Senate Bill 2928

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VICKSBURG-WARREN SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CLAIBORNE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ENERGY INDUSTRY LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, WARREN COUNTY AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR AN ENERGY HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY; TO PRESCRIBE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ENERGY HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL TO ADMINISTER THE ACADEMY; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ACADEMY MODEL SHALL PROVIDE QUALIFIED STUDENTS FROM EIGHTH GRADE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL WITH CAREER EXPLORATION AND POTENTIAL INTERNSHIPS WITHIN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE CRITERIA FOR THE ENERGY HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY; TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF BUILDINGS, TEACHERS AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDING FOR THE OPERATION OF THE ACADEMY TO BE PROVIDED ON A PHASED-IN BASIS; TO ESTABLISH AN ENERGY ACADEMY FUND FOR START-UP AND OPERATIONAL COSTS ADMINISTERED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY CONSISTING OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. This act shall be known as "The Energy Academy Act."

SECTION 2. Intent. The intent of the Legislature is to provide an opportunity for motivated students to participate in a curriculum that will prepare them for a career of employment in the energy industry in their home state.

SECTION 3. Definitions. For purposes of this act:

(a) "The Board of Trustees" means the Board of Trustees of the Vicksburg-Warren School District.

(b) "The Board of Education" means the Claiborne County Board of Education.

(d) "Energy Academy" means an energy high school created under this act.

(e) "Partnership Council" means the Energy High School Academy Partnership Council.

(f) "MDA" means the Mississippi Development Authority.

SECTION 4. (1) The Board of Trustees of the Vicksburg-Warren School District and the Claiborne County Board of Education are authorized to make application to the Mississippi Development Authority for the approval of entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with a nuclear facility and Warren County and the State of Mississippi for the establishment of a partnership for the operation of an Energy High School Academy. The purpose of the Energy High School Academy shall be to provide qualified students attending school in Warren and/or Claiborne County in the eighth through twelfth grade with career education, potential student internships and continuing education for careers in the energy industry.

(2) (a) The Energy High School Academy shall be under the administrative direction of the Energy High School Academy Partnership Council (Partnership Council) consisting of one (1) member from each of the following entities:

(i) The Chief Executive Officer of an enterprise engaged in the generation of nuclear energy located in Claiborne County, or his designee, who shall serve for four (4) years;

(ii) The superintendent of the Vicksburg-Warren School District, who shall serve for four (4) years;

(iii) The superintendent of the Claiborne County School District, who shall serve for four (4) years;

(iv) A designee of the Mississippi Development Authority, appointed by the executive director of MDA, and which may be the executive director, who shall serve three (3) years;

(v) A member of the Board of Trustees of the Vicksburg-Warren School District, appointed by the Vicksburg Mayor and Board of Alderman, who shall serve two (2) years;

(vi) A member of the Claiborne County Board of Education, appointed by the Claiborne County Board of Supervisors, who shall serve two (2) years;

(vii) A member of the Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce, appointed by the chairman of the board of directors, who may appoint himself or herself, and who shall serve one (1) year; and

(viii) A member of the Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce, appointed by the chairman of the board of directors, who may appoint himself or herself, and who shall serve one (1) year.

(b) Members of the Partnership Council shall serve staggered terms, as prescribed in paragraph (a) of this subsection, commencing with the initial appointments made in 2019, and shall thereafter, upon the expiration of the initial term, the succeeding appointees shall serve a term of four (4) years. Members of the council may be reappointed to the council by the original appointing authority without limitation on the number of terms served. In the event of a vacancy on the council, the original appointing authority shall appoint a replacement to complete the unexpired term of the member creating the vacancy.

(c) The Partnership Council shall meet on or before August 1, 2019, and organize for business, elect officers and adopt necessary regulations for the operation of the Energy High School Academy. Meetings shall be held upon the call of the chairman.

(3) The Energy High School Academy Partnership Council shall promulgate administrative rules and regulations to prescribe the criteria to be used in the establishment of the Energy High School Academy, which shall include student qualifications, application requirements and curriculum components.

(4) (a) There is established in the State Treasury a fund to be known as the "Energy High School Academy Fund." The purpose of the fund is to provide necessary financial support to Vicksburg-Warren/Claiborne County School Districts and the Mississippi Development Authority for start-up costs and costs associated with implementing and operating the Energy Academy established under this section. The fund may consist of monies obtained from grants from any public or private source. The Mississippi Development Authority shall administer the fund pursuant to appropriation by the Legislature, and may apply for any grants from the federal government or private sources.

(b) The Mississippi Development Authority shall prepare a three-year budget proposal for the operation of the Energy Academy which shall include staff and liaison salary estimates, equipment and facility costs and job demand estimates. This budget shall be submitted to the Governor, the Legislative Budget Office and the Partnership Council and updated annually.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019, and shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2022.