AN ACT TO REENACT SECTIONS 37-153-1 THROUGH 37-153-7 AND 37-153-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ARE THE MISSISSIPPI COMPREHENSIVE WORKFORCE TRAINING AND EDUCATION CONSOLIDATION ACT OF 2004; TO AMEND SECTION 37-153-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND THE DATE OF THE REPEALER ON THE MISSISSIPPI COMPREHENSIVE WORKFORCE TRAINING AND EDUCATION CONSOLIDATION ACT OF 2004; TO AMEND REENACTED SECTIONS 37-153-5, 37-153-7 AND 37-153-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE AGENCY NOMENCLATURE AND CERTAIN REPORTING DEADLINES AND TO EXTEND THE DATE GRANTING AN EXEMPTION TO THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REVIEW BOARD FROM CERTAIN PURCHASES; TO REPEAL SECTION 37-153-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REQUIRES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LOCAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD IN EACH OF THE FOUR WORKFORCE AREAS OF THE STATE; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 37-153-11 AND 37-153-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REQUIRE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ONE-STOP CAREER CENTERS AFFILIATED WITH THE COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES AND DESIGNATES THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD AS THE PRIMARY SUPPORT AGENCY TO THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO MAKE CERTAIN LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS RELATING TO MISSISSIPPI'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM AND BENEFIT DURATION; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-507, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF WEEKLY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AN INDIVIDUAL MAY RECEIVE BY ALIGNING THE DURATION WITH THE STATEWIDE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE; TO UTILIZE THE AVERAGE, SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE STATE FOR THE THREE MONTHS PRECEDING THE MONTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S FIRST CLAIM TO DETERMINE THE INDIVIDUAL'S MAXIMUM NUMBER OF WEEKLY BENEFITS AVAILABLE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-127, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH RESTRICTIONS ON THE SHARING OF DATA COLLECTED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY WITH A STATE, FEDERAL OR PRIVATE ENTITY; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-133, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING PROCESS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY TO DETERMINE IF GOOD CAUSE EXISTS FOR AN EMPLOYER FAILING TO RESPOND TO A SUBPOENA FOR WAGE RECORDS; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-139, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO ASSESS PENALTIES FOR EMPLOYERS WILLFULLY AND CONTINUALLY REFUSING TO PRODUCE WAGE RECORDS; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO SEEK THE SHERIFF'S ASSISTANCE WHEN THE COURT HAS ISSUED AN ORDER OF CONTEMPT; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 71-5-352, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND TRAINING TAXES BY EMPLOYERS; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-355, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL PROCESS FOR AN EMPLOYER TO REQUEST A REVIEW OF TAX RATES FOR GOOD CAUSE; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE TAX RATES WHEN THE EMPLOYER IS NOT AT FAULT; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-365, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL PROCESS FOR AN EMPLOYER TO REQUEST A WAIVER OF CERTAIN TAX CONTRIBUTIONS AFTER A REVIEW AND FINDING OF GOOD CAUSE; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS WHEN THE EMPLOYER IS NOT AT FAULT FOR FAILING TO FILE WAGE REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-543, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO WAIVE THE REPAYMENT OF BENEFITS FOR GOOD CAUSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE SOUTH MISSISSIPPI CAREER EXPLORATION PILOT PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT FUNDING OF THE PROGRAM, IF APPROPRIATED, SHALL BE FROM THE EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT FUND; TO PROVIDE THE PURPOSE OF THE PILOT PROGRAM, WHICH IS TO ENHANCE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES 6 THROUGH 12; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PILOT PROGRAM SHALL BE IN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN JACKSON, GEORGE AND GREENE COUNTIES AND SHALL BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH CAREER COACHES SERVING SUCH COUNTIES; TO DISTRIBUTE FUNDING TO UNITED WAY OF JACKSON, GEORGE AND GREENE COUNTIES, WHICH SHALL ADMINISTER THE FUNDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CAREER COACHES SERVING THOSE COUNTIES; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTING BE PROVIDED BY UNITED WAY CONCERNING THE PILOT PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-153-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND THE EXPIRATION DATE ON THE EXEMPTION FOR THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REVIEW BOARD THAT RELATE TO RENTAL AGREEMENTS, THE LEASING OF REAL PROPERTY AND ADD AN EXEMPTION FOR THE PURCHASE OF PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR PURPOSES OF CONDUCTING AGENCY BUSINESS; TO BROADEN THE OFFICE'S AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT TRAINING PROGRAMS TO CORRECT INTERNAL REFERENCES TO CERTAIN SUBSECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN RENUMBERED DUE TO AMENDMENTS IN PRIOR YEARS; TO AMEND SECTION 27-104-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT AND TO EXTEND THE DATE OF OTHER EXEMPTIONS IN THAT CODE SECTION THAT ARE NOT RELATED TO THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BUT THAT ARE ALSO SET TO EXPIRE IN 2026; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A YOUTH EMPLOYMENT GRANT PROGRAM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING MUNICIPALITIES WITH THE COSTS OF PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT FOR YOUTH; TO PROVIDE THAT IN ORDER FOR A MUNICIPALITY TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, THE MUNICIPALITY MUST PRESENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY A PLAN FOR EMPLOYING YOUTH IN THE MUNICIPALITY AND MUST AGREE TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS EQUAL TO TWENTY PERCENT OF THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT; TO CREATE IN THE STATE TREASURY A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT GRANT PROGRAM FUND; TO PROVIDE THAT THE FUND WILL CONSIST OF MONIES APPROPRIATED BY THE LEGISLATURE FOR FUNDING THE PROGRAM, AND ANY OTHER MONIES THAT THE LEGISLATURE MAY DESIGNATE FOR DEPOSIT INTO THE FUND; TO PROVIDE THAT MONIES IN THE FUND MAY BE EXPENDED UPON LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION FOR MAKING GRANTS TO MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE PURPOSES SPECIFIED IN THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A YOUTH EMPLOYMENT GRANT PROGRAM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING MUNICIPALITIES WITH THE COSTS OF PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT FOR YOUTH; TO PROVIDE THAT IN ORDER FOR A MUNICIPALITY TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A GRANT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT, THE MUNICIPALITY MUST PRESENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY A PLAN FOR EMPLOYING YOUTH IN THE MUNICIPALITY AND MUST AGREE TO PROVIDE MATCHING FUNDS EQUAL TO TWENTY PERCENT OF THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT; TO CREATE IN THE STATE TREASURY A SPECIAL FUND TO BE KNOWN AS THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT GRANT PROGRAM FUND; TO PROVIDE THAT THE FUND WILL CONSIST OF MONIES APPROPRIATED BY THE LEGISLATURE FOR FUNDING THE PROGRAM, AND ANY OTHER MONIES THAT THE LEGISLATURE MAY DESIGNATE FOR DEPOSIT INTO THE FUND; TO PROVIDE THAT MONIES IN THE FUND MAY BE EXPENDED UPON LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION FOR MAKING GRANTS TO MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE PURPOSES SPECIFIED IN THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI SKILL STANDARDS BOARD AS AN ADVISORY BOARD TO THE GOVERNOR, THE LEGISLATURE AND THE STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STATEWIDE SYSTEM OF INDUSTRY-DEFINED, INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED SKILL STANDARDS AND CREDENTIALS FOR CERTAIN SKILLED OCCUPATIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD; TO PROVIDE THE DUTIES OF THE BOARD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 71-5-503, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM WEEKLY BENEFIT AMOUNT TO TWO HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 71-5-507, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-65-75, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DEPOSIT A PORTION OF STATE SALES TAX REVENUE INTO THE 2026 CONSTRUCTION TRAINING ASSISTANCE FUND CREATED IN THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SHALL ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO ASSIST PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND JUNIOR COLLEGES AND K-12 SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN PAYING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY RELATED TRAINING FOR STUDENTS AND FOR PAYING THE COSTS CHARGED BY A COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR JUNIOR COLLEGE FOR STUDENTS TO RECEIVE SUCH TRAINING; TO PROVIDE AN APPLICATION PROCESS FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES, JUNIOR COLLEGES AND K-12 SCHOOL SYSTEMS THAT DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GRANT PROGRAM; TO CREATE THE "2026 CONSTRUCTION TRAINING ASSISTANCE FUND" AS A SPECIAL FUND IN THE STATE TREASURY; TO PROVIDE THAT MONIES IN THE FUND SHALL BE DISBURSED BY THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY, UPON APPROPRIATION BY THE LEGISLATURE, TO THE MISSISSIPPI OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO USE FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING GRANTS AUTHORIZED IN THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 31-7-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE REVERSE AUCTION METHOD FOR RECEIVING BIDS TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN AGENCIES AND GOVERNING AUTHORITIES; TO PROVIDE THAT IF AN AGENCY DETERMINES THAT A REVERSE AUCTION IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE AGENCY, THEN THAT DETERMINATION MUST BE APPROVED BY THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REVIEW BOARD; TO PROVIDE THAT IF A GOVERNING AUTHORITY DETERMINES THAT A REVERSE AUCTION IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY, THEN THAT DETERMINATION MUST BE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY; TO REQUIRE THE AGENCY OR GOVERNING AUTHORITY TO SUBMIT AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY A REVERSE AUCTION IS NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE AGENCY OR GOVERNING AUTHORITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TO PILOT THE MISSISSIPPI WORKFORCE DUAL ENROLLMENT FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SHALL DISTRIBUTE ANY FUNDS RECEIVED FOR THE PROGRAM TO THE DELTA WORKFORCE INVESTMENT AREA, THE TWIN DISTRICTS WORKFORCE INVESTMENT AREA, THE MISSISSIPPI PARTNERSHIP WORKFORCE INVESTMENT AREA AND THE SOUTHCENTRAL MISSISSIPPI WORKFORCE INVESTMENT AREA FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES, WHERE SUCH COURSES QUALIFY AS A PRIORITY SECTOR STRATEGY, AS ESTABLISHED BY THE OFFICE; TO PROVIDE THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANT; TO PROVIDE WHAT THE GRANT MAY BE USED FOR; TO PROVIDE A REPORTING REQUIREMENT; TO PROVIDE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF THE FUNDS THAT SHALL BE USED FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD SHALL CREATE A SEPARATE LIST OF INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED HIGH VALUE INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS ENROLLED IN COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES; TO REQUIRE, SUBJECT TO AVAILABLE FUNDING, THE MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD TO PAY A CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION INCENTIVE GRANT TO CERTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI CURRICULUM ALIGNMENT TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE; TO PROVIDE THE DUTIES OF THE TASK FORCE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE "MISSISSIPPI MINIMUM WAGE LAW"; TO ESTABLISH THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE AT $10.00 PER HOUR; TO PROVIDE THAT EMPLOYERS WITH TIPPED EMPLOYEES ARE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO PAY THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE; TO ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYEES ENTITLED TO OVERTIME PAY; TO AMEND SECTION 17-1-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 7-7-204, 23-15-239, 25-3-40, 37-7-307, 37-33-175, 47-5-401, 47-5-579, 57-34-5, 85-3-4, 97-3-54.4 AND 99-19-20, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.