ETV; require Legislature to reduce general fund appropriations to by 20% and eliminate funding over five years.

HB 1297 would require the Mississippi Legislature to reduce state funding for the Authority for Educational Television (ETV) by 20% annually from fiscal year 2028 through 2032, based on the 2027 funding level. After fiscal year 2032, the bill mandates that the Legislature eliminate all general fund appropriations for ETV. The authority would then need to become self-sustaining through non-state sources like donations, private funds, or fees. The bill does not affect existing state bond obligations for ETV projects.