Mississippi sets aside money for disaster recovery and emergency operations

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency can spend money on disaster assistance and related administrative costs. The money covers disaster programs for families and communities, including recovery projects and work to reduce future damage. It pays state and federal shares of program costs. These amounts are spending ceilings, not guaranteed spending. The $585,056 cannot establish a disaster reserve fund except as allowed by Section 33-15-307. These spending limits apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The agency can spend up to $125 million from the 2026 Local Governments Disaster Recovery Emergency Loan Fund. The money pays for administrative expenses, grants, and loans through the local government disaster recovery fund. Spending must come from money credited to the named fund. The amount is a spending ceiling. This act does not specify who qualifies for grants or loans. This funding takes effect upon passage and runs through June 30, 2027.

The law sets aside money to operate the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and limits staffing expenses. The budget authorizes 122 permanent positions and 61 time-limited positions. The regular ceiling for salaries and benefits is $19,068,081. This includes $1,005,966 for filling approved vacancies rather than raising current employees' pay. Increasing the staffing budget requires written state finance approval and proof of additional funds. State general-fund money cannot replace withdrawn federal or special funding for salaries. The director may move up to $500,000 between agency funds and budget categories, with written justification due by the fifteenth of the preceding month. The operating budget covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The law directs part of the agency's operating budget to next-generation 911 services. The NG911 CMRS Grant Fund supplies the reimbursement money. The State NG911 Fund supplies the operating money. These amounts are included in the agency's $30,698,171 special-fund operating budget. The $2.75 million cannot pay for vehicles. The Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority must set statewide plan standards and approve purchases made on its behalf. Funding covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The authority must report local 911 plan standards and proposed budgets to lawmakers by September 30, 2026.

The agency may pay approved safe-room reimbursements and supply equipment to rural water associations. These provisions support residents, essential rural water providers, and local emergency management teams. Safe-room payments cover Mississippi residents approved for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Safe Room Grant Program. The federal agency reimburses the state agency. Water equipment requires a local emergency management request after a natural disaster and a finding that the association provides essential community services. The law calls for enhanced disaster training for local officials and emergency groups. The law calls for at least nine area coordinators who live in or within 50 miles of their assigned districts. These provisions take effect July 1, 2026, and use funding provided for the budget year ending June 30, 2027.