Sen. Bart Williams

Maddy summarySB 3011 allocates $98.8 million in state funds for the Mississippi Community College Board's administrative expenses and specific programs during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It directly affects the Board and its operations, including $50.8 million for workforce education, $542,459 for the Greenville Higher Education Center, and $2.5 million for virtual training programs. The bill specifies funding sources like the Workforce Enhancement Training Fund and Education Enhancement Fund, with no policy changes - only budgetary allocations for existing services.

Maddy summarySB 2968 changes how Mississippi calculates property taxes for rural agricultural structures like barns and poultry houses (excluding homes). It requires revaluing structures appraised before 2025 and mandates a fixed 7% annual depreciation rate for all rural structures after initial appraisal. Poultry houses have specific rules: their value cannot drop below 20% of original value, and a 45% economic obsolescence adjustment applies. These changes directly affect owners of commercial agricultural buildings, not residential properties.

Maddy summarySB 3037 appropriates $26.5 million from the State General Fund and $21.5 million from a special fund to cover the operational expenses of Mississippi's Department of Information Technology Services (DITS) for fiscal year 2026. It also allocates $11.9 million for the Wireless Communication Commission's expenses, requiring compliance with state procurement laws. The bill authorizes 132 permanent positions for DITS and 9 for the Commission, with strict rules prohibiting the use of these funds for salary increases beyond minimums, promotions, or replacing federal funds. Additionally, it permits a $750,000 transfer to DITS' revolving fund for cash flow management, requiring repayment before year-end.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $136.7 million (including $33 million from the Unemployment Trust Fund) for Mississippi's Department of Employment Security to cover fiscal year 2026 expenses (July 2025-June 2026). It authorizes 453 positions (389 permanent, 64 time-limited) and specifies that funds must cover staff costs, One-Stop Career Center operations (rent, equipment, disability access), technology systems, and workforce data programs like the SLDS. Strict limits prevent using funds for salary increases beyond approved levels or replacing federal funds, requiring new funding approval for any salary actions. The department must align actual spending with projected costs published by the Legislative Budget Office.

Maddy summarySB 3012 appropriates $227 million from the State General Fund and $65 million from the Education Enhancement Fund for Mississippi's 14 public community and junior colleges during fiscal year 2026. The bill allocates funds through a formula based on full-time equivalent student enrollment (FTE), with weighted support for academic, technical, nursing, and allied health programs. Specific allocations include $6.75 million for workforce development programs, $30.6 million for employee life/health insurance, and $179,050 for sign language interpreter training. This funding directly supports college operations, staff benefits, and program enhancements for all 14 participating institutions.

Maddy summarySB 3036 is a funding bill that allocates $9,130,593 from the general fund and $1,607,810 from a special fund to cover the Mississippi Gaming Commission’s expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It authorizes 119 permanent staff positions and specifies how funds must be spent, including $75,000 for the Mississippi Council on Compulsive Gambling and restrictions on using funds for employee salary increases beyond approved budgets. The bill also requires the Commission to use specific portions of seized property and gaming control fees for law enforcement and investigations, while mandating detailed financial reporting to the legislature. This is a procedural budget measure with no new policy provisions, directly affecting the Gaming Commission’s operations and the nonprofit support organization.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SC 539) expresses Mississippi's support for strengthening economic ties with Taiwan. It specifically advocates for establishing a Mississippi Trade and Investment Office in Taiwan to help small and medium businesses engage in trade, while also endorsing Taiwan's international participation and honoring Mississippi's existing sister-state relationship since 1983. The resolution notes Mississippi exported over $200 million in goods to Taiwan in 2024. As a non-binding statement of support, it does not create new laws or obligations.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill) honoring Senator John A. Polk (District 44) for receiving the Mississippi Meritorious Civilian Service Medal from the Mississippi National Guard. It formally recognizes his "outstanding leadership" in supporting the National Guard through legislative actions, as cited in the award. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses the Senate's acknowledgment of his award and will be presented to him. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or affect any specific group beyond the symbolic honor.

Maddy summarySB 2298 amends Mississippi's construction procurement rules for projects over $75,000. It requires state agencies and local governments to use reverse auctions as the primary method for receiving bids on public construction contracts (including buildings, roads, and bridges), unless approved otherwise by the Public Procurement Review Board with a detailed justification. The bill also mandates that construction bids over $5,000 be broken down by component with detailed pricing, and specifies that bids may be submitted electronically without signatures unless required. This affects state agencies, municipalities, and school districts purchasing construction services above the $75,000 threshold. The law does not apply to public schools (including charter schools) when purchasing copyrighted materials or to individual state universities.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) honoring former Mississippi House Speaker Pro Tempore Robert George Clark, Jr., who died on March 4, 2025. It extends the Legislature's sympathy to his family and recognizes his historic service as Mississippi's first African American legislator since Reconstruction (1967-2003), his leadership roles, and his advocacy for education and Mississippi's historical preservation. The resolution directs that it be presented to his family and forwarded to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. No policy changes or funding are involved.