MS HB1525

Appropriates $5,875,010.00 from the State General Fund and $71,958,141.00 from special funds to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018).

Includes $5,750,000.00 from state excise taxes on gasoline and petroleum products for the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund, and $125,335.00 from the Education Enhancement Fund for Project WILD.

Authorizes 659 permanent full-time and 55 time-limited full-time positions; provides $550.00 annual uniform allowance per conservation officer and supervisor.

Establishes performance targets for fiscal year 2018 including 500,000 hunting and fishing licenses sold, 2,000,000 fish stocked, 11,300 persons in hunter education, and 350,000 day-use park visitors.

Includes provisions for state park operations, motor vehicle fleet management (limit $1,300,000.00 for vehicle purchases), $175,000.00 partnership with Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service, and authority to spend up to 60% of State Park Timber Endowment Fund revenue for park operations.