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Read. Follow. Verify.Mississippi creates Defense Research and Development Program to fund small business loans
Last action · February 3, 2026: 02/03 (H) Died In CommitteeSponsor: Rodney Hall
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What This Bill Proposed
AN ACT TO CREATE THE DEFENSE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAKING ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF LOANS AVAILABLE FOR SEED AND EARLY STAGE CAPITAL TO SMALL AND MEDIUM SIZED MISSISSIPPI BUSINESSES WITH HIGH GROWTH POTENTIAL THAT ARE ENGAGED IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WITH THE MISSISSIPPI MILITARY DEPARTMENT, THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD, AND/OR A MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND/OR JUNIOR COLLEGE; TO CREATE THE "DEFENSE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FUND" AS A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
Small and medium-sized businesses collaborating with military and higher education institutions gain access to specialized state loan capital.
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Small and medium sized Mississippi businesses
Eligible businesses may submit applications to receive seed and early-stage capital loans.
Mississippi Military Department
Must direct the program, review applications, disburse funds, and promulgate rules and regulations.
Mississippi universities, colleges, community colleges and junior colleges
Can serve as research and development partners for businesses participating in the program.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which businesses are eligible to apply for the loan program?
What happens to unexpended money in the special fund at the end of the fiscal year?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died in committee.
Procedural history
3 actions- Feb 3, 2026House02/03 (H) Died In Committee
- Jan 21, 2026House01/21 (H) DR - TSDPCS: MA To AP
- Jan 16, 2026HouseCommittee01/16 (H) Referred To Military Affairs;Appropriations A
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
billstatus.ls.state.ms.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 35)
- Controversy10Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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