MS HB1558

Appropriates $12,030,405 from the State General Fund and $255,847,999 from special funds for the Department of Environmental Quality for fiscal year 2016 (July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016)

Authorizes 274 permanent full-time positions and 219 time-limited full-time positions for the department

Allocates up to $250,000 from the Pollution Emergency Fund for Legal Division environmental protection activities and $100,000 for the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Grants Program

Establishes performance targets including 75% of counties meeting air quality standards, 55% citizen access to recycling programs, 99% SRF loan recipient compliance, and 100% mining facility inspection rate

Provides $1,000,000 from the Capital Expense Fund for the Water Pollution Control Revolving Loan Fund and allows Hancock County loan recipients to extend repayment periods up to 10 years beyond original terms