Bill > HB1904

This bill appropriates funds for the support and maintenance of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, allocating $21,065,835 from the State General Fund and $86,096,991 from special funds, which includes $5,750,000 from state excise taxes on petroleum products for the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund, and further specifies allocations for Project WILD from the Education Enhancement Fund, outlines strict guidelines for "Personal Services" expenditures, including salary and headcount limitations, and defines "Vacancy Funding" as funds for approved unfilled positions to increase headcount rather than raise existing salaries. The bill also provides allowances for conservation officer uniforms, directs the Department of Revenue to set aside funds for the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund after prioritizing the Highway Bonds Sinking Fund, allows for the expenditure of Wildlife Heritage Funds with reporting requirements, authorizes cooperative agreements with counties for park and habitat improvements, mandates compliance with state laws regarding motor vehicle use and commercial driver's licenses, provides financial support for a project specialist with the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service, allows for the use of State Park Timber Endowment Funds for park operations, prioritizes purchases from Mississippi Industries for the Blind, allocates specific amounts for Chronic Wasting Disease detection, playground security at LeFleur's Bluff State Park, the Youth Participation Initiative, and projects awarded by the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, authorizes agreements for park management and multi-year contracts for signage, prohibits the closure of state-owned wildlife management areas without legislative approval and state parks without legislative approval, permits the purchase of property damage insurance, designates funds for Special Projects operations without using them for "Personal Services," allows the department to receive and expend funds from the Gulf and Wildlife Protection Fund for conservation efforts, and reappropriates $868,119 from the Capital Expense Fund for museum renovation and allocates $10,000,000 from the Capital Expense Fund for Parks Improvement Plan projects, all while emphasizing efficient and effective use of funds and adherence to performance targets.

Budget and Finance

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1904.xml