Bill
HB 1770
Provides FY2026 funding for the Mississippi Library Commission, including MAGNOLIA access and staff health insurance, with fiscal controls; died in conference.
Status: Died in Conference (March 29, 2025); also reported as Died on House Calendar at Sine Die (May 5, 2025)
Introduced: January 8, 2025
Primary subject: Appropriations (Mississippi Library Commission; FY2026)
Note on source materials: The documents provided include language from other unrelated bills using the same number (an Arkansas "Pregnancy Parking Act" draft and an Illinois insurance bill). Those are distinct measures from other states and are not part of the Mississippi appropriation bill summarized below. This summary focuses on the Mississippi HB 1770 appropriation/omnibus amendment text.
Purpose and intent
- Provide FY2026 funding and policy provisions for the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC) to support statewide public library services, personnel, MAGNOLIA (statewide catalog/database), interlibrary loan, and related programs.
Key provisions and dollar amounts
- Appropriations:
- General Fund appropriation to MLC: $10,946,838.00 (Section numbers in the amendment indicate this as the primary General Fund sum for FY2026).
- Special fund appropriation (State Treasury special funds credited to the Commission): $4,863,028.00.
- Designated set‑asides and source notes:
- Of the special funds, $493,847 is to be derived from the Education Enhancement Fund.
- $350,000 (from specified fund sources) is designated for MAGNOLIA.
- Legislature’s intention that no less than $1,350,000 be expended for the Magnolia database.
- Personnel and pay controls:
- Authorized headcount and restrictions on using appropriations for salary increases are specified; agency must ensure FY2027 personal services needs do not exceed FY2026 appropriations unless the Legislature adds positions/programs.
- Rules governing use of vacancy funds, hiring, escalations, and reporting requirements to the State Personnel Board and Department of Finance and Administration.
- Operating rules and administration:
- Quarterly advance payments to eligible public library systems under the Personnel Incentive Grants Program (Sept. 30, Dec. 31, Mar. 31, June 30).
- Recordkeeping and reporting requirements; agency must submit FY2027 budget request with comparable detail to FY2026 submissions.
- Purchasing preference language for Mississippi Industries for the Blind where bids are equal.
- Programmatic targets / performance measures:
- Multiple performance targets listed for FY2026 (help desk tickets, continuing education workshops, library visits, summer program participation, interlibrary loan volumes, MAGNOLIA searches, etc.).
- Benefits/mandates:
- $4,802,939 provided for health insurance costs for all full‑time library staff in each public library.
Who is affected
- Mississippi Library Commission (primary recipient and administrator).
- Public library systems and local libraries receiving grants and operational support.
- Library staff (health insurance funding, staffing/position rules).
- Users of MAGNOLIA, interlibrary loan, literacy and summer programs statewide.
- State agencies involved in personnel/pay oversight and procurement preferences.
Procedural timeline and outcome
- Filed Jan 8, 2025; passed/returned/amended through House and Senate actions (multiple committee referrals and amendments).
- Conferees named; the bill was taken to conference but ultimately "Died In Conference" (3/29/2025) and did not become law (also reported as Died on House Calendar at Sine Die 5/05/2025).
Implications
- If enacted as amended, the bill would have been the primary FY2026 funding vehicle for MLC, provided dedicated funds for MAGNOLIA and staff insurance, and imposed fiscal controls and reporting requirements. Because the bill died in conference, these appropriations and directions were not enacted via this measure.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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