Mississippi House Bill HB4103

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

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

Caption

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF CARTHAGE TO ASSIST IN PAYING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CERTAIN PURCHASES FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027.

Summary

House Bill 4103 is a fiscal appropriation bill that would provide $685,000 from the Mississippi State General Fund to the governing authorities of the City of Carthage for fiscal year 2027. The money is earmarked for specific police department purchases and upgrades, including license plate readers and live cameras, use of the Evidence IQ program and device, two equipped police vehicles, body armor, body cameras, and radio upgrades. The bill is narrowly tailored to one municipality and one department, and it does not create a new regulatory program or change criminal law. Instead, it directs state funds to local public safety equipment and technology, with the State Treasurer and State Fiscal Officer responsible for disbursement under existing appropriation procedures. The act would take effect July 1, 2026, and apply to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Impact

HB4103 would amend state spending for fiscal year 2027 by appropriating $685,000 from the General Fund to the City of Carthage for police department capital and equipment needs. It would not alter substantive statutes governing policing, surveillance, or municipal authority, but it would authorize state-level funding for local law enforcement technology, vehicles, protective gear, and communications equipment. The practical effect would be to support Carthage police operations through a targeted one-time appropriation.

Sentiment

No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to be a routine local appropriation focused on public safety and police modernization. The absence of recorded votes or discussion prevents a stronger assessment of legislative sentiment.

Contention

Because there are no transcripts or votes, no specific points of contention are documented in the available record. If concerns were raised, they would likely center on the use of state General Fund dollars for a single city, the inclusion of surveillance-related tools such as license plate readers and live cameras, and the prioritization of police technology over other local or statewide needs. However, those concerns are not reflected in the provided legislative history.