Sen. Sarita Simmons

Maddy summarySB 2040 appropriates $6,808,433 for Mississippi's State Treasurer's Office to cover fiscal year 2026 expenses (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026), primarily for employee salaries and benefits totaling $3,569,544. The bill authorizes 37 permanent staff positions and strictly limits spending on "Personal Services," requiring compliance with state personnel salary rules and prohibiting budget overruns. It also allocates $150,000 to the Education Improvement Trust Fund and $35 million to the Prepaid College Tuition Program for fiscal year 2026. The funding includes specific rules to prevent using appropriated funds for promotions or salary increases beyond authorized headcounts.

Maddy summarySB 2043 appropriates $12,505,269 for Mississippi's Department of Banking and Consumer Finance (DBCF) to operate during fiscal year 2026. It specifically allocates $8,961,121 for salaries and benefits of authorized staff (86 permanent positions), with strict rules preventing budget overruns and requiring use of "Vacancy Funding" only to fill unfilled positions - not for raises or promotions. The bill also sets aside $300,000 from a civil penalty fund created by another bill (SB 2049) and mandates detailed record-keeping for all expenditures. This funding directly affects DBCF employees and operations, ensuring financial compliance without altering consumer finance regulations.

Maddy summarySB 2041 appropriates $422 million from the State General Fund to cover bank service charges and pay principal/interest on Mississippi's existing "full faith and credit" bonds, and $17.75 million plus $41.75 million from special funds for maturing bonds due in Fiscal Year 2026. It specifically allocates $500,000 for bank fees related to bond payments and requires payments to occur between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. The bill directly affects the state treasury (which pays bondholders), banks acting as state agents, and bondholders receiving payments. It is a routine funding measure for existing debt obligations, with no new policy provisions.

Maddy summarySB 2029 appropriates $1.2 million for the Dixie National Livestock Show in Jackson and allocates additional funds totaling $196,540 for other livestock events in Mississippi. It directly supports livestock exhibitors, county associations, and schools by funding prizes, premiums, and operational costs for county shows, district livestock shows, state dairy shows, and high school rodeos. Key provisions require 75% of district and dairy show funds to go to 4-H and Smith-Hughes students, limit county show funding to $2,000 per county, and mandate adequate facilities for funded events. The bill specifies exact amounts for each event type (e.g., $65,000 for district shows, $14,150 for high school rodeo promotion) for fiscal year 2026. It has been signed into law by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 2032 appropriates $28.46 million from the State General Fund and $21.49 million from special funds to cover the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services' (ITS) expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill specifically allocates $12.45 million for staff salaries, benefits, and "Vacancy Funding" to fill authorized positions (including nine new IT roles), with strict rules prohibiting use for promotions or salary increases beyond budgeted amounts. It requires ITS to comply with state personnel salary rules and limits transfers of funds to avoid overspending. The bill directly affects the ITS department and all state agencies relying on its technology services, ensuring funding aligns with approved headcounts and salary structures.

Maddy summarySB 2034 appropriates $173.6 million in state funds for Mississippi National Guard operations during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It covers general expenses ($9.5 million), military programs ($164 million), and specific initiatives like the Youth Challenge Program ($2.3 million), Armed Forces Museum ($663,124), and the Sonny Montgomery Center ($300,000). The funding comes from general state funds, specialized accounts (e.g., Camp Shelby Timber Fund), and $4 million redirected from the Education Enhancement Fund. This is a routine budget allocation with no new policy requirements, solely authorizing financial support for existing Guard activities and facilities.

Maddy summarySB 2045 appropriates $3,206,626 from the State General Fund and $637,372 from Special Funds to cover the Governor's Office, staff, and mansion operations for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It authorizes 39 permanent and 7 time-limited staff positions for these operations and requires detailed financial records matching the prior fiscal year’s standards. The bill also directs preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions when bids are equal. This is a routine funding measure for existing executive branch operations, not a policy change affecting the public.

Maddy summarySB 2047 reauthorizes the expenditure of $68.7 million in unspent Gulf Coast Restoration Funds for specific coastal restoration and development projects in Mississippi. The bill directs funds to cities (like Gulfport, Long Beach, and Ocean Springs), counties (including Pearl River and Harrison), redevelopment authorities, universities (such as Mississippi State University), and organizations for projects including harbor restoration, road improvements, downtown revitalization, and economic development sites. It does not create new funding but reallocates leftover funds from prior fiscal years to continue previously authorized projects, such as the Long Beach Harbor Complex Restoration and the Mississippi Cyber Center. The bill was signed into law by the governor on June 2, 2025, and applies to fiscal year 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2035 appropriates $5.67 million from the General Fund and $3.63 million from special funds to cover the State Veterans Affairs Board's salaries and operations for fiscal year 2026. It also allocates $6.36 million from the General Fund and $54.54 million from special funds to support Mississippi State Veterans Homes operations and staff salaries during the same period. The bill specifies exact funding amounts for "Personal Services" (covering salaries and benefits) and sets authorized headcounts (40 permanent and 25 time-limited positions for the Board; 265 permanent and 317 time-limited for Veterans Homes), with strict rules preventing fund transfers or salary increases beyond approved amounts.

Maddy summarySB 2328 clarifies eviction procedures for residential tenants and RV park residents in Mississippi. It requires landlords to provide tenants 72 hours after a court-ordered removal to retrieve personal property, and mandates law enforcement to physically remove occupants (not just post notices) to hand possession to landlords. The bill also establishes specific rules for RV park removals, allowing owners to remove residents for certain violations but prohibiting removal based on race, disability, or other protected characteristics. Tenants must still be given access to their property during the 72-hour period following removal.