Mississippi Senate Bill SB2964

Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/12/25
• Refer: 2/12/25
• Failed: 2/26/25

Caption

General Fund; FY2026 appropriation to Sustainable Energy Partnership Program between JSU and Entergy.

Summary

SB 2964 is an appropriations bill that provides $4.3 million from the Mississippi State General Fund to the Jackson State University and Entergy Sustainable Energy Partnership Program for fiscal year 2026. The bill identifies the program as an agreement between Jackson State University’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology and Entergy Mississippi, LLC, and authorizes the funding for the period beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026. The measure is primarily a funding vehicle rather than a policy overhaul. It directs the State Treasurer to disburse the appropriation through the normal warrant process upon requisition by the proper officials, and it takes effect on July 1, 2025. In practical terms, the bill would support a university-industry partnership focused on sustainable energy research, education, or related programming at Jackson State University.

Impact

SB 2964 would amend state spending for FY2026 by allocating $4.3 million in General Fund dollars to a specific partnership program involving Jackson State University and Entergy Mississippi. It does not create new regulatory requirements or alter substantive law beyond authorizing the appropriation and setting the payment mechanism for the funds. The main affected parties are Jackson State University, Entergy Mississippi, and the state fiscal and treasury officials responsible for disbursing appropriated funds.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the bill appears to have a generally supportive or routine appropriations-oriented posture, with no recorded committee debate or votes indicating opposition. The caption and structure suggest it is a targeted funding measure for an existing partnership, which typically draws interest from supporters of higher education, workforce development, and energy-sector collaboration. Because no transcripts or vote history are provided, there is no evidence of significant public controversy in the available record.

Contention

There is no documented contention in the provided materials, but the most likely area of scrutiny would be the size and use of the $4.3 million General Fund appropriation for a specific university-enterprise partnership. Potential concerns could include whether the program’s outcomes justify the expenditure, whether the funding should be prioritized over other state needs, and how the partnership benefits taxpayers, students, and the state’s energy or economic development goals. No specific objections or opposing viewpoints are recorded in the available context.