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MississippiSB 30982026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Appropriation; Secretary of State.

Sponsored By: Hopson

Signed by Governor

Appropriations DAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

Funds for land records and coasts

Section 2 money goes into the Land Records Maintenance Fund to pay local governments for taxes owed and property upkeep. The law also directs $16,309,000 to the Public Trust Tidelands Fund. The Secretary of State can transfer that amount to the Department of Marine Resources during FY 2027.

FY2027 funding for Secretary of State

The law provides $15,571,621 from the General Fund and lets the office spend $25,059,000 in special funds for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. It also reappropriates $2,186,988 for systems updates and upgrades, but only up to the unspent balance as of June 30, 2025. Section 1 funds may cover legal costs to enforce securities and charitable laws and to manage the Public Trust. This keeps core agency operations running and does not create direct household payments.

Stronger anti-nepotism and spending limits

Funds in this law can only pay for duties the Secretary of State is allowed to do by law. The office cannot use these funds to pay a relative within the third degree of the hiring official. If that happens, the official must repay three times the amount, and the Attorney General can recover it. A narrow exception applies for certain relations by marriage through a deceased person.

Support for voting systems and security

The law lets Section 1 funds pay bond costs for county voting systems and cover cybersecurity and election integrity. Section 2 funds go to the Elections Support Fund to buy, fix, or upgrade voting equipment and supplies. The fund can also hire temporary tech help, run elections, and train election officials. These supports apply July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Buying preference for Blind Industries

When bids are equal on price, quality, and service, the agency must choose Mississippi Industries for the Blind. The same preference applies for purchases made without competitive bids. This helps businesses that employ people who are blind.

Staffing and pay cap at Secretary of State

The law caps total pay and benefits at $7,842,078 for July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Salaries and fringe are $7,672,256, and vacancy funding is $169,822. The office may fill 96 permanent and 11 time-limited positions. Personal services funds cannot be moved to other spending categories.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Hopson

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

  • DeBar

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Scott DeLano

    Republican • Senate

  • Joseph M. Seymour

    Republican • Senate

  • Sarita Simmons

    Senate

  • Jeff Tate

    Republican • Senate

  • Bart Williams

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 325 • No: 2

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 117 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/12/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 107 • 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 Mims,Cockerham,McKnight

    3/19/2026House

  9. Conferees Named Hopson,Williams,Simmons (13th)

    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 A3

    3/11/2026House

  16. DR - TSDPAA: A3 To AP

    3/11/2026House

  17. Referred To Appropriations D;Appropriations A

    2/24/2026House

  18. Transmitted To House

    2/23/2026Senate

  19. Passed

    2/19/2026Senate

  20. Title Suff Do Pass

    2/18/2026Senate

  21. Referred To Appropriations

    2/17/2026Senate

Bill Text

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