AN ACT APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF SPECIAL FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF THE TOMBIGBEE RIVER VALLEY WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027.
Summary
HB 1903 is an annual appropriation bill for the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District for fiscal year 2027. It authorizes up to $9,101,320 in special funds for the district to use on bond maturities, accrued interest, maintenance, project development, and other authorized operating expenses from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The bill also authorizes 17 permanent positions and no time-limited positions for the district during that fiscal year.
Beyond the funding amount, the bill imposes standard appropriations conditions. It requires the district to maintain detailed accounting and personnel records, submit its next budget request in a comparable format, and comply with state limits on incurring obligations beyond appropriations. It also directs that excess operating funds be deposited in interest-bearing bank accounts selected by the district’s board and includes a preference for the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal or when purchases are made without competitive bidding.
Impact
The bill does not create a new program or change substantive water law; instead, it authorizes spending of special funds already available to the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District and sets the terms under which those funds may be used. It affects the district’s budget, staffing, procurement practices, recordkeeping, and banking of excess funds for fiscal year 2027, while reinforcing existing state fiscal controls under Mississippi law. The bill also ties the district to standard state appropriations requirements and accountability provisions applicable to state agencies and special fund recipients.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the House passed the bill 121-0 and the Senate passed it 51-0. With no committee transcript provided, the overall sentiment appears routine and noncontroversial, consistent with a standard agency appropriation measure. The bill’s passage suggests broad agreement on funding the district’s operations and obligations for the coming fiscal year.
Contention
No notable substantive contention is reflected in the available record. The only potentially sensitive provisions are the usual appropriations conditions: limits on spending beyond the appropriation, recordkeeping requirements, and the procurement preference for the Mississippi Industries for the Blind. These are standard oversight and purchasing provisions rather than points of dispute, and the unanimous votes indicate no visible disagreement among lawmakers.