House Bill 1070

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 37-13-187, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH THE PATRIOTIC EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING EDUCATION THAT TEACHES AMERICAN HISTORY IN SCHOOLS; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN STANDARDS FOR THE GRANT PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE PROGRAM; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE ANNUAL GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE MILLION DOLLARS TO THE PATRIOTIC EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 37-13-187, Mississippi Code of 1972:

37-13-187. (1) There is hereby established the Patriotic Education Grant Program.

(2) The Patriotic Education Grant Program shall be administered by the Department of Education for the purpose of promoting education that teaches American history in schools.

(3) The Department of Education shall administer grant funds to schools for activities, including but not limited to, after-school clubs, special speakers and field trips.

(4) All school districts and teachers may apply for grant funds from the program, provided that teachers shall receive approval from their school district before applying for such funds. If a teacher submits an application for a grant under the program, he or she must specify the purposes for which the funds are intended for use. If the teacher's grant application is approved, the funds shall be issued to the school district of the teacher's employment for the uses specified in the application, and expenditures of which must be reported to the appropriate district personnel responsible for receivable and expendable accounts.

(5) The Department of Education shall promulgate rules and regulations to accomplish the purpose of the program.

(6) The Department of Education shall allocate annual grant funding in the amount of Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) to the Patriotic Education Grant Program. There is created a special fund in the State Treasury, to be known as the "Patriotic Education Grant Fund," from which the grants authorized by this act shall be disbursed by the Department of Education.

(7) All monies deposited into the Patriotic Education Grant Fund shall be exclusively used for the purposes provided in this act and any unspent funds at the end of the fiscal year shall not revert to the General Fund of the State Treasury but shall be available for such purposes in subsequent fiscal years.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.