MS HB1594

Appropriates $5,555,933.00 from the State General Fund and $5,897,987.00 from special funds to the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television for fiscal year 2013 (July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013).

Authorizes 116 permanent full-time positions and 12 time-limited full-time positions for the Authority.

Requires the Authority to maintain a full broadcast schedule of educational, instructional, and public service programs as the priority use of funds, with new program production as secondary.

Establishes performance targets for fiscal year 2013 including 40 locally produced TV programs, 55 radio programs, 8 transmitters on air, and 99% TV reliability.

Allocates $1,644,067.00 of special funds from the Education Enhancement Fund and authorizes the Authority to expend up to $5,000,000 from any source for equipment purchases and budget escalations.