Struck = removed from the bill ยท
added = the amendment's new text.
MISSISSIPPIAdopted LEGISLATUREAMENDMENT REGULARNO SESSION3 2025PROPOSED By:TO Senate Bill No.
Senator(s)2518 DeLanoBY: To:
UniversitiesRepresentatives andScoggin, CollegesBell COMMITTEE(21st) SUBSTITUTEAMEND FORafter SENATEline BILL65 NO.by inserting in lieu thereof the following:
2518"SECTION AN5. ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, ACTING ON BEHALF OF A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING, TO ENTER INTO LEASES AND SUBLEASES OF PROPERTY LOCATED THEREON FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENTERING INTO PUBLIC PROPERTY LOCATED THEREON FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENTERING INTO PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO DEVELOP STUDENT HOUSING AND OTHER FACILITIES TO BENEFIT THE UNIVERSITY;
TOSections PROVIDE5 THATthrough THE9 TERMof OFthis SUCHact LEASESshall SHALLbe NOTknown EXCEEDand 45cited YEARSas ANDthe TWO"Mississippi ADDITIONALConnecting OPTIONSCareer FORand ATechnical RENEWALEducation PERIODEmployability NOT(MissCATEE) TOProgram," EXCEEDfor FIVEwhich YEARS;implementation of shall be subject to legislative appropriation.
TOSECTION PROVIDE6. THAT LEASES OR SUBLEASES ENTERED INTO BY THE BOARD SHALL BE PROTECTED FROM ACTIONS OF SUCCESSOR BOARDS BASED ON THE BINDING SUCCESSOR DOCTRINE;
AND(1) FORThe RELATEDLegislature PURPOSES.finds that establishing attainable workforce goals reflect Mississippi's commitment to creating a pipeline of skilled workers to address workforce shortages and build a sustainable economic future begins with investing in career and technical education (CTE) programs that meet the needs of employers and communities.
BEMississippi's ITworkforce ENACTEDdevelopment BYgoals THEcenter LEGISLATUREaround OFequipping THEits STATEcitizens OF25/HR26/SB2518A.1J MISSISSIPPI:*HR26/SB2518A.1J* P(DJ/KW) with the skills necessary to meet the demands of high-growth, high-demand industries.
SECTIONThese 1.goals, include the following:
(1)(a) TheExpanded Boardcareer ofand Trusteestechnical ofeducation State(CTE) Institutionsopportunities, ofwhich: Higher Learning, acting on behalf of a public institution of higher learning, is authorized to enter into a long-term lease of all or any portion of certain real property under its control and possession.
Such(i) propertyIncrease shallaccess beto leasedCTE forprograms aat periodcommunity notcolleges to exceedprepare astudents term of forty-five (45) years with two (2) additional options for renewaltechnical periods not to exceed ten (10) years and oneskilled (1)trade additionalcareers; option for a renewal period not to exceed five (5) years, for the purposes of developing buildings, housing, parking garage facilities, dining halls and/or other retail developments, S.
B.(ii) Focus on industry-recognized certifications and associate degrees aligned with state workforce needs;
No.and (iii) Promote dual-enrollment opportunities for high school students to participate in CTE pathways;
2518(b) *SS26/R276CS*Align ~education OFFICIALand ~training G1/2with 25/SS26/R276CSemphasis PAGEon 1Mississippi's and/orworkforce otherdevelopment spacessector forstrategies theor benefitpriority ofoccupations, theas institutionidentified ofby higherAccelerate learning.MS, targeting industries with workforce shortages.
(2)High-priority Thesectors leaseinclude: and any amendments to the lease of all or any portion of the real property authorized for lease under subsection (1) of this section shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
The(i) approvedAdvanced leasemanufacturing: and any amendments to the lease shall not be cancelled by successor boards based on the binding successor doctrine.
SECTIONaddressing 2.the growing need for skilled machinists, engineers and technicians;
(1)(ii) TheHealthcare: Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, acting on behalf of a public institution of higher learning, is authorized to enter into a long-term sublease which is under its control and possession for a period not to exceed a term of forty-five (45) years with two (2) additional options for renewal periods not to exceed ten (10) years and one (1) additional option for a renewal period not to exceed five (5) years.
(2)expanding The sublease and any amendments to the subleasepipeline offor allnurses, orallied anyhealth portionprofessionals ofand theparamedics; real property shall be subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
The(iii) approvedInformation subleasetechnology: and any amendments to the sublease shall not be cancelled by successor boards based on the binding successor doctrine.
SECTIONpreparing 3.workers for roles in cybersecurity, software development and IT support;
If(iv) allTransportation orand anylogistics: portion of such property is leased, the institution, with the approval of the Board of Trustees of S.
B.training workers for commercial driving, warehousing and supply chain management;
No.and 25/HR26/SB2518A.1J *HR26/SB2518A.1J* P(DJ/KW) (v) Energy and construction:
2518focusing *SS26/R276CS*on ~renewable OFFICIALenergy ~technologies, 25/SS26/R276CStraditional PAGEutilities 2 State Institutions of Higher Learning, is authorized to negotiate all aspects of any lease or sublease and anyskilled termstrades andlike ancillaryelectricians agreements pertaining to any lease or sublease as may be reasonably necessary to effectuate the intent and purposesplumbers; of this section and to ensure a fair and equitable return to the state.
SECTION(c) 4.Address workforce shortages in rural areas to:
(1)(i) AllPrioritize proceedsinvestments derivedin orCTE receivedprograms fromto theserve agreementsunderserved andrural leasescommunities enteredwhere intoskilled underlabor Sectionsgaps 1are andmost 2acute; of this act shall be deposited into a special fund and expended only for the use and benefit of the public institution of higher learning.
(2)and At(ii) theDevelop endprograms ofto theretain leasegraduates termwithin provided in this act, the propertystate, leasedwith underspecial theincentives authorityfor providedthose hereinwho andcommit all improvements to suchworking propertyin shallrural revertareas; to the institution.
(3)(d) ThePromote Statelifelong oflearning Mississippiand shallupskilling retainthat: all mineral rights to the real property leased under Section 1 of this act.
(4)(i) TheEncourage Departmentadults ofaged Financeeighteen (18) and Administrationolder is authorized to correctre-enter any discrepancies in the propertyworkforce describedor inenhance Sectiontheir 1skills ofthrough thisCTE act.programs;
SECTIONand 5.(ii) Provide pathways for individuals without postsecondary education to earn certifications or degrees, fostering upward economic mobility;
This(e) actSupport shalleconomic takeresilience effectthrough andpublic-private bepartnerships inby: force from and after its passage, and shall stand repealed the day before its passage.
S.(i) Collaborating with industries to identify workforce needs and design CTE curricula that address specific skill gaps;
B.and (ii) Incentivizing employers to participate in apprenticeship programs, internships and on-the-job training for students;
No.25/HR26/SB2518A.1J *HR26/SB2518A.1J* P(DJ/KW) (f) Increase access to funding and support services that:
2518(i) *SS26/R276CS*Offer ~financial OFFICIALaid ~programs, 25/SS26/R276CSlike ST:tuition-free grants or scholarships, to eliminate barriers to CTE participation;
Public-privateand partnerships;(ii) Provide wraparound support services such as childcare, transportation and academic counseling to ensure student success;
allowand IHL(g) PAGEFocus 3 board to lease on behalfdata-driven ofworkforce publicsolutions institutionsthat: of higher learning.
(i) Use labor market data to identify emerging industries and predict workforce needs;
and (ii) Regularly update sector strategies or priority occupations, as identified by Accelerate MS, and CTE offerings to reflect changes in Mississippi's economic landscape.
(2) Therefore, the intent of the Legislature, subject to appropriation for the purposes provided herein is:
(a) To provide funding to the Office of Workforce Development to establish a scholarship program for the purposes outlined herein.
(b) To provide tuition-free access for recent high school graduates to community colleges with accredited CTE programs that are aligned with Mississippi's workforce sector strategies or priority occupations, as identified by Accelerate MS, which result in a degree credential or industry certification 25/HR26/SB2518A.1J *HR26/SB2518A.1J* P(DJ/KW) in an identified industry sector, ensuring a pipeline of skilled workers to meet the state's economic demands.
(c) To gauge the effectiveness of this program by gathering data related to the participation and employment outcomes in order to replicate successful efforts in future workforce development programs.
SECTION 7.
(1) There is established the Mississippi Connecting Career and Technical Education Employability (MissCATEE) Program, which shall be directed by the Office of Workforce Development (Accelerate MS) for the purpose of providing tuition-free community college attendance for eligible recipients for career and technical education (CTE) and training for associate degree credential or industry certification in high-wage, high-demand industries with documented workforce shortages prioritized by the office.
The implementation of this program shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the Legislature.
(2) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings as defined herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) "Accelerate MS" or "office" means the Office of Workforce Development.
(b) "Eligible institution" means any community college, local workforce development area or other eligible recipient of funding under this section.
25/HR26/SB2518A.1J *HR26/SB2518A.1J* P(DJ/KW) (c) "Eligible program" means a career and technical (CTE) program administered at an eligible institution and approved by the Office of Workforce Development (Accelerate MS), which is aligned with identified workforce sector strategies or priority occupations, and identified on the state's Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL).
(d) "Eligible recipient" means a person who:
(i) Has been a resident of Mississippi for at least one (1) year prior to enrollment in an eligible program at an eligible institution and continues to physically reside herein;
(ii) Is a United States citizen, lawful permanent resident, or noncitizen eligible under Title IV regulations for student aid eligibility;
(iii) Has a high school diploma, GED or equivalent;
(iv) Is enrolled full-time in an eligible CTE program at a Mississippi community college within twelve (12) months of completion of a secondary education program or dually-enrolled in an eligible CTE program through his or her high school in accordance with Section 37-15-38;
(v) Has completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
(vi) Maintains satisfactory academic progress as defined by the administering institution upon enrollment;
25/HR26/SB2518A.1J *HR26/SB2518A.1J* P(DJ/KW) (vii) Has not previously earned an associate or bachelor's degree.
A student currently or previously enrolled in a community or junior college may be eligible if he or she changes his or her major to an identified high-demand industry sector or occupation, provided he or she has not exhausted state financial aid limitations;
and (viii) Agrees to remain in the State of Mississippi and work in the industry sector in which the degree credential or industry certification was earned for such a period of time as prescribed by policies promulgated by the Office of Workforce Development for each identified sector strategy or priority occupation.
(e) "High-wage, high-demand industry" means those industries paying above Mississippi's median annual income and prioritized by the office across the eight (8) workforce ecosystems.
(f) "Sector strategy" means the workforce needs of an industry within a regional labor market that has been collaboratively identified by a partnership of employers within a critical industry that brings together education, economic development, workforce systems and community organizations to collaboratively provide job-readiness training (including professional skills development), occupational skills training and support services.
25/HR26/SB2518A.1J *HR26/SB2518A.1J* P(DJ/KW) (3) The Mississippi Office of State Financial Aid shall serve as fiscal agent in administering the funds, and shall disburse appropriate funds to eligible institutions on a semester basis upon receipt of verification of eligible recipients' enrollment in an eligible program.
(4) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, allocations to eligible recipients shall be awarded to the eligible institution of enrollment by the Mississippi Office of State Financial Aid through an application process.
(5) The Mississippi Office of State Financial Aid shall:
(a) Inform each recipient of the amount his or her portion of the program funds available for use, dependent on enrollment as a full-time or part-time student;
and (b) Develop regulations and procedures to govern the administration of the program.
(6) The Mississippi Office of State Financial Aid may use a minimal amount of funds allocated for this section for the administration of the program, to be approved by the State Workforce Investment Board Executive Committee.
SECTION 8.
(1) The district office of each Local Workforce Development Area shall enter into a contract agreement with each eligible recipient of funds under the program employing existing processes for certifying participants.
(2) The Office of Workforce Development shall establish the priorities and provide such directives along with the necessary 25/HR26/SB2518A.1J *HR26/SB2518A.1J* P(DJ/KW) funds to the Local Workforce Development Areas, which shall administer the distribution of these funds.
Of the funds appropriated under the provisions of this act, the office shall allocate no less than three percent (3%) and no more than five percent (5%) to the Local Workforce Development Areas for the administration of these provisions.
(3) Accelerate MS shall annually provide a list of eligible programs based on priority sectors and occupations and program recipients to the Mississippi Office of State Financial Aid.
The Mississippi Office of State Financial Aid shall collaborate with Accelerate MS to track fund recipients under the program through the requisite time prescribed by the Office of Workforce Development for each identified sector strategy and priority occupation.
SECTION 9.
(1) The Office of Workforce Development shall submit an annual report on the program to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chair of the House Workforce Development Committee, the Chair of the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee and the Chairperson of the House and Senate Universities and Colleges Committees.
The report shall contain a detailed explanation of how the funds appropriated for the program were awarded and how many students have participated in the grant program and their employment outcomes.
The report shall also include a list of high-priority industry sectors, with corresponding Classification 25/HR26/SB2518A.1J *HR26/SB2518A.1J* P(DJ/KW) of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes and occupations eligible for funding under the program, as determined annually by the Office of Workforce Development.
(2) Any high-priority industry sector or occupation identified in the report with the corresponding CIP code must remain eligible for at least four (4) academic years before being removed from the list to ensure students have adequate time to complete their credential or degree.
AMEND further the title after the semicolon on line 12 by inserting the following:
"TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION EMPLOYABILITY (MISSCATEE) PROGRAM, WHICH SHALL BE DIRECTED BY THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING TUITION-FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATTENDANCE FOR ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) AND TRAINING LEADING TO ASSOCIATE DEGREE CREDENTIALS OR INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS IN HIGH-WAGE, HIGH-DEMAND INDUSTRIES WITH DOCUMENTED WORKFORCE SHORTAGES PRIORITIZED BY THE OFFICE;
TO PROVIDE FOR DEFINITIONS;
TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI OFFICE OF STATE FINANCIAL AID SHALL SERVE AS FISCAL AGENT IN ADMINISTERING THE FUNDS;
TO PRESCRIBE THE REQUIREMENTS TO ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY AND TO REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECEIPT OF PROGRAM FUNDS;
TO PROVIDE THAT THE RECIPIENT OF A GRANT SHALL COMMIT TO SERVING IN THE INDUSTRY SECTOR FOR WHICH HIS DEGREE CREDENTIAL OR INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION WAS GRANTED FOR SUCH A PERIOD OF TIME IN THE STATE AS DETERMINED BY THE OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT;
TO PROVIDE THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS;" 25/HR26/SB2518A.1J *HR26/SB2518A.1J* P(DJ/KW)