Maddy summarySB 2014, the "Mississippi Seafood Marketing Law of 2025," requires restaurants, grocery stores, and seafood suppliers in Mississippi to clearly disclose the country of origin for seafood products sold to consumers. It mandates visible signage (e.g., on windows, menus, or placards) stating that seafood may be imported, and obligates retailers to provide verifiable origin information to state agencies. The law empowers the Commissioner of Agriculture and the Department of Marine Resources to enforce these rules, conduct inspections, and impose penalties for non-compliance. It directly affects businesses selling seafood directly to consumers, including restaurants, grocery stores, and distributors. The law does not alter existing food safety standards but focuses solely on transparency about seafood sourcing.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 2154 modifies Mississippi's charter school oversight by establishing staggered initial terms for the seven-member Charter School Authorizer Board (e.g., one-year, two-year, and three-year terms for initial appointments) and setting subsequent terms at three years with a two-term limit. It also authorizes the board to collect up to 3% of annual per-pupil state and local funding received by each charter school it oversees to cover administrative costs. The bill directly affects the board members, charter schools, and the state’s education funding structure for charter operations. The legislation died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.
Maddy summarySB 2006 reconstitutes the Mississippi Fair Commission, restoring its authority over the State Fairgrounds and agricultural events after it was transferred to the Department of Agriculture in 2020 (House Bill 1566). The bill defines the commission's composition (7 members including the Agriculture Commissioner as chair, plus representatives from livestock associations, extension services, tourism, and the Junior League) and restores its powers to set premium rules for livestock shows, manage the fairgrounds, and approve annual budgets. Key mechanisms include authorizing the commission to accept donations for prizes, lease naming rights for fairgrounds buildings (excluding the Kirk Fordice Equine Center) for capital improvements, and retain related revenue in a special fund subject to legislative appropriation. This bill directly affects agricultural organizations, fair organizers, and the operation of Mississippi's State Fair in Jackson.
Maddy summarySB 2015 would ban the outdoor release of helium-filled balloons (except for scientific/official purposes, hot air balloon recovery, or indoor releases) to protect wildlife and reduce environmental harm. It would impose a $25 fine per balloon for violations, applying to individuals and businesses releasing balloons outdoors. The bill specifies that exceptions include government scientific use, hot air balloon recovery, and indoor releases. The bill was introduced in 2025 but died in committee and has not become law.
Maddy summarySB 2060 would move Mississippi's primary elections for statewide, legislative, county, and municipal offices to be held in June (specifically the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June). This change affects all candidates running for these offices who are selected through party primaries. The bill amends existing election laws to set the primary date as June and updates related provisions for municipal elections. The bill died in committee and was never enacted.
Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to sell two specific parcels of land in Lowndes County and Columbus for less than fair market value, at the MDA's sole discretion. The properties, totaling approximately 32.4 acres, are described in the bill's legal details. All proceeds from these sales must be deposited into the Mississippi Existing Industry Productivity Loan Program Bond Sinking Fund. The bill also permits the MDA to correct any errors in the properties' legal descriptions.
Maddy summarySB 2026 would update Mississippi's labeling rules for soil amendments and plant growth products. It adds definitions for "beneficial substances" (like natural growth enhancers) and "plant biostimulants" (products that improve plant health without just supplying nutrients), clarifying they are treated as soil amendments. The bill requires manufacturers to list all ingredients - including exact percentages of beneficial substances and inert materials - on product labels, along with usage instructions and product purpose. These changes would directly affect companies selling soil amendments and biostimulant products in Mississippi, ensuring clearer information for farmers and gardeners. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and never became law.
Maddy summarySB 2153 requires Mississippi's Department of Education to collect specific data and make recommendations to improve school district operations. It mandates annual reviews of technology systems, disaster recovery plans, and financial accounting procedures; sets standards for investigating personnel misconduct; provides support for school nutrition planning; and develops guidance for optimizing bus routes to reduce costs. The bill directs the department to submit these recommendations to the State Board of Education and legislative committees by December 14 each year. These provisions directly affect all public school districts in Mississippi by requiring the state to provide structured data collection and improvement strategies. The bill focuses on administrative and operational support, not direct changes to student programs or funding.
Maddy summarySB 2234 clarifies how Mississippi inmates in the MAGCOR work initiative program manage their earnings. It requires that all wage withholdings be calculated after mandatory payments (like court-ordered fines, restitution, or dependent support), and mandates that facilities report these deductions for each participant. The bill also specifies that 15% of post-deduction wages must cover administrative costs (paid to the facility or county), while inmates save 50% of earnings for release. Additionally, it requires facilities to track and report financial account creation dates and participant data (including race, gender, and offense type) to legislative committees semiannually.
Maddy summaryThis bill directs the joint Senate Rules and House Management Committees to reassign fourth-floor office space in the Mississippi Capitol Building. Specifically, it aims to take space currently reserved for the press and divide it equally between the Senate and the House of Representatives. The legislation relies on existing laws that grant the legislature authority to allocate office space within the new Capitol building. Although the bill was referred to the Rules Committee in January 2024, it did not advance and died in committee by May 2024.