Bill > HB1645

This bill, known as the "State-Managed Disaster Act of 2026," establishes a program to allow the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to manage state-funded disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, recognizing that federal disaster funding policies are shifting to place greater responsibility on states. The Act creates a "State-Managed Disaster Assistance Trust Fund" to hold legislative appropriations for disaster relief, which can be accessed by the MEMA director, with the Governor's approval, to reimburse state and local agencies for costs associated with emergencies, including those involving the Mississippi Department of Transportation or the Mississippi National Guard. The director is empowered to adopt rules and regulations, request services from other state agencies, and require local agencies to hold the state harmless from damages related to funded projects, while also reporting annually to the Governor and Legislature on the trust fund's operations. The Act specifies that the trust fund can be used for projects under the Disaster Assistance Act of 1993 and other lawful disaster assistance purposes, with provisions for requisitioning funds if the trust is insufficient and limits on allocations, including up to $20 million for administrative costs. Local agencies must declare a local emergency to be eligible for state funding, and any state contributions for facility repair will be reduced by insurance settlements received or that should have been received. The Act also outlines procedures for advance fund payments and ensures that unexpended funds in the trust fund do not lapse into the general fund but remain available for disaster-related purposes.

Government Affairs

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1645.xml