Sen. Derrick Simmons

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 29 (SR 29) is a formal recognition from the Mississippi Senate commending Daniel Wile of Meridian as the State Games of Mississippi 2025 Male Athlete of the Year. The resolution highlights Wile’s athletic achievements, including his near-miss in the 2025 cycling event (00:55:14.76), his two prior State Games medals (1 gold/1 silver in cycling, 2 gold/2 silver in masters swimming), and his three Ironman race completions. It directly honors Wile for embodying the ideals of the State Games through participation and sportsmanship. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or affect policies, but formally celebrates an individual’s athletic contributions to Mississippi’s statewide sporting events.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) commending Kaytelyn Harris of Quitman, Mississippi, as the 2025 State Games of Mississippi Female Athlete of the Year. It formally recognizes her achievements in disc golf, including back-to-back gold medals and her dedication as a single mom, and honors her contribution to the State Games' values of sportsmanship and community. The resolution was introduced by Senator Tate and will be presented to Harris and the State Games organization.

Maddy summarySB 2516 expands Mississippi's William F. Winter and Jack Reed, Sr., Teacher Loan Repayment Program to include assistant teachers in public schools, who were previously excluded. The bill provides the same annual loan repayment awards for assistant teachers as for teachers - ranging from $1,500 to $6,000 per year - based on years served and whether they teach in areas designated as critical teacher shortage zones. To qualify, assistant teachers must hold a standard license, teach full-time in Mississippi public schools, and have qualifying student loans, while avoiding default on other loans. The program applies the existing structure, including priority for shortage-area schools and annual payments applied directly to outstanding loan balances. This bill aimed to support assistant teachers financially but died in committee in February 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2582, the "Robert G. Clark, Jr., Voting Rights Act of Mississippi," would establish statewide protections against voter suppression and vote dilution for Mississippi voters, particularly affecting protected classes defined as racial, ethnic, or language minority groups. Key provisions include creating the Mississippi Voting Rights Commission to review election changes (like district maps or voting locations) before implementation, requiring public notice of voting-related changes, and mandating accommodations for limited English proficient and disabled voters. The bill prohibits election policies that disproportionately harm protected class members or dilute their voting power, with enforcement through legal actions. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not advance to the full legislature.

Maddy summarySB 2684 defines "blight" to include unsafe structures, abandonment, trash accumulation, or environmental hazards, making it clearer for property determinations. It requires Mississippi's Secretary of State to assess whether tax-forfeited properties (bought at tax sales) qualify as blighted upon request by the purchaser, who must pay a fee. If deemed blighted, the bill shortens the time needed for long-term occupants to claim full ownership from 10 years to just one year. This directly affects tax sale purchasers of blighted properties seeking clear title without lengthy legal processes.

Maddy summarySB 2687 establishes the Mississippi Rural Attorney Program to recruit lawyers for rural and underserved areas in the state. It creates a commission within the Mississippi Bar to designate eligible areas, manage an application process, and provide new attorneys with a stipend to start a practice in these regions. After five years of practicing in designated areas, the stipend is forgiven. The program also requires the commission to develop mentorship support and report annually to the legislature on participation and outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 2803 requires Mississippi law enforcement to issue a written citation (not make an arrest) for most nonviolent misdemeanor offenses when officers have probable cause to believe a crime occurred. It directly affects people charged with minor offenses like traffic violations or petty theft, unless specific exceptions apply. Key exceptions include violent misdemeanors (such as domestic violence or weapon-related offenses), refusal to provide ID, outstanding warrants, or if the person is under supervision for a felony. The bill also overrides local policies that mandate arrests for nonviolent misdemeanors and specifies that citations require a written promise to appear in court. This changes current practice by reducing low-level arrests for minor crimes while maintaining arrest authority for serious or high-risk situations.

Maddy summarySB 2906 would have repealed Mississippi's Tier 5 retirement system for new public employees joining after March 1, 2026, and replaced it with a new benefit structure for those joining after July 1, 2026. The new provision would provide an additional retirement benefit calculated as 1% of the annual retirement allowance multiplied by years of service before age 65, plus a compounded 1% increase for each year after age 65. This bill directly affected new state and local government employees hired after July 1, 2026, but it died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2654 establishes a standardized 15-day in-person early voting period for all Mississippi elections (primaries, general, runoff, special, and municipal), beginning 15 days before the election and ending at noon on the Saturday before election day. Voters must cast ballots at their county registrar's office during set hours (regular business hours plus extended hours the last full week before elections), presenting photo ID and following standard election procedures. The bill requires posting early voting locations in three public places 8 days in advance and prohibits ballot harvesting, drop boxes, or mail-in voting during early voting - except as permitted under existing Mississippi Election Code. It applies directly to all registered voters in Mississippi participating in in-person early voting.

Maddy summarySC 538 is a ceremonial concurrent resolution recognizing Sarita "Bugg" Cooper-White's basketball career. It honors her achievements as a Gentry High School standout (including a perfect 40-0 season and "Miss Basketball" title), Delta State University All-American (ranking third in NCAA D-II assists), and her coaching success, ahead of her 2025 Delta State Sports Hall of Fame induction. The resolution formally extends recognition to Cooper-White and her family, and directs copies to her schools and the press. The bill died in committee on April 3, 2025, and did not become law.