MS HB1659

Appropriates $6,034,599.00 from the State General Fund and $73,934,475.00 from special funds to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for fiscal year 2020 (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020).

Authorizes 649 full-time permanent positions and 63 full-time time-limited positions; provides up to 3% pay increase to full-time employees' Variable Compensation Plan realignment component.

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

Establishes performance targets for hunting/fishing licenses (500,000 sold), boat registrations (40,000), fish stocking (2,000,000), park accommodations, hunter education (10,000 participants), and other agency metrics.

Authorizes capital expense allocations: $25,000 for Neshoba Lake multi-purpose structure, $40,000 for Neshoba Lake construction, $50,000 for Scenic River Development Alliance, and $400,000 for Chronic Wasting Disease detection and prevention in deer populations.