Sen. Michael McLendon

Maddy summarySB 2255, the Mississippi Employment Protection Act amendment, would have restricted state financial incentives (like tax credits or grants) for employers using H-1B visa workers instead of U.S. citizens. It directed state agencies - including the Department of Employment Security and Tax Commission - to create rules evaluating and limiting these incentives. The bill specifically targeted employers receiving state benefits, aiming to prioritize U.S. workers in hiring decisions. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summarySB 2285 prohibits Mississippi counties, municipalities, and school districts from enforcing foreign laws (including laws from other countries or jurisdictions) that violate rights guaranteed by the U.S. or Mississippi Constitutions. If a local government unit violates this rule, the associated school district loses funding under Section 37-151-93 for the following school year. The bill amends this funding provision to link compliance with receiving transfer student funding. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2298, the "I Believe Act," would have required Mississippi school districts to adopt policies allowing students to voluntarily participate in prayer or Bible reading during school events. It would have updated existing law (Section 37-12-9) to mandate a "limited public forum" for student religious expression, including neutral selection of student speakers, disclaimers stating the school doesn’t endorse such speech, and prohibiting discrimination based on religious viewpoint. The policy would apply to student-initiated expressions at events like football games or assemblies, not school-led activities. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2305 would have required Mississippi public school boards to allow a Christian Bible provided by an external entity (not the school district) to be visible in all classrooms and libraries. It also mandated daily recitation of the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance - including the phrase "under God" - and required teaching a new state pledge referencing "Almighty God." The bill aimed to enforce these provisions through school board compliance measures and reporting requirements. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2329, the "Mississippi Glacier (ICE) Act," creates a state grant program within Mississippi's Department of Public Safety to fund local law enforcement agencies participating in the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program. The grants cover costs like detention bed subletting, equipment, travel, and training related to federal immigration enforcement, but cannot duplicate other federal or state funding. Eligible agencies must have a formal partnership agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the 287(g) program. The program will be funded through a dedicated state treasury account and administered by the Department of Public Safety, with grants awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Maddy summarySB 2652 would expand eligibility for Mississippi's Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters Death and Disability Benefits Trust Fund to include county and municipal road workers who respond to emergencies. The bill specifically adds "county road and public works employees during and after emergencies" to the definition of eligible individuals, covering workers trained to clear debris or manage hazards after disasters like storms or terrorist attacks. This would allow these road workers to receive the same $100,000 death benefit and $25,000 per child (up to $250,000 total) as current law enforcement and firefighters. The bill aimed to align road workers' emergency response roles with existing first responder benefit programs under Mississippi Code Sections 45-2-1 and 45-2-21. (Note: The bill died in committee and was not enacted.)

Maddy summarySB 2891 requires municipalities seeking to annex unincorporated territory to hold an election within that specific area, where only residents of the proposed annexation zone can vote. The annexation requires approval by 50% plus one of all voters in the election, and the municipality must pay all election costs. The bill also changes appeal procedures, requiring municipalities to cover attorney fees and court costs if they challenge election results in court. It repeals a prior requirement that annexation petitions be filed directly in chancery court. This bill directly affects residents in proposed annexation zones and municipalities pursuing boundary changes.

Maddy summarySB 2901, the "Save Our Badge and Shield Act," would require Mississippi's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to treat first responders (law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services providers, emergency management personnel, and public safety telecommunicators) who join PERS on or after March 1, 2026, as if they had joined between July 1, 2011, and March 1, 2026, for retirement benefit calculations. This ensures these new first responders receive the same retirement benefits and calculation methods as members in that earlier period, specifically regarding how average compensation is determined. The bill does not change retirement rules for other public employees or for first responders who joined before March 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2037 appropriates $15,146,621 from general funds and $18,863,565 from special funds to support the Mississippi Secretary of State's office for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill restricts $7,842,078 to "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits for 108 authorized positions), prohibiting use for promotions or raises and requiring strict adherence to annual budget limits. It mandates detailed accounting, prohibits using general funds to replace withdrawn special funds, and bans nepotistic hiring (paying relatives within the third degree). This procedural bill focuses solely on funding allocation for the office's existing duties, with no new policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 2042 provides $12.6 million in state funding for Mississippi's Department of Audit to cover salaries and operational costs during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It directly affects the Department of Audit and county governments by ensuring audits of public offices and federal programs are conducted. Key provisions restrict spending to specific categories (like employee salaries and "Vacancy Funding" for unfilled positions) and require adherence to salary guidelines set by the State Personnel Board. The bill also mandates performance targets, such as auditing 60% of county finances through outside firms and recovering $600,000 in misused funds through investigations. This funding bill was enacted after approval by the governor on June 17, 2025.