Sen. Bart Williams

Maddy summarySB 2237 establishes a two-year pilot program in up to ten Mississippi public school districts for student-led cleaning activities, such as sweeping floors and organizing materials, under adult supervision. Participating schools must obtain written parental consent for each student, submit approved age-appropriate activities to the Department of Education, and ensure all tasks are nonhazardous and suitable for students' abilities. The Department of Education will collect data on student participation, school climate, and program effectiveness, then submit a report to the legislature by December 31, 2028. Funding for materials, training, and administration is contingent on legislative appropriation.

Maddy summaryHB 676 requires every vehicle owner in Mississippi to provide proof of minimum liability insurance coverage when registering or renewing a vehicle registration. It establishes an online verification system managed by the Department of Public Safety (replacing the Department of Revenue) to check insurance status instantly during registration. The system overrides physical insurance cards, denies registration for non-compliant vehicles, and mandates insurers to submit policy data every 30 days. This directly affects all vehicle owners and insurers operating in Mississippi, with the system required to be fully operational by 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 841 establishes the Mississippi Workforce Innovation Performance Loan Fund to provide zero-interest loans to eligible training providers like community colleges, nonprofits, and public-private partnerships. Loans range from $250,000 to $1 million per project and are partially or fully forgiven based on trainee job placement rates: 80%+ placement results in 100% forgiveness, 70-80% results in partial forgiveness, and below 70% requires repayment. The Mississippi Development Authority administers the program, requiring providers to verify outcomes through wage records or employer confirmation and submit performance reports. Unforgiven loan amounts are repaid into the fund for future use, with all funds maintained separately in the state treasury.

Maddy summaryHB 1064 would establish a "Noncustodial Parents' Bill of Rights and Responsibilities" for all noncustodial parents in Mississippi, requiring the Department of Human Services to provide specific notification rights and communication access. Key provisions include advance notice of child support modifications, court hearings, and meetings about the child, plus 24/7 access to contact department staff. The bill also includes updated procedures for voluntary paternity acknowledgments at birth but centers on enhancing noncustodial parents' information and communication rights. This legislation, which died in committee in February 2026, did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 918 revises how payments from nuclear power plants (like Mississippi's Grand Gulf plant) replace local property taxes. It requires utilities to pay 2% of the plant's assessed value annually (minimum $20 million per year until 2026), with excess payments beyond $16 million distributed as $3.04 million yearly to counties where the plants are located. The bill updates the formula for allocating these payments, ensuring counties receive a fixed annual amount from the excess funds. This directly affects nuclear plant operators and the counties hosting these facilities, changing how tax-equivalent payments are distributed. The policy change applies to qualifying plants licensed to operate through 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 920 reclassifies Alcorn State University's president's residence from commercial to residential property. This change allows licensed residential builders (under Mississippi law) to perform construction or improvements on the residence without being restricted by standard height and square footage limits for residential dwellings. The bill directly affects Alcorn State University's president and the university's ability to hire qualified residential builders for the president's home. It amends two sections of Mississippi law to align with this reclassification, specifically removing limitations that previously applied to such properties. The bill makes a procedural adjustment to property classification for a single university residence, with no broader policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 2302, the THRIVE Act, would require all Mississippi public elementary and secondary schools to implement age-appropriate character education courses teaching specific values like honesty, respect for family, responsibility, and marriage. It mandates the state education department to approve compliant courses by June 2026, list required character traits (including "sexual abstinence outside marriage" and "respect for lifelong marriage"), and provide parent opt-out options. Schools would need to publicly share course materials, allow parental withdrawal, and report compliance annually to the legislature. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2321 would update Mississippi's computer fraud law (Section 97-45-3) to align with federal standards. It criminalizes unauthorized computer access, fraud using protected systems (including government and financial institutions), password trafficking, and threatening communications to extort money. Penalties range from fines up to $1,000 for minor offenses ($1,000 loss) to 20 years in prison for severe cases ($25,000+ loss). The bill defines "protected computer" to include government systems, election infrastructure, and financial networks. Note: The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2305 would have required Mississippi public school boards to allow a Christian Bible provided by an external entity (not the school district) to be visible in all classrooms and libraries. It also mandated daily recitation of the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance - including the phrase "under God" - and required teaching a new state pledge referencing "Almighty God." The bill aimed to enforce these provisions through school board compliance measures and reporting requirements. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2388, the "Kids Online Protection and Anti-Grooming Act," requires online platforms (like social media, video games, and messaging apps) that interact with minors to take specific safety steps. It mandates platforms to prevent unsolicited adult-minor connections, notify parents if a minor makes a microtransaction or views explicit content, and protect minors' location data. The law excludes schools, email services, government sites, and certain business tools from coverage. Platforms violating the law face lawsuits for damages, court costs, and attorney fees, though parents can opt out of protections with written consent. The bill died in committee in early 2026 and did not become law.