Law funds Mississippi State's veterinary college for fiscal year 2027

The law sets aside state general funds and allows the veterinary college to spend other available funds. The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning receives the money to run Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. These amounts are spending ceilings, not promises that every dollar will be spent. The other funding includes $1,052,379 from the Education Enhancement Fund. State general funds cannot replace federal or other special funds withdrawn from salary funding. The college must make every effort to meet its performance targets and report progress in its fiscal year 2028 budget request. The Legislature calls for a request with detail comparable to the previous year's request. The law took effect July 1, 2026. The funding covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The law directs $16,456,983 from the Mississippi State University Veterinary School Fund toward work on the Wise Center. The money pays for building work and equipment at the Wise Center, including design, construction, and repairs. This allocation is part of the $56,166,752 spending ceiling for other available funds. The spending authorization covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The law reserves part of the college's State General Fund allocation for scholarships and disease-related work. Scholarships receive funding through the Dr. Elton Mac Huddleston Rural Veterinarians Scholarship Program. Disease funding covers testing, program work, and staff expenses for Chronic Waste Disease. Both amounts are included in the $21,366,792 State General Fund allocation. The scholarships follow the law governing the named program. These allocations cover July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The law provides money for the equivalent of a $2,000 salary increase for veterinary college professors and adjunct professors. The funding covers all professors and adjunct professors at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Salary increases are at the discretion of the university's executive officer. Up to $302,379 comes from the Education Enhancement Fund portion of the college's other funding. This funding covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.