House Bill 1515 Summary

• Brings forward Mississippi Code sections 37-151-1 through 37-151-107 and 37-152-1 related to the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) for possible legislative amendments.

• Maintains existing MAEP funding formulas, including base student cost calculations, average daily attendance determinations, local contribution requirements (28 mills or 27% of program cost), and add-on programs for transportation, special education, vocational education, and gifted education.

• Establishes a Commission on Restructuring MAEP composed of 17 members including legislative leadership, State Board of Education representatives, and local education officials to study and report on MAEP efficiency, funding mechanisms, and related factors by November 1, 2005, and periodically thereafter.

• Requires charter schools to receive state MAEP payments equal to the state share for each student in average daily attendance, with local contribution deducted based on the student's home district proportionate share.

• Effective July 1, 2016, this legislation codifies MAEP provisions without substantive changes, allowing the Legislature to consider future amendments to the education funding structure.