MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Harden

AN ACT TO REQUIRE A MINIMUM PERCENTAGE OF THE STATE'S GENERAL FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR APPROPRIATION TO BE ANNUALLY APPROPRIATED TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING UNTIL NO LESS THAN SIXTY-THREE PERCENT OF SUCH FUNDS IS APPROPRIATED FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES; TO EXCLUDE EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT FUNDS AND APPROPRIATIONS TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING FOR THE SUPPORT OF AGRICULTURE UNITS FROM THE MINIMUM APPROPRIATION PERCENTAGE; TO PROVIDE THAT FUNDS NOT EXPENDED AT THE CLOSE OF THE FISCAL YEAR SHALL REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) For the purpose of funding the support and maintenance of public education and any related educational activities and programs in the State of Mississippi, beginning with the appropriations for Fiscal Year 2001, the Legislature shall increase annually the percentage of the state's general funds available for appropriation during the then current fiscal year which is appropriated to the State Department of Education, the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning so that for the appropriations for Fiscal Year 2004, sixty-three percent (63%) of the state's general funds available for appropriation for the then current fiscal year is appropriated for public education purposes. In each subsequent fiscal year, no less than sixty-three percent (63%) of the state's general funds or a percentage equal to the percentage of the state's general funds which was appropriated for the preceding fiscal year to the State Department of Education, the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, whichever is greater, shall be appropriated for such purposes.

(2) Any funds from the Education Enhancement Fund and any appropriation made to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for the support of agriculture units shall not be included in the minimum appropriation percentage established under this section.

(3) Any monies appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose set forth in subsection (1) of this section which are not expended during the fiscal year for which those funds were appropriated shall revert to the State General Fund at the close of that fiscal year.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.