Sen. Chuck Younger

Maddy summaryMississippi Senate Bill 2403 increases specific fees collected by county sheriffs. It raises the processing fee for serving legal documents from $45 to $55 (Section 25-7-19), the bond approval fee from $25 to $40, and the tax notice services fee from $45 to $55 (Section 27-43-3). These fees directly affect sheriffs and the individuals or entities requiring sheriff services for court processes, bonds, or tax notices. The bill makes no changes to service procedures, only adjusting the fee amounts for existing services.

Maddy summarySB 2019 deletes a provision that would have stopped directing lottery proceeds to the State Highway Fund after July 1, 2028. Currently, lottery funds flow to the Highway Fund for road repairs and maintenance, with any amount over $80 million in a fiscal year redirected to the Education Enhancement Fund for schools. The bill ensures highway funding continues indefinitely by removing the 2028 sunset date. This directly affects how Mississippi allocates lottery revenue between state highways and education programs.

Maddy summarySB 2480 directs the State Fiscal Officer to transfer $265 million from Mississippi's Capital Expense Fund to the Capacity Project Fund upon the bill's effective date. This transfer specifically funds transportation infrastructure projects (known as "capacity projects") included in the Mississippi Department of Transportation's Three-Year Plan, as defined under existing law. The bill amends Section 65-1-141.2 to clarify that unspent funds in the Capacity Project Fund do not lapse into the general state fund, and earnings from the fund remain within it. The bill does not create new policy but reallocates existing state funds for transportation project financing.

Maddy summarySB 2479, the "Creating Transparency and Accountability in Dental Services Act," requires dental insurance companies (referred to as "dental carriers") to calculate and report annually how much of their premium revenue is spent directly on patient care versus administrative costs. Dental carriers must file detailed reports by June 30 each year, including data matching federal standards, and make these reports publicly accessible online by December 1. The law applies to all dental health plans sold in Mississippi, excluding Medicaid and state-sponsored programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program. This transparency measure aims to clarify where premium dollars go, allowing consumers and regulators to review carrier spending patterns.

Maddy summarySB 2664 would amend Mississippi law to increase the age threshold for a reduced fee on lifetime sportsman hunting and fishing licenses from 13 to 18 years. This change means residents aged 13 through 17 would qualify for a $500 reduced fee (currently only available to those under 13), instead of paying the full $1,000 rate for adults. The bill does not alter other requirements, such as residency proof or age verification documentation. The policy change is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

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 3205 appropriates $1,000,000 from Mississippi's General Fund to Lowndes County for the fiscal year 2027. The funds will cover the costs of relocating Old Macon Road to create space for a new railroad spur at a port. This is a one-time funding measure with no policy changes, directly affecting Lowndes County's infrastructure project. The appropriation becomes effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 3232 appropriates $4.5 million from the state General Fund to Neshoba County General Hospital for costs related to establishing a nursing school in partnership with Mississippi University for Women (MUW). The funding covers expenses for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027. This bill directly supports the hospital and MUW in developing the nursing program through state financial assistance. It is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes beyond the specified appropriation.

Maddy summarySB 3312 requires Mississippi's Department of Revenue to treat commercial solar and wind facilities as a separate category when setting annual inflation factors for property tax assessments. If the Department doesn't establish a specific inflation factor for these facilities in a given year (using Marshall Valuation Service or other methods), it must default to 1.000. This ensures solar and wind facilities aren't undervalued in tax calculations, directly affecting owners of these commercial energy installations. The change modifies how property taxes are calculated for these facilities but doesn't alter tax rates or overall tax burdens.

Maddy summarySB 3204 appropriates $1,000,000 from the State General Fund to the Golden Triangle Regional Airport for land acquisition costs during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill directly provides funding for the airport’s specific need to purchase land, with no additional policy provisions or eligibility criteria specified. This is a straightforward budget allocation, not a policy change affecting broader public programs or individuals. The funds will be disbursed through standard state fiscal procedures upon proper requisitions.