MS HB1781

Establishes the Local Government Coronavirus Reimbursement Relief Program administered by the Department of Finance and Administration to reimburse counties, municipalities, and political subdivisions for eligible COVID-19 related expenses.

Creates the "Coronavirus Reimbursement Relief Fund" as a special fund in the State Treasury and transfers $65,000,000 from the DFA CARES ACT COVID-19 Fund to the Budget Contingency Fund upon enactment.

Eligible expenses for reimbursement include medical expenses, public health costs, payroll for COVID-19 response employees, compliance with health measures (food delivery, distance learning, paid leave), economic support for small businesses, and other reasonably necessary government functions under federal Treasury guidelines.

Ineligible expenses include state Medicaid costs, insurance-covered damages, payroll for non-COVID-19 dedicated employees, double-reimbursed federal expenses, bonuses, severance pay, and legal settlements.

Participating local governments must establish a Pandemic Recovery Office, submit quarterly reports to the State Department of Audit beginning October 1, 2020, and the Department of Finance and Administration must submit a utilization report to legislative committees by December 31, 2020.