MS HB1708

Appropriates $5,691,294.00 from the State General Fund and $73,074,434.00 from special funds to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for fiscal year 2021 (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021).

Authorizes 649 permanent full-time positions and 63 time-limited full-time positions for the department.

Designates $5,750,000.00 from state excise taxes on gasoline, oil, and petroleum products for the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund, with $125,335.00 earmarked for Project WILD education.

Establishes performance measures for the department across support services, fisheries, wildlife, law enforcement, parks, and museum operations with specific targets for hunting/fishing licenses, fish stocking, visitor services, and educational programming.

Authorizes various departmental activities including cooperative agreements with counties, commercial driver's license costs, partnerships with Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service ($175,000.00), and property damage insurance for state assets.