Appropriation; Optometry, Board of., the official text

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Appropriations C; Appropriations A

By: Representatives Deweese, Read, Bennett, Creekmore IV,
Currie, McGee, Mickens, Scott, Turner

House Bill 1916

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FROM SPECIAL FUNDS IN THE
STATE TREASURY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF THE STATE BOARD OF
OPTOMETRY 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 hereby appropriated out of any money in the
special fund in the State Treasury to the credit of the State Board of
Optometry, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the board for the
fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending
June 30, 2027 $       259,022.00.

SECTION 2.  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withdrawn and no longer available.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 State Board of Optometry 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.  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 6.
The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any
money in the State Treasury to the credit of the proper fund or funds as set
forth in this act, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the
State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the
proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law.

SECTION 7.
This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.