HB 1506 Summary

• Appropriates $1,251,879.00 from the State General Fund and $9,754,296.00 from special funds to the Department of Marine Resources for fiscal year 2012 (July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012), with $3,050,000.00 derived from state excise taxes on petroleum products.

• Authorizes 126 permanent full-time positions, 15 time-limited full-time positions, and 3 time-limited part-time positions, with Marine Conservation Officers and Supervisors receiving up to $600.00 annually for uniforms.

• Appropriates $8,190,685.00 from the Tidelands Fund No. 3452 for tidelands projects, including $1,100,000.00 for Deer Island payment and $900,000.00 for other payments, with $4,635,000.00 allocated to 23 specific access projects listed by project code and amount.

• Establishes legislative intent regarding personnel cost controls, accounting records maintenance, cell phone usage tracking, procurement preferences for Mississippi Industries for the Blind, and restrictions on utility payments for state-furnished housing.

• Permits the Department to move tidelands funds between approved projects upon proper documentation and caps the Secretary of State's administrative reserve at 5% of total tidelands funds collected.