Sen. Kevin Blackwell

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate resolution that recognizes the value of voluntary conservation easements for protecting wildlife habitats on private land in Mississippi. It honors the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses for their work in supporting these conservation efforts and private property rights. The resolution does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the importance of these voluntary agreements. It expresses appreciation for the organization's contributions to wildlife habitat protection and private land management.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution encourages education and outreach efforts to inform the public about the role of regulated trapping in wildlife management. It directs the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, along with state officials and media outlets, to promote awareness of how trapping supports ecosystem balance, species recovery, and habitat protection. The resolution does not change laws or create new regulations but serves as a formal statement supporting current trapping practices and their conservation benefits.

Maddy summarySB 2930 extends the expiration date for a 1% tax on restaurant sales (beverages and prepared food) in Southaven, Mississippi. This tax, originally authorized to fund tourism and parks initiatives, was set to expire but is now extended under the same rules. The bill does not change the tax rate, collection method, or voter approval requirements (which still require a 60%+ vote in a local election). It directly affects restaurants operating within Southaven that collect this tax from customers. The extension applies to the existing tax structure, not a new policy.

Maddy summarySR 4 amends Senate Rule 65 to establish a specific process for removing members of the Rules Committee. It requires a three-fourths (3/4) vote of all Senators from a member's congressional district to remove them from the committee. This change directly affects Senators serving on the Rules Committee and modifies the committee's internal procedures. The resolution is purely procedural and does not alter the committee's substantive duties or impact broader legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Mississippi Senate Rules 28 and 35C to regulate media access on the Senate floor and in the gallery. It requires the Sergeant-at-Arms to clear all non-essential visitors from the Senate floor 30 minutes before sessions begin and prohibit entry for 10 minutes after sessions end. News media must have credentials issued by the Rules Committee to photograph, take notes, or record debates in the Senate gallery, while banning food, banners, or signs in both the gallery and committee rooms during sessions. The changes directly affect accredited news media and visitors, not the public or legislators.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the U.S. Congress to amend the Pittman-Robertson Act to include airguns and airbows as items subject to federal excise taxes. Currently, the act taxes firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment, directing revenue to wildlife conservation programs. The resolution states that airguns and airbows - increasingly used for hunting - are not covered under existing tax provisions, which have funded over $15 billion in conservation since 1937. The Mississippi Senate has referred this resolution to the Rules Committee and will send it to Congress and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SC 508) would amend Mississippi's legislative rules to allow members of one chamber to cosponsor bills, joint resolutions, or concurrent resolutions that originated in the other chamber. Specifically, it would permit legislators in the house where a bill did not originate to add their name as a cosponsor after the bill has been transmitted to that house and passed. This change directly affects Mississippi state legislators by expanding opportunities for cross-chamber collaboration on legislation. The bill does not alter substantive policy but modifies procedural rules for cosponsorship.

Maddy summarySB 2632 is a procedural bill that reorganizes existing sections of Mississippi's Emergency Management Law (Mississippi Code of 1972) by moving specific code sections (33-15-1 through 33-15-53) to new positions in the code. It does not change the content or policy of these sections, which cover definitions, purposes, and structure of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The bill’s sole purpose is to facilitate future amendments by updating the code’s numbering. This reorganization affects the legal code itself, not individuals or entities, and requires no action from the public or agencies.

Maddy summarySB 3071 reappropriates $54.4 million in unspent Gulf Coast Restoration Funds (split across Sections 2 and 3) to the Mississippi Development Authority for specific projects in fiscal year 2027. It directly affects 17 recipients, including cities (Diamondhead, Gulfport, Moss Point), counties (Pearl River, Hancock), universities (Mississippi State, USM), and organizations (Pascagoula Redevelopment, Ohr-O'Keefe Museum), for projects like harbor restoration, road improvements, and cultural center renovations. The bill authorizes spending only from unexpended balances remaining as of June 30, 2026, and cannot alter the original purpose of the funds. It does not create new policy but reallocates existing funds for previously approved projects under Senate Bill 2047.

Maddy summarySB 3051 allocates $86.8 million in state funds for Mississippi's Department of Finance and Administration to cover operations during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). It specifically sets $25.98 million for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits), requiring the department to stay within this budget when annualizing personnel costs and using vacancy funds *only* to fill open positions - not for raises or promotions. The bill mandates strict compliance with the State Personnel Board’s Variable Compensation Plan and prohibits exceeding the allocated funds without legislative approval for new positions or programs. This funding mechanism directly affects state employees and department budgeting practices, ensuring salary spending aligns with fiscal constraints.