AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE OFFICE OF STATE AID ROAD CONSTRUCTION OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027.
SB 3076 is the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriation bill for the Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Office of State Aid Road Construction. It provides $367,332,280 from the State Treasury for the office’s operations, including personal services, administrative costs, engineering services to political subdivisions, bridge replacement, and other road and bridge-related activities. The bill also sets out detailed spending conditions, staffing limits, reporting requirements, and performance targets for the agency.
A major earmark in the bill is $55 million for replacing structurally deficient bridges on the Local System Bridge Program or other deficient bridge projects. The bill also authorizes up to $500,000 in reimbursements from the Mississippi Development Authority for engineering services to local governments and $50,000 from the Project Poppy Fund for expedited services related to Project Poppy. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and governs spending through June 30, 2027.
The bill appropriates and conditions the use of state funds for the Office of State Aid Road Construction for FY 2027, reinforcing existing statutory authority over state aid roads, bridge inspection compliance, local system bridge work, and engineering services to political subdivisions. It does not create a new program, but it directs how existing road and bridge funds may be spent, including limits on personal services, fund transfers, and escalations, while requiring compliance with Mississippi personnel, budgeting, procurement, and bridge inspection laws. It also affects counties, municipalities, contractors, and the Mississippi Department of Transportation by channeling funds toward local road and bridge projects and setting notice, bidding, and reporting requirements.
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan support and moved with unanimous votes in both chambers: 51-0 in the Senate, 119-0 in the House as amended, and 52-0 for Senate concurrence. The lack of recorded opposition or committee transcript discussion suggests the measure was largely noncontroversial and viewed as a routine but important infrastructure appropriation. The detailed performance and accountability provisions also indicate legislative interest in oversight rather than dispute.
No specific objections are reflected in the available record, and no committee transcript is provided. The only areas that could potentially draw scrutiny are the bill’s detailed restrictions on personnel spending, the authority to transfer up to 20% between special funds, and the earmarked bridge and Project Poppy allocations, but no member opposition is documented. The bill’s emphasis on legislative notification, signage, and reporting suggests a desire for transparency and district-level recognition rather than a contested policy debate.