Sen. Sarita Simmons

Maddy summarySB 2191 revises Mississippi law to allow municipalities and counties to use a special fund from use tax revenue for specific infrastructure projects. The fund can cover repairs to roads, bridges, water systems, and sewer infrastructure, as well as debt payments for these projects, but cannot be used for salaries, administrative costs, or personal equipment. Municipalities must meet a minimum spending requirement on eligible projects (based on past spending adjusted for inflation) to receive full funding, with allocations split equally among all municipalities plus portions based on population and past sales tax revenue. Unspent funds carry over to the next fiscal year without lapsing into the general fund.

Maddy summarySB 2444 requires the Mississippi State Department of Health to conduct a study on preventing and reducing diabetes-related amputations. The study must evaluate amputation rates, associated state costs, evidence-based prevention practices (including early detection), access to limb-saving services, and public-private partnership opportunities. The Department must form a workgroup of experts and submit a final report with recommendations to the House Public Health Committee and Senate Public Health Committee by December 1, 2026. This bill directly affects the Department of Health’s responsibilities and the legislative committees receiving the study findings. It does not create new programs or funding but mandates a data-driven review of a significant health issue impacting Mississippi residents.

Maddy summarySB 2464 requires Mississippi's Department of Human Services to redirect at least 30% of its annual Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds - both state and federal - to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) each fiscal year. This policy change directly affects families eligible for child care assistance, as CCDF funds subsidize child care costs for low-income working parents. The bill mandates a specific percentage transfer (30%) of TANF resources to CCDF, ensuring dedicated funding for child care support rather than other welfare services. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all subsequent fiscal years.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Mississippi county law libraries and courtrooms to use existing court fee funds for technology upgrades. Specifically, it authorizes boards of supervisors to spend collected fees (up to $2.50 per case in chancery/circuit courts) on electronic resources like computers, legal research tools, and courtroom technology such as audio systems, digital evidence displays, and video recording. It directly affects county law libraries and courtrooms by expanding how existing court fee revenue can be spent, without creating new taxes. The change applies to all counties maintaining law libraries and enables modernization of both library services and courtroom infrastructure.

Maddy summaryMississippi's SB 2587 creates the "In-Person Absentee Voting Act," establishing a 22-day in-person absentee voting period (beginning 22 days before an election and ending at 12:00 p.m. on the Saturday before election day). The bill removes the requirement for absentee ballots to be placed in envelopes when cast in person and mandates extended voting hours during the last full week before elections, including until 7:00 p.m. and on two Saturdays. Voters must present photo ID at their county registrar's office (or an adjacent government building) during specified hours, with notice posted in three public locations 8 days prior. This directly affects Mississippi voters who qualify for in-person absentee voting due to specific excuses like military service, residency, or other approved reasons.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Mississippi public schools to incorporate financial literacy into the curriculum for grades 6-8 starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It also mandates that all high school students pass either a half-credit personal finance course or a full-credit course where at least half focuses on financial literacy to graduate, beginning with the 2032 graduating class. The law directly affects all Mississippi public schools (including charter schools) and students in grades 6-12. It amends existing education law to formalize these requirements, focusing on practical financial skills like budgeting and credit management.

Maddy summarySB 2292 requires all Mississippi public and charter schools to teach civics courses starting in 8th grade and before 12th grade, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. The bill mandates instruction on U.S. and Mississippi constitutions, government structures (including federalism and separation of powers), historical context, critical thinking skills, and civil discourse. The State Department of Education will develop and update curriculum standards to align with current civics scholarship, renaming existing U.S. Government courses to "United States Government and Civics." This policy directly affects all K-12 students and school staff in Mississippi's public and charter schools.

Maddy summarySB 2694 requires all health insurance plans renewing or starting after July 1, 2026, to cover biomarker testing for disease diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring when supported by medical evidence. This directly affects insurers and policyholders by mandating coverage for genetic or molecular tests (like genomic sequencing) that align with FDA approvals, CMS guidelines, or nationally recognized clinical practice standards. Insurers must provide written justification for denied claims and update coverage policies publicly by September 1, 2026, with the Department of Insurance authorized to audit compliance. The law aims to reduce barriers to evidence-based testing without specifying new costs or outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 2732 requires Mississippi consumer reporting agencies to place a free security freeze on a child’s credit report upon request from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The bill directs health care facilities to provide parents with a form (at their discretion) to authorize this freeze within 10 days of a child’s birth. This applies only to children born in Mississippi health care facilities, creating a new procedure to block access to a child’s credit report before identity theft could occur. The law uses existing federal credit freeze rules (15 USC § 1681c-1) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryMississippi Senate Bill 2293 amends the state's student funding formula to increase the weight and multiplier for gifted education funding. It requires that all funds allocated under this revised calculation go directly toward gifted education instruction in schools. The bill also adds seventh- and eighth-grade students enrolled in career and technical education courses to the calculation for those funds. This change affects all Mississippi public school districts serving students identified as gifted, increasing their per-pupil funding for specialized gifted programs. The bill does not specify the exact new percentage but revises the existing 14.5% weight calculation method.