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MississippiSB 30912026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Appropriation; Agriculture and Commerce, Department of.

Sponsored By: W. Briggs Hopson III (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Appropriations BAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Seniors get farmers market nutrition pilot

Starting July 1, 2026, the department must run a senior farmers’ market nutrition pilot. People older than 60 with income within 130% of the poverty level qualify. Program spending cannot exceed $30,000. The law does not set an individual benefit amount.

Department gets operating funds

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law provides $9.76 million from the General Fund for department expenses. It also authorizes $19.45 million from special-source funds, including Market Bulletin subscriptions and museum admissions. The funding covers department divisions and programs. It includes $600,000 from the Fruit and Vegetable Revolving Fund, $74,805 for the Egg Marketing Board, and $250,000 for the Regulatory program.

Peanut inspections during harvest

The law states the Legislature’s intention that the Agriculture and Commerce Department assign an employee or contractor to inspect peanuts during the statewide annual harvest. It does not set inspection fees or a specific funding amount.

State buying favors blind industries

Starting July 1, 2026, the department must prefer Mississippi Industries for the Blind when competing bids match in price, quality, and service. A similar preference applies to purchases made without competitive bids.

State museum, fairgrounds and equine repairs

The law provides $750,000 for museum operations, improvements, and promotion tied to its historical purpose, plus $270,000 for repairs at the Museum Café, Forestry Auditorium, and Sparkman Building. It provides $685,350 for fairgrounds repairs, including asphalt, barn lighting, and plumbing; the department must report spending by January 15 and within 90 days after the fiscal year ends. The law also provides $375,000 for Kirk Fordice Equine Center elevator repairs and replacement, plus up to $233,556 in remaining funds for elevator repairs and replacement seating. Up to $50,000 in remaining funds covers fairgrounds barn lighting, repairs, and maintenance. The carried-forward funds must stay with their original purposes, and the $233,556 and $50,000 amounts cannot exceed balances unspent on June 30, 2026.

More matching money for food program

For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $400,000 in matching funds for the Mississippi Healthy Food and Families Program. The provision does not set household eligibility rules or an individual benefit amount.

Counties fund beaver control

For fiscal year 2027, the law provides up to $1.1 million for the Beaver Control Program. Funding includes $650,000 from the Department of Transportation and private fees, and $200,000 from the State Forestry Commission. Participating counties must pay up to $7,500. Any county payment above that amount can only be used in that county.

Department may accept outside grants

Starting July 1, 2026, the department may accept and spend grants, donations, and contributions under Department of Finance and Administration rules. Escalations of federal funds cannot exceed $1 million. The Commissioner must notify legislative leaders and the Legislative Budget Office in writing by the 15th day of the month before an escalation takes effect. The notice must explain its reason, amount, and planned use.

Department workers face salary limits

For fiscal year 2027, the department can spend up to $15,353,749 on staff pay: $8,221,236 in general funds and $7,132,513 in special funds. The law authorizes 221 permanent and 13 time-limited positions. Vacancy funds are limited to filling authorized open positions, not promotions or other salary increases, with an exception for essential new hires. Raising staffing or pay limits requires written approval and proof of extra funds. Personal-services funds cannot be moved to another spending category, and general funds cannot replace withdrawn federal or other special salary funds.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • W. Briggs Hopson III

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Dennis DeBar, Jr.

    Republican • Senate

  • Don Hartness

    Republican • Senate

  • Tyler McCaughn

    Republican • Senate

  • Benjamin Suber

    Republican • Senate

  • Jeff Tate

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Thompson

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 331 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 113 • No: 1 • Other: 3

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 117 • No: 1 • Other: 2

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 Bounds,Cockerham,Pigott

    3/19/2026House

  9. Conferees Named Hopson,McCaughn,Tate

    3/19/2026Senate

  10. Decline to Concur/Invite Conf

    3/17/2026Senate

  11. Returned For Concurrence

    3/13/2026House

  12. Motion to Reconsider Tabled

    3/13/2026House

  13. Motion to Reconsider Entered (Bell (65th), Bounds)

    3/12/2026House

  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 A1

    3/11/2026House

  18. DR - TSDPAA: A1 To AP

    3/10/2026House

  19. Referred To Appropriations B;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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