Maddy summaryHB 1823 allocates state funds to support K-12 education and related programs in Mississippi for the fiscal year 2025. The bill directs money from both the General Fund and special funds to the State Department of Education to cover operational expenses, student funding formulas, and specific initiatives such as literacy programs, special needs support, and early learning collaboratives. It also authorizes the creation of 453 new positions within the department, including permanent and time-limited roles, while establishing rules to ensure these funds are used for hiring rather than salary increases for existing employees. Additionally, the legislation provides specific appropriations for vocational technical education, grants for school district facilities, and services like vision screening and testing.
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Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates approximately $1.44 billion from the state treasury to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Department of Transportation for the 2025 fiscal year. The funds are allocated to specific areas including highways, maintenance, debt service, and aeronautics, while also authorizing a permanent workforce of 2,698 employees. Key provisions include strict rules on salary increases, requiring written approval for any position escalations and prohibiting the use of these funds to replace withdrawn federal money. Additionally, the legislation mandates new project planning policies to track construction costs and restricts the construction of new highway segments under ten miles unless specific justifications are recorded and notified to legislative committees.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date of the Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act, which governs Mississippi's Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program for students with disabilities. It requires parents to certify that their student has been accepted into a school capable of addressing their specific special education needs before they can use ESA funds. The legislation also mandates that eligible schools report student performance data, such as graduation rates and exam results, and allows schools to choose between state-approved or nationally standardized tests for measuring student achievement. Additionally, the bill clarifies that any refunds or rebates from service providers must be automatically credited back to the student's account rather than given as cash, and it ensures that funds remain available for a student until they graduate, turn 21, or return to a public school.
Maddy summaryThis Mississippi bill, known as the Seizure Safe Schools Act, requires public schools to have at least one trained staff member or vendor at each campus starting in the 2025-2026 school year to assist with seizure rescue medications. To allow a school to administer these drugs, parents must provide written authorization, a doctor's statement detailing the medication, and a sealed prescription, while schools must maintain a written seizure action plan on file. The law also grants legal immunity to school employees who act in good faith and follow medical instructions when helping a student experiencing a seizure episode. These measures apply only to schools that currently have students or staff with diagnosed seizure disorders and require the necessary FDA-approved medications.
Maddy summaryHB 1825 allocates state funding to support the Mississippi Library Commission for the 2025 fiscal year, providing approximately $16 million from general and special funds. The bill authorizes a staff headcount of 48 permanent positions and one time-limited role while establishing strict rules to prevent salary increases for existing employees and ensuring funds are used only for approved vacancies. Specific portions of the budget are designated for the Magnolia database, health insurance for library staff, and grants to public libraries, alongside setting performance targets for services like workshops and interlibrary loans. Additionally, the legislation requires the commission to maintain detailed financial records and submit future budget requests in a specific format to the legislature.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates approximately $7.7 million in state funds to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Arts Commission for the 2025 fiscal year. The funding comes from the State General Fund, special source funds, and specific allocations for arts education and building projects. The legislation authorizes the commission to maintain 12 staff positions and includes strict rules ensuring that general funds cannot be used to replace federal money or increase salaries for current employees. Additionally, the bill mandates that the commission give purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when buying goods or services. It also directs a portion of the funds toward arts training in public schools and the construction or repair of arts facilities.
Maddy summaryHB 1824 appropriates nearly $11.2 million from state funds to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television for fiscal year 2025. The bill authorizes the agency to maintain a workforce of up to 87 employees, including 80 permanent and 7 time-limited positions, while strictly prohibiting the use of these funds for salary increases or promotions of current staff. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the majority of funding be prioritized for maintaining an existing broadcast schedule of educational and public service programs, with new content production as a secondary goal. The act also establishes specific performance targets for the agency, such as producing a set number of local TV and radio programs and serving a defined number of students through digital education networks. Finally, the bill includes provisions ensuring that funds are not used for public relations activities for other state agencies and that all financial records are kept in a detailed, auditable format.