Sen. Josh Harkins

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commends the East Rankin Academy Patriots Boys Soccer Team and Head Coach Reid Westover for winning back-to-back MAIS Division III State Championships in 2025 and 2026. The resolution formally recognizes the team's achievements, including the 2026 victory where eighth-grader Noah Craig scored the game-winning goal, and highlights Coach Westover's leadership in building the program into a state-championship-winning team. The document lists the team roster and directs the resolution to be presented to the head coach and school administration while making it available to the Capitol Press Corps.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $20 million from the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund to Mississippi's Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for disaster response and recovery costs. It specifically covers expenses related to the severe weather event beginning January 24, 2026, and other state disaster obligations, effective from passage through June 30, 2027. The funds are intended to cover MEMA's costs for managing disaster response and recovery efforts during this period. This is a straightforward funding allocation with no new policy provisions.

Maddy summarySB 2676, the Proxy Advisor Transparency Act, requires proxy advisors (firms that advise shareholders on voting) to disclose whether their voting recommendations are based on a written financial analysis that considers how the vote affects investment value. This directly affects shareholders, especially institutional investors managing retirement funds, and proxy advisors like Glass Lewis. The law mandates clear disclosures to clients when recommendations against company management (e.g., on ESG or DEI proposals) lack financial analysis, and requires advisors to notify companies of their recommendations so companies can share additional context. Violations are treated as deceptive trade practices under Mississippi law.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commends the 2025-2026 Florence High School Girls Soccer Team and Head Coach Bill Hood for winning the MHSAA Class 5A State Championship. The resolution recognizes the team's victory in a 4-1 final game and acknowledges their third consecutive state championship appearance. It formally presents the resolution to the team and coach for their achievements and directs the document to be shared with the school administration and local press.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution congratulates former Mississippi State Senator Bobby Chamberlin on his investiture as a United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi. The resolution recognizes his judicial career, including his service on the Mississippi Supreme Court and previous roles as a municipal judge and prosecutor. It also notes his confirmation by the U.S. Senate and includes a statement of support from Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. The resolution will be presented at Chamberlin's investiture ceremony and shared with the press.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution formally recognizes Josh Hubbard, a basketball player from Madison, Mississippi, for his outstanding achievements at Mississippi State University. The document highlights his on-court statistics, including his All-SEC honors and record-breaking three-point shooting, as well as his off-court community service work. It notes his leadership in initiatives like the "Buckets for Wishes" campaign and his contributions to local youth programs. The resolution serves as an official commendation from the Mississippi Senate rather than a law with enforceable requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2850 expands Mississippi's Advantage Jobs Act by allowing qualified businesses to receive incentive payments for up to 10 years, with potential extensions. To qualify for the initial 10-year period, businesses must meet job creation (minimum 10 full-time jobs) and wage requirements (average salary at least 125% of state/county average wage). For a 5-year extension, businesses must create 3,000 new jobs within 5 years and maintain average wages at 150% of the state/county average. A second 10-year extension requires an additional 4,000 new jobs (net of the first 3,000) while sustaining the same wage threshold, all verified by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. This directly affects businesses meeting these specific job and wage criteria in eligible counties.

Maddy summarySB 2824 extends deadlines for property tax exemptions and fee-in-lieu agreements affecting energy projects and qualified businesses in Mississippi. It pushes back the construction start deadline for 50% property tax exemption eligibility for energy projects from 2024 to December 31, 2036, and requires counties/municipalities to approve these exemptions by July 1, 2035. The bill also reduces the minimum fee-in-lieu payment (a fee instead of property taxes) for qualifying projects from one-third to one-tenth of annual property taxes, applying to businesses with $60 million+ investments or $100 million+ investments in disaster-affected areas. These changes directly impact new energy developments, large-scale businesses, and local governments managing tax agreements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution congratulates the St. Patrick High School Lady Irish Girls Soccer Team and standout player Meredith Tindell for winning their fourth consecutive state championship in 2026. The resolution formally recognizes the team's undefeated playoff performance and their overall season record of 18-4-4, highlighting key players and coaching staff who contributed to the achievement. It directs that the resolution be presented to the team, coaches, and school administration while also making it available to the Capitol Press Corps for public record.

Maddy summarySB 3227 allows Mississippi's Governor to designate counties as "recovery zones" following the January 2026 winter storm emergency. It enables tax credits for qualified investments in businesses located within these zones, even if the businesses aren't in traditional low-income areas. Businesses must certify that investments will aid recovery from the emergency, and the tax credit authority expires June 30, 2027. This directly affects businesses in designated counties and investors seeking tax incentives under Mississippi's existing federal tax credit framework.