Sen. David Parker

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) passed by the Mississippi Senate. It extends sympathy to the family of Representative Andy Stepp, a first-year state representative from Bruce, Mississippi, who died in December 2024. The resolution commemorates his service as a pharmacist, community leader, and legislator representing District 23, and acknowledges his work on committees like public health and Medicaid. It has no policy impact and was formally adopted by both legislative chambers on March 5-6, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution expressing condolences, not a policy bill. It formally extends the Mississippi Senate's sympathy to Jeanne Luckey's surviving family (including her husband, daughters, and grandchildren) and commends her community service and public roles. Specifically, it honors her work as Mississippi's Republican National Committee Woman, President of the Mississippi Federation of Republican Women, and her advocacy for disability access during her service on the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it solely serves as a commemorative gesture.

Maddy summarySR 62 is a procedural resolution passed by the Mississippi Senate to formally congratulate Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay, Jr., on winning Super Bowl LIX with the Eagles in 2025. The resolution specifically honors Slay's background as a former Mississippi State Bulldogs player and Itawamba Community College standout, recognizing his role in the Eagles' 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. This resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of Slay's athletic achievement and ties to Mississippi institutions. It was adopted by the Senate on March 6, 2025, and will be presented to Slay, the Eagles organization, and Mississippi State and Itawamba Community College leaders.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 67) formally recognizes the 150th anniversary of the Mississippi Dental Association (MDA), which was founded in 1875. It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it symbolically honors the MDA's historical role in advancing dental care, promoting oral health, and supporting over 1,000 dentists across Mississippi. The resolution expresses the state Senate's appreciation for the MDA's contributions to public health and professional standards over 150 years. It directly affects the MDA by publicly acknowledging its anniversary, with no concrete policy changes or financial implications.

Maddy summarySB 3028 appropriates $134,145 from the state treasury to fund the Mississippi State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill requires the Board to maintain detailed financial records matching its 2025 reporting standards and mandates that future budget requests follow similar formatting. It also directs the Board to prioritize purchases from Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal in price, quality, and service. The bill is procedural and solely concerns funding allocation, not policy changes affecting chiropractors or the public.

Maddy summarySB 2147 requires Mississippi public schools to integrate financial literacy into grades 6-8 curriculum by the 2026-2027 school year and mandates a personal finance course (either a half-credit or full course with at least half focused on finance) for high school graduation starting with the 2031 graduating class. The bill establishes a "Financial Literacy Trust Fund" within the state treasury to support this program, administered by the State Board of Education with annual audits and legislative reporting. It directly affects all public school students in Mississippi from middle school through high school, requiring new coursework to meet graduation standards. The fund must be managed responsibly, with unspent money lapsing to the general fund annually, and the State Board must develop specific curriculum standards for financial literacy.

Maddy summarySB 2162 requires Mississippi public and charter schools to update their emergency response plans to include airway clearance devices (ACDs) for choking emergencies starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates that schools develop Cardiac and Choking Emergency Response Plans (CCERPs) covering choking incidents, requiring ACD placement, staff training in ACD use, and annual drills. These plans must follow evidence-based guidelines from organizations like the American Heart Association and include coordination with local emergency services. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools in Mississippi by adding specific protocols for life-threatening airway blockages.

Maddy summarySB 2197 changes Mississippi law to treat impersonating police officers as a felony instead of a misdemeanor. It increases penalties for falsely claiming to be a state highway patrolman or any law enforcement officer, raising potential jail time to up to three years and fines to $5,000 for both offenses. The bill repeals a duplicate law (Section 97-7-43) that previously covered similar offenses. This directly affects individuals who falsely pose as police officers or patrolmen, making such actions carry significantly harsher criminal consequences. The bill was approved by the Senate but died in committee in March 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2597 established an Executive Committee under Mississippi's Interagency Coordinating Council for Children and Youth (ICCCY) to coordinate mental health resources for K-12 and postsecondary students. The committee, composed of education and health officials, must develop mental health training for school staff, create age-appropriate mental health materials for students and parents, and build an online resource guide for schools to post on their websites starting in 2025. It also requires an annual report by October 1 on state-funded mental health programs for children and adolescents, to be shared with key legislative committees. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law. It directly affected Mississippi public schools, community colleges, and universities by mandating coordinated mental health infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 2591 would exempt Mississippi public school districts from standard competitive bidding requirements when purchasing technology for student distribution, including laptops, tablets, computer peripherals, and software as a service. The bill amends procurement rules to allow schools to bypass the usual process of obtaining multiple bids for items under $75,000, instead permitting streamlined purchasing for these specific educational technology items. This change directly affects school districts in their routine acquisition of devices used in classrooms. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.