Sen. Derrick Simmons

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SR 16) formally recognizes Robert Poore, a Mississippi landscape architect with a 36-year career, as the recipient of the 2025 Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Visual Arts and Landscape Architecture. It honors his work designing notable projects like the Crosby Arboretum and Mississippi Art Garden, as well as his contributions to landscape architecture in Mississippi. The resolution serves as a ceremonial tribute from the Mississippi Senate to Poore's professional achievements and community impact.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 18), not a policy bill. It formally recognizes filmmaker Tate Taylor of Natchez, Mississippi, as the 2025 recipient of the Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Motion Picture. The resolution commends Taylor for his film work (including *The Help* and *Get On Up*), his economic impact on Mississippi through filming locations and job creation, and his community contributions like restoring historic sites and supporting local businesses. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply offers official Senate recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 24) is a ceremonial commendation honoring Dr. Steven Reed, a Vicksburg optometrist, for becoming the first Mississippian elected to lead the American Optometric Association (AOA). It recognizes his leadership role, 30-year career in eye care, community service, and previous presidency of the Mississippi Optometric Association. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely expresses legislative praise and will be presented to Dr. Reed, the AOA, and Mississippi Optometric Association.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Mississippi Court of Appeals' establishment (1994), recognizing its role in resolving the Mississippi Supreme Court's appeal backlog and efficiently handling appellate caseloads. It highlights the court's achievement of issuing over 15,000 merit opinions with an average processing time of 200 days since its inception. The resolution formally honors the court's accomplishments, including its community outreach programs and the dedication of its judges and staff over three decades. As a symbolic gesture, it does not enact new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill seeks to restore the right to vote to Stanley Barnes, a resident of Claiborne County who was previously disqualified from voting due to a 1990 murder conviction. The legislation notes that Barnes has been on unsupervised parole since 2000 and has since behaved as a law-abiding citizen. If passed, the act would officially reinstate his eligibility to cast ballots in elections. The bill did not advance beyond the committee stage and is not currently active.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates that public secondary schools in Mississippi establish and maintain driver education and training programs starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The curriculum must include classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction covering topics such as distracted driving, alcohol and drug safety, organ donation, litter laws, and how to respond to law enforcement stops. Students enrolled in these courses will not need a learner's permit or driver's license to participate, and upon completion, they will receive a certificate sent to the Department of Public Safety. Additionally, the bill requires the state to report annual crash and fatality statistics, particularly for teenage drivers, and allows the Department of Public Safety to create rules for drivers under 18 during their first year of licensure.