Mississippi sets aside $280.8 million for public safety operations

Mississippi sets aside up to $167,789,465 from the State General Fund and $112,997,879 from money credited to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The money supports the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and its divisions. These amounts are spending ceilings, not promises that every dollar will be spent. The General Fund amount includes $4,312,602 that may support programs funded through court charges, including crime labs, officer training, and death benefits. The funding includes $250,000 for statewide human trafficking coordination and a data analyst, $242,603 for school safety work, and $900,000 to house people arrested within the Capitol Complex Improvement District. The department may give money to the Jackson Police Department for eligible activities only after Jackson Police and Capitol Police agree on their roles within the Capitol Complex Improvement District. The operating money covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has a $155,597,181 base limit for employee pay and benefits, including $6,252,267 to fill approved vacant jobs. The department may have 1,688 permanent positions and 66 time-limited positions, including three added positions: a physician supervisor, a crime lab scientist, and a crime lab technician. Money reserved for employee pay and benefits cannot move to other spending categories. Vacancy money must increase filled positions rather than raise current employees’ pay. Its amount may be adjusted for hiring after March 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026. Increasing positions or the pay budget requires written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration and proof of additional funds. General Fund money cannot replace withdrawn federal or other special funds used for salaries. These staffing and pay limits apply to July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety may spend up to $6,431,377 in carried-forward Capital Expense Fund money for previously approved purposes. The remaining money also covers local officers’ bulletproof vests, crime lab equipment, and the Canton driver services building. Spending cannot exceed the balance left unspent on June 30, 2026, and the money must keep its originally approved purposes. The funding includes $2 million for unfinished crime lab cases, $3,115,000 to replace the driver’s license system, and $1.1 million for the Capitol security project. Before seeking bids for the security project, the department must obtain final written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration and the Department of Archives and History. The project also needs a historic landmark permit and approval from the House Management Committee and Senate Rules Committee. Spending and contracts must wait for all required approvals. Major changes to plans or costs require renewed approval. This spending authority covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The law designates portions of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s funding for officer grants, training academy repairs, imaging equipment, and crime lab building repairs. These amounts support law enforcement officers, the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers’ Training Academy, and the Biloxi Forensics Laboratory. Up to $2 million of the money credited to the department supports grants to law enforcement officers for enhanced training or safety equipment. Within the department’s funding, the Capital Expense Fund supplies up to $278,000 for training academy repairs and renovations, $180,000 for three FARO 3D imaging units, and $2.6 million for Biloxi crime lab heating and cooling repairs or replacement. These amounts cover July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The law gives the Mississippi Department of Public Safety limited authority to move or add funds and restricts certain uses of its budget. These rules cover the department’s funded activities, employees paid through this budget, and designated Bureau of Narcotics funds. The commissioner may transfer up to $20 million among department divisions’ special funds during fiscal year 2027. The department must give prior written notice of transfers before spending funds provided by this law. The department may add up to $10 million to its budget under Department of Finance and Administration rules, with records of overtime hours worked. Updating the employee pay limit requires that department’s approval. Neither the money nor employees paid through this budget may support another state agency’s publicity or publication work. The Bureau of Narcotics may spend up to $500,000 from a designated account on the forfeiture website and related work. Any remainder may buy supplies, vehicles, or equipment. It may also receive and spend up to $500,000 from Drug Evidence Disposition Funds. The law took effect July 1, 2026. Its annual budget authority covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.