Maddy summarySB 3101 appropriates $5,940,191 from the State General Fund and $22,189,165 from special funds to cover the salaries and operating expenses of Mississippi's State Veterans Affairs Board and State Veterans Homes for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifically allocates $4,941,898 for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits), restricting these funds to 39 permanent and 25 time-limited staff positions without transfer to other budget categories. It mandates that "Vacancy Funding" ($236,833) must only fill unfilled positions from the prior year, not fund promotions or salary increases for current employees. The bill also requires compliance with Mississippi's Variable Compensation Plan and prohibits using general funds to replace federal or special funds.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $7,222,072 for the Mississippi State Treasurer's Office operations during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). It specifically allocates $3,719,488 for employee salaries, wages, and benefits, authorizing 38 permanent staff positions including one new "Program Specialist III" role. The bill restricts how funds can be used - prohibiting their reallocation for promotions or salary increases beyond the budgeted amount - and requires compliance with the state's Variable Compensation Plan for salaries. It also includes $150,000 for investing in the Education Improvement Trust Fund.
Maddy summarySB 3229 authorizes the State of Mississippi to issue revenue bonds to cover repair costs for electric utilities damaged by the 2026 winter storm. Electric utilities can petition the Public Service Commission for a financing order, which, if approved, allows the state to issue bonds for storm-related repairs. The cost will be recovered through a new "system restoration charge" added to customers' monthly utility bills, adjusted annually to ensure it covers bond payments. The bonds are limited to the exact repair costs specified in the financing order and cannot be used for other purposes.
Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum total annual tax credit amount available to employers sponsoring employee skills training through Mississippi community colleges. It directly affects businesses that provide job-related training programs, allowing them to claim a 50% credit on qualified expenses (like instructor costs and materials) up to $2,500 per employee per year. The key changes are raising the statewide cap on total credits claimed and extending the program's expiration date beyond 2030. Employers must work with local community colleges for certification, and credits can be carried forward for up to five years if unused. The bill maintains existing rules requiring training to be job-focused and certified by community colleges.
Maddy summarySB 2474 creates a pilot program allowing up to three rural hospitals in Mississippi to operate outpatient dialysis units, ambulatory surgical facilities, or geriatric psychiatric units without requiring standard certificate of need approvals. To qualify, hospitals must be located in counties without municipalities exceeding 15,000 residents (or in Washington County), and new units must be within five miles of the hospital’s main location as of January 1, 2026. The bill modifies existing licensing rules to permit these exceptions, with the state health officer’s approval decisions being final - only allowing limited reconsideration requests within seven days. This directly affects qualifying rural hospitals seeking to expand specific services without lengthy regulatory hurdles.
Maddy summarySB 2898 directs the State Treasurer and State Fiscal Officer to transfer $20 million from Mississippi's Capital Expense Fund to the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund upon the bill's effective date. This technical amendment reallocates existing state funds without creating new programs or changing eligibility for disaster assistance. The transfer affects state budget accounting by moving money between two designated funds (Fund No. 6499C00000 to Fund No. 3372500000) to support disaster response resources. The bill has no direct impact on citizens or businesses but modifies how state funds are allocated. It takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summarySB 2378 increases the fee court reporters can charge for transcripts from $4.00 to $5.00 per page. It requires reporters to format documents using practical font and spacing to minimize printed pages, directly affecting court reporters and parties ordering transcripts (like litigants or attorneys). The fee change takes effect July 1, 2026. This bill modifies existing billing rules without altering transcript content or legal procedures.
Maddy summarySB 2294, the MS Future Innovators Act, requires Mississippi public high school students entering 9th grade in 2029-2030 to earn one credit in either a dedicated computer science course or a career and technical education (CTE) course with embedded computer science before graduation. The bill mandates that these courses cover fundamental concepts of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, including how AI works and its societal impact. Students can use this credit to fulfill either a math or science graduation requirement (excluding core courses like Algebra I or biology), without increasing the total required credits. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, with course approvals managed by the State Board of Education.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate concurrent resolution that formally congratulates Yasmine Ware of Madison, Mississippi, on being selected as a 2025 Harry S. Truman Scholar. The resolution recognizes her academic achievements, leadership roles, and commitment to public service, including her work founding Yasmine's Warehouse and her internships with federal agencies. It also notes that the Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 for graduate study and is one of 54 such awards given nationwide each year. The bill directs that the resolution be presented to Ware and her family and made available to the Capitol press corps.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $20 million from the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund to Mississippi's Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for disaster response and recovery costs. It specifically covers expenses related to the severe weather event beginning January 24, 2026, and other state disaster obligations, effective from passage through June 30, 2027. The funds are intended to cover MEMA's costs for managing disaster response and recovery efforts during this period. This is a straightforward funding allocation with no new policy provisions.