MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Horhn

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE AND EMPOWER THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES AND THE COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGE DISTRICTS TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A SYSTEM FOR DEVELOPING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SERVICES; TO ESTABLISH AN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CENTER FUND FOR THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR THIS PURPOSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The State Board for Community and Junior Colleges and the Mississippi community and junior college system are authorized and empowered to develop and implement a system for delivering advanced technology training services in the state. During phase one of this program, each community or junior college may establish an Advanced Technology Center that contains core services for advanced technology training that would complement the One Stop Career Center services and technology programs in place at the community and junior colleges. These centers shall provide the advanced technology training needed to assist Mississippi business in making employees and processes more competitive. The state board and the community and junior college districts may establish Advanced Technology Training Centers in cooperation and in conjunction with the local district workforce councils. During phase two of this program, each community or junior college may develop advanced technology training specialties based on data from state and local studies, needs of local employers and with the advice of local district workforce councils.

(2) There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Advanced Technology Center Training Services Fund." Any unexpended balance in said fund at the end of the fiscal year shall carryover to the succeeding fiscal year and shall not lapse into the State General Fund. Said fund shall be credited with any funds appropriated by the Legislature, and funds from any other source for the implementation of the advanced technology training services program at the community and junior colleges of the state.

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