Maddy summarySB 2653, the Mississippi IT Optimization Act, establishes a centralized program to coordinate state government IT systems. It requires all state agencies to align their technology plans with statewide standards managed by the Department of Information Technology Services (ITS), aiming to reduce duplication and improve efficiency through shared systems. Key provisions include ITS developing enterprise architecture standards, reviewing agency IT projects for compliance, maintaining a statewide application inventory, and incorporating cybersecurity requirements. The bill exempts sensitive IT documentation from public records and open meetings laws, and authorizes ITS to accept donations and develop training programs. This directly affects all state agencies and their IT operations, focusing on systematic modernization rather than new public services.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 2018 creates the Mississippi National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program, which reimburses actively drilling Mississippi National Guard members for their Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The program applies to members eligible for Tricare Reserve Select coverage who are not covered by another employer, with reimbursements paid at the current "Tricare Reserve Select - Member only" rate. The Adjutant General administers the program, requiring legislative funding each year and annual reports starting in 2026 to assess its impact on medical readiness and participation. This policy directly affects National Guard members by reducing their out-of-pocket healthcare costs, aiming to support retention and readiness.
Maddy summarySB 2437 defines "artificial intelligence" for Mississippi law as a machine-based system that makes predictions, recommendations, or decisions based on human-defined objectives, using inputs to analyze environments and formulate options. This bill directly affects future state laws, regulations, or policies involving AI by establishing a clear, standardized definition. It does not create new regulations or restrictions but provides a foundational term for consistent use in legislation. The definition will take effect July 1, 2026, and be codified in Mississippi Code.
Maddy summarySB 2267 designates a 1-mile segment of U.S. Highway 51 in Canton, Madison County (between Corrections Drive and South Union Street) as the "Judge Lloyd Gilmer Spivey III Memorial Highway." It also amends Mississippi Code § 65-3-38.1 to remove a rule prohibiting naming state highways after elected officials during their term or for 10 years after leaving office. This change allows future highway designations to honor officials without waiting periods. The bill affects how Mississippi names highways on the state system, with the memorial highway being the first specific designation under the revised rule. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 2208 creates a Mississippi Public University System Governance Study Committee to review the state's public university governance structure. The committee will assess issues like accountability, resource efficiency, student outcomes, and governance effectiveness across Mississippi's public institutions of higher learning. It must submit findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2026, and dissolve on January 1, 2027, or after its final report. This procedural bill directly affects Mississippi's public universities and their governing bodies by mandating a formal review of their operational framework.
Maddy summarySB 2243, the "Don Triplett Act," creates a new Office of the Ombudsman for Parental Assistance within Mississippi's State Department of Education. This office directly helps parents, teachers, and school stakeholders resolve disputes with schools or districts by investigating complaints, mediating conflicts, and tracking systemic issues. Key provisions include requiring the ombudsman to have specific education/experience qualifications, mandating confidentiality for communications (exempting records from public disclosure), and authorizing annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The office will operate independently, accepting grants for support, and must be implemented by December 2026.
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 2259, "The Peoples Access Act," requires most local government meetings in Mississippi (cities, towns, villages, and hamlets) to be broadcast via video livestream on the agency’s official website, with exceptions for executive sessions. It mandates that public notices include the livestream link and detailed agendas, and any meeting action taken without proper livestreaming is void. If technical issues prevent livestreaming, the meeting must be recorded and posted online with an explanation. The law phases compliance: cities by January 2027, towns by July 2027, and villages/hamlets by January 2028, excluding the Legislature and judiciary.
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.