Bill > SB2883

This bill amends Mississippi law to authorize the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to establish a new grant program for staffing welcome centers across the state. Under the new provisions, MDA can enter into contracts with county boards of supervisors to help fund welcome center staffing, creating the Mississippi Welcome Centers Staff Grant Program. Counties can apply for grants to cover staffing expenses, including employee compensation, with the grant amount determined based on each county's submitted budget and staffing plan. The bill establishes a special "Mississippi Welcome Centers Staff Grant Fund" to disburse these funds, with MDA responsible for developing program regulations, informing counties about the grant opportunity, and providing an annual comprehensive report on the program's effectiveness by October 1st each year. Importantly, the staff hired through these grants will not be state employees or part of the Public Employees' Retirement System. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes a provision for the program to be automatically repealed on June 30, 2025, which suggests it is intended as a temporary initiative to support local welcome center operations.

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https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/SB/SB2883.xml