Spring-Step Teacher Pay Bridge Act; create.

HB 1420, the Spring-Step Teacher Pay Bridge Act, creates an automatic annual payment for Mississippi teachers and instructional staff (including librarians, counselors, and support roles) on January 7 each year for five years. It provides a payment equal to half their regular biweekly pay (or a fixed annual amount set by the state, whichever is greater) to address a six-week pay gap after the Christmas break, without reducing existing raises or step increases. The state funds this through annual appropriations distributed via school funding formulas, and requires an annual report on participation and impact. The program expires after five years, requiring legislative review for continuation.