House approves a broad slate of Senate bills including deficit, ARPA and local projects; several measures advance to governor

The Mississippi House of Representatives approved a large package of Senate bills in a single-floor session, adopting measures ranging from a deficit funding bill to authorizations related to ARPA funds, local projects, health-care program changes and a proposed Department of Tourism framework.

The most consequential vote was on Senate Bill 3054, labeled the deficit bill, which the House adopted after approving a committee “strike all” that set the total deficit at $43,835,275 (general funds $29,712,617; special funds $14,122,658). The recorded vote on final passage was 117 yeas, 0 nays.

Members also passed bills the chamber described as housekeeping or technical but with programmatic impact: an end-of-session transfers measure (Senate Bill 2146), an ARPA general bill reallocating unobligated ARPA funds (Senate Bill 2543), and a local projects bill that corrects project names and added a paragraph to assist Montgomery County with paving on Robinson Thompson Road (Senate Bill 2544). Those three bills were adopted on recorded votes that the clerk reported as unanimous in the House (2146: 119-0; 2543: 119-0; 2544: 118-0).

Other measures on the floor included: - A bill giving the Department of Finance and Administration authority to manage outstanding loans from the Educational Facilities Revolving Loan Fund (Senate Bill 2606). The House adopted the measure on a recorded vote (119-0). - A technical-revisions bill carrying assorted fund custody and appropriation corrections, transfers and other fixes (Senate Bill 2840). The House adopted the committee language and passed the bill on final passage. - Legislation opening the state burn-care fund to any Level 1 trauma center that serves Mississippi patients and increasing the veteran plate fee by $2.50 to add revenue to that fund (Senate Bill 2730). The House adopted the bill, which the clerk recorded as 119-0.

On policy and program items, the House: - Passed a bill to create an Entertainment Industry and Workforce Development Task Force (Senate Bill 2424) to examine ways to grow the state’s creative-economy pipeline and identify training opportunities. Representative James Jones (Humphreys County) presented the measure. - Adopted a bill directing the Department of Mental Health and Medicaid Division to apply to SAMHSA for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic demonstration grant at the next available period; the bill frames the pilot approach and says eligible community mental health centers may elect to participate in CCBHC designation (Senate Bill 23 92). The recorded vote reported by the clerk was 115-0 in favor. - Approved a proposal to authorize a voluntary turkey-hunting stamp/fee aimed at funding habitat restoration, predator control, prescribed burning and education (Senate Bill 22 80). Sponsors described the fee as voluntary for hunters who choose to purchase the stamp; the House passed the bill (recorded vote reported as 115-0).

The Ways and Means calendar included several fiscal actions the House adopted, including an increase to a city fire-protection fund distribution from the insurance premium tax (Senate Bill 2802). The Ways and Means sponsor reported the distribution cap increase to $7,500,000 and the House passed the bill (recorded vote reported as 115-0).

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 3054 — Deficit bill: adopted; recorded vote 117-0. The committee “strike all” lists $43,835,275 in deficit appropriations across departments (general funds $29,712,617; special funds $14,122,658). Senate Bill 2146 — End-of-session transfer bill: adopted; recorded vote 119-0. Brings certain code sections forward and authorizes transfers effective 07/01/2025. Senate Bill 2543 — ARPA general bill: adopted; recorded vote 119-0. Reallocates unobligated ARPA funds as described in the strike-all; effective 07/01/2025. Senate Bill 2544 — Local projects corrections and a narrow addition for Montgomery County paving on Robinson Thompson Road: adopted; recorded vote 118-0. Senate Bill 2606 — Educational Enhancement Fund / revolving loan provisions: adopted; recorded vote 119-0. Grants DFA authority to accept and manage outstanding loan repayments for the educational facilities revolving loan fund. Senate Bill 2840 — Technical revisions bill: adopted. Package of custody/fund corrections, a transfer from UMMC to Department of Health, and other technical fixes; effective 07/01/2025. Senate Bill 2730 — Burn-care fund: adopted; recorded vote 119-0. Expands eligibility to any Level 1 trauma center serving Mississippi patients; increases vanity-plate fee to add funding authority; increases the cap on spending authority for related fund. Senate Bill 2573 (contingent) / Department of Tourism appropriation vehicle: adopted; recorded vote 13-4 on the floor for the bill creating the appropriation vehicle contingent on companion Senate action. The bill creates a funding vehicle beginning 07/01/2025 but contains no immediate appropriations. Senate Bill 2424 — Entertainment Industry and Workforce Development Task Force: adopted. Task force membership in the bill includes the director of Visit Mississippi, a representative from the Mississippi Tourism Association, tourism committee chairs and legislative appointees; aims to examine workforce and creative-economy growth. Senate Bill 23 92 — Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) application authorization: adopted; recorded vote 115-0. Directs Department of Mental Health and Medicaid to submit an application for the CCBHC demonstration and contemplates a pilot roll-out. Senate Bill 22 80 — Voluntary turkey-stamp/license for out-of-state/in-state management: adopted; recorded vote 115-0. Sponsors described the fee as voluntary and earmarked for habitat restoration, predator control, prescribed burning and education. Senate Bill 2802 — City fire-protection fund distribution increase (Ways & Means Item 1): adopted; recorded vote 115-0. Increases the amount taken from the insurance premium tax credited to the city fire-protection fund up to $7,500,000.

Procedural notes and next steps: most bills passed with unanimous or near-unanimous support in the House and will be sent to the governor. Several bills contain effective-date language (many effective 07/01/2025) or contingent triggers referencing companion Senate measures. The House calendar also included a number of other bills advanced by unanimous voice votes or by voice vote with recorded tallies; the clerk’s roll call on several items recorded unanimous support.

Ending: The House adjourned to reconvene at 9 a.m. the following day; members noted several introductions and gave brief memorial announcements at the close of the session.