Mississippi sets aside money for its Commission on Judicial Performance

The law sets aside money for the Commission on Judicial Performance’s expenses. The money comes from Mississippi’s general fund and state treasury funds credited to the commission. Only as much of each amount as necessary may be spent. Lawmakers call for spending and personnel records as detailed as fiscal 2026 records and a fiscal 2028 budget request as detailed as the fiscal 2027 request. Lawmakers state that agencies must not take on debts or obligations beyond their funding, and responsible officers may be held personally responsible. The funding covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The law sets aside money to employ a qualified attorney to check Youth Court operations. The funding supports the Commission on Judicial Performance’s review of Youth Courts. The attorney must work solely on auditing, investigating, and monitoring Youth Court operations. This money is included in the commission’s $1,018,805 general fund budget. The attorney funding covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The law authorizes six permanent staff positions and states lawmakers’ intended limits on the director’s pay. The commission has no authorized time-limited positions. Lawmakers state that the current director should receive no raise without specific legislative approval. Lawmakers state that a newly appointed director’s pay should not exceed the salary state law authorizes for a chancellor, a type of judge. General fund money cannot replace federal or other special funds that were used for these salaries and then withdrawn. The staffing authorization covers fiscal 2027, from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Lawmakers say the commission should favor Mississippi Industries for the Blind when buying goods or equipment. The preference covers the Commission on Judicial Performance’s purchases. For competitive purchases, the preference applies when at least two bids are received and price, quality, and service are equal. Lawmakers call for a similar preference when purchases are made without competitive bids. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.