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HB 1749

Appropriation; Optometry, Board of.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Richard Bennett and 8 co-sponsors

Appropriates $256,272 from a special fund to the Mississippi State Board of Optometry for FY2026 to fund 25 permanent positions; bill died in conference (Mar 29, 2025).

Died In Conference
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Bill Summary · HB 1749

Summary — HB 1749 (Appropriation: State Board of Optometry) — 2025

Status: Died in conference (last recorded action: 2025-03-29)

Note: The provided document includes text snippets from several unrelated bills with the same bill number in other states (e.g., Illinois and Arkansas). This summary focuses on the appropriation bill described by the title “Appropriation; Optometry, Board of” and the appropriation language and amendments included in the packet (Mississippi form).

Main purpose

To appropriate special‑fund monies from the state treasury to the Mississippi State Board of Optometry to defray the board’s expenses for Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).

Key provisions and changes

  • Appropriates $256,272 (from a designated special fund) to the State Board of Optometry for FY2026.
  • Authorizes agency staffing: 25 permanent positions; 0 time‑limited positions.
  • States the agency’s responsibility to ensure personal‑service (payroll) obligations for FY2027 do not exceed the FY2026 personal‑services appropriation unless the Legislature adds positions or programs for FY2026.
  • Directs the State Personnel Board to publish the agency’s personal‑services appropriation and projected annualized payroll costs; limits salary actions if projected costs exceed provided data absent Department of Finance & Administration approval.
  • Prohibits use of general funds authorized in this act to replace federal or other special funds previously used for salaries that become unavailable.
  • Prohibits using the appropriation in violation of IRS Publication 15‑A reporting rules for contract employees, as interpreted by the State Auditor.
  • Requires the Board to maintain complete accounting and personnel records for expenditures in the same format/detail as FY2025, and to submit its FY2027 budget request with comparable detail to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
  • Procurement preference language: when bids are equal, preference should be given to Mississippi Industries for the Blind; similar preference for non‑competitive purchases.
  • Standard payment procedures: disbursements by State Treasurer on warrants issued by State Fiscal Officer upon proper requisitions.
  • Effective date language in the bill sets effectivity as July 1, 2025 (typical for FY2026 appropriations).

Fiscal impact

  • Direct appropriation of $256,272 from a special fund for FY2026 (no general funds specified).
  • Staffing level set at 25 permanent positions.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Mississippi State Board of Optometry (operating budget and staffing).
  • Secondary: State Personnel Board, Department of Finance & Administration, State Fiscal Officer, State Treasurer, Mississippi Industries for the Blind (procurement preference), and entities relying on special funds for salaries.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced: January 7, 2025.
  • Underwent committee consideration and amendment; conferees were appointed.
  • Final status recorded as “Died In Conference” on March 29, 2025 — the bill did not become law in this form.

Additional note on the document

The packet also contains unrelated bill texts (an Arkansas Uniform Trust Decanting Act and an Illinois interscholastic athletics transfer provision) and mixed sponsorship listings. Those texts are not part of the Mississippi optometry appropriation and are not summarized here.

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

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