Committee

Education; Finance

Author

Education; Finance

Session

2025 Session

Referred to House committee(s)

Latest Action


On January 20, SB 2148 was referred to the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. 

Explanation of the Bill

Early Learning Collaboratives (ELCs) are high-quality, state-funded pre-K programs for four-year-olds that must have at least two partners, one school district and one Head Start, but may also have private or parochial schools or licensed child care centers as partners. The State of Mississippi provides half of the operating budget for ELCs. The other half is provided by local matching funds.  

To help ELCs meet their local match, the original Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013 created a unique 1:1 tax credit. Individuals or corporations can donate up to $1 million. For every dollar donated, a dollar is subtracted from the donor’s tax liability. It is not a refundable tax credit.

Senate Bill 2148 expands the 1:1 tax credit to include “preschool” programs that are serving children who are at least three years old. It is unclear which current public school programs that are part of early learning collaboratives would be able to take advantage of this tax credit as only children who have reached the age of four can participate in the ELC program, though some programs may serve younger children through other funds. Although it is unclear, this bill may also intend to allow the tax credit for any public school preschool program, even those not affiliated with a collaborative.
During the 2024 legislative session, a similar bill, Senate Bill 2889, died in committee.


DateDetails
01/20/25On January 20, SB 2148 was referred to the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Finance Committee. 

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