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Bill

HB 979

Appropriation; Sharkey County for Sheriff's Department to replace vehicles and equipment and relocate the department to a new facility.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Timaka James-Jones

Mississippi bill allocates state funds to Sharkey County Sheriff's Department for vehicle/equipment replacement and facility relocation.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 979

Legislative bill overview

HB 979 appropriates state funds to Sharkey County specifically for the Sheriff's Department to purchase replacement vehicles and equipment, and to cover costs associated with relocating the department to a new facility. The bill died in the House Appropriations Committee in February 2025 without advancing further.

Why is this important

Sheriff's departments are critical public safety infrastructure, and aging vehicles or inadequate facilities can impact emergency response capabilities and officer safety. Funding for these operational needs typically reflects local budgeting priorities, making state-level appropriations for a single county department notable and potentially precedent-setting.

Potential points of contention

  • Precedent and fairness: Other counties may question why Sharkey County receives targeted state funding while their departments face similar needs, raising concerns about equitable resource distribution
  • Local responsibility: Some may argue county governments should fund their own operational needs through local budgets and tax bases rather than state appropriations
  • Budget constraints: State appropriations for specific local projects compete with statewide education, healthcare, and infrastructure priorities during limited legislative sessions

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

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