MS HB1778

Appropriates $16,759,476.00 from the State General Fund and $255,174,061.00 from special funds to the Department of Environmental Quality for fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025).

Authorizes 212 permanent positions and 165 time-limited positions for the department, with restrictions on salary escalations and transfers without Department of Finance and Administration approval.

Establishes performance targets across pollution control, water quality, waste management, mining, and administrative services, requiring the agency to report achievement of targets in its fiscal year 2026 budget request.

Allocates specific funds for Clean Water Grant Program match ($5,541,048.00), Dam Safety Grant Program ($2,000,000.00), EnPro settlement projects ($1,000,000.00), and other designated programs including household hazardous waste collection and dam inspections.

Authorizes payment of $843,890.00 to vendors for expenses incurred in 2021-2022 and permits the Executive Director to transfer funds between special treasury funds with written justification to the Legislative Budget Office.