MS HB1535

Appropriates $1,331,000,000 from the State Treasury to the Mississippi Department of Transportation for fiscal year 2016 (July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016).

Authorizes 3,432 permanent full-time positions and 9 permanent part-time positions across four offices: Administrative Services, Highways, Aeronautics and Rails, and Enforcement.

Allocates funds across six program budgets: Administration ($59.2 million), Construction ($932.2 million), Maintenance ($216 million), Debt Service ($73.8 million), Law Enforcement ($15.6 million), and Aeronautics/Rails ($34.3 million).

Directs specific expenditures including $80 million minimum for pavement maintenance, $650,000 to Department of Agriculture for beaver control, $300,000 for litter prevention, and funding for multiple highway projects across the state (Highway 14 at Rolling Fork, Highway 552, Highway 82 bypass, and others).

Requires the department to maintain project cost oversight policies, notify legislators of project awards in their districts, establish performance metrics for maintenance and construction activities, and restricts highway construction contracts under 10 miles unless approved by Transportation Commission with legislative notice.