Sen. Josh Harkins

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 summaryThis bill authorizes the City of Brandon and the West Rankin Utility Authority to enter into agreements with developers or operators of data centers to build and maintain water and wastewater infrastructure needed for the facilities. Under the agreement, the data center companies would pay for the infrastructure costs from their own funds as construction progresses, allowing the city and authority to provide reclaimed water for cooling and handle wastewater treatment. The contracts can last up to 30 years with renewal options and may include provisions for assigning agreements to new owners, guaranteeing water and wastewater capacity, and setting rates for services.

Maddy summarySB 3124 revises Mississippi's Pregnancy Resource Act to expand eligibility for a state income tax credit. It allows individual taxpayers (not just businesses) to claim a credit for cash donations to pregnancy resource centers meeting specific criteria, such as not providing or referring for abortions and limiting administrative spending to 20% of funds. The bill requires organizations to certify compliance with these standards annually and verify they serve Mississippi residents. Taxpayers can use the credit to offset up to 50% of their state income or property tax liability, with unused credits carrying forward for five years.

Maddy summarySB 3229 authorizes the State of Mississippi to issue revenue bonds to cover repair costs for electric utilities damaged by the 2026 winter storm. Electric utilities can petition the Public Service Commission for a financing order, which, if approved, allows the state to issue bonds for storm-related repairs. The cost will be recovered through a new "system restoration charge" added to customers' monthly utility bills, adjusted annually to ensure it covers bond payments. The bonds are limited to the exact repair costs specified in the financing order and cannot be used for other purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum total annual tax credit amount available to employers sponsoring employee skills training through Mississippi community colleges. It directly affects businesses that provide job-related training programs, allowing them to claim a 50% credit on qualified expenses (like instructor costs and materials) up to $2,500 per employee per year. The key changes are raising the statewide cap on total credits claimed and extending the program's expiration date beyond 2030. Employers must work with local community colleges for certification, and credits can be carried forward for up to five years if unused. The bill maintains existing rules requiring training to be job-focused and certified by community colleges.

Maddy summarySB 2848 requires towing companies in Mississippi to use a third-party vendor (approved by the Department of Revenue) to notify vehicle owners and lienholders within 7 days of towing, using certified mail. It shortens the timeline for owners to claim their vehicles from 30 days to 30 days after notification, and mandates that if no claim is made within that period, the vendor must notify the Department of Revenue to remove all liens from the vehicle’s record. This directly affects towing companies (who must follow new notification rules), vehicle owners (who get faster notice), and lienholders (who receive formal sale notices). The bill also requires towing companies to maintain detailed records for three years and mandates specific notification formats to ensure compliance.

Maddy summarySB 2898 directs the State Treasurer and State Fiscal Officer to transfer $20 million from Mississippi's Capital Expense Fund to the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund upon the bill's effective date. This technical amendment reallocates existing state funds without creating new programs or changing eligibility for disaster assistance. The transfer affects state budget accounting by moving money between two designated funds (Fund No. 6499C00000 to Fund No. 3372500000) to support disaster response resources. The bill has no direct impact on citizens or businesses but modifies how state funds are allocated. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 2825 extends the expiration dates for Mississippi's Health Care Industry Zone tax incentives, which were set to expire in 2023, to July 1, 2028. The bill directly affects health care facilities that meet specific job creation (25+ new full-time jobs) or investment thresholds ($10 million minimum capital investment), allowing them to maintain property tax exemptions, sales tax exemptions on construction materials, and fee-in-lieu tax agreements. Key provisions include extending the repealer date for the Health Care Industry Zone Act itself (Section 57-117-11) and extending related tax exemption statutes (Sections 27-31-101, 27-31-104, and 27-65-101), ensuring existing incentives remain available for qualifying facilities.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commends the East Rankin Academy Shooting Sports Team and Coach Matthew Miller for winning their sixth consecutive Mississippi Scholastic Shooting Program State Championship. The document recognizes the team's achievements in clay target sports and lists individual student participants honored for their performance at the state tournament. The resolution serves as a formal acknowledgment of the team's success and directs that the commendation be presented to the coach and school administration. This is a ceremonial measure with no policy changes or regulatory requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes the 2025 East Rankin Academy Lady Patriots Girls Cross Country Team and their coach, David Hopper, for winning their fifth consecutive MAIS 4A state championship. The bill acknowledges the team's achievement under Mississippi's new school classification system and lists the roster members who competed in the competition. It directs that the resolution be presented to the coach and school administration, with a copy provided to the press corps for public dissemination. This document serves as an official commendation rather than a law that changes policy or regulations.