Mississippi House Bill HB645

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/23
• Refer: 1/16/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Federal funds; Governor can not return to federal government as long as there is still a demonstable need for those funds in Mississippi.

Impact

The legislation grants significant authority to state officials regarding the handling of federal funds, emphasizing the importance of maintaining resources for programs that serve public needs. The Attorney General is tasked with determining whether there is a continuing need for the funds, thus integrating a level of oversight into the process. Should it be deemed that a program could be more effectively managed by nonprofit entities, the bill allows the transfer of funds, with specifications that this must align with federal laws and regulations.

Summary

House Bill 645 focuses on the management of federal funds received by the State of Mississippi. The bill specifies that when federal funds are designated for a particular program or purpose, the Governor or the director of the relevant state agency shall not return these funds to the federal government as long as there is a demonstrable need for these funds. This approach aims to prevent unnecessary lapses in essential funding that supports various state programs and services.

Contention

A potential point of contention surrounding HB 645 could be issues of accountability and governance. Critics may argue that allowing significant discretion to the Governor and agency directors could lead to misallocation or misuse of funds, especially if there are challenges in defining what constitutes a 'demonstrable need'. Moreover, the ability to transfer funds to nonprofits without legislative appropriation might raise concerns about transparency and oversight in the management of these resources.