Sen. Michael McLendon

Maddy summarySB 2292 requires all Mississippi public and charter schools to teach civics courses starting in 8th grade and before 12th grade, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. The bill mandates instruction on U.S. and Mississippi constitutions, government structures (including federalism and separation of powers), historical context, critical thinking skills, and civil discourse. The State Department of Education will develop and update curriculum standards to align with current civics scholarship, renaming existing U.S. Government courses to "United States Government and Civics." This policy directly affects all K-12 students and school staff in Mississippi's public and charter schools.

Maddy summarySB 2694 requires all health insurance plans renewing or starting after July 1, 2026, to cover biomarker testing for disease diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring when supported by medical evidence. This directly affects insurers and policyholders by mandating coverage for genetic or molecular tests (like genomic sequencing) that align with FDA approvals, CMS guidelines, or nationally recognized clinical practice standards. Insurers must provide written justification for denied claims and update coverage policies publicly by September 1, 2026, with the Department of Insurance authorized to audit compliance. The law aims to reduce barriers to evidence-based testing without specifying new costs or outcomes.

Maddy summaryMississippi Senate Bill 2293 amends the state's student funding formula to increase the weight and multiplier for gifted education funding. It requires that all funds allocated under this revised calculation go directly toward gifted education instruction in schools. The bill also adds seventh- and eighth-grade students enrolled in career and technical education courses to the calculation for those funds. This change affects all Mississippi public school districts serving students identified as gifted, increasing their per-pupil funding for specialized gifted programs. The bill does not specify the exact new percentage but revises the existing 14.5% weight calculation method.

Maddy summaryMississippi SB 2242 establishes the "Moving Mathematics in Mississippi" (M3) program to improve math education across public K-12 schools. It requires schools to implement K-5 math screening with targeted interventions for struggling students, use 5th-grade test scores as an Algebra-Readiness Indicator to guide middle school placement, and expand math coaching for teachers in all grade bands. The bill mandates grade-specific professional development aligned with state standards and creates a state fund to support these initiatives. These changes directly affect all Mississippi public school students, teachers, and districts through new assessment protocols and support structures.

Maddy summarySB 3301 appropriates $250,000 from Mississippi's General Fund to the Eudora Volunteer Fire Department for the fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027), specifically to purchase a fire truck. The funding covers the full cost of acquiring the vehicle, with payments issued by the State Treasurer upon proper requisitions. This bill directly affects the Eudora Volunteer Fire Department by providing dedicated resources for equipment acquisition, with no broader policy changes or eligibility criteria beyond the specified department and purpose.

Maddy summarySB 3326 appropriates $50,000 from Mississippi's State General Fund to the Arkabutla Community Center in Coldwater for facility renovations and improvements during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The funding covers costs directly related to upgrading the center's physical space. This bill provides a specific, one-time allocation for infrastructure improvements at a single community facility, with no broader policy changes or eligibility criteria beyond the named recipient. The appropriation becomes effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 3190 would exempt retail sales of firearm safes from Mississippi's state sales tax. This means consumers purchasing firearm safes would no longer pay the 7% state sales tax on these items. The bill amends Section 27-65-111 of the Mississippi Code to add firearm safes to the existing list of tax-exempt items, such as medical supplies and educational materials. This change directly affects firearm safety retailers and consumers who buy safes for home or business storage.

Maddy summarySB 3325 appropriates $19 million from the State General Fund to the City of Hernando for infrastructure improvements to the Commerce Street and I-55 interchange overpass during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The funds are designated solely to cover costs associated with these specific roadway improvements. This is a straightforward funding allocation for a local infrastructure project, with no policy changes or broader legislative provisions.

Maddy summarySB 3324 appropriates $10 million from the State General Fund to Desoto County for the fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). The funds are specifically designated to cover costs associated with widening Mississippi State Highway 305 from Church Road to Interstate 269. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting Desoto County’s transportation infrastructure project. The bill authorizes payment via state warrants and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2861 increases Mississippi's income tax credit for private landowners who plant eligible trees (pine or hardwood) using approved reforestation methods like seedling planting, mixed-stand regeneration, or direct seeding. It raises the annual credit limit to $20,000 per taxpayer (with a lifetime cap of $125,000) for costs related to these practices on nonindustrial private lands. Landowners must follow a written reforestation plan verified by a certified forester and cannot claim the credit if they received state/federal cost-share funds for the same work (unless their income is below federal earned income levels). The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, directly benefiting private forest landowners seeking tax savings for sustainable tree planting.