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MississippiSB 30642026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Appropriation; Employment Security, Department of.

Sponsored By: Hopson

Signed by Governor

Appropriations EAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

More money for job training programs

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Office of Workforce Development can spend up to $40 million from the Workforce Enhancement Training Fund only on training. At least $2 million must carry into FY2028 to start the Workforce Education Program. The Office can also use up to $25 million from the Mississippi Works Fund and up to $3.17 million from State Workforce Investment Funds. Up to $300,000 supports the new Mississippi Office of Apprenticeship. This expands access to training, upskilling, and apprenticeships statewide.

Keeps unemployment services funded and improved

For FY2027 (July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027), the state funds unemployment services at MDES with $138.3 million from the State Treasury and $1.8 million from the General Fund. It also authorizes $33.047 million from the federal Unemployment Trust Fund to improve claims, reduce fraud, upgrade tech, and cover facilities and training. MDES staffing is capped at 384 permanent and 46 time‑limited positions. Personal services are limited to $30.4 million, and vacancy funds must fill jobs, not pay raises or promotions.

Funds workforce office with overhead limits

For FY2027, the Office of Workforce Development gets $20.54 million from the General Fund and can use up to $70.27 million from special‑source funds. It sets $4.14 million for operating costs and adds $400,000 via MDES for administrative support. Limits apply: Section 10 funds generally cannot pay OWD operating costs unless lawmakers allow it; only reasonable grant‑oversight fees are allowed. This keeps more program dollars going to training and services.

More career coaches and student money lessons

The state provides $15.6 million in FY2027 to run the Career Coaching Program. It adds $300,000 for a nonprofit to teach financial literacy and job skills to grades 6–12, with volunteer teachers allowed. Up to $200,000 supports Pathways2Possibilities, and $400,000 supports the Skills Foundation. These steps help students and adults explore jobs, plan careers, and build money skills.

Recovery-to-work pilot and safeguards

Beginning July 1, 2026, $1 million from the Opioid Settlement Fund runs a recovery‑to‑work pilot with drug courts, treatment providers, and recovery housing. Any group receiving these opioid funds must certify under oath it has no banned contingent‑fee contract tied to laws or executive action. Funds are withheld for failure to certify or for violations. The pilot helps people in recovery connect to jobs while protecting how grants are used.

Support for regional workforce partnerships

Up to $100,000 from the Mississippi Works Fund supports Area Development Partnerships in FY2027. The state allocates $700,150 from the Project Poppy Fund to speed needed services. It also reappropriates $75,000 to continue Save the Children workforce and education projects, limited to unspent balances as of June 30, 2026 and the original purpose. These funds back local partnerships and special projects that connect people to work.

Workforce help for people leaving prison

FY2027 funds support the Office of Workforce Development to coordinate job training at the Department of Corrections under state law. The goal is better training and reentry services for incarcerated and returning individuals.

Tie-bid preference for Industries for the Blind

When two or more bids are equal in price, quality, and service, or when buying without competitive bids, state agencies give preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind. This steers some state purchasing to that supplier.

Stronger workforce data, goals, and reporting

Up to $1.4 million funds the state system that links education and job data. Another $500,000 supports tracking workforce funding and outcome reports. The Office has FY2027 goals, like 2,000 jobs retained or upskilled, 60% job placement in the field, 250 added training seats, student credential and exposure targets, and a 90‑day launch time. MDES and OWD must keep detailed accounting and personnel records and send comparable FY2028 budget requests.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Hopson

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • Nicole Boyd

    Republican • Senate

  • DeBar

    Affiliation unavailable

  • 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: 339 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 120 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/19/2026

Passed

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor

    4/9/2026legislature

  2. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026House

  3. Enrolled Bill Signed

    4/2/2026Senate

  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 Oliver,Cockerham,Mangold

    3/19/2026House

  9. Conferees Named Hopson,Frazier,Sparks

    3/19/2026Senate

  10. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/17/2026Senate

  11. Returned For Concurrence

    3/13/2026House

  12. Passed As Amended

    3/12/2026House

  13. Amended

    3/12/2026House

  14. Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

    3/11/2026House

  15. DR - TSDPAA: AP To A4

    3/11/2026House

  16. DR - TSDPAA: A4 To AP

    3/11/2026House

  17. Referred To Appropriations E;Appropriations A

    2/24/2026House

  18. Transmitted To House

    2/23/2026Senate

  19. Passed

    2/19/2026Senate

  20. Committee Substitute Adopted

    2/19/2026Senate

  21. Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

    2/18/2026Senate

  22. Referred To Appropriations

    2/17/2026Senate

Bill Text

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