Mississippi HB1204: CTE; remove stipulation that only certain programs leading to industry certification are considered for statewide accountability.

What the bill says

An act to amend section 37-153-15, mississippi code of 1972, to provide that career and technical education grant funds may be used to purchase equipment needed for programs implemented by school districts that lead to qualifying industry certifications; to remove the prohibition on the use of such grant funds to supplant funds for the basic operation of career and technical education programs; and for related purposes.

From the engrossed text:

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-153-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION GRANT FUNDS MAY BE USED TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTED BY SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT LEAD TO QUALIFYING INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS; TO REMOVE THE PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF SUCH GRANT FUNDS TO SUPPLANT FUNDS FOR THE BASIC OPERATION OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 37-153-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 37-153-15. (1) As used in this article: (a) The words "industry certification" mean a process through which students are assessed by an independent, third-party certifying entity using predetermined standards for knowledge, skills and competencies, resulting in the award of a credential that is nationally recognized and must be at least one (1) of the following: (i) Within an industry that addresses a critical local, regional or statewide economic need; *HR43/R1511* H. B. No. 1204 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR43/R1511 PAGE 1 (DJ\KP) (ii) Linked to an occupation that is included in the State Department of Employment Security's occupations in high-demand list; or (iii) Linked to an occupation that is identified as emerging. (b) The words "qualifying industry certification" mean an industry certification that is linked to an occupation with wages of …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• McCarty, Kent (R, 101) · primary sponsor
• Porter, Daryl (D, 98)
• Scott, Omeria (D, 80)

Latest actions

1. March 3, 2026: Died In Committee
2. February 17, 2026: Referred To Education;Economic and Workforce Development
3. February 12, 2026: Transmitted To Senate
4. February 11, 2026: Passed
5. January 29, 2026: Title Suff Do Pass
6. January 29, 2026: DR - TSDP: WD To ED
7. January 21, 2026: DR - TSDP: ED To WD
8. January 19, 2026: Referred To Education;Workforce Development

Votes

• Passed (February 11, 2026): 119 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB1204?

HB1204 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): CTE; remove stipulation that only certain programs leading to industry certification are considered for statewide accountability.

What does HB1204 do?

In its own words: An act to amend section 37-153-15, mississippi code of 1972, to provide that career and technical education grant funds may be used to purchase equipment needed for programs implemented by school districts that lead to qualifying industry certifications; to remove the prohibition on the use of such grant funds to supplant funds for the basic operation of career and technical education programs; and for related purposes.

What is the status of HB1204?

Failed as of March 3, 2026. Latest action: Died In Committee (March 3, 2026).

Who sponsored HB1204?

McCarty, Kent (R, 101), with 2 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for HB1204?

On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB1204.xml