MS HB1647

Appropriates $1,169,421.00 from the State General Fund and $1,461,722.00 from special funds to the Mississippi Arts Commission for fiscal year 2020 (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020).

Authorizes 11 permanent full-time positions and 2 time-limited full-time positions for the commission.

Provides up to 3% pay increase to the Variable Compensation Plan realignment component for all full-time employees, excluding agency heads and board members.

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

Establishes the Arts Commission Challenge Initiative Fund to hold designated "Challenge Program" dollars that do not lapse at fiscal year end, with grantees required to provide matching funds of at least two times the grant amount.