Transcript Highlights:

• It also authorizes the use of educational enrichment allocation funds for this program.
• that dedicated mentor and using the almost $873 million that we have in the educational enrichment allocation
• that dedicated mentor and using the almost $873 million that we have in the educational enrichment allocation
• And it also authorizes the use of educational enrichment allocation funds for this program.
• to be able to support, $173 million that we have in the educational enrichment allocation to be able

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 considered three bills and reported each favorably. SB 1318, by Senator Rodriguez, made a technical clarification to the Florida tax credit scholarship program so that when a scholarship account is closed, any remaining funds revert but do not revert to the state. The bill was passed without debate or amendments. The committee then heard CS for SB 1690, by Senator Claudio, which updates child care and early learning laws, including transparency, accountability, terminology, and regulation of before- and after-school programs. An amendment was adopted to clarify rulemaking authority by specifying the State Board of Education rather than the Department of Education. Senator Berman raised a concern about the bill’s removal of a parent-notification requirement related to leaving children in vehicles, and the sponsor said she would follow up. The committee then voted the bill favorably. Finally, the committee considered CS for SB 182, by Senator Jones, on school teacher training and mentoring programs. A strike-all amendment was adopted that refocused the program on schools with D or F grades, allowed districts and charter schools to place mentors, tightened mentor qualifications, authorized stipends up to $3,000, and directed the Department of Education to set standards and create a contract template. Supportive appearance forms were filed by Nancy Lothar and Orange County Public Schools. The bill was reported favorably, and the meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and recognizing Kathy Missouri for her service.

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• expend the funds that they're allocated expend the funds that they're allocated uh<00:23:19.720>
• before if you had an allocation before if you had an allocation uh<00:23:29.000> either<00
• allocation allocation a<00:23:45.560> quarter<00:23:45.920> at<00:23:46.040> a<
• state, there'll be cost allocations state, there'll be cost allocations between<01:02:14.640>
• to Kentucky in the that are allocated to Kentucky in the cost<01:02:41.240> allocation<01:02:

Bills: SB8

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, The first couple minutes of the livestream was cut off. This recording restored the beginning of the meeting Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in ARPA we have $84 million allocated this year. Uh, we have 16 million remaining.
• Um in ARPA we have 84 million allocated Um in ARPA we have 84 million allocated this<00:15:00.880
• > the<00:15:54.320> two-year allocated which brings the two-year allocated which brings
• We have 36 million allocated. 18 funds.
• <00:40:34.480> money, as we look at allocating money, as we look at allocating money, everybody

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 14 January, 2026: 3:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: MDES presented its FY27 budget request, describing the agency as a special fund workforce agency focused on helping Mississippians get jobs through employment services, labor market information, and unemployment insurance. Executive Director Bill Ashley said the revised request seeks level spending authority similar to FY26, with line-item changes driven mainly by higher salaries and fringe benefits and lower contractual services. He said MDES currently has 406 employees, 28 active recruitments, and six additional planned positions, for a requested total of 440 positions, down from 453 authorized last year. The request also includes $1.4 million for the State Longitudinal Data System and $400,000 for Accelerate Mississippi fiscal support. Committee members asked about the SLDS pass-through funding, whether it is recurring, and the staffing/pin changes; MDES explained the SLDS is a recurring annual pass-through and that the staffing request reflects turnover and recruitment needs rather than a net expansion. Accelerate Mississippi then outlined its FY27 request and program updates. Officials said the office is requesting level funding overall, with some salary adjustments tied to benefits and two new positions, including one for Talent Solutions and one systems administrator. They described workforce initiatives such as Encore, a recruiter/instructor program; Facet, a partnership with Northwest Mississippi Community College to strengthen instructor preparation; Power Path, a K-12 advanced manufacturing credential model; and expanded career coach activity, reporting 204 coaches serving 209 schools and more than 22,000 unique student interactions. They also reviewed funding streams for workforce enhancement training, Mississippi Works, Equip Mississippi, and ARPA, saying ARPA funds are on track to be fully spent by the September 30 reimbursement deadline and that monthly check-ins are being used to ensure funds are drawn down. Members asked about the budget changes, the use of contractual services, and the career coach program; the office said it was shifting some audit and monitoring costs to the funds being monitored and was not requesting an increase for career coach funding. The Mississippi community college presidents and the Community College Board also presented their budget priorities. They reported that Mississippi community colleges served 88,600 students in academic year 2023 and said the system’s graduation rate is about 42 percent, with a goal of reaching 55 percent. Their FY27 request includes a 6 percent salary increase for employees, increased basic operations funding, and continued support for CTE Advantage programs, totaling $61.5 million in general support. On facilities, they requested $150 million after receiving no facilities funding last year, citing roughly $413 million in identified needs across capital improvements, repairs and renovations, and pre-planning. The Community College Board requested restoration of $310,000 in general fund cuts and a new $2 million appropriation for adult education, noting that an estimated 300,000 to 330,000 Mississippians lack a high school diploma. No votes were taken during the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Was allocated this year and then our lbr.
• We are requesting the allocated this year and then or 5 million dollars.
• Allocated performance funding.
• Allocated performance funding.