MS HB1797

Appropriates $50,000,000 from the Mississippi Broadband Availability Grant Program Fund to the Mississippi Department of Education for broadband availability purposes under the Mississippi Broadband Availability Act.

Funds are available for the period from July 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020, or up to June 30, 2021, subject to federal Treasury guidelines for Coronavirus Relief Fund spending.

Requires MDE to verify each expenditure is a necessary Covid-19 related expense under federal CARES Act Section 5001 and that recipients have not received duplicate reimbursement from other sources.

Mandates MDE compliance with federal Single Audit Act requirements and Uniform Guidance provisions regarding internal controls, subrecipient monitoring, and audit requirements.

Requires MDE to certify compliance with federal Treasury guidelines to the Department of Finance and Administration, and MDE must repay any improperly spent funds if the federal Inspector General determines non-compliance.