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MississippiSB 30672026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Appropriation; Public Safety, Department of.

Sponsored By: W. Briggs Hopson III (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Appropriations CAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

14 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Funding for public safety operations

For FY 2027, the law provides $167.8 million from the General Fund and $113 million from funds credited to the Department for public safety operations. It also provides $5 million for commercial transportation enforcement. The Bureau of Narcotics may spend up to $500,000 on forfeiture-law work, including a website, and up to $500,000 from a drug-evidence fund for Bureau operations. These funds support agencies and programs, not direct household payments.

Pay and staffing rules for public safety workers

For FY 2027, the Department sets aside $155.6 million for staff and authorizes 1,688 permanent and 66 time-limited positions. This includes three new roles: a physician supervisor, a forensic scientist, and a forensic technician. Sworn officers who do not wear uniforms may receive up to $1,000 a year for clothing, and licensed officer-pilots receive $900 in extra pay, bringing their authorized extra pay to $1,000. The Department may approve non-retroactive pay corrections and pay for saved compensatory time within available funds. Vacancy funds cannot pay for raises or promotions for current workers, and up to $10 million in extra funding is allowed for documented overtime.

Grants for officers’ training and safety

Eligible law-enforcement officers can receive grants for advanced training or safety equipment. Total grants cannot exceed $2 million during FY 2027, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Officers must qualify under state law.

Funding for Mississippi school safety

The state provides $242,603 for work under the Mississippi School Safety Act of 2019. The money supports school-safety activities from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Money for court-linked public programs

The law may allocate $4.3 million from General Fund court assessments to listed programs during FY 2027. Amounts include $2.28 million for officer training, $629,543 for DNA identification, and $404,795 for implied-consent testing. Other allocations include $264,007 for the Information Exchange Network, $197,691 for the Leadership Council on Aging, $191,361 for death benefits, $160,431 for alcohol programs, $99,003 for Crime Stoppers, $75,794 for adult driver training, and $13,573 for license reinstatement and drug-abuse programs.

More support for Capitol district policing

The Department may subgrant part of its funds to the Jackson Police Department for eligible work in the Capitol Complex Improvement District. Capitol Police and Jackson Police must first agree on their roles. The law also provides Capitol Police $900,000 to help house people detained after arrest in the district during FY 2027.

No more quota-based speed tickets

During FY 2027, the Department cannot issue speed-limit citations based on a quota or use this act’s funds for quota-based tickets. Officers can still issue tickets outside a quota system.

Statewide human trafficking response staff

The state provides $250,000 for a statewide human trafficking coordinator and a data analyst in the Bureau of Investigation. They coordinate statewide work and work with Child Protection Services for recovered victims. Funding runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Payment for past vendor expenses

The Department may pay vendors $14,339.90 for expenses from fiscal years 2023 through 2024. The payment authority runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The money goes to vendors, not directly to households.

Purchase preference for blind industries

The Department gives Mississippi Industries for the Blind preference in certain purchases. For competitive bids, the preference applies when competing bids are equal in price, quality, and service.

More active billing for forensic services

The Department must assign employees to help bill and collect fees for forensic laboratory services. The law does not change fee amounts or specify which service users owe them.

Local governments keep paying justice center costs

Local governments must keep contributing toward the Justice Information Center’s computer costs. The law gives no contribution amount, so the effect on local budgets or residents’ taxes cannot be calculated.

Renewed funding for safety projects

The state renews up to $6.43 million for listed public safety projects, limited to money left unspent on June 30, 2026. Projects include $3.12 million for the driver-license system, $2 million for forensic case backlogs, $1.1 million for Capitol security, and smaller amounts for a Canton building, officers’ vests, and forensic equipment. The law also provides $278,000 for training academy repairs, $180,000 for three forensic imaging units, and up to $2.6 million for Biloxi lab heating and cooling repairs. The Capitol security project cannot receive state funds or contracts until required reviews, committee approvals, and a permit are complete.

New limits on public safety spending

During FY 2027, the Department cannot use this act’s funds or paid staff for publicity benefiting another state agency or officer. It may use available funds for technology or equipment upgrades when they save money through efficiency, or when projected savings exceed the cost. The commissioner may move special funds between Department divisions, up to $20 million total, after giving written notice before spending act funds.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • W. Briggs Hopson III

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Dennis DeBar, Jr.

    Republican • Senate

  • Rod Hickman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Daniel H. Sparks

    Republican • Senate

  • Angela Turner Ford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Brice Wiggins

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 341 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 120 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 120 • No: 0

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. 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 Deweese,Cockerham,Turner

    3/19/2026House

  9. Conferees Named Hopson,Wiggins,DeBar

    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 A2

    3/11/2026House

  16. DR - TSDPAA: A2 To AP

    3/10/2026House

  17. Referred To Appropriations C;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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