House Bill 911 Summary

• Creates the Mississippi Works Fund within the Mississippi Employment Security Law to fund strategic and targeted workforce investments focused on high-growth industries and meeting immediate training needs for economic development.

• Establishes contribution rates of 0.2% of taxable wages for the Mississippi Works Fund in calendar years 2015 and 2016, with funds distributed as 55.6% to Mississippi Works Fund, 41.7% to Mississippi Workforce Enhancement Training Fund, and 2.7% to State Workforce Investment Fund.

• Sets the general experience rate for unemployment insurance contributions at zero percent for rate years 2015 and 2016, with suspension provisions if insured unemployment exceeds 5.5% for three consecutive months.

• Transfers Mississippi Works Fund contributions to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security Treasury Fund, to be allocated exclusively by the Executive Director for workforce training with no supplantation of other workforce funding sources.

• Increases State Workforce Investment Board membership from 39 to 41 voting members and establishes a Rules Committee to promulgate regulations for Mississippi Works Fund distribution within 60 days of the act's effective date.