HB1798 • 2026

Appropriation; IHL to increase university faculty salaries closer to the SREB average.

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING UNIVERSITY FACULTY SALARIES TO AN AMOUNT CLOSER TO THE SOUTHERN REGIONAL EDUCATION BOARD (SREB) AVERAGE FOR THOSE SALARIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027.

Budget Education

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Harness, Holloway (76th), Butler-Washington, Thompson
Last action: 2026-02-25
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Increase University Faculty Salaries

This bill provides money to raise university faculty salaries closer to the Southern Regional Education Board's average for fiscal year 2027.

What This Bill Does

Gives money from the State General Fund to increase university faculty salaries.
The goal is to make these salaries closer to what other states in the South pay their university teachers, based on data from the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).
This funding will be used for one year, starting July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027.
The State Treasurer is responsible for paying out this money as directed by the State Fiscal Officer.

Who It Names or Affects

University faculty members in Mississippi will see their salaries increase if the bill passes.
The Board of Trustees for State Institutions of Higher Learning will manage how the funds are used to raise salaries.

Terms To Know

Southern Regional Education Board (SREB): An organization that provides data and advice on education policies in southern states, including salary averages for university faculty.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass during the session it was introduced.
It is unclear how much salaries will actually increase or which universities will benefit most from this funding.

Bill History

2026-02-25 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/25 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-28 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/28 (H) Referred To Appropriations E;Appropriations A

Official Summary Text

Appropriation; IHL to increase university faculty salaries closer to the SREB average.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 1798 *HR43/R1560* ~ OFFICIAL ~ A1/2
26/HR43/R1560
PAGE 1 (RF\KP)

To: Appropriations E;
Appropriations A
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representatives Harness, Holloway
(76th), Butler-Washington, Thompson

HOUSE BILL NO. 1798

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR 1
STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING FOR THE PURPOSE OF 2
INCREASING UNIVERSITY FACULTY SALARIES TO AN AMOUNT CLOSER TO THE 3
SOUTHERN REGIONAL EDUCATION BOARD (SREB) AVERAGE FOR THOSE 4
SALARIES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027. 5
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 6
SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much of it as may be 7
necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General 8
Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Board of Trustees for 9
State Institutions of Higher Learning for the purpose of 10
increasing university faculty salaries to an amount closer to the 11
Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) average for those 12
salaries for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending 13
June 30, 2027..................................... $ 72,664,755.00 14
SECTION 2. The money appropriated by this act shall be paid 15
by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State General Fund 16
not otherwise appropriated, upon warrants issued by the State 17
Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his or 18
H. B. No. 1798 *HR43/R1560* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R1560
PAGE 2 (RF\KP)
ST: Appropriation; IHL to increase university
faculty salaries closer to the SREB average.
her warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, 19
officer or officers in the manner provided by law. 20
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from 21
and after July 1, 2026. 22