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MississippiSB 30632026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Appropriation; Community and Junior College Board - Support for community and junior colleges.

Sponsored By: W. Briggs Hopson III (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Appropriations EAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

College construction and repair funding

The law provides $20 million from the Education Enhancement Fund for construction, repair, and renovation at 15 public community and junior colleges. Each college receives a fixed amount set by law. The funding covers projects from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

More funding for Mississippi community colleges

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law provides $226.3 million in general funds and $92.8 million in special funds for public community colleges. Up to $174.1 million in general funds and $51.9 million in education funds go through a formula based mainly on prior-year student hours. The formula gives extra weight to nursing and allied health programs. Students generally must be Mississippi residents and attend on the sixth-week count date; MPACT beneficiaries count as residents for this funding, and nonresident nursing students can count for pay purposes.

More job training for adult learners

The law sets aside up to $6.75 million for workforce centers, new career programs, and replacement equipment. It provides $3 million for low-skill adults to pursue high school equivalency, job skills, and workforce credentials. Half of that amount is divided equally among colleges; the rest is based on prior-year enrollment in adult education and career pathways. Another $10 million supports new or expanded career and technical programs, labs, equipment, and renovations. Colleges share 15% equally, while the other 85% depends on prior-year career and technical student hours.

More support for college programs

The law provides $10 million for education technology at community colleges, including $7.1 million in general funds and $2.9 million in education funds. It also provides about $2.6 million for nursing and allied health programs and $179,050 for sign language interpreter training. The money supports college programs through June 30, 2027; it does not promise individual students a grant or tuition discount.

Insurance help, limits on college pay

The law authorizes up to $32.6 million to help community college employees join the state life and health insurance plan. It also provides $1 million to fully fund coverage for qualified employees, and unused insurance funds carry forward for the same purpose. Colleges cannot use this act’s general funds to pay the salary, wages, or benefits of an employee serving in the Mississippi Legislature. That restriction does not end the employee’s pay or bar another funding source.

Blind industry gets college bid preference

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Mississippi Community College Board and public colleges must prefer Mississippi Industries for the Blind when competing bids match in price, quality, and service. A similar preference applies to purchases made without competing bids. This changes college purchasing rules, not household payments.

New utility limits for college housing

Beginning July 1, 2026, funds provided by this act cannot pay for electricity, gas, butane, propane, cable, or phone service in state-furnished housing. The funds also cannot pay utility allowances. Dormitories are excluded. If actual utility costs cannot be determined, the agency must provide meters. This rule does not itself require occupants to pay the bills.

Limits on college board spending

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Mississippi Community College Board must account for money distributed under this act. The Board can use that money for administrative or other purposes only as allowed by its separate expense appropriation. This limits how the Board may use the funds and does not create a household payment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • W. Briggs Hopson III

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Nicole Boyd

    Republican • Senate

  • Dennis DeBar, Jr.

    Republican • Senate

  • Johnny L. DuPree

    Democratic • Senate

  • Hillman Terome Frazier

    Democratic • Senate

  • Daniel H. Sparks

    Republican • Senate

  • Bart Williams

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 341 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 121 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 119 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Passed

Yes: 51 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/8/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026Senate

  4. Unanimous Consent Granted

    3/29/2026Senate

  5. Conference Report Adopted

    3/29/2026Senate

  6. Conference Report Adopted

    3/29/2026House

  7. Unanimous Consent Granted

    3/29/2026House

  8. Conference Report Filed

    3/27/2026Senate

  9. Conference Report Filed

    3/27/2026House

  10. Conferees Named Oliver,Cockerham,Scoggin

    3/19/2026House

  11. Conferees Named Hopson,Frazier,Sparks

    3/19/2026Senate

  12. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/17/2026Senate

  13. Returned For Concurrence

    3/13/2026House

  14. Passed As Amended

    3/12/2026House

  15. Amended

    3/12/2026House

  16. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/11/2026House

  17. DR - TSDPAA: AP To A4

    3/11/2026House

  18. DR - TSDPAA: A4 To AP

    3/11/2026House

  19. Referred To Appropriations E;Appropriations A

    2/24/2026House

  20. Transmitted To House

    2/23/2026Senate

  21. Passed

    2/19/2026Senate

  22. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/19/2026Senate

  23. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/18/2026Senate

  24. Referred To Appropriations

    2/17/2026Senate

Bill Text

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