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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

22 provisions identified: 16 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.

More funding for Mississippi public schools

For fiscal year 2027, the law funds the education department and sends about $3.1 billion to the Student Funding Formula. The formula uses a $7,201.77 base amount per unit. The law also provides $16 million for school buildings and buses, $25 million for learning materials, and $11.3 million for testing. Funding runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Retired bus drivers may get premiums paid

A school district may choose to pay all health plan premiums for a retired Public Employees’ Retirement System member it employs as a bus driver. The district must use local funds, not state funds. The law does not require districts to offer this benefit.

More support for Mississippi teachers

School Attendance Officers and academic teachers at the Mississippi School for the Deaf and the Mississippi School for the Blind receive annual salary increments; the law does not state the amount. The law also sets aside at least $24.08 million for National Board Certification, including $700,000 for teacher instruction and help. Another $3.5 million supports the Mississippi Teacher Residency Program. Funding applies during fiscal year 2027.

School policing grants for districts

The law provides $2 million for school policing grants through the Mississippi Community Oriented Policing Services in Schools program. Up to 1% of the funds can pay for training and program oversight, including audits.

More career and technology training

The law provides $92.5 million in general funds and $22.7 million in special funds for vocational and technical education. It also funds extended-year programs, career and technical grants, WorkKeys testing, and advanced coursework. Up to $1.5 million supports farm technology, computer science, engineering, and elementary science programs; up to $1 million supports K–12 computer science lessons and teacher training. Other funding supports the Future Farmers of America Center and soil conservation equipment.

More classroom support for reading and math

For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $6.8 million for the Literacy Initiative and Assessment and $5 million for school math coaches. It also provides $2.2 million to operate the State-Wide Synchronous Instructional Project for participating schools and students. These funds support school programs, not direct household payments.

More help with school attendance

The law directs at least $7,383,704 to school attendance services and student success and graduation coaches. Staffing must include one attendance officer for every 4,000 children of compulsory school age.

Room and board fees at state schools

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 for students enrolled in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

More preschool support for young children

For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $21.2 million for Early Learning Collaboratives, $13 million for other public-school early learning programs, and $3.3 million for early learning coaches. Collaboratives must receive at least $2,500 per full-day student and $1,250 per half-day student. State law requires local matching funds, so districts share some program costs.

National Board teachers get monthly supplements

Employees who meet the National Board requirements receive the full supplement. The supplement is paid in prorated amounts through monthly paychecks. The law does not state the supplement amount.

More school nursing and eye screening

The law directs $3.06 million from the Mississippi Department of Health to a public school nurse program. It also provides $126,472 for the Mississippi Eye Screening Program from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The law does not name the schools or students served.

Funding for Mississippi specialty schools

For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $1.1 million from the Education Enhancement Fund and $1 million in trust-fund income for the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. It also provides $927,632 for the Mississippi School of the Arts and $1,557,037 for the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Blind. The money supports the schools, not direct household payments.

Grants for named education programs

The law requires $7,837,500 in transfers to named education and related programs for fiscal year 2027. Major recipients include detention centers, Magnolia Speech School, Algebra Nation, Sight Savers, ACT Prep, and Reading Clinic. Recipients must spend the money under state law and are responsible for improper spending.

More teachers can teach elementary computer science

Elementary computer science classes can be taught by certified teachers or by teachers trained by their district in computer science instruction. The law does not state an effective date or end date.

Protected funding for education scholarships

The law directs at least $5,014,826 to the Education Scholarship Account Program and says the Department of Education and Governor’s Office should not reduce that amount. The law also allocates $5,014,826 for students with special needs and the programs serving them. These are program funds, not a set payment to each household.

Blind-owned businesses get buying preference

The Department of Education gives the Mississippi Industries for the Blind preference when two or more competitive bids match in price, quality, and service. A similar preference applies to purchases made without competitive bids.

State health board receives $700,000

The law directs $700,000 to the Mississippi Board of Health by December 31, 2026. It does not state how the board will use the money or identify a direct household benefit.

Protected funding for the Educable Child Program

At least $17.6 million must support the Educable Child Program for the year beginning July 1, 2026. The state funding formula counts only billable days paid for with state money, not district money. The funding is protected from legislative or gubernatorial Department of Education budget cuts through June 30, 2027.

Chickasaw county and school funding

For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $21.6 million to eligible Chickasaw Cession counties for lost school lands. It also reallocates $62,191 among school districts in the area using the fiscal year 1985 method. The county money runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Residents do not receive direct payments.

District loans and optional local matches

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department of Education can loan school districts up to $5 million total. Districts must repay loans by June 30, 2027. A district receiving Save the Children funds may also provide an optional 10% match from local funds.

Limits on education agency staffing budgets

For fiscal year 2027, the covered Department of Education personnel budget is capped at $42.4 million and allows 506 positions, including 52 new jobs. The agency covered by Section 9 has a $4.1 million personnel cap and 53 authorized positions. Vacancy funds can fill authorized vacancies but cannot pay for promotions or salary increases for current employees. The agencies cannot move personal-services funds to other spending categories or annualize personnel actions above the appropriation, subject to the stated exception for escalated funds.

Property tax grant budgets show tax reductions

A school district cannot spend its School Ad Valorem Reduction Grant unless its public budget lists the grant amount and includes a statement about the tax reduction. This makes the grant and stated tax reduction easier for residents to see. The law does not set any household’s property tax change.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Karl Oliver

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • William Tracy Arnold

    Republican • House

  • Randy P. Boyd

    Republican • House

  • John W. Hines, Sr.

    Democratic • House

  • 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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