Sen. Sarita Simmons

Maddy summarySB 2899 increases salary caps for Mississippi court reporters in circuit and chancery courts based on experience: $59,400 for ≤5 years, $70,200 for 5-10 years, and $76,800 for ≥10 years. It allows court reporters to do freelance reporting outside their assigned court’s jurisdiction if they have no delinquent work and aren’t required to attend court. The bill also shifts funding responsibility to county treasuries via the Administrative Office of Courts, replacing direct county payments, and prohibits using government equipment or getting reimbursed for freelance work. These changes take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2051 extends the expiration date for a Mississippi Department of Corrections program that partners with Bolivar County Regional Facility to provide drug and alcohol treatment to up to 250 inmates. The program requires comprehensive treatment, aftercare planning, and recidivism monitoring for inmates within 18 months of release. This extension delays the program’s automatic termination beyond its original July 1, 2029, repeal date, ensuring continued operation under current terms. The bill directly affects the Department of Corrections, Bolivar County Regional Facility, and participating inmates.

Maddy summarySB 2618 transfers responsibility for hiring and managing school attendance officers from Mississippi's State Department of Education (MDE) to local school districts, effective July 2025. It requires districts to employ one officer for every 3,000 compulsory-school-age students, sets a minimum salary for new hires, and ensures transferred staff retain benefits like retirement and health insurance. The bill abolishes three regional supervisor roles, mandates state funding for officers, and requires districts to provide technical assistance and training. MDE retains oversight by reporting on officer performance to the legislature by 2027. This directly affects local school districts, attendance officers, and students through changes in attendance enforcement structure.

Maddy summarySB 2822 changes Mississippi's alcohol permit rules by removing automatic disqualification for most felony convictions. Specifically, it states that a felony conviction (except for crimes of violence or drug law violations) no longer automatically blocks someone from getting an alcohol permit or becoming a manager. The bill adds that if 10 years have passed since the conviction, the Department of Revenue may consider the felony when reviewing other qualifications. This primarily affects individuals with past non-violent, non-drug-related felony convictions seeking to operate alcohol businesses.

Maddy summarySB 2661 requires Mississippi county boards of supervisors to provide properly maintained, functional office space for local Child Protection Services (CPS) offices. The bill mandates counties cover all maintenance, repairs, and utility costs (electricity, water, etc.), while the state pays rent using federal funds and covers other operational expenses. It also establishes a leasing mechanism where counties can lease buildings to CPS, with federal funds covering the rent portion and counties handling non-federal costs. This policy directly affects county governments and CPS local offices, ensuring they have suitable facilities without relying on federal funds for property improvements. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2698 extends Mississippi's Alzheimer's and dementia care program through July 2029, allowing families caring for loved ones with dementia to continue receiving respite care services. The program directly serves caregivers of individuals aged 60+ who cannot afford respite care without risking basic needs like food, shelter, or medications. It limits enrollment to 60 families in the first year, maintaining that number for subsequent years, with eligibility requiring a financial assessment confirming the family’s inability to pay for care without hardship. The state must annually report program costs, participant demographics, and effectiveness to the legislature.

Maddy summarySB 2424 creates a task force to study ways to grow Mississippi's entertainment industry and increase related revenue. The task force, composed of tourism officials, industry representatives, and appointed legislators, will examine current state policies and data to develop recommendations for legislative changes by December 1, 2025. It requires state agencies to provide data and resources to support the task force's work. The bill does not change existing laws but mandates a formal study to inform future policy and funding decisions affecting the creative economy. The task force is now active following the bill's enactment on March 12, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2857 increases the maximum grant amount that the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) can award to small municipalities (populations ≤10,000) and limited population counties (populations ≤30,000) from the Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Fund. The bill amends Section 57-1-18 to raise the current $1 million per grant cap, though the exact new amount is not specified in the text. This change directly affects qualifying local governments seeking funding for infrastructure projects like roads, utilities, or property improvements. The MDA will administer the program, requiring applications detailing project costs and needs, with annual reports to state leadership. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, following gubernatorial approval in March 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 505 is a ceremonial tribute honoring Emily Wagster Pettus for her 30-year career as a Capitol correspondent for The Associated Press in Mississippi. The resolution formally thanks her for covering legislative sessions, state government, and major events like Hurricane Katrina and civil rights trials. It recognizes her role in providing fair coverage, mentoring new reporters, and her service to Mississippi citizens. This resolution has no policy impact - it is purely a gesture of appreciation from the Mississippi Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a law. It formally congratulates the Jackson State University Tigers football team and head coach TC Taylor for winning the 2024 Celebration Bowl, which determines the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) national championship. The resolution acknowledges their victory over South Carolina State (28-7), ending a 17-game postseason losing streak, and highlights their defensive performance in the championship game. It does not create any policy changes or affect any individuals or entities beyond expressing legislative recognition of the team's achievement.