Appropriation; additional to State Department of Health for Office Against Interpersonal Violence.
Impact
The passage of HB 717 reflects the state's commitment to addressing interpersonal violence through sustained funding at the local level. By strengthening the financial resources allocated to OAIV, the bill aims to enhance support for victims, improve programs aimed at injury prevention, and ultimately reduce the incidence of interpersonal violence across Mississippi. This measure is expected to have significant implications for related services and initiatives that directly benefit victims of violence.
Summary
House Bill 717 proposes an appropriation to the State Department of Health, specifically aimed at providing additional funds to the Office Against Interpersonal Violence (OAIV) for the fiscal year 2022. The bill allocates a total of $9,064,230 from the Capital Expense Fund to compensate for the loss of federal funds previously available to the state from the Victims of Crime Act fund. This funding is intended to ensure that the OAIV can continue its vital operations without interruption during the fiscal period starting July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022.
Contention
While the bill's intention is to bolster support for the OAIV, the appropriation process can sometimes be a topic of contention, particularly around resource allocation in state budgeting. Discussions may arise regarding the adequacy of the proposed funds and their effectiveness in fully addressing the needs of the victims. Additionally, the bill's reliance on state allocations, especially in the wake of lost federal funding, raises questions about future sustainability and the long-term planning necessary to ensure ongoing support for these critical services.
To provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; to provide appropriations from special funds and accounts to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; and to provide for the additional appropriation of Federal and State funds to the Executive and Legislative Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.