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MississippiHB 19352026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Appropriation; Education, Department of.

Sponsored By: Karl Oliver (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Appropriations EAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

19 provisions identified: 16 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Billions for public school budgets FY2027

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state provides $2.81 billion for the Mississippi Student Funding Formula for FY2027. The per‑student base amount is $7,201.77 for FY2027. The state also redistributes $62,191 to Chickasaw Cession school districts using the FY1985 method.

More FY2027 money for K-12 schools

The law provides $2,004,747,763 from special funds to the State Department of Education, not including the vocational division. It also sends $268,025,562 to the state student funding formula for school districts. Funds are for FY2027 and start July 1, 2026.

CTE and computer science funding boost

Beginning July 1, 2026, the state boosts Career and Technical Education (CTE). Districts get up to $5,887,497 for CTE pay under the Minimum Salary Schedule, and $651,934 supports secondary CTE instructors teaching at postsecondary sites. New CTE programs get $1,432,872 (no admin overhead), and up to $1,500,000 funds CTE technology and ME STEM/STEAM, including up to $1,000,000 to MSU’s Center for Cyber Education. The state may fund up to $4,238,525 for MSU’s Research & Curriculum Unit contract and $500,000 for student CTE grants. District‑trained teachers may teach elementary computer science.

Monthly National Board pay and support

Starting July 1, 2026, educators who meet National Board rules get their full supplement spread across monthly paychecks. At least $24.08 million funds National Board Certification, including $700,000 for the World Class Teacher Program. The law changes timing, not the supplement amount.

More early learning and preschool slots

Starting July 1, 2026, $29 million funds early learning collaboratives at least $2,500 per full‑day student and $1,250 per half‑day student, with required matching. Public preschool programs not in collaboratives can apply for $13 million in grants. The state reuses up to $40,460,115 for early learning and instructional materials if money remains from the prior year. Districts getting Save the Children funds may add an optional 10% local match.

New $2,000 pay for special education staff

Beginning July 1, 2026, licensed full‑time special education teachers get a $2,000 annual supplement. Licensed occupational therapists and licensed school psychologists employed by public school districts also get $2,000 each year. Eligible professional school counselors who meet the experience rule in Section 37-151-5(m) are treated as having one extra year of experience for salary step pay.

Reading, math, and financial literacy support

Beginning July 1, 2026, $9 million funds an Adolescent Literacy Initiative and $3.48 million funds Mississippi Math Act programs. $24.09 million pays for the Literacy Initiative and approved instructional materials distributed through textbook depositories. $121,000 builds financial literacy into grades 6–8. $2.17 million runs a statewide synchronous instruction project. The state pays for the ACT as the college readiness test in the accountability model.

Agency funding and short-term district loans

For FY2027, the State Department of Education receives $136.38 million for operations (not including the Vocational and Technical Division). The Vocational and Technical Education Division receives $92.48 million. The Charter School Authorizer Board receives $1.40 million. From July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, the Department may loan up to $5 million to school districts, with repayment due by June 30, 2027.

New room and board fees at schools

Beginning July 1, 2026, room and board costs $500 per semester at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science and the Mississippi School of the Arts. The fee is waived if the student is enrolled in SCHIP. Families pay $500 times the number of charged semesters if no SCHIP waiver applies.

More support for career and technical education

The law gives $22,725,318 for the Vocational and Technical Education Division for FY2027. It allows up to $1,023,574 for programs that run more than 10 months. It transfers up to $75,000 to the Soil and Water Conservation Commission for matching equipment funds. It caps support for the Future Farmers of America Center at $175,000. These funds take effect July 1, 2026.

Health premiums help for retired bus drivers

Local school districts may choose to pay 100% of health insurance premiums for retired PERS members who work as school bus drivers. They must use local funds only. No state funds can pay these premiums. This authority starts July 1, 2026.

Protected funds for ESA and Educable Child

Starting July 1, 2026, at least $5,014,826 funds Education Scholarship Accounts, with intent that the State Department of Education and the Governor do not reduce these funds. At least $17,558,000 supports the Educable Child Program, allocated using a formula that counts only billable days funded by the state. Educable Child funds are protected from certain budget cuts.

Tie-bid preference for Blind Industries

When two bids tie on price, quality, and service, Mississippi Industries for the Blind gets preference. The same preference applies when buying without competitive bids. This rule starts July 1, 2026.

Student vision checks and health funding

The law provides $126,472 for the Mississippi Eye Screening Program to support student vision checks. It also requires a $700,000 transfer to the Board of Health by December 31, 2026. These funds support school health work in FY2027 and start July 1, 2026.

One-time funds for named education projects

For FY2027, $7,837,500 goes to named education recipients. Examples include $3,000,000 for Detention Centers, $225,000 for the Dyslexia Program, and $1,000,000 for Magnolia Speech School. Each recipient manages the funds and is responsible for improper spending.

Payments to Chickasaw Cession counties

The law pays $21,623,074 from the State General Fund to Chickasaw Cession counties. The money compensates them for sixteenth section school lands lost through sale. The payment applies to FY2027 and starts July 1, 2026.

School safety, nurses, and attendance support

Starting July 1, 2026, $2,000,000 funds MCOPS school safety grants, with up to 1% for training and oversight. $3,060,000 supports the public school nurse program. At least $7,383,704 funds one school attendance officer for every 4,000 compulsory‑school‑aged children.

Stable funding for state residential schools

Starting July 1, 2026, the Mississippi School of the Arts receives $2,811,474, with $1,405,737 due by July 10, 2026 and $1,405,737 due by January 10, 2027. The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science receives $4,112,904, and Section 4(a) funds are paid monthly within ten working days after receipt. The State Board may not reduce these amounts. The Schools for the Blind and Deaf receive $10,711,919 (Section 1(a)), $1,557,037 (Section 4(a)), and $2,459,725 (Section 2(a)), and attendance officers and academic teachers at those schools receive their annual pay increment.

Staffing and pay controls at Education Department

The law sets FY2027 payroll caps and staffing limits. Main office caps: $25,471,446 (General Funds), $16,977,043 (Special Funds), total $42,448,489, with 382 permanent and 124 time‑limited jobs. Section 9 caps: $3,560,928 (GF), $503,683 (SF), total $4,064,611, with 48 permanent and 5 time‑limited jobs, and $406,461 in vacancy funding. It creates 52 new jobs: 40 Education Program Specialists, 3 General Management, 9 School Attendance Officers. Personal Services dollars cannot be moved to other categories; vacancy money can only fill jobs, not pay raises or title changes. Position or salary increases above caps need written state approval. The board must keep records like FY2026 and file the FY2028 budget in the same detail used for the FY2027 request.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Karl Oliver

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • William Tracy Arnold

    Republican • House

  • Nicole Boyd

    Republican • Senate

  • Hines

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Vince Mangold

    Republican • House

  • Steve Massengill

    Republican • House

  • John Read

    Republican • House

  • Rob Roberson

    Republican • House

  • Donnie Scoggin

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 340 • No: 2

House vote • 3/30/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 48 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 51 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2026

Passed

Yes: 121 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/8/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/1/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/1/2026Senate

  4. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    3/31/2026House

  5. Motion to Reconsider Entered (Oliver)

    3/30/2026House

  6. Conference Report Adopted

    3/30/2026House

  7. Conference Report Adopted

    3/29/2026Senate

  8. Conference Report Filed

    3/27/2026Senate

  9. Conference Report Filed

    3/27/2026House

  10. Conferees Named Hopson,DeBar,Blackwell

    3/19/2026Senate

  11. Conferees Named Oliver,Cockerham,Roberson

    3/19/2026House

  12. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/18/2026House

  13. Returned For Concurrence

    3/13/2026Senate

  14. Passed As Amended

    3/12/2026Senate

  15. Amended

    3/12/2026Senate

  16. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/12/2026Senate

  17. Referred To Appropriations

    2/27/2026Senate

  18. Transmitted To Senate

    2/20/2026House

  19. Passed

    2/19/2026House

  20. Title Suff Do Pass

    2/18/2026House

  21. DR - TSDP: AP To A4

    2/18/2026House

  22. DR - TSDP: A4 To AP

    2/17/2026House

  23. Referred To Appropriations E;Appropriations A

    2/16/2026House

Bill Text

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