Bill > SB2671

This bill, by bringing forward Section 25-3-39 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, proposes to amend existing law regarding the maximum salaries for certain public officers and employees in the executive branch of state government. Generally, it states that no such individual should receive an annual salary exceeding 125% of the Governor's salary, and their salaries cannot be supplemented by any funds, including federal or private sources, meaning they must be fully paid by the state. However, several exceptions are outlined, including academic officials and employees of higher learning institutions, licensed physicians who are public employees, certain professional employees of the Department of Mental Health if approved by the State Personnel Board, the Commissioner of Child Protection Services, and specific high-ranking officials at the Public Employees' Retirement System. The bill also grants the Governor the authority to set the salaries for the Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, the Commissioner of Child Protection Services, and the Governor's Chief of Staff, with specific limitations on the Chief of Staff's salary and provisions for supplementing the Mississippi Development Authority's Executive Director's salary under certain conditions, including public disclosure of private fund donors. Additionally, it reiterates that no public officer or employee can be paid more than their agency head, with potential exemptions for physicians and actuaries if market wages prevent recruitment, and allows agency heads appointed by the Governor to waive all or part of their established salary. This act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

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https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2671.xml