Sen. Sarita Simmons

Maddy summarySB 2355 would add kratom to Schedule III of Mississippi's Controlled Substances Act, classifying it alongside substances like ketamine and certain barbiturates. This would require prescriptions for medical use, restrict distribution to licensed pharmacies, and subject kratom products to federal and state regulatory controls. The bill directly affects anyone using kratom in Mississippi, including consumers, retailers, and healthcare providers. The legislation amended Section 41-29-117 of the Mississippi Code to specifically include "any chemically synthesized compound, mixture, or preparation of kratom" in Schedule III. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2527 establishes the Mississippi Resident Promise Grant Program to cover tuition and required fees at Mississippi community colleges after other financial aid is applied. It directly affects Mississippi residents who graduated high school with a 2.5 GPA or equivalent, require full-time enrollment, maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA, and complete their program within four semesters. Renewal depends on steady academic progress, continuous enrollment (with limited exceptions), and meeting GPA requirements each term. The bill also mandates fraud penalties (including fines and repayment) for false statements and requires institutions to report student eligibility status to the administering board. Note: This bill passed the Senate in February 2025 but died in committee on March 4, 2025, and is not yet law.

Maddy summarySB 2535, the "MS Future Innovators Act," would require all Mississippi public high school students to earn one credit in a computer science course or a career and technical education (CTE) course with embedded computer science before graduation, starting with the 2027-2028 ninth-grade class. The bill mandates that these courses include instruction on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), covering what AI is, how it works, and its societal impact. It allows these courses to fulfill specific graduation requirements without increasing the total required credits. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and is not currently law.

Maddy summarySB 2798 requires Mississippi county boards of supervisors to maintain and repair public cemeteries owned by the county or any municipality within its boundaries, including abandoned public or nonprofit cemeteries showing neglect (e.g., overgrown vegetation, vandalism, or broken markers). It authorizes boards to use county funds for repairs, bill municipalities for reimbursement, and acquire title to neglected cemeteries deemed a public health risk. The bill explicitly excludes family burial grounds and for-profit cemeteries from coverage. This legislation died in committee on March 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2850 requires cigarette and vape (ENDS) manufacturers in Mississippi to submit annual certifications to the Commissioner of Revenue by September 1, 2025, for vapes, leading to a public directory of approved products starting October 1, 2025. Retailers must stop selling vape products not listed in the directory after that date, with a 60-day grace period to clear existing inventory. Sellers of non-compliant products face daily fines up to $1,500 per product, and the bill mandates unannounced compliance checks by the Department of Revenue. Manufacturers must also maintain a registered agent in Mississippi for legal service.

Maddy summarySB 2883 authorizes Mississippi counties with welcome centers to receive state grants to pay for staffing using county employees (not state employees). The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) will administer a new "Welcome Centers Staff Grant Program," providing funds to cover staffing costs like employee compensation. Counties must submit detailed budget plans for staffing needs, and grants can only be used for these expenses, funded through a dedicated state special fund that doesn’t expire annually. The bill requires MDA to report yearly on grant usage and effectiveness, though it died in committee in March 2025.

Maddy summarySR 65 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Mississippi Senate to honor Hinds County Deputy Sheriff Martin Shields, Jr., who died in the line of duty on February 23, 2025. The resolution extends the Senate's "sincerest sympathy" to his surviving family - including his wife, daughter, and parents - and commends his law enforcement career. It has no policy provisions or financial impact; it is purely symbolic, expressing condolences and acknowledging his service. The Senate formally adopted the resolution on February 27, 2025, and will present it to his family and the Hinds County Sheriff's Office.

Maddy summarySB 2933 would have allocated $21.4 million from Mississippi's General Fund to Alcorn Agriculture Research and Extension for specific capital projects during fiscal year 2026. The funds were earmarked for Phase II of a Poultry Sciences building ($3.77M), agricultural infrastructure ($2.27M), a hydroponics greenhouse ($3.77M), and a STEAM Outreach Center ($11.92M). This bill, which died in committee on February 26, 2025, proposed a direct funding mechanism for physical infrastructure projects at Alcorn State University's agricultural research unit. It did not create new policy but provided budgetary support for defined construction needs.

Maddy summarySB 3001 would remove the 7% sales tax on grocery purchases in Mississippi and adjust how sales tax revenue is distributed to cities and towns. This ensures municipalities continue receiving the same level of funding they would have if groceries remained taxable. The bill amends Mississippi tax code sections to implement this exemption and revenue adjustment. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2875 would have authorized the State of Mississippi to issue general obligation bonds to fund repairs, renovations, and upgrades to the Walter Washington Administration and Classroom Building at Alcorn State University. The bonds, backed by the state's full faith and credit, would have been sold to raise funds exclusively for this specific building project, with proceeds deposited into a dedicated state fund. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee but died in committee in February 2025 without becoming law.