HB 1434 Mississippi House · 2025 Regular Session

Aeronautics, Geospatial, Engineering, Nursing and Technical Skills (AGENTS) of Excellence Program Act; create to improve academic and workforce outcomes.

HB 1434 creates the AGENTS of Excellence Program, requiring four Mississippi universities - Alcorn State, Delta State, Mississippi University for Women, and Mississippi Valley State - to develop proposals for specialized academic programs in high-demand fields like aeronautics, engineering, nursing, and technical skills. Each proposal must detail how the program will improve academic preparedness and workforce readiness for underserved students in the university's region, including dual enrollment opportunities, facility capacity, cost analysis, and partnerships with local businesses. The proposals must include specific elements such as targeted grade levels (9-12), instructional models, and data-driven student support strategies. If approved, the program aims to align curriculum with state workforce needs and enhance college/career outcomes, with implementation planned for 2025.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 18, 2025 Last action Mar 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced Current version · 9 edits
MAJOR
The bill was significantly rewritten from a direct program implementation model to a proposal-based approach. The original version mandated immediate creation of specialized programs at three universities serving low-income students, while the new version requires all four state universities to develop and submit proposals for consideration before any programs begin. This shifts the bill from an immediate funding and implementation mandate to a planning and approval process.
Scope change
The bill now applies to four universities (added Mississippi University for Women) instead of three, and changes from direct program creation to a proposal submission and approval process.
ELIGIBILITY

Removed specific eligibility criteria for low-income students, including federal program participation requirements and income thresholds.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for all four universities to develop and submit detailed proposals including grade level analysis, capacity assessment, and cost projections.

Added requirement for proposals to include specific components like dual enrollment opportunities, academic support interventions, and professional development programs.

Added requirement for boards to promulgate rules governing the proposal process including minimum criteria and deadlines.

Added requirement for ongoing assessments of student performance and data-driven instructional programs.

TIMELINE

Added specific effective date of July 1, 2025, with emphasis on proposal submission before program implementation.

FISCAL

Removed specific enrollment caps (300 students per institution) and funding appropriation contingencies from the original text.

SCOPE

Expanded scope to include Mississippi University for Women in addition to the three original universities.

DEFINITION

Changed definition of 'low-income student' from specific federal program participation to broader criteria to be determined by the program.

Floor votes · House Feb 10, 2025

How they voted

1170
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 119
Feb 10, 2025
D Democratic39
39 Yea
100% Yea
I Independent2
2 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican78
76 Yea 2
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Feb 18, 2025
Committee
Referred To Education
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced
Transmitted To Senate
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed As Amended
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Jan 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass
lower
Jan 20, 2025
Committee
Referred To Education
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Rob Roberson
Rob Roberson
RRepublican
MS
43