Appropriation; Port Authority, State., the official text

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Appropriations B; Appropriations A

By: Representatives Bounds, Read, Anderson (122nd), Clark,
Eure, Hale, Jackson (11th), Pigott, Rosebud

House Bill 1895

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING
THE EXPENSES OF THE MISSISSIPPI STATE PORT AUTHORITY AT GULFPORT FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR 2027.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1.  The following sum, or so much thereof
as may be necessary, is authorized and approved for expenditure out of any
funds which are received by or otherwise become available to the Mississippi
State Port Authority at Gulfport, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of
the authority for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending
June 30, 2027...........................................

........................................... $
78,569,033.00.

SECTION 2.  Of the funds appropriated under the
provisions of Section 1, the following positions are authorized:

AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:

Permanent:           39

Time-Limited:         0

Any transfers or escalations
shall be made in accordance with the terms, conditions and procedures
established by law.

No general funds authorized
to be expended herein shall be used to replace federal funds and/or other
special funds which are being used for salaries authorized under the provisions
of this act and which are withdrawn and no longer available.

SECTION 3.  It is the
intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi State Port Authority at
Gulfport shall maintain complete accounting and personnel records related to
the expenditure of all funds appropriated under this act and that such records
shall be in the same format and level of detail as maintained for Fiscal Year
2026.  It is further the intention of the Legislature that the agency's budget
request for Fiscal Year 2028 shall be submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget
Committee in a format and level of detail comparable to the format and level of
detail provided during the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request process.

SECTION 4.  It is the
intention of the Legislature that whenever two (2) or more bids are received by
this agency for the purchase of commodities or equipment, and whenever all
things stated in such received bids are equal with respect to price, quality
and service, the Mississippi Industries for the Blind shall be given
preference.  A similar preference shall be given to the Mississippi Industries
for the Blind whenever purchases are made without competitive bids.

SECTION 5.  Of the
funds appropriated herein, Two Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($225,000.00)
is provided for the purpose of funding overtime, callback or standby pay.

SECTION 6.  It is the
intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi State Port Authority at
Gulfport shall only expend funds on activities directly related to the
operation of the state port.

SECTION 7.  It is the
intention of the Legislature that the funds herein appropriated shall be
expended in compliance with Section 27-104-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, that
no state agency shall incur obligations or indebtedness in excess of their
appropriation and that the responsible officers, either personally or upon
their official bonds, shall be held responsible for actions contrary to this
provision.

SECTION 8.  The money
appropriated under the provisions of Section 1 shall be disbursed upon bank
checks signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided
by law.

SECTION 9.  This act
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.