MS HB1643

Appropriates $5,354,246.00 to the State Fire Academy Fund for fiscal year 2011 (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011).

Allocates funds by category: $3,708,576.00 for salaries and fringe benefits; $594,820.00 for contractual services; $787,750.00 for commodities; $170,000.00 for capital outlay; and $43,100.00 for subsidies, loans and grants.

Authorizes 62 permanent full-time positions and restricts salary increases unless specifically exempted (teacher increments, career ladder advancement, professional certifications, emergency health care hires, or American Recovery and Reinvestment Act positions).

Requires the State Fire Academy to maintain accounting and personnel records in the same format as fiscal year 2010 and submit fiscal year 2012 budget requests in comparable detail.

Authorizes the agency to escalate and expend up to $150,000.00 from available funds and gives preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing commodities and equipment when bids are equal.