House Bill 338

AN ACT TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING IN FISCAL YEARS 2016 AND 2017 IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO FIVE PERCENT EACH YEAR; TO DIRECT THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS NECESSARY TO FULLY FUND THE SALARY INCREASES EACH YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) For the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2015, and the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2016, the annual compensation of each employee of the state institutions of higher learning shall be increased by an amount equal to five percent (5%) of that employee's salary in effect on the day immediately preceding the first day of the fiscal year in which the increase is to take effect.

(2) If the increase in compensation provided for in this section would cause the salary of any employee of a state institution of higher learning to be in excess of the compensation of the president of the state institution of higher learning at which that employee is employed, then the employee's compensation may be increased only to the extent that the employee's salary will be equal in amount to the compensation of the president of the state institution of higher learning.

SECTION 2. If any employee of a state institution of higher learning is unable to receive the full amount of the salary increase provided for in Section 1 of this act because to award the entire allowable increase would cause that employee's base salary to exceed the end step of an applicable job classification, the end step of that particular job classification shall be increased. The increase shall be in an amount necessary to enable all employees in that particular job classification to be eligible to receive the full salary increase to which they are entitled under this act.

SECTION 3. The Legislature shall appropriate the funds necessary for fiscal years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 to provide full funding each fiscal year for the increases in compensation provided for in this act.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.