Appropriation; IHL - Mississippi State University - Forest and Wildlife Research Center., the official text

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Hopson, DeBar, Parks, Boyd, Butler, DeLano,
Suber

Senate Bill 3058

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING
THE EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF THE FOREST AND
WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER FOR 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 State
General Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Board of Trustees of State
Institutions of Higher Learning for the purpose of paying the expenses incurred
in the operation and maintenance of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center,
for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending
June 30, 2027................................ $     6,482,062.00.

SECTION 2.  The following sum, or so much thereof
as may be necessary, is hereby authorized for expenditure out of any special
source funds which are collected by or otherwise become available for the
purpose of defraying the expenses of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center,
for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027................................ $
1,487,504.00.

SECTION 3.  Of the
funds appropriated in Section 2 of this act, Five Hundred Sixty-one Thousand
Eight Hundred Four Dollars ($561,804.00) shall be derived from the Education
Enhancement Fund from funds deposited pursuant to Sections 27-65-75 and 27-67-31,
Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 4.  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under the provisions of this act and which are withdrawn and no longer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 5.  It is the
intention of the Legislature that if the funds appropriated in Section 1 of
this act are used directly or indirectly to match or otherwise secure any
federal grants, research grants or donations, such special source funds not
classified as restricted funds shall be added and accounted for under Section 2
of this act.  Further, it is the intention of the Legislature that all such
aforementioned special source funds be included in all reports and requests for
the 2027 Regular Session of the Mississippi Legislature.

SECTION 6.  It is 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 7.  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 8.  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 9.  Of the
funds appropriated in Section 3 of this act, One Hundred Eleven Thousand Eight
Hundred Four Dollars ($111,804.00), or so much thereof as may be necessary,
shall be derived out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the
Education Enhancement Fund and deposited pursuant to Sections 27-65-75 and 27-67-31,
Mississippi Code of 1972. These funds are provided for the equivalent of
a Two Thousand Dollar ($2,000.00) salary increase for all professors and
adjunct professors at the Forest and Wildlife Research Center at Mississippi
State University, at the discretion of the Institutional Executive Officer.

SECTION 10.  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 11.  This act
shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.