MS HB1537

Appropriates $5,807,832 from the State General Fund and $11,226,040 from special funds to the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television for fiscal year 2016 (July 1, 2015 - June 30, 2016).

Authorizes 110 permanent full-time positions and 11 time-limited full-time positions for the Authority.

Requires the Authority to maintain full broadcast schedules for educational, instructional, professional growth, and public service programs as the primary use of appropriated funds.

Establishes performance targets for FY2016 including 500 locally produced TV programs, 3,822 radio programs, 50,000 weekly website users, and various education and technical service metrics.

Directs $2,118,966 of the special funds to be derived from the Education Enhancement Fund and requires payment of $1.50 per square foot to the Board of Institutions of Higher Learning for utility costs.