HB 1127 — ARPA programs and funds; require agencies to make certain reports regarding.

117-2) for distribution to nonentitlement units of local government shall be deposited into the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund created in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund" to be administered by the Department of Finance and Administration.

The special fund shall consist of funds required to be deposited H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 3(RF\KW) into the special fund by subsection (1) of this section, funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature in any manner, and funds from any other source designated for deposit into the special fund.

The Department of Finance and Administration shall distribute the funds to the nonentitlement units of local government in accordance with the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund in Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law No.

117-2) and any applicable federal guidelines.

Such funds shall only be used as provided in the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund in Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law No.

117-2) or as authorized by federal rule or regulation or guidelines.

(3) Unexpended amounts remaining in the special fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund but shall remain in the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund.

The State Fiscal Officer shall transfer to the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund the full amount of any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund that are remaining in the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund on July 1, 2024.

Any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund after July 1, 2024, shall be deposited to the credit of the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund created in Section 27-104-321.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS**HR26/R1659SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CSG1/2 25/HR26/R1659SG PAGE 4(RF\KW)1 (4)(RF\KW) TheSECTION State1. Fiscal Officer is authorized, in his or her discretion, to transfer to the federal government any funds in the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund that have not been used for the purpose for which they were received.

SECTION(1) 3.Each of the agencies that administer grant funds under the programs listed in subsection (2) of this section shall report to the Department of Finance and Administration by October 1, 2025, the amount of funds that have been expensed, the amounts remaining to be expended and/or the amounts remaining to be requested for reimbursement by each subgrantee.

SectionEach 27-104-325,of Mississippithe Codeagencies shall notify all the subgrantees of 1972,this isreporting broughtrequirement, forwardin asa follows:form provided by the Department of Finance and Administration, within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this act and shall provide a second notice on September 1, 2025.

27-104-325.On November 3, 2025, the Department of Finance and Administration shall submit the combined reporting of all funds to the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, House and Senate Appropriations Chairmen, and the Legislative Budget Office.

There(2) isThe createdprograms in the State Treasury a special fund to bewhich designated as the "Coronavirusreporting Staterequirements Fiscal Recovery Lost Revenue Fund", which shall consist of fundssubsection calculated(1) based on a reduction in the state's general revenue due to the coronavirus public health emergency, made available through the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021,this andsection transferredapply intoare: the fund by act of the Legislature.

(a) The fundSkilled shallNursing beHome maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and specialHospital fund,Nurses separateRetention andLoan apartRepayment fromProgram theestablished Generalunder FundSection of37-106-64; the state.

Unexpended(b) amountsThe remainingAccelerate inMississippi theWorkforce fundDevelopment atProgram theestablished endunder ofSection a37-153-57; fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

Monies(c) inThe theMississippi fundHealth shallSciences beTraining usedInfrastructure byGrant theProgram Departmentestablished ofunder FinanceSection and37-153-59; Administration, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for the purpose of providing government services.

SECTION(d) 4.The Accelerate Mississippi Nursing/Allied Health Grant Program, established under Section 37-153-205;

Section 37-106-64, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

1127 *HR26/R1659CS**HR26/R1659SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS25/HR26/R1659SG PAGE 5(RF\KW)2(RF\KW) 37-106-64.(e) The Accelerate Mississippi Physician Residency and Fellowship Start-Up Grant Program established under Section 37-153-207;

(1)(f) ThereThe isMississippi establishedAllied theHealth "SkilledCollege Nursing Home and HospitalCareer NursesNavigator RetentionGrant LoanProgram Repaymentestablished Program"under forSection nursing37-153-209; graduates to be administered by the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board.

(2)(g) SubjectThe toIndependent theSchools availabilityInfrastructure ofGrant funds,Program anestablished eligibleunder applicantSection for37-185-21; an initial award must have:

(a)(h) LegalThe residencyMississippi inAssociation theof StateIndependent ofColleges Mississippi;and Universities Infrastructure Grant Program established under Section 37-185-31;

(b)(i) GainedThe employmentARPA asRural aWater full-timeAssociations licensedInfrastructure practicalGrant nurseProgram orestablished licensedunder registeredSection nurse41-3-16.1; at a skilled nursing home in the State of Mississippi or a general acute care hospital in the State of Mississippi that is licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health;

(c)(j) AThe currentMississippi relevantHospital MississippiSustainability professionalGrant license;Program Section established under 41-9-371;

and(k) (d)The OutstandingCOVID-19 qualifyingMississippi educationalLocal loans,Provider receivedInnovation atGrant anyProgram pointestablished duringunder theSection recipients41-139-1; postsecondary education career, which may include the principal, interest and related expenses such as the required interest premium on the unpaid balances of government and commercial loans obtained by the recipient for educational expense.

(3)(l) PersonsThe whoCOVID-19 haveHospital receivedExpanded fundsCapacity fromProgram state-forgivable loan programs established under MississippiSection law,41-14-31; or who are in default or delinquent on any federal, state, local or commercial qualifying educational loan, shall not be eligible for this program.

H.(m) The Mississippi Municipality and County Water Infrastructure Grant Program established under Section 49-2-131;

B.(n) The programs to support tourism activities, destination marketing organizations, nonprofit museums and the Mississippi Main Street Association established under Sections 57-123-1 through 57-123-11 and Sections 57-123-51 through 57-123-55;

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 6(RF\KW) (4) Recipients in the program shall be selected on a first-come, first-served basis from all eligible applicants.

The Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board shall renew eligible applicants approved in prior years only if the renewal applicant continues to meet the standards set forth in this section, and the renewal applicant has not received full funding provided by this subsection (4).

(5) Awards for recipients who are employed at a skilled nursing home or a licensed general acute care hospital in the state may be a maximum of Six Thousand Dollars ($6,000.00) for each year of employment up to three (3) years.

(6) A recipient shall not be penalized for ending employment at a skilled nursing home or a licensed general acute care hospital in the State of Mississippi if the recipient begins working for another skilled nursing home or licensed general acute care hospital in the State of Mississippi during the year on which the award is based.

(7) Awards shall be granted on a year-to-year basis, and recipients have no obligation to seek a subsequent award.

(8) Awards shall be paid annually, after the expiration of the year of employment for which the award was granted, to the recipient's lender or loan service provider, to be applied to the outstanding balance.

Monies paid by the recipient or on the recipient's behalf toward qualifying educational loans before H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 7(RF\KW) payment of the award shall not be eligible for reimbursement through the program.

(9) During the employment year for which the award is granted, a recipient shall at all times keep the State Financial Aid Board informed of any changes to the recipient's current, correct and complete employment information and status.

(10) Recipients, who fail to maintain a relevant Mississippi professional license or fail to fulfill the year of employment on which the award was based, forfeit any right to the award.

(11) The Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board, in collaboration with the State Board of Nursing and any other applicable state agency as determined by the Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board, shall attempt to track award recipients under this program through their third employment year, unless the recipient leaves employment at a skilled nursing home or a licensed general acute care hospital in the state at an earlier date.

Data collected shall include each recipients' place of employment and any other pertinent information necessary to determine the efficacy of the program in retaining nurses in skilled nursing homes or licensed general acute care hospitals in the State of Mississippi.

(12) The Mississippi Postsecondary Education Financial Assistance Board shall promulgate regulations necessary for the proper administration of this section, including setting a fiscal year policy for the program and application dates and deadlines.

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 8(RF\KW) (13) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2027.

SECTION 5.

Section 37-153-57, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-153-57.

(1) There is established the Accelerate Mississippi Workforce Development Program, which shall be directed by the office for the purpose of providing education and training to citizens seeking employment in high-wage, high-demand industries in the state, including, but not limited to, the nursing and healthcare fields, which were impacted by the disruption to the economy and workforce caused by COVID-19.

This program shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the Legislature using Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds made available under ARPA or any other funds appropriated by the Legislature.

(2) As used in this section, the following words have the meanings ascribed unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) "Recipient" means a community college, institution of higher learning, or trainee recipient of grant funding under this section.

(b) "Trainee" means an individual receiving training or other services through programs under this article with the goal of becoming employed in a high-wage, high-demand industry.

(c) "High-wage, high-demand industry" means those industries paying above Mississippi's median annual income and prioritized by the office and the four (4) local workforce areas.

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 9(RF\KW) (d) "Eligible expenses" means a cost incurred by a recipient, pursuant to this article, to include:

(i) Necessary equipment or other supplies;

(ii) Curricula or other academic or training materials;

(iii) Remote learning or other classroom technology;

(iv) Stipends for teaching staff or faculty for workforce development programs;

(v) Trainee support, including tuition expenses and childcare or transportation assistance;

(vi) Coaching or mentoring services;

(vii) Job placement services;

(viii) Apprenticeship programs;

and (ix) Recruitment programs.

(3) The Department of Employment Security shall serve as fiscal agent in administering the funds.

(4) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, allocations to recipients shall be awarded by the office through an application process, which shall require the applicant to provide:

(a) A detailed explanation of the program the applicant intends to use awarded funds to create or expand, including:

(i) A description of the high-wage, high-demand field or workforce shortage area the program is intended to address;

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 10(RF\KW) (ii) The number of trainees who will be served by the program;

and (iii) The average wage rate for trainees receiving employment after completing the program;

(b) A proposed budget on how awarded funds will be expended, including a plan to consistently report expenditures to the office throughout the funding commitment;

(c) A plan to provide data on participation and outcomes of the program, including a plan to report outcomes to the office throughout the funding commitment;

and (d) Other relevant information as determined appropriate by the office.

(5) Applicants agreeing to commit a portion of their federal COVID-19 relief funds, if they received federal COVID-19 relief funds directly, or other state, federal or private funds as supplemental matching funds to offset the total cost of the approved program will be prioritized for approval.

(6) The office shall:

(a) Inform each recipient of its portion of the funds appropriated to the grant program;

(b) Develop regulations and procedures to govern the administration of the grant program;

(c) Prioritize high-wage, high-skill industries, including, but not limited to, nursing jobs or other jobs within the healthcare field;

1127 *HR26/R1659CS**HR26/R1659SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS25/HR26/R1659SG PAGE 11(RF\KW)3(RF\KW) (d)(o) CoordinateThe withARPA-MDOT theMaintenance DepartmentProject ofFund Employmentestablished Securityunder toSection share65-1-141.3. information to identify individuals who were furloughed, unemployed, underemployed or otherwise displaced due to COVID-19.

(7)SECTION The2. office may use a maximum of two percent (2%) of funds allocated for this article for the administration of the grant program, to the extent permissible under federal law.

SECTIONEach 6.agency to which funds were appropriated or reappropriated by the Legislature from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund or the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Lost Revenue Fund in any fiscal year shall report the amount and source of those funds that have not been expended by November 1, 2025.

SectionThis 37-153-59,report Mississippishall Codebe filed by December 1, 2025, with the Department of 1972,Finance isand broughtAdministration, forwardthe asSecretary follows:of the Senate and the Clerk of the House, and the Secretary of the Senate, and the Clerk of the House shall distribute the report to the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate and House Appropriations Chairs.

37-153-59.SECTION 3.

(1)Section There4 isof establishedChapter the509, MississippiLaws Health Sciences Training Infrastructure Grant Program, the purpose of which2024, is toamended provideas afollows: reimbursable grant for primary care health sciences training infrastructure at any osteopathic medical school in Mississippi that is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

This program shall be subject to the availability of funds appropriated by the Legislature using Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds made available under ARPA or any other funds appropriated by the Legislature.

(2) As used in this section, the following words have the meanings ascribed unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) "Applicant" means any osteopathic medical school in Mississippi that is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 12(RF\KW) (b) "Health sciences training infrastructure" means any infrastructure that is eligible under ARPA that assists with the training of health sciences students to increase their interest and encourage their pursuit of careers in primary care.

(3) On or before July 1, 2022, the office shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to administer the Mississippi Health Sciences Training Infrastructure Grant Program prescribed under this section, including application procedures and deadlines.

The Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is authorized and directed to advise the office regarding all such rules and regulations.

(4) The office shall receive applications submitted by the applicants, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) A detailed description and the cost of the health sciences training infrastructure requested;

(b) The number of students currently trained at the applicant's school that pursue graduate medical education in primary care;

(c) A certification that the health sciences training infrastructure meets the guidelines of ARPA and its implementing guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and other criteria, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time, by the United H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 13(RF\KW) States Department of the Treasury;

and all applicable guidance issued by the department;

and (d) Any additional requirements set by the office.

(5) Applications shall be reviewed and scored by the office.

The office shall certify that each application submitted is an allowable expense as defined in ARPA and all applicable guidance issued by the department.

The Department of Finance and Administration, Bureau of Building, Grounds and Real Property Management, is authorized and directed to advise the office as to the estimated cost and eligibility of the projects.

The office shall award the grants to the applicants based on what projects the office determines has the most significant impact on increasing student access to primary care training opportunities.

A grant agreement shall be executed between the applicant and the office.

All final awards will be determined at the discretion of the executive director of the office.

Funds shall be made available to an applicant upon the execution of a grant agreement between the office and the approved applicants.

The office shall provide these funds to the applicants on a reimbursable basis after receiving support for expenses and determining that they meet the grant award criteria.

(6) The applicant may be required to repay the State of Mississippi for any grant funds awarded not consistent with the guidelines of ARPA and its implementing guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and other criteria, as may be amended or H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 14(RF\KW) supplemented from time to time, by the United States Department of the Treasury, and all applicable guidance issued by the office.

SECTION 7.

Section 37-153-205, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-153-205.

(1) There is established the Accelerate Mississippi Nursing/Allied Health Grant Program, which shall be directed by the office for the purpose of increasing capacity in nursing and allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs, job sectors which were severely impacted by the disruption to the economy and workforce caused by COVID-19.

(2) For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) "Grant program" means the program established in this section, which provides funding, as determined by the office, from federal COVID-19 relief funds to sustain and increase capacity in nursing and allied health education and training programs, including accredited paramedic programs, or to help retain and graduate nursing and allied health students, at community and junior colleges or other entities facilitating healthcare-focused training programs as determined by the office.

(b) "Recipient" means a community or junior college or other entities facilitating healthcare-focused training programs as determined by the office.

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 15(RF\KW) (c) "Trainee" means an individual receiving training or other services through the grant program under this article with the goal of becoming employed in the nursing or allied health field, including as a licensed paramedic.

(d) "COVID-19" means the Coronavirus Disease 2019.

(e) "Federal COVID-19 relief funds" means funds allocated to the State of Mississippi from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund in Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law No.

117-2).

(f) "High-wage, high-demand industry" means those nursing or allied health jobs, including paramedics, paying above Mississippi's median annual income and prioritized by the office.

(g) "Eligible expenses" means a cost incurred by a recipient under this article, to include:

(i) Necessary equipment or other supplies to sustain or increase capacity in nursing or allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs;

(ii) Necessary infrastructure, including building renovation or construction, for increasing capacity in nursing or allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs;

(iii) Curricula or other academic or training materials to sustain or increase capacity in nursing or allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs;

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 16(RF\KW) (iv) Remote learning or other classroom technology to sustain or increase capacity in nursing or allied health training programs, including accredited paramedic programs;

(v) Job placement services for nursing or allied health students and graduates, including those in accredited paramedic programs;

(vi) Recruitment programs for nursing or allied health students and graduates, including those in accredited paramedic programs;

(vii) Other services aimed at helping retain and graduate current nursing and allied health students, including those in accredited paramedic programs.

(3) The Department of Employment Security shall serve as fiscal agent in administering the funds.

(4) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, allocations to recipients shall be awarded by the office through an application process, which shall require the applicant to provide:

(a) A detailed explanation of the program the applicant intends to use awarded funds to create or expand, to include:

(i) A description of the nursing or allied health workforce shortage the program is intended to address, including specific information from hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities or other health care providers in the region;

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 17(RF\KW) (ii) Any relevant waitlist or other information demonstrating high demand for graduates from the relevant nursing or allied health program;

(iii) The number of nursing or allied health students who will be served by the program;

and (iv) The average wage rate for nursing or allied health students receiving employment after completing the program;

(b) A proposed budget on how awarded funds will be expended, including a plan to consistently report expenditures to the office throughout the funding commitment;

(c) A plan to provide data on participation and outcomes of the program, including a plan to report outcomes to the office throughout the funding commitment;

and (d) Other relevant information as determined appropriate by the office.

(5) Applicants agreeing to commit a portion of their federal COVID-19 relief funds, if they received federal COVID-19 relief funds directly, or other state, federal or private funds as supplemental matching funds to offset the total cost of the approved program will be prioritized for approval.

(6) The office shall:

(a) Inform each recipient of its portion of the funds appropriated to the grant program;

(b) Develop regulations and procedures to govern the administration of the grant program;

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 18(RF\KW) (c) Prioritize jobs within the nursing or allied health fields which are currently experiencing staffing shortages in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other health care providers across the state;

and (d) Prioritize jobs which are high-wage, high-demand jobs within the nursing and allied health fields, including the paramedic field.

(7) Seventy-five percent (75%) of the funds provided through the appropriations process for this program shall be reserved for community and junior colleges.

A maximum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the funds provided through the appropriations process for this program may be awarded to recipients other than a community or junior college which facilitate healthcare-focused training programs as determined by the office.

SECTION 8.

Section 37-153-207, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-153-207.

(1) There is established the Accelerate Mississippi Physician Residency and Fellowship Start-Up Grant Program, which shall be directed by the office for the purpose of creating new or increasing capacity in existing physician residency and fellowship programs in hospitals, which were severely impacted by the disruption to the economy and workforce caused by COVID-19.

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 19(RF\KW) (2) For purposes of this section, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) "Grant program" means the program established in this section, which provides funding, as determined by the office, from federal COVID-19 relief funds to create new or increase capacity in existing physician residency and fellowship programs at general acute care hospitals in the State of Mississippi which are licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health.

(b) "Recipient" means a general acute care hospital in the State of Mississippi which is licensed by the Mississippi State Department of Health.

(c) "Residency and fellowship programs" means advanced training programs in medical or surgical specialty areas which are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or a similar accreditation body.

(d) "COVID-19" means the Coronavirus Disease 2019.

(e) "Federal COVID-19 relief funds" means funds allocated to the State of Mississippi from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund in Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law No.

117-2).

(f) "Eligible expenses" means a cost incurred by a recipient, pursuant to this article, to include:

(i) Equipment or other supplies necessary for accreditation;

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 20(RF\KW) (ii) Necessary infrastructure, including building, renovation or construction, for accreditation;

(iii) Curricula or other academic or training materials necessary for accreditation;

(iv) Stipends for the recruitment, hiring and development of program directors, program coordinators, faculty and/or teaching staff and clinic staff necessary for accreditation;

and (v) Remote learning or other classroom technology.

(3) The Department of Employment Security shall serve as fiscal agent in administering the funds.

(4) Subject to appropriation by the Legislature, allocations to recipients shall be awarded by the office through an application process, which shall require the applicant to provide:

(a) Evidence that the applicant is in the process of preparing for accreditation, has applied for accreditation or has received accreditation for a new residency or fellowship program, or increased capacity in an existing residency or fellowship program;

(b) A detailed explanation of the residency or fellowship program the applicant intends to use awarded funds to create or expand, to include:

(i) A description of the workforce shortage the residency or fellowship program is intended to address, including specific information from health care providers in the region;

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 21(RF\KW) (ii) Any relevant waitlist or other information demonstrating high demand for medical school graduates to enter the residency or fellowship program;

(iii) The number of residents who will be served by the residency or fellowship program;

(iv) The budget for the residency or fellowship program, including a plan showing sustainability after accreditation and any required federal approval of the program;

and (v) The average wage rate for residents or fellows receiving employment after completing the program;

(c) A proposed budget on how awarded funds will be expended, including a plan to consistently report expenditures to the office throughout the funding commitment;

(d) A plan to provide data on participation and outcomes of the residency or fellowship program, including a plan to report outcomes to the office throughout the funding commitment;

and (e) Other relevant information as determined appropriate by the office.

(5) Applicants agreeing to commit a portion of their federal COVID-19 relief funds, if they received federal COVID-19 relief funds directly, or other state, federal or private funds as supplemental matching funds to offset the total cost of the approved program shall be prioritized for approval.

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 22(RF\KW) (6) The office shall:

(a) Inform each recipient of its portion of the funds appropriated to the grant program;

(b) Develop regulations and procedures to govern the administration of the grant program;

(c) Prioritize residency or fellowship programs within medical or surgical specialties which are currently experiencing staffing shortages in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other health care providers across the state;

(d) Prioritize residency or fellowship programs which produce graduates in high-demand medical and surgical fields;

(e) Establish a schedule of application deadlines and a system for considering applications on a rotating basis;

and (f) Ensure that every effort be made, in accordance with the priorities in this subsection, to provide funds for the placement of one (1) resident with each recipient before considering awarding funds for the placement of additional residents in the same round of consideration.

SECTION 9.

Section 37-153-209, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-153-209.

(1) There is established the Mississippi Allied Health College and Career Navigator Grant Program, which shall be directed by the office for the purpose of hiring professionals, or navigators, to provide individual assistance and guidance to students to assist them in many areas, from maneuvering challenges H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 23(RF\KW) while enrolled in college programs and understanding the job market to working through course challenges, and to help retain and graduate nursing and allied health students, at community and junior colleges.

The Office of Workforce Development shall promulgate rules and regulations on the eligibility requirements to be a navigator.

The grant program shall be funded from monies appropriated by the Legislature for that purpose.

(2) The office shall prescribe the terms and conditions of the grant program.

To be eligible to receive a grant from the office under the grant program, a community college shall provide the following information:

(a) The number of nursing or allied health students who will be served by the program;

(b) A plan to provide data on participation and outcomes of the program, including a plan to report outcomes to the office throughout the funding commitment;

and (c) Any other information that the office determines is necessary.

SECTION 10.

Section 37-185-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-185-21.

(1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Independent Schools Infrastructure Grant Program Act of 2022." (2) There is established the Independent Schools Infrastructure Grant Program, to be administered by the Department H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 24(RF\KW) of Finance and Administration.

Under the program, eligible independent schools may apply for reimbursable grants to make necessary investments in water, wastewater, stormwater, broadband and other eligible infrastructure projects to be funded by the Legislature using Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds made available under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The program shall be funded from appropriations by the Legislature to the department from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund.

(3) The use of grants shall be subject to audit by the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Inspector General and the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor.

An eligible independent school found to be fully or partially noncompliant with grant requirements shall return to the state all or a portion of the grant monies received and used for unallowable expenditures.

Applicants shall confirm their understanding of these terms.

(4) For purposes of this section, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings as defined in this subsection:

(a) "Program" means the Independent Schools Infrastructure Grant Program established under this section.

(b) "ARPA" means the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, which amends Title VI of the Social Security Act.

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 25(RF\KW) (c) "ARPA funds" means Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds awarded through Section 602 of Title VI of the Social Security Act amended by Section 9901 of the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2.

(d) "Department" means the Department of Finance and Administration.

(e) "Eligible independent school" means any private or nonpublic school operating within the State of Mississippi that:

(i) Is a member of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) and located in the State of Mississippi;

or (ii) Is accredited by a state, regional or national accrediting organization;

and (iii) Is not subject to the purview of authority of the State Board of Education.

(5) On or before July 1, 2022, the department shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to administer the program established under this section, including application procedures and deadlines.

(6) Funds under the program shall be awarded for ARPA eligible projects in the following order:

(a) Eligible water, wastewater and stormwater projects under the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) or Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and other eligible water projects allowable by ARPA;

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 26(RF\KW) (b) Broadband infrastructure projects;

(c) Capital investments for prevention, mitigation and ventilation in congregate living facilities and other key settings;

and (d) Any eligible project through ARPA guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury, excluding premium pay for employees.

(7) The governing board of any eligible independent school may submit an application for grant funds under this section.

Applicants shall certify to the department that each expenditure of the funds awarded to them by the department under this section is in compliance with the ARPA guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, by the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund.

Subsequent submissions will be due by the dates established by the department.

(8) An application for a grant under this section shall be submitted at such time, be in such form, and contain such information as the department prescribes.

Each application shall include the following at a minimum:

applicant contact information;

project description and type of project;

project map;

estimate of the population served by the project;

estimated project cost;

estimated project schedule;

and readiness to H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 27(RF\KW) proceed.

The department is authorized to accept additional rounds of grant proposals for application consideration as needed.

(9) Applications shall be reviewed, and the department shall certify that each project submitted is eligible under ARPA and all applicable guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury.

For water, wastewater and stormwater projects, the department must also certify that it is a "necessary investment" in water, wastewater or stormwater infrastructure as defined in ARPA and all applicable guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury.

Grant agreements shall be executed between the recipient and the department.

All final awards shall be determined at the discretion of the executive director of the department.

Funds shall be made available to a grantee upon the execution of a grant agreement between the department and the approved applicant, and the department obtains the necessary support for reimbursement.

(10) Grant funds shall be used prospectively, and grants are not available to cover the costs of debt incurred before July 1, 2022.

(11) The maximum amount of grant funds that may be awarded to any eligible independent school under the program is One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00).

(12) The department shall submit to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee by October 1 of each year an annual report about the program.

The reports shall contain the applications received, H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 28(RF\KW) the amount of grant funds awarded to each applicant, the amount of grant funds expended by each applicant, and the status of each applicant's project.

(13) Grant funds received under this section must be obligated no later than December 31, 2024, and must be expended no later than December 31, 2026.

Each grant recipient shall certify for any project for which a grant is awarded that if the project is not completed by December 31, 2026, and the United States Congress does not enact an extension of the deadline on the availability of ARPA funds, then the grant recipient will complete the project using any other funds available.

(14) The department may retain an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) of the total funds allocated to the program to defray its administrative costs.

(15) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2026.

SECTION 11.

Section 37-185-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

37-185-31.

(1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) Infrastructure Grant Program Act of 2022." (2) There is hereby established within the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration, the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) Infrastructure Grant Program under which independent colleges and universities may apply for reimbursable grants to make necessary H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 29(RF\KW) investments in water, wastewater, stormwater, broadband and other eligible infrastructure projects to be funded by the Legislature utilizing Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds made available under the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Such grants shall be made available to the following institutions:

Belhaven University, Blue Mountain College, Millsaps College, Mississippi College, Rust College, Tougaloo College and William Carey University.

Grant program funds shall be distributed to each listed institution based on the pro rata share of full-time equivalent students enrolled in the respective college or university.

For purposes of this distribution, a full-time equivalent student shall be calculated as follows:

(a) One (1) full-time student shall be considered one (1) full-time equivalent student;

(b) One (1) part-time student shall be considered one-half (1/2) of a full-time equivalent student;

and (c) One (1) online student shall be considered one-fourth (1/4) of a full-time equivalent student.

(3) For purposes of this section, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein:

(a) "MAICU Grant Program" shall mean the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) Infrastructure Grant Program.

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 30(RF\KW) (b) "ARPA" shall mean the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, which amends Title VI of the Social Security Act.

(c) "State Recovery Funds" shall mean Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds awarded through Section 602 of Title VI of the Social Security Act amended by Section 9901 of the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2.

(d) "Department" shall mean the Department of Finance and Administration.

(4) On or before July 1, 2022, the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to administer the MAICU Grant Program prescribed under this section, including application procedures and deadlines.

(5) Funds under the MAICU Grant Program shall be awarded for ARPA eligible projects in the following order:

(a) Eligible water, wastewater and stormwater projects under the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) or Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) and other eligible water projects allowable by ARPA;

(b) Broadband infrastructure projects;

(c) Capital investments for prevention, mitigation and ventilation in congregate living facilities and other key settings;

and (d) Any eligible project through ARPA guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 31(RF\KW) amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury, excluding premium pay.

(6) The boards of trustees of the respective members of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) may submit an application for grant funds under this section.

Applicants shall certify to the Department of Finance and Administration that each expenditure of the funds awarded to them by the department under this section is in compliance with the ARPA guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations and/or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, by the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies from the State Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds.

Subsequent submissions will be due by the dates established by the department.

(7) An application for a grant under this section shall be submitted at such time, be in such form, and contain such information as the department prescribes.

Each application shall include the following at a minimum:

applicant contact information;

project description and type of project;

project map;

estimate of the population served by the projects;

estimated project cost;

estimated project schedule;

and readiness to proceed.

The Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration is authorized to accept additional rounds of grant proposals for application consideration as needed.

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 32(RF\KW) (8) Applications shall be reviewed, and the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration shall certify that each project submitted is eligible under the American Rescue Plan Act and all applicable guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury.

For water, wastewater and stormwater projects, the department must also certify that it is a "necessary investment" in water, wastewater or stormwater infrastructure as defined in the American Rescue Plan Act and all applicable guidance issued by the United States Department of the Treasury.

Grant agreements shall be executed between the recipient and the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration.

All final awards will be determined at the discretion of the executive director of the department.

Funds shall be made available to a grantee upon the execution of a grant agreement between the department and the approved applicant, and the department obtains the necessary support for reimbursement.

(9) Grant requirements shall be used prospectively and grants are not available to cover the costs of debt incurred prior to the enactment of this program.

(10) (a) There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the "Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) Grant Program Fund", which shall consist of funds appropriated by the Legislature from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) monies or other available federal grant funds for the purposes of awarding grants under this H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 33(RF\KW) section.

Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund or the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall remain in the fund.

The expenditure of monies in the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (MAICU) Grant Program Fund shall be under the direction of the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration;

(b) All monies shall be disbursed from the fund created in this subsection shall be in compliance with the guidelines, guidance, rules, regulations or other criteria, as may be amended from time to time, of the United States Department of the Treasury regarding the use of monies received by or on behalf of the State of Mississippi through the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law No.

117-2).

Unexpended amounts remaining in the funds at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund or the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the program fund shall be deposited to the credit of COVID-19 Hospital Expanded Capacity Program Fund;

(c) If there are unobligated Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund monies remaining in the fund created in this section, on the later of December 17, 2024, or fourteen (14) days prior to the fund obligation deadline provided by the federal H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 34(RF\KW) government, the Department of Finance and Administration shall transfer these unobligated balances to the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund.

The Department of Finance and Administration shall then transfer the unobligated balance of Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to the State and School Employees' Life and Health Insurance Fund for an amount not to exceed the lesser of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) or the amount of allowable ARPA expenditures, by no later than December 31, 2024, or on the date of the fund obligation deadline provided by the federal government.

The Department of Finance and Administration shall then transfer all remaining unobligated balances of Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Unemployment Compensation Fund up to the ARPA allowable amount, by no later than December 31, 2024, or on the date of the fund obligation deadline provided by the federal government;

and (d) The use of funds allocated under this program shall be subject to audit by the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Inspector General and the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor.

Each person receiving funds under these programs found to be fully or partially noncompliant with the requirements in this section shall return to the state all or a portion of the funds received.

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 35(RF\KW) (11) The department shall submit to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee by October 1 of each year an annual report.

The reports shall contain the applications received, the amount of grant funds awarded to each applicant, the amount of grant funds expended by each applicant, and the status of each applicant's project.

(12) Grant funds shall be available under this section through December 31, 2026.

Each grant recipient shall certify for any project that a grant is awarded that in the event the project is not completed by December 31, 2026, and the United States Congress does not enact an extension of the deadline on the availability of ARPA Funds, then the grant recipient will complete the project through any other funds available.

(13) The Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration may retain an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) of the total funds allocated to the program to defray administrative costs.

(14) This section shall stand repealed on July 1, 2026.

SECTION 12.

Section 41-3-16.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

41-3-16.1.

(1) (a) The State Department of Health (department) shall establish a grant program to be known as the ARPA Rural Water Associations Infrastructure Grant Program (program) to assist rural water associations and entities in the construction of eligible drinking water infrastructure projects as H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 36(RF\KW) provided in the Final Rule for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds as established by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

(b) Rural water associations and any entity that received funding under the ARPA Rural Water Associations Infrastructure Grant Program or the Mississippi Municipality and County Water Infrastructure (MCWI) Grant Program before April 14, 2023, shall be ineligible for additional grants under this section.

(2) The program shall be funded from appropriations by the Legislature to the department from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund, and the department shall expend all such funds for the purposes provided in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The department shall obligate the funds by the deadline set by the rules and guidelines of the United States Department of the Treasury and will adhere to the Treasury's rules and guidelines for reporting and monitoring projects funded through ARPA.

(4) (a) The department shall develop a system for use in ranking the grant applications received.

The ranking system shall include the following factors, at a minimum:

(a) the environmental impact of the proposed project;

(b) the proposed project's ability to address noncompliance with state/federal requirements;

(c) the extent to which the project promotes economic development;

(d) the number of people served by the H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 37(RF\KW) project (both new and existing users);

(e) impacts of the proposed project on disadvantaged/overburdened communities;

(f) the grant applicant's prior efforts to secure funding to address the proposed project's objectives;

(g) the grant applicant's proposed contribution of other funds or in-kind cost-sharing to the proposed project;

(h) the grant applicant's long-term plans for the financial and physical operation and maintenance of the project;

and (i) the grant applicant's capacity to initiate construction in a timely manner and complete the proposed project by the deadline specified by rules and guidelines of the United States Department of the Treasury for ARPA funds.

(b) For the second round of grant awards, the department shall apply a greater weight to grant applications that promote consolidation of separate systems.

In order to receive the additional weight, the systems that will consolidate shall be in a proximity of each other as determined by the department.

(c) In addition to the points awarded under paragraph (b) of this subsection, an additional ten (10) points shall be added to any application with at least one (1) system that has consolidated after January 1, 2018, and before application to this program and is otherwise eligible under this section.

(5) An application for a grant under this section shall be submitted at such time, be in such form, and contain such information as the department prescribes.

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 38(RF\KW) (6) (a) Upon the approval of an application for a grant under this section, the department shall enter into a project grant agreement with each grantee to establish the terms of the grant for the project, including the amount of the grant.

(b) (i) For the first award of grants, the maximum amount of funds that may be provided to any rural water association or entity from all grants under the program is Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000.00).

(ii) For the second round of grant awards, the maximum amount of funds that may be provided to any eligible association or entity from all grants under the program is Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00).

(c) Associations or entities that received funding under the first round of grant awards for this program or received funding in the Mississippi Municipality and County Water Infrastructure Grant Program Act of 2022 are ineligible to receive funding under the second round.

(7) With any funds appropriated to the department for the program after April 1, 2024, the department shall distribute the funds to projects from the second round of grant awards in the order in which the applications were ranked for grants as long as the department determines that the project can obligate the funds by October 1, 2024, and expend the funds by December 31, 2026.

Where the department determines that a project cannot obligate or expend the funds by the required dates, the department shall not H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 39(RF\KW) fund the project, and it shall continue from the second round of grant awards in the order in which the applications were ranked for grants.

(8) The department shall have all powers necessary to implement and administer the program.

Of the funds appropriated to the department for the program, not more than five percent (5%) may be used by the department to cover the department's costs of administering the program.

(9) In carrying out its responsibilities under the program, for any contract under the purview of the Public Procurement Review Board (PPRB), the department shall be exempt from any requirement that the PPRB approve any personal or professional services contracts or pre-approve any solicitation of such contracts.

This subsection shall stand repealed on July 1, 2026.

(10) The department shall submit an annual report regarding the program no later than December 31 of each year to the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees.

(11) For the purposes of this section, "entity" means:

(a) Any entity operating as a rural water association, regardless of whether such entities were user created, were initially organized not for profit, or have been granted tax-exempt status under state or federal law.

(b) Any nonprofit water or sewer provider not owned by the municipality or county and are not a Rural Water Association.

H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 40(RF\KW) (c) Any entity eligible under this program shall be currently operating as a not-for-profit entity.

(d) "Entity" under this subsection does not include any state agency.

No state agency shall be eligible under this program.

SECTION 13.

Section 41-9-371, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

41-9-371.

(1) There is established the Mississippi Hospital Sustainability Grant Program which shall be administered by the State Department of Health.

(2) In order to strengthen, improve and preserve access to Mississippi hospital care services for all Mississippians and in recognition of the challenges incurred by Mississippi hospitals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, funds from the program shall be distributed, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to each hospital licensed by the State of Mississippi, except for hospitals operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and hospitals operated by the State Department of Mental Health.

Licensed specialty hospitals that are recognized as such by the State Department of Health, except for those excluded under this subsection, are eligible for grants under the program.

(3) The department shall distribute grants to each eligible hospital based upon the following formula:

(a) Each hospital that has fewer than one hundred (100) licensed beds and that is not classified as a critical access H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 41(RF\KW) hospital that operates an emergency department shall be eligible to receive Six Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($625,000.00) to defray the costs of providing emergency department services.

(b) Each rural hospital that has fewer than one hundred (100) licensed beds and that is classified as a critical access hospital that operates an emergency department shall be eligible to receive Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) to defray the costs of providing emergency department services.

(c) Each hospital that operates an emergency department and that has more than one hundred (100) licensed beds shall be eligible to receive One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).

(d) Each hospital with fewer than two hundred (200) licensed beds with the majority of such beds being dedicated to providing specialty services such as women's health services, long-term acute care, rehabilitation or psychiatric services shall be eligible to receive Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).

(e) Each rural hospital with fewer than one hundred (100) licensed beds with no emergency department shall be eligible to receive Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) to defray the costs of providing access to hospital care in rural communities.

(f) In addition to the funds provided in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this subsection, each small rural hospital with fifty (50) beds or less which operated an emergency department H.

B.

No.

1127 *HR26/R1659CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 25/HR26/R1659CS PAGE 42(RF\KW) shall be eligible to receive Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) to defray the costs of providing access to hospital care in rural communities.

(g) In addition to the funds distributed in paragraphs (a) through (c) and (e) through (f) of this subsection, any remaining funds appropriated for the purposes of this grant program shall be distributed to hospitals receiving funds in paragraphs (a) through (c) and (e) through (f) of this subsection on a pro rata amount by dividing the total amount of the remaining funds by the number of licensed beds attributable to all licensed Mississippi hospitals except for licensed beds attributable to hospitals described in paragraph (d) of this subsection and for licensed beds attributable to hospitals operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and hospitals operated by the State Department of Mental Health and determining a dollar amount for each bed, and then multiplying that dollar amount by the number of licensed beds of that hospital.

(4) The department shall adopt such reasonable rules as necessary for the administration of the program, but shall not place additional qualification requirements on hospitals other than the minimum requirements in this section.