HB 1769 Summary

• Appropriates $4,547,938.00 from the State General Fund and $6,353,694.00 from special funds to the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026).

• Authorizes 78 permanent positions and 7 time-limited positions; restricts salary increases to new hires unless programs or positions are added by the Legislature.

• Requires funds to prioritize maintaining a full broadcast schedule of educational, instructional, professional growth, and public service programs.

• Allocates $2,118,966.00 from the Education Enhancement Fund and reappropriates $899,202.00 for tower maintenance ($175,394), content digitalization ($522,968), and a Medgar Evers documentary ($200,840).

• Establishes performance targets for FY2026 including 100 locally produced TV programs, 1,092 radio programs, 2,000 students served by Digital Education Network, and 1,300 teachers taking e-learning courses.