Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

Mississippi House Bill HB1769 Compare Versions

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1-MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Appropriations E; Appropriations A By: Representatives Oliver, Read, Arnold, Boyd (19th), Hines, Mangold, Massengill, Roberson, Scoggin House Bill 1769 (As Passed the House) AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF THE MISSISSIPPI AUTHORITY FOR EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026 $ 4,547,938.00. SECTION 2. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the special fund in the State Treasury to the credit of the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television which is comprised of special source funds collected by or otherwise available to the Authority, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Authority for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026........................................... ............................................ $ 6,353,694.00. SECTION 3. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 1 and Section 2, the following positions are authorized: AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 78 Time-Limited: 7 With the funds herein appropriated, it shall be the agencys responsibility to make certain that funds required for Personal Services for Fiscal Year 2027 do not exceed Fiscal Year 2026 funds appropriated for that purpose unless programs or positions are added to the agencys Fiscal Year 2026 budget by the Mississippi Legislature. The Legislature shall determine the agencys personal services appropriation, which the State Personnel Board shall publish. The agencys personal services appropriation may consist of restricted funds for approved vacancies for Fiscal Year 2026 that may be utilized to fill vacant Fiscal Year 2025 headcount. It shall be the agency's responsibility to ensure that the funds provided for vacancies are used to increase headcount and not for promotions, title changes, in-range salary adjustments or any other mechanism for increasing salaries for current employees. It is the Legislatures intention that no employee salary falls below the minimum salary established by the Mississippi State Personnel Board. Additionally, the State Personnel Board shall determine and publish the projected annualized payroll costs based on current employees. It shall be the responsibility of the agency head to ensure that actual personnel expenditures for Fiscal Year 2026 do not exceed the data provided by the Legislative Budget Office. If the agencys Fiscal Year 2026 projected cost exceeds the annualized costs, no salary actions shall be processed by the State Personnel Board except for new hires determined to be essential for the agency. Any transfers or escalations shall be made in accordance with the terms, conditions, and procedures established by law or allowable under the terms set forth within this act. The State Personnel Board shall not escalate positions without written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration. The Department of Finance and Administration shall not provide written approval to escalate any funds for salaries and/or positions without proof of availability of new or additional funds above the appropriated level. No general funds authorized to be expended herein shall be used to replace federal funds and/or other special funds used for salaries authorized under the provisions of this act and which are withdrawn and no longer available. None of the funds herein appropriated shall be used in violation of the Internal Revenue Services Publication 15-A relating to the reporting of income paid to contract employees, as interpreted by the Office of the State Auditor. SECTION 4. Funds appropriated herein shall first be used for the continuation of a full and complete broadcast schedule of educational and instructional, professional growth, and public service programs, with the production of new films and programs to be secondary thereto. SECTION 5. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television shall maintain complete accounting and personnel records related to the expenditure of all funds appropriated under this act and that such records shall be in the same format and level of detail as maintained for Fiscal Year 2025. It is further the intention of the Legislature that the agency's budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 shall be submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in a format and level of detail comparable to the format and level of detail provided during the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request process. SECTION 6. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 2, Two Million One Hundred Eighteen Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-six Dollars ($2,118,966.00) shall be derived from the Education Enhancement Fund deposited pursuant to Sections 27-65-75 and 27-67-31, Mississippi Code of 1972. SECTION 7. No part of the funds appropriated herein shall be transferred to, expended by, or used, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of any public relations, publicity or publication activities of any other state agency, department or officer, nor shall any personnel paid or equipment purchased with funds appropriated hereby be transferred or assigned to any other state agency, department or officer for public relations, publicity or publication activities of such office. SECTION 8. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television shall have the authority to expend funds in the Capital Equipment Replacement Revolving Fund, in accordance with Section 37-63-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the purpose of purchasing technical equipment for operating the educational radio and television facilities. SECTION 9. In compliance with the "Mississippi Performance Budget and Strategic Planning Act of 1994," it is the intent of the Legislature that the funds provided herein shall be utilized in the most efficient and effective manner possible to achieve the intended mission of this agency. Based on the funding authorized, this agency shall make every effort to attain the targeted performance measures provided below: FY2026 Performance Measures Target Content Operations Number of Locally Produced TV Programs 100 Number of Locally Produced Radio Programs 1,092 Number of Monthly Average Number of Web Site Users 25,000 Percent of Radio Broadcasts and TV Alerts During Times of Emergency 100.00 Education Services Percent Increase in Users Using MPB Education Online Resources for Pre-K Children and Families 15.00 Number of Students Served by the Digital Education Network (DEN) Classroom 2,000 Number of School Districts Participating in the DEN Classroom 30 Number of Teachers Taking e-Learning Courses 1,300 Number of Teacher Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Provided by e-Learning Courses Offered 3,500 Percent Increase of Visitors to the MPB Education Website 20.00 Number of Early Childhood Educators Attending MPB Resource Workshops Involving PBS and MPB Programs/Content 250 Technical Services Number of Transmitters On Air 8 On-Air Reliability 99.95 Number of IT Help Desk Orders Filled 835 Administration Number of Community Engagements/Outreach Events Including Virtual Engagements 100 Number of State Agency Partners 40 New Grant Dollars Acquired 75,000.00 A reporting of the degree to which the performance targets set above have been or are being achieved shall be provided in the agency's budget request submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for Fiscal Year 2027. SECTION 10. It is the intention of the Legislature that whenever two (2) or more bids are received by this agency for the purchase of commodities or equipment, and whenever all things stated in such received bids are equal with respect to price, quality and service, the Mississippi Industries for the Blind shall be given preference. A similar preference shall be given to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind whenever purchases are made without competitive bids. SECTION 11. It is the intention of the Legislature that an amount equal to One Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50) per square foot shall be paid to the Executive Office of the State Board of Institutions of Higher Learning to defray utility costs. SECTION 12. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Authority for Educational Television may fund a program to focus on the manufacturing industry in Mississippi. SECTION 13. Mississippi Authority for Educational Television is authorized to accept and expend any grant, donation, or contribution from any individual, public, or private organization, or government entity for purposes of defraying the operational costs of the department. Such grants, donations or contributions shall be received and expended under the rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds not to exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00). SECTION 14. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is reappropriated out of any money in the Education Enhancement Fund not otherwise appropriated, for the Educational Television Authority for the purpose of reauthorizing the expenditure of Education Enhancement Funds as authorized in House Bill No. 1824, 2024 Regular Session, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026..................................... $ 899,202.00. This reappropriation is made for the purpose of reauthorizing the expenditure of funds as allocated herein: a) Tower maintenance and upgrades............ $ 175,394.00. b) Digitalization of Educational Content and Mississippi History...................... $ 522,968.00. c) Production of a Medgar Evers documentary.................................. $ 200,840.00. Notwithstanding the amount reappropriated under this section, the amount that may be expended under the authority of this section shall not exceed the unexpended balance of the funds remaining as of June 30, 2025, from the amount authorized for the previous fiscal year. In addition, this reappropriation shall not change the purpose for which the funds were originally authorized. SECTION 15. The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the proper fund or funds as set forth in this act, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law. SECTION 16. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.
1+MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Appropriations E; Appropriations A By: Representatives Oliver, Read, Arnold, Boyd (19th), Hines, Mangold, Massengill, Roberson, Scoggin House Bill 1769 AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF THE MISSISSIPPI AUTHORITY FOR EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026 $ 4,547,938.00. SECTION 2. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the special fund in the State Treasury to the credit of the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television which is comprised of special source funds collected by or otherwise available to the Authority, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Authority for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026........................................... ............................................ $ 6,353,694.00. SECTION 3. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 1 and Section 2, the following positions are authorized: AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT: Permanent: 78 Time-Limited: 7 With the funds herein appropriated, it shall be the agencys responsibility to make certain that funds required for Personal Services for Fiscal Year 2027 do not exceed Fiscal Year 2026 funds appropriated for that purpose unless programs or positions are added to the agencys Fiscal Year 2026 budget by the Mississippi Legislature. The Legislature shall determine the agencys personal services appropriation, which the State Personnel Board shall publish. The agencys personal services appropriation may consist of restricted funds for approved vacancies for Fiscal Year 2026 that may be utilized to fill vacant Fiscal Year 2025 headcount. It shall be the agency's responsibility to ensure that the funds provided for vacancies are used to increase headcount and not for promotions, title changes, in-range salary adjustments or any other mechanism for increasing salaries for current employees. It is the Legislatures intention that no employee salary falls below the minimum salary established by the Mississippi State Personnel Board. Additionally, the State Personnel Board shall determine and publish the projected annualized payroll costs based on current employees. It shall be the responsibility of the agency head to ensure that actual personnel expenditures for Fiscal Year 2026 do not exceed the data provided by the Legislative Budget Office. If the agencys Fiscal Year 2026 projected cost exceeds the annualized costs, no salary actions shall be processed by the State Personnel Board except for new hires determined to be essential for the agency. Any transfers or escalations shall be made in accordance with the terms, conditions, and procedures established by law or allowable under the terms set forth within this act. The State Personnel Board shall not escalate positions without written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration. The Department of Finance and Administration shall not provide written approval to escalate any funds for salaries and/or positions without proof of availability of new or additional funds above the appropriated level. No general funds authorized to be expended herein shall be used to replace federal funds and/or other special funds used for salaries authorized under the provisions of this act and which are withdrawn and no longer available. None of the funds herein appropriated shall be used in violation of the Internal Revenue Services Publication 15-A relating to the reporting of income paid to contract employees, as interpreted by the Office of the State Auditor. SECTION 4. Funds appropriated herein shall first be used for the continuation of a full and complete broadcast schedule of educational and instructional, professional growth, and public service programs, with the production of new films and programs to be secondary thereto. SECTION 5. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television shall maintain complete accounting and personnel records related to the expenditure of all funds appropriated under this act and that such records shall be in the same format and level of detail as maintained for Fiscal Year 2025. It is further the intention of the Legislature that the agency's budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 shall be submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in a format and level of detail comparable to the format and level of detail provided during the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request process. SECTION 6. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 2, Two Million One Hundred Eighteen Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-six Dollars ($2,118,966.00) shall be derived from the Education Enhancement Fund deposited pursuant to Sections 27-65-75 and 27-67-31, Mississippi Code of 1972. SECTION 7. No part of the funds appropriated herein shall be transferred to, expended by, or used, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of any public relations, publicity or publication activities of any other state agency, department or officer, nor shall any personnel paid or equipment purchased with funds appropriated hereby be transferred or assigned to any other state agency, department or officer for public relations, publicity or publication activities of such office. SECTION 8. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television shall have the authority to expend funds in the Capital Equipment Replacement Revolving Fund, in accordance with Section 37-63-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the purpose of purchasing technical equipment for operating the educational radio and television facilities. SECTION 9. In compliance with the "Mississippi Performance Budget and Strategic Planning Act of 1994," it is the intent of the Legislature that the funds provided herein shall be utilized in the most efficient and effective manner possible to achieve the intended mission of this agency. Based on the funding authorized, this agency shall make every effort to attain the targeted performance measures provided below: FY2026 Performance Measures Target Content Operations Number of Locally Produced TV Programs 100 Number of Locally Produced Radio Programs 1,092 Number of Monthly Average Number of Web Site Users 25,000 Percent of Radio Broadcasts and TV Alerts During Times of Emergency 100.00 Education Services Percent Increase in Users Using MPB Education Online Resources for Pre-K Children and Families 15.00 Number of Students Served by the Digital Education Network (DEN) Classroom 2,000 Number of School Districts Participating in the DEN Classroom 30 Number of Teachers Taking e-Learning Courses 1,300 Number of Teacher Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Provided by e-Learning Courses Offered 3,500 Percent Increase of Visitors to the MPB Education Website 20.00 Number of Early Childhood Educators Attending MPB Resource Workshops Involving PBS and MPB Programs/Content 250 Technical Services Number of Transmitters On Air 8 On-Air Reliability 99.95 Number of IT Help Desk Orders Filled 835 Administration Number of Community Engagements/Outreach Events Including Virtual Engagements 100 Number of State Agency Partners 40 New Grant Dollars Acquired 75,000.00 A reporting of the degree to which the performance targets set above have been or are being achieved shall be provided in the agency's budget request submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for Fiscal Year 2027. SECTION 10. It is the intention of the Legislature that whenever two (2) or more bids are received by this agency for the purchase of commodities or equipment, and whenever all things stated in such received bids are equal with respect to price, quality and service, the Mississippi Industries for the Blind shall be given preference. A similar preference shall be given to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind whenever purchases are made without competitive bids. SECTION 11. It is the intention of the Legislature that an amount equal to One Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50) per square foot shall be paid to the Executive Office of the State Board of Institutions of Higher Learning to defray utility costs. SECTION 12. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Authority for Educational Television may fund a program to focus on the manufacturing industry in Mississippi. SECTION 13. Mississippi Authority for Educational Television is authorized to accept and expend any grant, donation, or contribution from any individual, public, or private organization, or government entity for purposes of defraying the operational costs of the department. Such grants, donations or contributions shall be received and expended under the rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds not to exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00). SECTION 14. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is reappropriated out of any money in the Education Enhancement Fund not otherwise appropriated, for the Educational Television Authority for the purpose of reauthorizing the expenditure of Education Enhancement Funds as authorized in House Bill No. 1824, 2024 Regular Session, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026..................................... $ 899,202.00. This reappropriation is made for the purpose of reauthorizing the expenditure of funds as allocated herein: a) Tower maintenance and upgrades............ $ 175,394.00. b) Digitalization of Educational Content and Mississippi History...................... $ 522,968.00. c) Production of a Medgar Evers documentary.................................. $ 200,840.00. Notwithstanding the amount reappropriated under this section, the amount that may be expended under the authority of this section shall not exceed the unexpended balance of the funds remaining as of June 30, 2025, from the amount authorized for the previous fiscal year. In addition, this reappropriation shall not change the purpose for which the funds were originally authorized. SECTION 15. The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the proper fund or funds as set forth in this act, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law. SECTION 16. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.
22
33 MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
44
55 2025 Regular Session
66
77 To: Appropriations E; Appropriations A
88
99 By: Representatives Oliver, Read, Arnold, Boyd (19th), Hines, Mangold, Massengill, Roberson, Scoggin
1010
1111 # House Bill 1769
12-
13-## (As Passed the House)
1412
1513 AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF THE MISSISSIPPI AUTHORITY FOR EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026.
1614
1715 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
1816
1917 SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026 $ 4,547,938.00.
2018
2119 SECTION 2. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated out of any money in the special fund in the State Treasury to the credit of the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television which is comprised of special source funds collected by or otherwise available to the Authority, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the Authority for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026...........................................
2220
2321 ............................................ $ 6,353,694.00.
2422
2523 SECTION 3. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 1 and Section 2, the following positions are authorized:
2624
2725 AUTHORIZED HEADCOUNT:
2826
2927 Permanent: 78
3028
3129 Time-Limited: 7
3230
3331 With the funds herein appropriated, it shall be the agencys responsibility to make certain that funds required for Personal Services for Fiscal Year 2027 do not exceed Fiscal Year 2026 funds appropriated for that purpose unless programs or positions are added to the agencys Fiscal Year 2026 budget by the Mississippi Legislature. The Legislature shall determine the agencys personal services appropriation, which the State Personnel Board shall publish. The agencys personal services appropriation may consist of restricted funds for approved vacancies for Fiscal Year 2026 that may be utilized to fill vacant Fiscal Year 2025 headcount. It shall be the agency's responsibility to ensure that the funds provided for vacancies are used to increase headcount and not for promotions, title changes, in-range salary adjustments or any other mechanism for increasing salaries for current employees. It is the Legislatures intention that no employee salary falls below the minimum salary established by the Mississippi State Personnel Board.
3432
3533 Additionally, the State Personnel Board shall determine and publish the projected annualized payroll costs based on current employees. It shall be the responsibility of the agency head to ensure that actual personnel expenditures for Fiscal Year 2026 do not exceed the data provided by the Legislative Budget Office. If the agencys Fiscal Year 2026 projected cost exceeds the annualized costs, no salary actions shall be processed by the State Personnel Board except for new hires determined to be essential for the agency.
3634
3735 Any transfers or escalations shall be made in accordance with the terms, conditions, and procedures established by law or allowable under the terms set forth within this act. The State Personnel Board shall not escalate positions without written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration. The Department of Finance and Administration shall not provide written approval to escalate any funds for salaries and/or positions without proof of availability of new or additional funds above the appropriated level.
3836
3937 No general funds authorized to be expended herein shall be used to replace federal funds and/or other special funds used for salaries authorized under the provisions of this act and which are withdrawn and no longer available.
4038
4139 None of the funds herein appropriated shall be used in violation of the Internal Revenue Services Publication 15-A relating to the reporting of income paid to contract employees, as interpreted by the Office of the State Auditor.
4240
4341 SECTION 4. Funds appropriated herein shall first be used for the continuation of a full and complete broadcast schedule of educational and instructional, professional growth, and public service programs, with the production of new films and programs to be secondary thereto.
4442
4543 SECTION 5. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television shall maintain complete accounting and personnel records related to the expenditure of all funds appropriated under this act and that such records shall be in the same format and level of detail as maintained for Fiscal Year 2025. It is further the intention of the Legislature that the agency's budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 shall be submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in a format and level of detail comparable to the format and level of detail provided during the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request process.
4644
4745 SECTION 6. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 2, Two Million One Hundred Eighteen Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-six Dollars ($2,118,966.00) shall be derived from the Education Enhancement Fund deposited pursuant to Sections 27-65-75 and 27-67-31, Mississippi Code of 1972.
4846
4947 SECTION 7. No part of the funds appropriated herein shall be transferred to, expended by, or used, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of any public relations, publicity or publication activities of any other state agency, department or officer, nor shall any personnel paid or equipment purchased with funds appropriated hereby be transferred or assigned to any other state agency, department or officer for public relations, publicity or publication activities of such office.
5048
5149 SECTION 8. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television shall have the authority to expend funds in the Capital Equipment Replacement Revolving Fund, in accordance with Section 37-63-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, for the purpose of purchasing technical equipment for operating the educational radio and television facilities.
5250
5351 SECTION 9. In compliance with the "Mississippi Performance Budget and Strategic Planning Act of 1994," it is the intent of the Legislature that the funds provided herein shall be utilized in the most efficient and effective manner possible to achieve the intended mission of this agency. Based on the funding authorized, this agency shall make every effort to attain the targeted performance measures provided below:
5452
5553 FY2026
5654
5755 Performance Measures Target
5856
5957 Content Operations
6058
6159 Number of Locally Produced TV Programs 100
6260
6361 Number of Locally Produced Radio Programs 1,092
6462
6563 Number of Monthly Average Number of Web
6664
6765 Site Users 25,000
6866
6967 Percent of Radio Broadcasts and TV
7068
7169 Alerts During Times of Emergency 100.00
7270
7371 Education Services
7472
7573 Percent Increase in Users Using MPB
7674
7775 Education Online Resources for Pre-K
7876
7977 Children and Families 15.00
8078
8179 Number of Students Served by the Digital
8280
8381 Education Network (DEN) Classroom 2,000
8482
8583 Number of School Districts Participating
8684
8785 in the DEN Classroom 30
8886
8987 Number of Teachers Taking e-Learning Courses 1,300
9088
9189 Number of Teacher Continuing Education
9290
9391 Units (CEUs) Provided by e-Learning
9492
9593 Courses Offered 3,500
9694
9795 Percent Increase of Visitors to the MPB
9896
9997 Education Website 20.00
10098
10199 Number of Early Childhood Educators
102100
103101 Attending MPB Resource Workshops
104102
105103 Involving PBS and MPB Programs/Content 250
106104
107105 Technical Services
108106
109107 Number of Transmitters On Air 8
110108
111109 On-Air Reliability 99.95
112110
113111 Number of IT Help Desk Orders Filled 835
114112
115113 Administration
116114
117115 Number of Community Engagements/Outreach
118116
119117 Events Including Virtual Engagements 100
120118
121119 Number of State Agency Partners 40
122120
123121 New Grant Dollars Acquired 75,000.00
124122
125123 A reporting of the degree to which the performance targets set above have been or are being achieved shall be provided in the agency's budget request submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee for Fiscal Year 2027.
126124
127125 SECTION 10. It is the intention of the Legislature that whenever two (2) or more bids are received by this agency for the purchase of commodities or equipment, and whenever all things stated in such received bids are equal with respect to price, quality and service, the Mississippi Industries for the Blind shall be given preference. A similar preference shall be given to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind whenever purchases are made without competitive bids.
128126
129127 SECTION 11. It is the intention of the Legislature that an amount equal to One Dollar and Fifty Cents ($1.50) per square foot shall be paid to the Executive Office of the State Board of Institutions of Higher Learning to defray utility costs.
130128
131129 SECTION 12. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Authority for Educational Television may fund a program to focus on the manufacturing industry in Mississippi.
132130
133131 SECTION 13. Mississippi Authority for Educational Television is authorized to accept and expend any grant, donation, or contribution from any individual, public, or private organization, or government entity for purposes of defraying the operational costs of the department. Such grants, donations or contributions shall be received and expended under the rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds not to exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00).
134132
135133 SECTION 14. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is reappropriated out of any money in the Education Enhancement Fund not otherwise appropriated, for the Educational Television Authority for the purpose of reauthorizing the expenditure of Education Enhancement Funds as authorized in House Bill No. 1824, 2024 Regular Session, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026..................................... $ 899,202.00.
136134
137135 This reappropriation is made for the purpose of reauthorizing the expenditure of funds as allocated herein:
138136
139137 a) Tower maintenance and upgrades............ $ 175,394.00.
140138
141139 b) Digitalization of Educational Content
142140
143141 and Mississippi History...................... $ 522,968.00.
144142
145143 c) Production of a Medgar Evers
146144
147145 documentary.................................. $ 200,840.00.
148146
149147 Notwithstanding the amount reappropriated under this section, the amount that may be expended under the authority of this section shall not exceed the unexpended balance of the funds remaining as of June 30, 2025, from the amount authorized for the previous fiscal year. In addition, this reappropriation shall not change the purpose for which the funds were originally authorized.
150148
151149 SECTION 15. The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State Treasury to the credit of the proper fund or funds as set forth in this act, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law.
152150
153151 SECTION 16. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.