MississippiSB 30962026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Appropriation; Military Department.

Sponsored By: W. Briggs Hopson III (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Appropriations CAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Help with military health premiums

The law provides $4.4 million for the TRICARE Premium Reimbursement Program in fiscal year 2027. The money supports premium reimbursements, but the law does not set individual amounts. Unspent funds return to the General Fund and cannot go to other programs. A report on participation, effectiveness, and medical readiness is due December 1, 2026.

More funding for student aid

The law sets aside $5.8 million for the State Educational Assistance Program from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The money comes from the Education Enhancement Fund. The law does not change who qualifies or set individual award amounts.

More money for Guard operations

For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $13.9 million for Mississippi National Guard operations and $248.9 million for Guard programs and agreements. The money comes from the General Fund and four Guard-related funds. The law authorizes 913 permanent positions and no time-limited positions from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. It does not guarantee that every position will be filled.

Funding for veteran centers and museum

The law provides $668,356 for the Armed Forces Military Museum at Camp Shelby in fiscal year 2027. It also provides up to $300,000 for the Sonny Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans at Mississippi State University. The funding supports these organizations; it does not set individual veteran benefits.

Land purchase expands Camp Shelby

The law provides $650,000 in fiscal year 2027 to buy land within and near Camp Shelby’s training area. The purchase expands the training area and secures its buffer zone. Unspent money returns to the Capital Expense Fund and cannot be transferred to other programs.

Blind industries get purchase preference

Mississippi Industries for the Blind gets preference for Military Department purchases when competing bids match in price, quality, and service. A similar preference applies to purchases made without competitive bids. The law sets no purchase amount.

New rules for military grant funds

The law lets the Adjutant General transfer appropriated funds to Military Department special funds to meet federal grant-matching requirements. The Department must give written notice to the Legislative Budget Office and the Department of Finance and Administration before a transfer. It must report transfers and project status to legislative appropriations chairs and the Legislative Budget Office by October 1 each year.

More support for Youth Challenge

The law provides $2,339,614 for the Youth Challenge Program at Camp Shelby in fiscal year 2027. It also provides $10,000 for staff uniforms. Up to $1.9 million is available for Youth Challenge Academies facility work, limited to the amount left unspent on June 30, 2026. That money must keep its original purpose, and all funding is for the year ending June 30, 2027.

Limits on Guard training reimbursements

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law bars the use of its General Funds to reimburse Guard members for authorized training costs. Per diem and travel compensation must instead come from federal funds made available to the Guard for ancillary purposes. The law sets no personal payment amount.

Guard salary funds cannot be replaced

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the Mississippi Military Department cannot use this law’s General Funds to replace federal or other special funds withdrawn from authorized salaries. The rule limits how the Department can use its money. It does not itself require employees to pay anything or state that salaries will be reduced.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

W. Briggs Hopson III
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Scott DeLano
Republican • Senate
Joseph M. Seymour
Republican • Senate
Sarita Simmons
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Tate
Republican • Senate
Bart Williams
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 339 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 120 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended