MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Education; Appropriations A
By: Representative Roberson
AN ACT TO CREATE A STUDY COMMITTEE TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AND ADMINISTERING A UNIVERSAL EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP ACCOUNTS (ESA) PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 12, FOR PURPOSES OF PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ELIGIBLE EXPENSES RELATED TO EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INSTRUCTION AND NEEDS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION OF THE STUDY COMMITTEE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created a study committee to determine the feasibility of establishing and administering a universal educational scholarship accounts (ESA) program for students in kindergarten through Grade 12, for purposes of providing financial support for eligible expenses related to educational services, instruction and needs.
The committee shall, at a minimum, study and report to the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislature the following:
(a) The viability of an ESA system that is inclusive of all students;
(b) The costs for implementation of a universal ESA program based on initial enrollment and projected enrollment of students into the program;
(c) The impact of a universal ESA program on the existing adequate education program funding or any newly developed equitable funding formula; and
(d) Any potential constitutional or legal implications created by the establishment of a universal ESA program.
(2) The Study Committee shall be composed of the following seven (7) members:
(a) Two (2) members appointed by the Speaker of the House, one (1) of whom shall be the Chairman of the House Education Committee;
(b) Two (2) members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, one (1) of whom shall be the Chairman of the Senate Education Committee; and
(c) Three (3) members appointed by the Governor from the state at large, as follows:
(i) One (1) of whom shall be a superintendent of a public school district;
(ii) One (1) of whom shall be a representative of a private school under the governing authority of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools; and
(iii) One (1) of whom shall be a representative of the state's business community.
(3) Appointments shall be made within thirty (30) days after the effective date of this act. The committee shall hold its first meeting before August 1, 2024, with the date, time and location of the meeting to be designated by the Governor. At that first meeting, the committee shall elect an individual to serve as chairman of the study committee. A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. In the adoption of the rules, resolutions and reports, an affirmative vote of a majority of the members shall be required. All members shall be notified in writing of all meetings, such notices shall be mailed at least five (5) days before the date on which a meeting is to be held.
(4) Members of the task force shall receive no compensation for their service on the task force, but may receive reimbursement for mileage and actual expenses as provided in Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, to the extent that funds are available for that purpose.
(5) To effectuate the purposes of this section, any department, division, board, bureau, committee or agency of the state or any political subdivision thereof, shall, at the request of any member of the committee, provide such facilities, assistance, information and data as will enable the committee to properly carry out its duties.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024, and shall stand repealed on June 30, 2024.