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MississippiSB 31012026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Appropriation; Veterans Affairs Board.

Sponsored By: W. Briggs Hopson III (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Appropriations CAppropriations AAppropriations

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Care cost help for veterans’ families

The law provides $250,000 to help cover state veterans home care costs for indigent or low-income Mississippi veterans. A nonveteran surviving spouse can qualify if they lived in a state veterans home when the veteran died and meet the Board’s income criteria. Current surviving spouses can qualify for past periods when they met those criteria. The law does not set an individual payment amount.

More money for state veterans homes

For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $6.357 million in state funds and $48.012 million in available special funds for veterans home operations and salaries. The funding supports 242 permanent and 254 time-limited positions; up to $5 million from a separate fund can also support home operations. The law sets aside $3.5 million from the Section 2 appropriation for roof, heating, and boiler work at the Kosciusko and Collins Homes; that money is not additional to the appropriation. Up to $850,000 in unspent capital funds as of June 30, 2026, is reauthorized for startup costs at the Tradition Home and must keep its original purpose.

Funding for veterans affairs operations

For fiscal year 2027, the law provides $5.711 million in state general funds and $6.756 million in available special funds for the State Veterans Affairs Board. The money supports the Board’s operations and salaries from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. It does not create a direct household payment.

State favors blind suppliers on tied bids

The law gives Mississippi Industries for the Blind preference when agency bids match in price, quality, and service. A similar preference applies to purchases made without competitive bids. This changes agency purchasing, not household benefits or prices.

Veterans agency hiring and budget limits

For fiscal year 2027, the Board has $4.705 million for personal services, including $4.282 million in general funds and $423,478 in special funds, for 39 permanent and 25 time-limited positions. Its $182,695 in vacancy funding can only fill authorized jobs, not pay for promotions or raises; the amount adjusts proportionally if headcount changes before March 1, 2026. The Executive Director can move spending authority within and between Board and veterans home budgets, up to 25% of their authorized budgets in total, after sending written reasons to budget offices by the 15th of the prior month. Personal-service costs must stay within the FY2027 appropriation, and FY2028 funding cannot exceed FY2027 levels unless lawmakers approve new programs or positions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • W. Briggs Hopson III

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Dennis DeBar, Jr.

    Republican • Senate

  • 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: 342 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 3/29/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 121 • 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,Mickens

    3/19/2026House

  9. Conferees Named Hopson,Williams,Seymour

    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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