County partnerships for local parks

The Commission can make agreements with counties to create, improve, or restore parks and public wildlife habitat in the county or a neighboring county. Counties may choose to spend local funds on these projects. A participating county must repay the Department’s actual surveying and engineering costs.

New limits on state vehicle use

State-owned vehicles can be used only for official state business. For fiscal year 2027, the Department’s spending from the Motor Vehicle Fund on any type of vehicle cannot exceed $1.3 million. These rules limit personal use and agency vehicle purchases while protecting public resources.

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: 343 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 121 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

Passed