HB264 • 2026

Appropriation; Holmes County Heritage and Cultural Foundation for construction of Hazel Brannon Smith Memorial Park.

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE HOLMES COUNTY HERITAGE AND CULTURAL FOUNDATION, INC., TO ASSIST IN PAYING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HAZEL BRANNON SMITH MEMORIAL PARK IN LEXINGTON FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027.

Budget

Did Not Pass

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

Sponsor: Clark
Last action: 2026-02-25
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass, so there are uncertainties about its implementation and details such as who will sign for the money and when.

Appropriation for Hazel Brannon Smith Memorial Park

This bill proposes to give $250,000 from the State General Fund to the Holmes County Heritage and Cultural Foundation to help cover costs related to building the Hazel Brannon Smith Memorial Park in Lexington.

What This Bill Does

Proposes an appropriation of up to $250,000 from the State General Fund to the Holmes County Heritage and Cultural Foundation.
The money is intended for construction-related expenses associated with the Hazel Brannon Smith Memorial Park in Lexington.

Who It Names or Affects

Holmes County Heritage and Cultural Foundation
People living in Lexington, Mississippi

Terms To Know

State General Fund: Money that the state government uses for various programs and projects.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill did not pass during the session.
It is unclear how much of the $250,000 will actually be used or if it will all be needed.
Details about who signs requisitions for the money and when are not fully explained.

Bill History

2026-02-25 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/25 (H) Died In Committee
2026-01-07 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/07 (H) Referred To Appropriations A

Official Summary Text

Appropriation; Holmes County Heritage and Cultural Foundation for construction of Hazel Brannon Smith Memorial Park.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

H. B. No. 264 *HR43/R408* ~ OFFICIAL ~ A1/2
26/HR43/R408
PAGE 1 (RF\KP)

To: Appropriations A
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Representative Clark

HOUSE BILL NO. 264

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE HOLMES COUNTY HERITAGE 1
AND CULTURAL FOUNDATION, INC., TO ASSIST IN PAYING COSTS 2
ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HAZEL BRANNON SMITH 3
MEMORIAL PARK IN LEXINGTON FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2027. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much of it as may be 6
necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General 7
Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Holmes County Heritage and 8
Cultural Foundation, Inc., to assist in paying costs associated 9
with the construction of the Hazel Brannon Smith Memorial Park in 10
Lexington for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending 11
June 30, 2027.......................................... $250,000.00 12
SECTION 2. The Hazel Brannon Smith Memorial Park will be an 13
outside museum park with displays and exhibitions, and is to honor 14
Hazel Brannon Smith, a Holmes County journalist and publisher who, 15
in 1964, became the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for 16
Editorial Writing. 17
SECTION 3. The money appropriated by this act shall be paid 18
by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State General Fund 19
H. B. No. 264 *HR43/R408* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/HR43/R408
PAGE 2 (RF\KP)
ST: Appropriation; Holmes County Heritage and
Cultural Foundation for construction of Hazel
Brannon Smith Memorial Park.
not otherwise appropriated, upon warrants issued by the State 20
Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his or 21
her warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, 22
officer or officers in the manner provided by law. 23
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from 24
and after July 1, 2026. 25