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HB 596

Sales tax; deposit portion of revenue into the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John Faulkner and 7 co-sponsors

Bill would redirect a portion of Mississippi sales tax revenue into a new Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund for conservation and recreation, but died in committee without action.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 596

Legislative bill overview

HB 596 would dedicate a portion of Mississippi's sales tax revenue to establish or fund the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. The bill died in committee in February 2025 after being referred to the Ways and Means Committee in January, meaning it did not advance for a floor vote.

Why is this important

Dedicating sales tax revenue to outdoor conservation could fund land acquisition, habitat restoration, and recreational infrastructure across the state. This represents a potential ongoing revenue commitment rather than one-time appropriations, which could provide predictable funding for environmental and outdoor recreation initiatives.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue reallocation: Dedicating existing sales tax revenue reduces general fund availability for other state priorities like education, healthcare, and infrastructure
  • Funding specificity unknown: Without seeing the actual bill text, the percentage of sales tax diverted and the trust fund's governance structure remain unclear
  • Outdoor recreation vs. other needs: Legislators may have disagreed about whether outdoor stewardship should compete with pressing state funding demands during budget constraints

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

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