Senate Bill 2989

AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE EIGHT UNIVERSITIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024.

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

SECTION 1. The following sum of money, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for the purpose of support, maintenance, affirmative action plan, interest funds and repairs at the state-supported institutions of higher learning; for support of Alcorn State University, Delta State University, Jackson State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University, University of Mississippi, and University of Southern Mississippi, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024..................................... $ 582,515,843.00.

SECTION 2. Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of Section 1 of this act, the following amounts are to be allocated as follows:

Hiring nursing faculty at

IHL Schools of Nursing .................. $5,000,000.00

Supporting and assisting

mental health providers

across the IHL system ................... $5,000,000.00

SECTION 3. It is the intent of the Legislature that the increase in funding provided to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning be used by the board to fund an increase in faculty salaries to more salaries closer to the Southern Regional Education Board average.

SECTION 4. The money herein appropriated shall be paid by the State Treasurer out of any money in the State General Fund not otherwise appropriated, upon warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer; and the State Fiscal Officer shall issue his or her warrants upon requisitions signed by the proper person, officer or officers in the manner provided by law.

SECTION 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.