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SB 2518

Universities and colleges; increase certain college renovation funds and require IHL board to develop PPP policies.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Scott DeLano

Creates MissCATEE to offer tuition-free community college for eligible Mississippi students in approved CTE programs, aligned with state workforce priorities.

Approved by Governor
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Bill Summary · SB 2518

Summary — SB 2518 (enrolled and approved, 2025)

Status & timeline
- Introduced: Feb 7, 2025 (Sen. Don Harmon listed on early filings).
- Passed both chambers with multiple floor and conference actions in March 2025.
- Enrolled and signed: April 7, 2025.
- Approved by Governor: April 10, 2025.
- Effective date shown in the introduced text: July 1, 2025.
- Note: The enrolled/approved bill as presented is a composite—multiple House amendments substantially replace Section 5 and add several Mississippi-specific statutory changes and new programs. Readers should consult the final enrolled act for precise statutory language.

Main purpose and overall intent
SB 2518, as enacted, is a legislative vehicle that—through a series of adopted amendments—makes a collection of statutory changes and program authorizations mainly affecting state higher‑education governance, community colleges, workforce/CTE programs, certain scholarship benefits, and Department of Finance and Administration authority in Mississippi. The original short appropriation language (a nominal $2 to an Illinois agency in the introduced draft) was superseded by amendments creating or amending multiple Mississippi Code provisions.

Key provisions (major items inserted by House amendments)
- Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) powers (amendment to Section 31-11-3)
- Clarifies/expands DFA authority over state building projects: hire architects/staff, supervise construction, buy materials, accept grants/donations, sell or acquire state lands, exercise eminent domain where authorized.
- Requires DFA to survey state buildings for ADA accessibility, establish priorities and report cost estimates to the Legislative Budget Office and Legislature.
- Prescribes procurement/contracting limitations subject to Public Procurement Review Board rules.
- Authorizes business property insurance on DFA-managed buildings with a deductible of not less than $100,000.

  • Community college renovation funding

    • Authorizes DFA to transfer up to $10,000,000 of available bond funds to each community college that requests exemption from DFA oversight for repairs, renovation, improvements (including utilities, HVAC, replacement furniture/equipment), subject to applicable purchasing statutes.

  • Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers, Firefighters and First Responders Scholarship

    • Establishes (or amends) a scholarship program providing up to eight semesters of tuition (exclusive of books/fees) at any state-supported college for spouses/children of officers or first responders killed or permanently & totally disabled in the line of duty.
    • Sets eligibility, age limits (generally under age 23 unless interrupted), renewal academic standards (GPA minimum 2.5 and satisfactory academic progress), and documentation requirements for claims.

  • Mississippi Valley State University — long-term leases for faculty/staff housing

    • Authorizes the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), on behalf of Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), to enter long-term leases (up to 45 years, with two 10‑year renewal options and one 5‑year option) or subleases of identified real property to develop faculty and staff housing.
    • Requires Board approval of leases/subleases; proceeds to be deposited into a special fund for MVSU use. Improvements revert to MVSU at lease end; state retains mineral rights.

  • Mississippi Connecting Career and Technical Education Employability (MissCATEE) Program

    • Creates MissCATEE (administered by the Office of Workforce Development / Accelerate MS) to provide tuition-free community college access for eligible students in approved CTE programs aligned with state workforce priorities (healthcare, advanced manufacturing, IT, transportation/logistics, energy/construction, etc.).
    • Eligibility criteria include Mississippi residency, citizenship/eligible noncitizen status, recent high‑school graduation or dual enrollment, completion of FAFSA, satisfactory academic progress, no prior associate/bachelor’s degree, and a commitment to work in Mississippi in the relevant sector. Program implementation is subject to legislative appropriation.

Who is affected
- Mississippi community colleges and their students: greater local control of renovation funds if they request DFA exemption; potential access to MissCATEE tuition support for eligible CTE students.
- Mississippi Valley State University: authority to lease university land for faculty/staff housing and retain lease proceeds for university use.
- Board of Trustees / IHL: new lease/sublease authorities and oversight obligations.
- Department of Finance and Administration: expanded construction/surveys/insurance/transfer authorities and reporting responsibilities.
- Survivors and dependents of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders: eligibility for the eight‑semester scholarship under specified conditions.
- Employers and workforce development partners: potential increases in CTE-trained graduates in targeted sectors.

Procedural/implementation notes
- Many provisions (MissCATEE, scholarship funding, bond transfers) are explicitly subject to legislative appropriation or availability of funds.
- DFA actions (surveys, transfers, contracts) remain subject to Public Procurement Review Board rules and legislative oversight where noted.
- Lease approvals for MVSU require Board of Trustees action; proceeds are earmarked for MVSU use.
- Because SB 2518, as enacted, is a composite of several substantive insertions, stakeholders should review the enrolled act and any implementing rules or appropriation bills for final operative details.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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