Sen. Chuck Younger

Maddy summarySB 2328 bans intentionally releasing balloons filled with lighter-than-air gases outdoors, except for government scientific/meteorological purposes, recovering hot air balloons, or indoor releases. It imposes a $25 fine per balloon for violations and aims to reduce environmental harm to wildlife. The bill, which died in committee in February 2026, would have taken effect July 1, 2026, if passed. This targets individuals and organizations planning outdoor balloon releases, not general balloon use.

Maddy summarySB 2411 would allow courts to avoid formally convicting commercial driver's license (CDL) holders for a first-time DUI offense if they were operating a non-commercial vehicle at the time of the offense. Currently, CDL holders are ineligible for nonadjudication (avoiding a conviction) even for first offenses, but this bill would expand eligibility to those not driving a vehicle requiring a CDL. The key provision amends Mississippi's DUI statute to remove the ineligibility for CDL holders in this specific scenario. This change would directly affect CDL holders who commit DUI while driving personal vehicles, potentially preventing a criminal record for their first offense. The bill died in committee and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2394, a proposed Mississippi bill, would allow home-based food sellers to increase their annual sales limit from an unspecified lower amount to $120,000 without needing a full food establishment permit. It requires all cottage food sellers to complete certified food safety training (with existing sellers having until October 2026 to comply) and lists specific approved foods like baked goods, jams, dried spices, and wine. The bill also mandates detailed product labeling, prohibits direct online sales (though advertising online is allowed), and exempts homemade wine sold through cottage food operations from certain local restrictions. This bill, which died in committee in February 2026, would have directly affected small home-based food businesses operating within Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2406 modifies Mississippi's road construction funding rules. It exempts the Office of State Aid Road Construction (OSARC) from Public Procurement Review Board approval for personal service contracts, increases OSARC's allowable vehicle fleet from seven to 13 cars, and requires counties that fail to spend allocated bridge repair funds for two consecutive years to forfeit those unspent monies. Forfeited funds would then be reallocated annually to counties with ready bridge projects lacking funding. The bill also adjusts how funds are managed for local bridge replacement programs.

Maddy summarySB 2391 would have extended Mississippi's Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act to cover firetrucks purchased by public fire departments. It defined "public vehicle" as firetrucks and "public consumer" as paid or volunteer fire departments operating under government contracts. The bill amended the law to include these entities within existing warranty protections, ensuring fire departments could seek replacements or refunds for defective firetrucks under the same terms as private vehicle buyers. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2517 would restructure employment at Mississippi's School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS) by requiring all administrative and teaching staff to be hired under contracts (replacing state employee status), while non-teaching staff would serve at the director's discretion. It also creates an 11-member advisory council with teacher, STEM, business, parent, and higher education representatives to advise the State Board of Education on MSMS planning. The bill expands enrollment options to include 10th graders when space is available, alongside the existing 11th and 12th grade residential program. These changes, if enacted, would affect MSMS staff, students, and its governance structure. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026.)

Maddy summarySB 2640 would have expanded access to free facility use for youth and agricultural organizations in Mississippi. It aimed to add "related livestock and equine barns, stalls, and facilities" to the existing list - including the Mississippi Trade Mart, Coliseum, and Fairgrounds - allowing groups like Future Farmers of America, 4-H, and the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association to host up to three annual events per facility at no cost. The bill specifically targeted facilities built or renovated with state grant funds, covering animal shows, sales, or similar events. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2651 would exempt certain safety-related data from Mississippi's public records disclosure requirements. Specifically, it would prevent state agencies from sharing information compiled for identifying, evaluating, or planning safety improvements at accident sites, hazardous roadways, or railway crossings - especially when related to federally funded highway projects. This exemption applies only to data collected under federal law for safety planning or construction projects using federal-aid highway funds. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2736 limits civil recovery for injuries or property damage in motor vehicle accidents when the at-fault driver failed to maintain required insurance. It sets a $25,000 cap on recoveries for the first $25,000 of bodily injury and $25,000 of property damage, directly affecting uninsured drivers. Key exceptions include cases where the other driver was cited for DUI, intentionally caused the accident, fled the scene, or was committing a felony. The bill preserves passengers' right to claim damages and ensures insurers retain subrogation rights for amounts exceeding the $25,000 cap.

Maddy summarySB 2822 makes kratom illegal in Mississippi by adding it to Schedule III of the state's Controlled Substances Act, classifying it as a restricted drug. This directly affects anyone who uses, sells, or distributes kratom products within the state, effectively banning its sale and possession. The bill also repeals existing laws that previously imposed an excise tax on kratom sales and established regulatory rules for kratom products. These changes remove all legal pathways for kratom commerce, treating it like other controlled substances under Mississippi law.