MS HB1505

Appropriates $1,212,799.00 from the State General Fund and $2,070,000.00 from special funds to the Mississippi Arts Commission for fiscal year 2012 (July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012).

Authorizes 12 permanent full-time positions and 2 time-limited full-time positions for the Arts Commission.

Allocates $450,000.00 from the Education Enhancement Fund for training educators, promoting arts programs in public schools ($100,000), and miscellaneous grants and programs ($350,000).

Grants the Arts Commission authority to establish an Arts Commission Challenge Initiative Fund for the Challenge Program, with unexpended balances carrying over to subsequent fiscal years and grant recipients required to provide matching funds of at least 2 times the grant amount.

Authorizes the Arts Commission to escalate and expend up to $1,000,000.00 from available sources in accordance with Department of Finance and Administration rules.