HB 38 Summary

• Appropriates $7,653,926.00 from the General Fund and $1,004,451.00 from special funds to the Mississippi State Supreme Court for fiscal year 2026, including 70 permanent positions.

• Appropriates $37,283,510.00 from the General Fund and $4,286,025.00 from special funds for special judges, chancellors, and circuit judges, with 109 permanent positions authorized and support staff funding capped at $130,000.00 per judge annually.

• Appropriates $18,121,454.00 from the General Fund and $28,410,452.00 from special funds to the Administrative Office of Courts, with 84 permanent positions and designated funding for Drug Courts ($6,250,000.00), Youth Drug Courts and Family Courts ($2,250,000.00), Mental Health Treatment Courts ($500,000.00), and CASA program services ($500,000.00).

• Appropriates $7,505,151.00 from the General Fund and $1,685,771.00 from special funds to the Court of Appeals with 58 permanent positions, plus $241,100.00 for Continuing Legal Education (3 positions) and $371,930.00 for the Board of Bar Admissions (3 positions).

• Allocates $2,500,000.00 for the Youth Court Support Fund, $2,000,000.00 for Youth Court intake officers, and $2,460,500.00 for electronic court systems, with requirements for standardized intake procedures and annual youth court reporting.