MS HB1657

Appropriates $1,125,351.00 from the State General Fund and $9,596,884.00 from special funds to the Department of Marine Resources for fiscal year 2014 (July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014), with $3,050,000.00 derived from state excise taxes on gasoline and petroleum products.

Authorizes 100 permanent full-time positions, 46 time-limited full-time positions, and 1 time-limited part-time position, with Marine Conservation Officers and Supervisors receiving up to $600 annually for uniform allowances.

Appropriates $9,787,443.00 from the Tidelands Fund for public access projects across coastal counties (Hancock, Jackson, and Harrison), management projects, bond repayment, and Gulf Coast research, with detailed project allocations listed for each municipality and county.

Establishes restrictions on personnel actions to prevent "Personal Services" costs from exceeding fiscal year 2014 levels unless new programs or positions are added, and prohibits salary increases except for teacher increments, career ladder advancement, and certain health care professionals.

Requires political subdivisions receiving tidelands funds to comply with state auditing requirements and submit detailed expenditure reports every six months, with preference given to Mississippi Industries for the Blind in competitive bidding.