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HB 948

Appropriation; DFA to assist God's Living Word Ministry in Walls with construction of emergency preparedness multipupose facility.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Hester Jackson-McCray

Mississippi bill sought state funds for a religious ministry's emergency preparedness facility but died in committee without advancing.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 948

Legislative bill overview

HB 948 would have appropriated state funds through the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to assist God's Living Word Ministry in Walls, Mississippi with constructing an emergency preparedness multipurpose facility. The bill did not advance, dying in committee on February 26, 2025.

Why is this important

The bill represents a specific type of legislative spending: direct state appropriations to a private religious organization for infrastructure. Such proposals raise questions about the appropriate use of public funds and the relationship between government and religious institutions, while also touching on emergency preparedness—a legitimate public concern.

Potential points of contention

  • Separation of church and state concerns: Direct appropriations to religious organizations raise constitutional questions about public funding of religious entities under Mississippi's and the U.S. Constitution
  • Specificity of appropriations: The bill targets a single organization rather than establishing a general program, which some view as special interest spending while others see as targeted community investment
  • Emergency preparedness justification: The multipurpose facility's public benefit versus private/religious use would need clarification—whether it serves the general public during emergencies or primarily the ministry's members

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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