MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2024 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representatives Harness, Johnson, Bell (65th)

House Bill 705

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-35-309, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REPEAL THE PROVISION OF LAW THAT EXEMPTS FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION ANY NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANT LOCATED IN THE STATE WHICH IS OWNED OR OPERATED BY A PUBLIC UTILITY RENDERING ELECTRIC SERVICE WITHIN THE STATE AND WHICH IS NOT OWNED OR OPERATED BY AN INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THAT PROVIDES FOR SUCH A PUBLIC UTILITY TO MAKE PAYMENTS IN LIEU OF AD VALOREM TAXES; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 19-9-151, 19-9-153, 19-9-155 AND 19-9-157, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATE TO IN-LIEU PAYMENTS TO COUNTIES IN WHICH NUCLEAR GENERATING PLANTS ARE LOCATED, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-39-305, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES COUNTIES TO LEVY AD VALOREM TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS AND BRIDGES, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-39-320, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR LIMITATIONS ON INCREASES OF AD VALOREM TAX REVENUES, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 33-15-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATES THE GRAND GULF DISASTER ASSISTANCE TRUST FUND, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-57-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES AND PROVIDES THE PROCEDURE FOR THE LEVY OF CERTAIN AD VALOREM TAXES FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT PURPOSES, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-151-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATES TO THE DETERMINATION OF ANNUAL ALLOCATIONS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR OPERATION UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADEQUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM ACT OF 1997, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-151-87, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATES TO THE REDUCTION OF LOCAL SUPPLEMENT OR SUPPORT FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION UNDER THE MISSISSIPPI ACCOUNTABILITY AND ADEQUATE EDUCATION PROGRAM ACT OF 1997, FOR THE PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.    

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 27-35-309, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     27-35-309.  (1)  The Department of Revenue shall, if practicable, on or before the first Monday of June of each year, make out for each person, firm, company or corporation listed in Section 27-35-303, Mississippi Code of 1972, an assessment of the company's property, both real and personal, tangible and intangible.  The Department of Revenue shall apportion the assessment of value of each company's property according to the provisions of this article, except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, as follows:

          (a)  When the property of such public service company is located in more than one (1) county in this state, the Department of Revenue shall direct the company to apportion the assessed value between the counties and municipalities and all other taxing districts therein, in the proportion which the property located therein bears to the entire value of the property of such company as valued by the department, so that to each county, municipality and taxing district therein, there shall be apportioned such part of the entire valuation as will fairly equalize the relative value of the property therein located to the whole value thereof.

          (b)  When the property of such public utility required to be assessed by the provisions of this article is located in more than one (1) state, the assessed value thereof shall be apportioned by the Department of Revenue in such manner as will fairly and equitably determine the principal sum for the value thereof in this state, and after ascertaining such value it shall be apportioned by them as herein provided.

     The assessment roll shall contain all the property of any such public service company, railroad, person, firm or corporation and the value thereof, and so made that each county, municipality, and taxing district shall receive its just share of taxes proportionately to the amount of property therein situated.

     (2)  (a)  The assessment when made shall remain open for twenty (20) days in the Office of the Department of Revenue, and be for such time subject to the objections thereto which may be filed with the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals; but real estate belonging to railroads and which forms no part of the road, and is wholly disconnected from its railroad business, shall not be assessed by the Department of Revenue, but shall be assessed as other real estate is assessed by the tax assessor of the county where situated.

          (b)  The apportionment of the assessed value as required by this section shall be filed with the Department of Revenue by such public service company on or before the last day of the objection period established in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2).  If such company shall fail, refuse or neglect to render the apportionment of assessed value as required by this section, such company shall be subject to the penalties provided for in Section 27-35-305.  The filing of an objection by such public service company shall not preclude such company from filing the property apportionment as required by this section.

     (3)  Any nuclear generating plant which is located in the state, which is owned or operated by a public utility rendering electric service within the state and not exempt from ad valorem taxation under any other statute and which is not owned or operated by an instrumentality of the federal government shall be exempt from county, municipal and district ad valorem taxes.  In lieu of the payment of county, municipal and district ad valorem taxes, such public utility shall pay to the Department of Revenue a sum based on the assessed value of such nuclear generating plant in an amount to be determined and distributed as follows:

          (a)  The Department of Revenue shall annually assign an assessed value to any nuclear generating plant described in this subsection in the same manner as for ad valorem tax purposes by using accepted industry methods for appraising and assessing public utility property.  The assessed value assigned shall be used for the purpose of determining the in-lieu tax due under this section and shall not be included on the ad valorem tax rolls of the situs taxing authority nor be subject to ad valorem taxation by the situs taxing authority nor shall the assessed value assigned be used in determining the debt limit of the situs taxing authority.  However, the assessed value so assigned may be used by the situs taxing authority for the purpose of determining salaries of its public officials.

          (b)  On or before February 1, 1987, for the 1986 taxable year and on or before February 1 of each year through the 1989 taxable year, such utility shall pay to the Department of Revenue a sum equal to two percent (2%) of the assessed value as ascertained by the Department of Revenue, but such payment shall not be less than Sixteen Million Dollars ($16,000,000.00) for any of the four (4) taxable years; all such payments in excess of Sixteen Million Dollars ($16,000,000.00) for these four (4) taxable years shall be paid into the General Fund of the state.  On or before February 1, 1991, for the 1990 taxable year and on or before February 1 of each year thereafter, such utility shall pay to the Department of Revenue a sum equal to two percent (2%) of the assessed value as ascertained by the Department of Revenue, but such payment shall not be less than Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00) for any taxable year for as long as such nuclear power plant is licensed to operate and is not being permanently decommissioned; all such payments in excess of Sixteen Million Dollars ($16,000,000.00) for taxable years 1990 and thereafter shall be paid as follows:

              (i)  An amount of Three Million Forty Thousand Dollars ($3,040,000.00) annually, beginning with fiscal year 1991, shall be transferred by the Department of Revenue to Claiborne County.  Such payments may be expended by the Board of Supervisors of Claiborne County for any purpose for which a county is authorized by law to levy an ad valorem tax and shall not be included or considered as proceeds of ad valorem taxes for the purposes of the growth limitation on ad valorem taxes under Sections 27-39-305 and 27-39-321.  However, should the Board of Supervisors of Claiborne County withdraw its support of the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station off-site emergency plan or otherwise fail to satisfy its off-site emergency plan commitments as determined by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) annually of the funds designated for Claiborne County as described by this * * *subsection subparagraph (i) shall be deposited in the Grand Gulf Disaster Assistance Fund as provided in Section 33-15-51.

              (ii)  An amount of One Hundred Sixty Thousand Dollars ($160,000.00) annually, beginning with fiscal year 1991, shall be transferred by the Department of Revenue to the City of Port Gibson, Mississippi.  Such payments may be expended by the Board of Aldermen of the City of Port Gibson for any purpose for which a municipality is authorized by law to levy an ad valorem tax and shall not be included or considered as proceeds of ad valorem taxes for the purposes of the growth limitation on ad valorem taxes under Sections 27-39-305 and 27-39-321.  However, should the Board of Aldermen of the City of Port Gibson withdraw its support of the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station off-site emergency plan or otherwise fail to satisfy its off-site emergency plan commitment, as determined by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) annually of the funds designated for the City of Port Gibson as described by this * * *subsection subparagraph (ii) shall be deposited in the Grand Gulf Disaster Assistance Fund as provided in Section 33-15-51.

              (iii)  The remaining balance of the payments in excess of Sixteen Million Dollars ($16,000,000.00) annually, less amounts transferred under (i) and (ii) of this subsection, beginning with fiscal year 1991, shall be allocated in accordance with subsection (3)(f) of this section.

          (c)  Pursuant to certification by the Attorney General to the State Treasurer and the Department of Revenue that the suit against the State of Mississippi pending on the effective date of House Bill 8, First Extraordinary Session of 1990, [Laws, 1990 Ex Session, Ch. 12, eff June 26, 1990], in the Chancery Court for the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, styled Albert Butler et al v. the Mississippi State Tax Commission et al, has been voluntarily dismissed with prejudice as to all plaintiffs at the request of the complainants and that no attorney's fees or court costs have been assessed against the state and each of the parties, including Claiborne County and each municipality and school district located in the county, have signed and delivered to the Attorney General a full and complete release in favor of the State of Mississippi and its elected officials of all claims that have been asserted or may be asserted in the suit pending on the effective date of House Bill 8, First Extraordinary Session of 1990, [Laws, 1990 Ex Session, Ch. 12, eff June 26, 1990], in the Chancery Court for the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, styled Albert Butler et al v. the Mississippi State Tax Commission et al, and the deposit into the State General Fund of in-lieu payments and interest thereon due the state under subsection (3)(b) of this section but placed in escrow because of the lawsuit described above, the state shall promptly transfer to the Board of Supervisors of Claiborne County out of the State General Fund an amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) which shall be a one-time distribution to Claiborne County from the state.  Such payment may be expended by the Board of Supervisors of Claiborne County for any purposes for which a county is authorized by law to levy an ad valorem tax and shall not be included or considered as proceeds of ad valorem taxes for the purposes of the growth limitation on ad valorem taxes for the 1991 fiscal year under Sections 27-39-321 and 27-39-305.

          (d)  After distribution of the one-time payment to Claiborne County as set forth in subsection (3)(c) of this section, the Department of Revenue upon certification that the pending lawsuit as described in subsection (3)(c) of this section has been voluntarily dismissed shall promptly deposit an amount of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) into the Grand Gulf Disaster Assistance Trust Fund as provided for in Section 33-15-51, which shall be a one-time payment, to be utilized in accordance with the provisions of such section.

          (e)  After distribution of the one-time payment to Claiborne County as set forth in subsection (3)(c) of this section and the payment to the Grand Gulf Disaster Assistance Trust Fund as set forth in subsection (3)(d) of this section, the Department of Revenue upon certification that the pending lawsuit as described in subsection (3)(c) of this section has been voluntarily dismissed shall promptly distribute ten percent (10%) of the remainder of the prior payments remaining in escrow to the General Fund of the state and the balance of the prior payments remaining in escrow shall be distributed to the counties and municipalities in this state wherein such public utility has rendered electric service in the proportion that the amount of electric energy consumed by the retail customers of such public utility in each county, excluding municipalities therein, and in each municipality, for the next preceding fiscal year bears to the total amount of electric energy consumed by all retail customers of such public utility in the State of Mississippi for the next preceding fiscal year.  The payments distributed to the counties and municipalities under this paragraph (e) may be expended by such counties and municipalities for any lawful purpose and shall not be included or considered as proceeds of ad valorem taxes for the purposes of the growth limitation on ad valorem taxes under Sections 27-39-321 and 27-39-305.

          (f)  After distribution of the payments for fiscal year 1991 as set forth in Section 19-9-151 and distribution of the payments as provided for in subsection (3)(b) of this section, the Department of Revenue shall distribute ten percent (10%) of the remainder of the payments to the General Fund of the state and the balance to the counties and municipalities in this state wherein such public utility renders electric service in the proportion that the amount of electric energy consumed by the retail customers of such public utility in each county, excluding municipalities therein, and in each municipality for the next preceding fiscal year bears to the total amount of electric energy consumed by all retail customers of such public utility in the State of Mississippi for the next preceding fiscal year.

          (g)  No county, including municipalities therein, shall receive in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the funds distributed under paragraph (f) of this subsection.

          (h)  The revenues received by counties and municipalities under paragraph (f) of this subsection shall not be included or considered as proceeds of ad valorem taxes for the purposes of the growth limitation on ad valorem taxes under Sections 27-39-305 and 27-39-321.

          (i)  This subsection (3) shall stand repealed on July 1, 2024.

     SECTION 2.  Section 19-9-151, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     19-9-151.  The in-lieu payments made to the State Tax Commission pursuant to Section 27-35-309(3)(b), excluding payments made in excess of Sixteen Million Dollars ($16,000,000.00) which are required to be paid into the General Fund of the state, shall be distributed by the State Tax Commission as follows:

          (a)  For fiscal year 1987, fifty percent (50%) of such payment shall be paid to the situs county wherein such nuclear generating plant is located;

          (b)  For fiscal year 1988, forty-five percent (45%) of such payment shall be paid to the situs county wherein such nuclear generating plant is located;

          (c)  For fiscal year 1989, forty percent (40%) of such payment shall be paid to the situs county wherein such nuclear generating plant is located;

          (d)  For fiscal year 1990, thirty-five (35%) of such payment shall be paid to the situs county wherein such nuclear generating plant is located;

          (e)  For fiscal year 1991 and thereafter, thirty percent (30%) of such payment shall be paid to the situs county wherein such nuclear generating plant is located.

     SECTION 3.  Section 19-9-153, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     19-9-153.  Of the funds received pursuant to Section 19-9-151 by a situs county wherein such nuclear generating plant is located, the board of supervisors of such situs county shall distribute ten percent (10%) of each payment, upon receipt, to the most populous incorporated municipality within the county; however, if such plant is located within a municipality, such payments which would otherwise be made to the situs county pursuant to Section 19-9-151 shall be divided equally between the situs county and situs municipality.

     SECTION 4.  Section 19-9-155, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     19-9-155.  Of the funds retained by the situs county after the payment made pursuant to Section 19-9-153, not more than Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($5,500,000.00) per year may be expended by the board of supervisors of the county for any purposes for which a county is authorized by law to levy an ad valorem tax, and any funds in excess of such amount shall be expended in accordance with Section 19-9-157.

     SECTION 5.  Section 19-9-157, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     19-9-157.  The board of supervisors of the situs county, upon receipt of the payments pursuant to Section 19-9-151 less the payment made according to Section 19-9-153, shall pay all such funds in excess of Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($5,500,000.00) to the governing authorities of the public school districts in such county in the proportion that the average daily attendance for the preceding scholastic year of each school district bears to the total average daily attendance of the county for the preceding scholastic year.  Such funds may be expended only for the purposes of capital improvements to school facilities and only after plans therefor have been submitted to and approved by the Educational Finance Commission or its successor.  The governing authorities of such school districts may borrow money in anticipation of receipt of payments pursuant to this section and the levying authority for the school district may issue negotiable notes therefor, for the purposes set forth herein.  Such loan shall be repaid from the payments received under this section by the governing authorities of the public school district.  However, no public school districts within the situs county shall be entitled to any payments after January 1, 1990.

     SECTION 6.  Section 27-39-305, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     27-39-305.  (1)  In addition to the levy authorized by Section 27-39-303, the board of supervisors may annually impose a countywide ad valorem tax levy or levies for the maintenance and/or construction of roads and bridges.

     (2)  For each fiscal year, the aggregate receipts from taxes levied for the maintenance and/or construction of roads and bridges pursuant to this section shall not exceed the aggregate receipts from this source during any one (1) of the immediately preceding three (3) fiscal years, as determined by the board of supervisors, plus an increase not to exceed ten percent (10%). The additional revenue from the ad valorem tax on any newly constructed properties or any existing properties added to the tax rolls or any properties previously exempt, which were not assessed in the next preceding year may be excluded from the ten percent (10%) increase limitation set forth herein.

     (3)  The ten percent (10%) increase limitation prescribed in this section may be increased an additional amount only as provided in subsection (4) of this section or when the county board of supervisors has determined the need for additional revenues and has held an election on the question of raising the limitation prescribed in this section.  The limitation may be increased under this subsection only if the proposed increase is approved by a majority of those voting in an election held for such purpose.  The resolution, notice and manner of holding the election shall be as prescribed by law for the holding of elections for the issuance of bonds by the county board of supervisors.  Revenues collected for the fiscal year in excess of the ten percent (10%) increase limitation pursuant to an election shall be included in the tax base for the purpose of determining aggregate receipts for which the ten percent (10%) increase limitation applies for subsequent fiscal years.

     (4)  As an alternative to the procedure provided in subsection (3) of this section, the ten percent (10%) increase limitation prescribed in this section may be increased by an additional amount without an election thereon if the aggregate receipts from the levy authorized in this section and from all other county levies to which Sections 27-39-320 and 27-39-321 apply do not exceed one hundred ten percent (110%) of the aggregate receipts from all such levies during any one (1) of the immediately preceding three (3) fiscal years, as determined by the board of supervisors.

     (5)  Except as otherwise provided for excess revenues generated pursuant to an election under subsection (3) of this section and for excess revenues generated in accordance with subsection (4) of this section, if revenues collected as the result of the taxes levied for the fiscal year pursuant to this section exceed the increase limitation, then it shall be the mandatory duty of the board of supervisors to deposit such excess receipts over and above the increase limitation into a special account and credit it to the county road and bridge fund.  It will be the further duty of such board to hold said funds and invest the same as authorized by law.  Such excess funds shall be calculated in the road and bridge budget for the succeeding fiscal year.  Taxes imposed for the succeeding year shall be reduced by the amount of excess funds available.  Under no circumstances shall such excess funds be expended during the fiscal year in which such excess funds are collected.

     (6)  In any county where there is located a nuclear generating power plant on which a tax is assessed under Section 27-35-309(3), the term "the aggregate receipts from taxes" as used in this section shall be the portion of the "base revenue" as defined in Section 27-39-320 which is used for the maintenance and/or construction of roads and bridges.

     (7)  If a shortfall occurs in revenues from sources other than ad valorem taxes and oil and gas severance taxes budgeted for the county road and bridge fund during the 1987 fiscal year, then the county may levy a special ad valorem tax for the 1988 fiscal year in an amount the avails of which shall not exceed such shortfall; provided, however, that the aggregate receipts from all ad valorem levies for the maintenance and/or construction of roads and bridges for the 1988 fiscal year shall not exceed the aggregate receipts from this source for the immediately preceding fiscal year plus an increase not to exceed twenty percent (20%).

     (8)  If a shortfall occurs in revenues from oil and gas severance taxes budgeted for the county road and bridge fund during the 1987 fiscal year, then the county may levy a special ad valorem tax for the 1988 fiscal year in an amount the avails of which shall not exceed such shortfall.  The avails of such special ad valorem tax shall not be included within the ten percent (10%) increase limitation.  The ad valorem taxes levied to offset the shortfall shall be deemed to be ad valorem tax receipts produced in the 1988 fiscal year for the purpose of determining the limitation on receipts for the succeeding fiscal years.

     SECTION 7.  Section 27-39-320, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     27-39-320.  (1)  The Legislature finds and determines that legislation requiring a specific levy or requiring consent of some other governing body to reduce the levy was intended to raise a certain amount of revenue for specific purposes.  Upon this determination and notwithstanding the provisions of any statute which requires a definite levy to be made or which requires that a levy may not be reduced except by the consent of some other governing authority, the amount of such levy shall be deemed to be an amount necessary to produce the revenues received in the next preceding year plus, at the option of the taxing authority, an increase not to exceed ten percent (10%) of such revenues.

     (2)  In any county where there is located a nuclear generating power plant on which a tax is assessed under Section 27-35-309(3), such required levy and revenue produced thereby may be reduced by the levying authority in an amount in proportion to a reduction in the base revenue of any such county from the previous year.  Such reduction shall be allowed only if the reduction in base revenue equals or exceeds five percent (5%). "Base revenue" shall mean the revenue received by the county from the ad valorem tax levy plus the revenue received by the county from the tax assessed under Section 27-35-309(3) and authorized to be used for any purposes for which a county is authorized by law to levy an ad valorem tax.  For purposes of determining if the reduction equals or exceeds five percent (5%), a levy of millage equal to the prior year's millage shall be hypothetically applied to the current year's ad valorem tax base to determine the amount of revenue to be generated from the ad valorem tax levy.  For the purposes of this section, the portion of base revenue used to fund the purpose for which a specific levy is required shall be deemed to be the total receipts from ad valorem taxes for such purpose. This paragraph shall apply to taxes levied for the 1987 fiscal year and for each fiscal year thereafter.  If the Mississippi Supreme Court or another court finally adjudicates that the tax levied under Section 27-35-309(3) is unconstitutional, then this paragraph shall stand repealed.

     (3)  With respect to ad valorem taxes levied on or after October 1, 1980, no county or municipality shall levy those mills heretofore required by law to be levied to an extent that such levy shall produce more than the total receipts produced from such levy in the next preceding year, plus, at the option of the taxing authority, an increase not to exceed ten percent (10%) of such receipts.  Such total receipts shall be deemed to include the total avails of such levy either collected from the property owner or by reimbursement by the state.  The revenues produced from any newly constructed properties or any existing properties added to the tax rolls or any properties previously exempt which were not assessed in the next preceding year may be excluded from the limitation set forth herein.

     (4)  The ten percent (10%) increase limitation prescribed in this section may be increased by an additional amount by the board of supervisors of any county if the aggregate receipts from all county levies to which this section and Sections 27-39-305 and 27-39-321 apply do not exceed one hundred ten percent (110%) of the aggregate receipts from all such levies during any one (1) of the immediately preceding three (3) fiscal years, as determined by the board of supervisors.

     (5)  The limitations set forth in this section shall apply to the mandatory tax levied by Section 27-39-329.

     SECTION 8.  Section 33-15-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     33-15-51.  The Grand Gulf Disaster Assistance Trust Fund is hereby created as a special fund in the State Treasury to be administered by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. Monies paid into the fund shall be derived from Sections 27-35-309(3)(b)(i) and (ii) and 27-35-309(3)(d).  All monies deposited therein shall be available for expenditure, transfer and allocation by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency for state and local preparedness activities directly related to the Grand Gulf Nuclear Generating Plant, with at least fifty percent (50%) of the monies in the fund earmarked for use in conducting such activities in the geographic area falling within a thirty-mile radius of the plant.

     SECTION 9.  Section 37-57-105, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     37-57-105.  (1)  In addition to the taxes levied under Section 37-57-1, the levying authority for the school district, as defined in Section 37-57-1, upon receipt of a certified copy of an order adopted by the school board of the school district requesting an ad valorem tax effort in dollars for the support of the school district, shall, at the same time and in the same manner as other ad valorem taxes are levied, levy an annual ad valorem tax in the amount fixed in such order upon all of the taxable property of such school district, which shall not be less than the millage rate certified by the State Board of Education as the uniform minimum school district ad valorem tax levy for the support of the adequate education program in such school district under Section 37-57-1.  Provided, however, that any school district levying less than the uniform minimum school district ad valorem tax levy on July 1, 1997, shall only be required to increase its local district maintenance levy in four (4) mill annual increments in order to attain such millage requirements.  In making such levy, the levying authority shall levy an additional amount sufficient to cover anticipated delinquencies and costs of collection so that the net amount of money to be produced by such levy shall be equal to the amount which is requested by said school board.  The proceeds of such tax levy, excluding levies for the payment of the principal of and interest on school bonds or notes and excluding levies for costs of collection, shall be placed in the school depository to the credit of the school district and shall be expended in the manner provided by law for the purpose of supplementing teachers' salaries, extending school terms, purchasing furniture, supplies and materials, and for all other lawful operating and incidental expenses of such school district, funds for which are not provided by adequate education program fund allotments.

     The monies authorized to be received by school districts from the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund pursuant to Section 37-61-35 shall be included as ad valorem tax receipts.  The levying authority for the school district, as defined in Section 37-57-1, shall reduce the ad valorem tax levy for such school district in an amount equal to the amount distributed to such school district from the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund each calendar year pursuant to said Section 37-61-35.  Such reduction shall not be less than the millage rate necessary to generate a reduction in ad valorem tax receipts equal to the funds distributed to such school district from the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund pursuant to Section 37-61-35.  Such reduction shall not be deemed to be a reduction in the aggregate amount of support from ad valorem taxation for purposes of Section 37-19-11.  The millage levy certified by the State Board of Education as the uniform minimum ad valorem tax levy or the millage levy that would generate funds in an amount equal to a school district's district entitlement, as defined in Section 37-22-1(2)(e), shall be subject to the provisions of this paragraph.

     In any county where there is located a nuclear generating power plant on which a tax is assessed under Section 27-35-309(3), such required levy and revenue produced thereby may be reduced by the levying authority in an amount in proportion to a reduction in the base revenue of any such county from the previous year.  Such reduction shall be allowed only if the reduction in base revenue equals or exceeds five percent (5%).  "Base revenue" shall mean the revenue received by the county from the ad valorem tax levy plus the revenue received by the county from the tax assessed under Section 27-35-309(3) and authorized to be used for any purposes for which a county is authorized by law to levy an ad valorem tax.  For purposes of determining if the reduction equals or exceeds five percent (5%), a levy of millage equal to the prior year's millage shall be hypothetically applied to the current year's ad valorem tax base to determine the amount of revenue to be generated from the ad valorem tax levy.  For the purposes of this section and Section 37-57-107, the portion of the base revenue used for the support of any school district shall be deemed to be the aggregate receipts from ad valorem taxes for the support of any school district.  This paragraph shall apply to taxes levied for the 1987 fiscal year and for each fiscal year thereafter.  If the Mississippi Supreme Court or another court finally adjudicates that the tax levied under Section 27-35-309(3) is unconstitutional, then this paragraph shall stand repealed.

     (2)  When the tax is levied upon the territory of any school district located in two (2) or more counties, the order of the school board requesting the levying of such tax shall be certified to the levying authority of each of the counties involved, and each of the levying authorities shall levy the tax in the manner specified herein.  The taxes so levied shall be collected by the tax collector of the levying authority involved and remitted by the tax collector to the school depository of the home county to the credit of the school district involved as provided above, except that taxes for collection fees may be retained by the levying authority for deposit into its general fund.

     (3)  The aggregate receipts from ad valorem taxes levied for school district purposes, excluding collection fees, pursuant to this section and Section 37-57-1 shall be subject to the increased limitation under Section 37-57-107; however, if the ad valorem tax effort in dollars requested by the school district for the fiscal year exceeds the next preceding fiscal year's ad valorem tax effort in dollars by more than four percent (4%) but not more than seven percent (7%), then the school board shall publish notice thereof once each week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation in the school district involved, with the first publication thereof to be made not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the final adoption of the budget by the school board.  If at any time prior to said adoption a petition signed by not less than twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors of the school district involved shall be filed with the school board requesting that an election be called on the question of exceeding the next preceding fiscal year's ad valorem tax effort in dollars by more than four percent (4%) but not more than seven percent (7%), then the school board shall, not later than the next regular meeting, adopt a resolution calling an election to be held within such school district upon such question.  The election shall be called and held, and notice thereof shall be given, in the same manner for elections upon the questions of the issuance of the bonds of school districts, and the results thereof shall be certified to the school board.  The ballot shall contain the language "For the School Tax Increase Over Four Percent (4%)" and "Against the School Tax Increase Over Four Percent (4%)."  If a majority of the qualified electors of the school district who voted in such election shall vote in favor of the question, then the stated increase requested by the school board shall be approved.  For the purposes of this paragraph, the revenue sources excluded from the increased limitation under Section 37-57-107 shall also be excluded from the limitation described herein in the same manner as they are excluded under Section 37-57-107.

     SECTION 10.  Section 37-151-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     37-151-7.  The annual allocation to each school district for the operation of the adequate education program shall be determined as follows:

     (1)  Computation of the basic amount to be included for current operation in the adequate education program.  The following procedure shall be followed in determining the annual allocation to each school district:

          (a)  Determination of average daily attendance.  Effective with fiscal year 2011, the State Department of Education shall determine the percentage change from the prior year of each year of each school district's average of months two (2) and three (3) average daily attendance (ADA) for the three (3) immediately preceding school years of the year for which funds are being appropriated.  For any school district that experiences a positive growth in the average of months two (2) and three (3) ADA each year of the three (3) years, the average percentage growth over the three-year period shall be multiplied times the school district's average of months two (2) and three (3) ADA for the year immediately preceding the year for which MAEP funds are being appropriated.  The resulting amount shall be added to the school district's average of months two (2) and three (3) ADA for the year immediately preceding the year for which MAEP funds are being appropriated to arrive at the ADA to be used in determining a school district's MAEP allocation.  Otherwise, months two (2) and three (3) ADA for the year immediately preceding the year for which MAEP funds are being appropriated will be used in determining a school district's MAEP allocation.  In any fiscal year prior to 2010 in which the MAEP formula is not fully funded, for those districts that do not demonstrate a three-year positive growth in months two (2) and three (3) ADA, months one (1) through nine (9) ADA of the second preceding year for which funds are being appropriated or months two (2) and three (3) ADA of the preceding year for which funds are being appropriated, whichever is greater, shall be used to calculate the district's MAEP allocation.  The district's average daily attendance shall be computed and currently maintained in accordance with regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education.  The district's average daily attendance shall include any student enrolled in a Dual Enrollment-Dual Credit Program as defined and provided in Section 37-15-38(19).  The State Department of Education shall make payments for Dual Enrollment-Dual Credit Programs to the home school in which the student is enrolled, in accordance with regulations promulgated by the State Board of Education.  The community college providing services to students in a Dual Enrollment-Dual Credit Program shall require payment from the home school district for services provided to such students at a rate of one hundred percent (100%) of ADA.  All MAEP/state funding shall cease upon completion of high school graduation requirements.

          (b)  Determination of base student cost.  Effective with fiscal year 2011 and every fourth fiscal year thereafter, the State Board of Education, on or before August 1, with adjusted estimate no later than January 2, shall submit to the Legislative Budget Office and the Governor a proposed base student cost adequate to provide the following cost components of educating a pupil in a successful school district:  (i) instructional cost; (ii) administrative cost; (iii) operation and maintenance of plant; and (iv) ancillary support cost.  For purposes of these calculations, the Department of Education shall utilize financial data from the second preceding year of the year for which funds are being appropriated.

     For the instructional cost component, the Department of Education shall select districts that have been identified as instructionally successful and have a ratio of a number of teachers per one thousand (1,000) students that is between one (1) standard deviation above the mean and two (2) standard deviations below the mean of the statewide average of teachers per one thousand (1,000) students.  The instructional cost component shall be calculated by dividing the latest available months one (1) through nine (9) ADA into the instructional expenditures of these selected districts.  For the purpose of this calculation, the Department of Education shall use the following funds, functions and objects:

     Fund 1120 Functions 1110-1199 Objects 100-999, Functions

          1210, 1220, 2150-2159 Objects 210 and 215;

     Fund 1130 All Functions, Object Code 210 and 215;

     Fund 2001 Functions 1110-1199 Objects 100-999;

     Fund 2070 Functions 1110-1199 Objects 100-999;

     Fund 2420 Functions 1110-1199 Objects 100-999;

     Fund 2711 All Functions, Object Code 210 and 215.

     Prior to the calculation of the instructional cost component, there shall be subtracted from the above expenditures any revenue received for Chickasaw Cession payments, Master Teacher Certification payments and the district's portion of state revenue received from the MAEP at-risk allocation.

     For the administrative cost component, the Department of Education shall select districts that have been identified as instructionally successful and have a ratio of an administrative staff to nonadministrative staff between one (1) standard deviation above the mean and two (2) standard deviations below the mean of the statewide average administrative staff to nonadministrative staff.  The administrative cost component shall be calculated by dividing the latest available months one (1) through nine (9) ADA of the selected districts into the administrative expenditures of these selected districts.  For the purpose of this calculation, the Department of Education shall use the following funds, functions and objects:

     Fund 1120 Functions 2300-2599, Functions 2800-2899,

          Objects 100-999;

     Fund 2711 Functions 2300-2599, Functions 2800-2899,

          Objects 100-999.

     For the plant and maintenance cost component, the Department of Education shall select districts that have been identified as instructionally successful and have a ratio of plant and maintenance expenditures per one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet of building space and a ratio of maintenance workers per one hundred thousand (100,000) square feet of building space that are both between one (1) standard deviation above the mean and two (2) standard deviations below the mean of the statewide average.  The plant and maintenance cost component shall be calculated by dividing the latest available months one (1) through nine (9) ADA of the selected districts into the plant and maintenance expenditures of these selected districts.  For the purpose of this calculation, the Department of Education shall use the following funds, functions and objects:

     Fund 1120 Functions 2600-2699, Objects 100-699

          and Objects 800-999;

     Fund 2711 Functions 2600-2699, Objects 100-699

          and Objects 800-999;

     Fund 2430 Functions 2600-2699, Objects 100-699

          and Objects 800-999.

     For the ancillary support cost component, the Department of Education shall select districts that have been identified as instructionally successful and have a ratio of a number of librarians, media specialists, guidance counselors and psychologists per one thousand (1,000) students that is between one (1) standard deviation above the mean and two (2) standard deviations below the mean of the statewide average of librarians, media specialists, guidance counselors and psychologists per one thousand (1,000) students.  The ancillary cost component shall be calculated by dividing the latest available months one (1) through nine (9) ADA into the ancillary expenditures instructional expenditures of these selected districts.  For the purpose of this calculation, the Department of Education shall use the following funds, functions and objects:

     Fund 1120 Functions 2110-2129, Objects 100-999;

     Fund 1120 Functions 2140-2149, Objects 100-999;

     Fund 1120 Functions 2220-2229, Objects 100-999;

     Fund 2001 Functions 2100-2129, Objects 100-999;

     Fund 2001 Functions 2140-2149, Objects 100-999;

     Fund 2001 Functions 2220-2229, Objects 100-999.

     The total base cost for each year shall be the sum of the instructional cost component, administrative cost component, plant and maintenance cost component and ancillary support cost component, and any estimated adjustments for additional state requirements as determined by the State Board of Education.  Provided, however, that the base student cost in fiscal year 1998 shall be Two Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-four Dollars ($2,664.00).

     For each of the fiscal years between the recalculation of the base student cost under the provisions of this paragraph (b), the base student cost shall be increased by an amount equal to forty percent (40%) of the base student cost for the previous fiscal year, multiplied by the latest annual rate of inflation for the State of Mississippi as determined by the State Economist, plus any adjustments for additional state requirements such as, but not limited to, teacher pay raises and health insurance premium increases.

          (c)  Determination of the basic adequate education program cost.  The basic amount for current operation to be included in the Mississippi Adequate Education Program for each school district shall be computed as follows:

     Multiply the average daily attendance of the district by the base student cost as established by the Legislature, which yields the total base program cost for each school district.

          (d)  Adjustment to the base student cost for at-risk pupils.  The amount to be included for at-risk pupil programs for each school district shall be computed as follows:  Multiply the base student cost for the appropriate fiscal year as determined under paragraph (b) by five percent (5%), and multiply that product by the number of pupils participating in the federal free school lunch program in such school district, which yields the total adjustment for at-risk pupil programs for such school district.

          (e)  Add-on program cost.  The amount to be allocated to school districts in addition to the adequate education program cost for add-on programs for each school district shall be computed as follows:

              (i)  Transportation cost shall be the amount allocated to such school district for the operational support of the district transportation system from state funds.

              (ii)  Vocational or technical education program cost shall be the amount allocated to such school district from state funds for the operational support of such programs.

              (iii)  Special education program cost shall be the amount allocated to such school district from state funds for the operational support of such programs.

              (iv)  Gifted education program cost shall be the amount allocated to such school district from state funds for the operational support of such programs.

              (v)  Alternative school program cost shall be the amount allocated to such school district from state funds for the operational support of such programs.

              (vi)  Extended school year programs shall be the amount allocated to school districts for those programs authorized by law which extend beyond the normal school year.

              (vii)  University-based programs shall be the amount allocated to school districts for those university-based programs for handicapped children as defined and provided for in Section 37-23-131 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972.

              (viii)  Bus driver training programs shall be the amount provided for those driver training programs as provided for in Section 37-41-1, Mississippi Code of 1972.

     The sum of the items listed above (i) transportation, (ii) vocational or technical education, (iii) special education, (iv) gifted education, (v) alternative school, (vi) extended school year, (vii) university-based, and (viii) bus driver training shall yield the add-on cost for each school district.

          (f)  Total projected adequate education program cost.  The total Mississippi Adequate Education Program cost shall be the sum of the total basic adequate education program cost (paragraph (c)), and the adjustment to the base student cost for at-risk pupils (paragraph (d)) for each school district.  In any year in which the MAEP is not fully funded, the Legislature shall direct the Department of Education in the K-12 appropriation bill as to how to allocate MAEP funds to school districts for that year.

          (g)  The State Auditor shall annually verify the State Board of Education's estimated calculations for the Mississippi Adequate Education Program that are submitted each year to the Legislative Budget Office on August 1 and the final calculation that is submitted on January 2.

     (2)  Computation of the required local revenue in support of the adequate education program.  The amount that each district shall provide toward the cost of the adequate education program shall be calculated as follows:

          (a)  The State Department of Education shall certify to each school district that twenty-eight (28) mills, less the estimated amount of the yield of the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund grants as determined by the State Department of Education, is the millage rate required to provide the district required local effort for that year, or twenty-seven percent (27%) of the basic adequate education program cost for such school district as determined under paragraph (c), whichever is a lesser amount.  In the case of an agricultural high school, the millage requirement shall be set at a level which generates an equitable amount per pupil to be determined by the State Board of Education.  The local contribution amount for school districts in which there is located one or more charter schools will be calculated using the following methodology:  using the adequate education program twenty-eight (28) mill value, or the twenty-seven percent (27%) cap amount (whichever is less) for each school district in which a charter school is located, an average per pupil amount will be calculated.  This average per pupil amount will be multiplied times the number of students attending the charter school in that school district.  The sum becomes the charter school's local contribution to the adequate education program.

          (b)  The State Department of Education shall determine the following from the annual assessment information submitted to the department by the tax assessors of the various counties:  (i) the total assessed valuation of nonexempt property for school purposes in each school district; (ii) assessed value of exempt property owned by homeowners aged sixty-five (65) or older or disabled as defined in Section 27-33-67(2), Mississippi Code of 1972; (iii) the school district's tax loss from exemptions provided to applicants under the age of sixty-five (65) and not disabled as defined in Section 27-33-67(1), Mississippi Code of 1972; and (iv) the school district's homestead reimbursement revenues.

          (c)  The amount of the total adequate education program funding which shall be contributed by each school district shall be the sum of the ad valorem receipts generated by the millage required under this subsection plus the following local revenue sources for the appropriate fiscal year which are or may be available for current expenditure by the school district:

     One hundred percent (100%) of Grand Gulf income as prescribed in Section 27-35-309.

     One hundred percent (100%) of any fees in lieu of taxes as prescribed in Section 27-31-104.

     (3)  Computation of the required state effort in support of the adequate education program.

          (a)  The required state effort in support of the adequate education program shall be determined by subtracting the sum of the required local tax effort as set forth in subsection (2)(a) of this section and the other local revenue sources as set forth in subsection (2)(c) of this section in an amount not to exceed twenty-seven percent (27%) of the total projected adequate education program cost as set forth in subsection (1)(f) of this section from the total projected adequate education program cost as set forth in subsection (1)(f) of this section.

          (b)  Provided, however, that in fiscal year 2015, any increase in the said state contribution to any district calculated under this section shall be not less than six percent (6%) in excess of the amount received by said district from state funds for fiscal year 2002; in fiscal year 2016, any increase in the said state contribution to any district calculated under this section shall be not less than four percent (4%) in excess of the amount received by said district from state funds for fiscal year 2002; in fiscal year 2017, any increase in the said state contribution to any district calculated under this section shall be not less than two percent (2%) in excess of the amount received by said district from state funds for fiscal year 2002; and in fiscal year 2018 and thereafter, any increase in the said state contribution to any district calculated under this section shall be zero percent (0%).  For purposes of this paragraph (b), state funds shall include minimum program funds less the add-on programs, State Uniform Millage Assistance Grant Funds, Education Enhancement Funds appropriated for Uniform Millage Assistance Grants and state textbook allocations, and State General Funds allocated for textbooks.

          (c)  If the school board of any school district shall determine that it is not economically feasible or practicable to operate any school within the district for the full one hundred eighty (180) days required for a school term of a scholastic year as required in Section 37-13-63, Mississippi Code of 1972, due to an enemy attack, a man-made, technological or natural disaster in which the Governor has declared a disaster emergency under the laws of this state or the President of the United States has declared an emergency or major disaster to exist in this state, said school board may notify the State Department of Education of such disaster and submit a plan for altering the school term.  If the State Board of Education finds such disaster to be the cause of the school not operating for the contemplated school term and that such school was in a school district covered by the Governor's or President's disaster declaration, it may permit said school board to operate the schools in its district for less than one hundred eighty (180) days and, in such case, the State Department of Education shall not reduce the state contributions to the adequate education program allotment for such district, because of the failure to operate said schools for one hundred eighty (180) days.

     (4)  The Interim School District Capital Expenditure Fund is hereby established in the State Treasury which shall be used to distribute any funds specifically appropriated by the Legislature to such fund to school districts entitled to increased allocations of state funds under the adequate education program funding formula prescribed in Sections 37-151-3 through 37-151-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, until such time as the said adequate education program is fully funded by the Legislature.  The following percentages of the total state cost of increased allocations of funds under the adequate education program funding formula shall be appropriated by the Legislature into the Interim School District Capital Expenditure Fund to be distributed to all school districts under the formula:  Nine and two-tenths percent (9.2%) shall be appropriated in fiscal year 1998, twenty percent (20%) shall be appropriated in fiscal year 1999, forty percent (40%) shall be appropriated in fiscal year 2000, sixty percent (60%) shall be appropriated in fiscal year 2001, eighty percent (80%) shall be appropriated in fiscal year 2002, and one hundred percent (100%) shall be appropriated in fiscal year 2003 into the State Adequate Education Program Fund.  Until July 1, 2002, such money shall be used by school districts for the following purposes:

          (a)  Purchasing, erecting, repairing, equipping, remodeling and enlarging school buildings and related facilities, including gymnasiums, auditoriums, lunchrooms, vocational training buildings, libraries, school barns and garages for transportation vehicles, school athletic fields and necessary facilities connected therewith, and purchasing land therefor.  Any such capital improvement project by a school district shall be approved by the State Board of Education, and based on an approved long-range plan.  The State Board of Education shall promulgate minimum requirements for the approval of school district capital expenditure plans.

          (b)  Providing necessary water, light, heating, air-conditioning, and sewerage facilities for school buildings, and purchasing land therefor.

          (c)  Paying debt service on existing capital improvement debt of the district or refinancing outstanding debt of a district if such refinancing will result in an interest cost savings to the district.

          (d)  From and after October 1, 1997, through June 30, 1998, pursuant to a school district capital expenditure plan approved by the State Department of Education, a school district may pledge such funds until July 1, 2002, plus funds provided for in paragraph (e) of this subsection (4) that are not otherwise permanently pledged under such paragraph (e) to pay all or a portion of the debt service on debt issued by the school district under Sections 37-59-1 through 37-59-45, 37-59-101 through 37-59-115, 37-7-351 through 37-7-359, 37-41-89 through 37-41-99, 37-7-301, 37-7-302 and 37-41-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, or debt issued by boards of supervisors for agricultural high schools pursuant to Section 37-27-65, Mississippi Code of 1972, or lease-purchase contracts entered into pursuant to Section 31-7-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, or to retire or refinance outstanding debt of a district, if such pledge is accomplished pursuant to a written contract or resolution approved and spread upon the minutes of an official meeting of the district's school board or board of supervisors.  It is the intent of this provision to allow school districts to irrevocably pledge their Interim School District Capital Expenditure Fund allotments as a constant stream of revenue to secure a debt issued under the foregoing code sections.  To allow school districts to make such an irrevocable pledge, the state shall take all action necessary to ensure that the amount of a district's Interim School District Capital Expenditure Fund allotments shall not be reduced below the amount certified by the department or the district's total allotment under the Interim Capital Expenditure Fund if fully funded, so long as such debt remains outstanding.

          (e)  [Repealed]

          (f)  [Repealed]

          (g)  The State Board of Education may authorize the school district to expend not more than twenty percent (20%) of its annual allotment of such funds or Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), whichever is greater, for technology needs of the school district, including computers, software, telecommunications, cable television, interactive video, film, low-power television, satellite communications, microwave communications, technology-based equipment installation and maintenance, and the training of staff in the use of such technology-based instruction.  Any such technology expenditure shall be reflected in the local district technology plan approved by the State Board of Education under Section 37-151-17, Mississippi Code of 1972.

          (h)  To the extent a school district has not utilized twenty percent (20%) of its annual allotment for technology purposes under paragraph (g), a school district may expend not more than twenty percent (20%) of its annual allotment or Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000.00), whichever is greater, for instructional purposes.  The State Board of Education may authorize a school district to expend more than said twenty percent (20%) of its annual allotment for instructional purposes if it determines that such expenditures are needed for accreditation purposes.

          (i)  The State Department of Education or the State Board of Education may require that any project commenced under this section with an estimated project cost of not less than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) shall be done only pursuant to program management of the process with respect to design and construction.  Any individuals, partnerships, companies or other entities acting as a program manager on behalf of a local school district and performing program management services for projects covered under this subsection shall be approved by the State Department of Education.

     Any interest accruing on any unexpended balance in the Interim School District Capital Expenditure Fund shall be invested by the State Treasurer and placed to the credit of each school district participating in such fund in its proportionate share.

     The provisions of this subsection (4) shall be cumulative and supplemental to any existing funding programs or other authority conferred upon school districts or school boards.

     (5)  The State Department of Education shall make payments to charter schools for each student in average daily attendance at the charter school equal to the state share of the adequate education program payments for each student in average daily attendance at the school district in which the public charter school is located.  In calculating the local contribution for purposes of determining the state share of the adequate education program payments, the department shall deduct the pro rata local contribution of the school district in which the student resides as determined in subsection (2)(a) of this section.

     SECTION 11.  Section 37-151-87, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

     37-151-87.  No school district shall pay any teacher less than the state minimum salary.  Provided, however, that school districts are authorized to reduce the state minimum salary by a pro rata daily amount in order to comply with the school district employee furlough provisions of Section 37-7-308.  From and after July 1, 2012, no school district shall receive any funds under the provisions of this chapter for any school year during which the aggregate amount of local supplement as defined in Section 37-151-5 shall have been reduced below such amount for the previous year.  However, (a) where there has been a reduction in adequate education program allocations for such district in such year, (b) where there has been a reduction in the amount of federal funds to such district below the previous year, or (c) where there has been a reduction in ad valorem taxes to such school district for the 1986-1987 school year below the amount for the previous year due to the exemption of nuclear generating plants from ad valorem taxation pursuant to Section 27-35-309, Mississippi Code of 1972, the aggregate amount of local supplement in such district may be reduced in the discretion of the local school board without loss of funds under this chapter.  No school district may receive any funds under the provisions of this chapter for any school year if the aggregate amount of support from ad valorem taxation shall be reduced during such school year below such amount for the previous year; however, where there is a loss in adequate education program allocations, or where there is or heretofore has been a decrease in the total assessed value of taxable property within a school district, the aggregate amount of such support may be reduced proportionately.  Nothing herein contained shall prohibit any school district from adopting or continuing a program or plan whereby teachers are paid varying salaries according to the teaching ability, classroom performance and other similar standards.

     SECTION 12.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.