Sen. Bradford Blackmon

Maddy summarySB 2096 requires Mississippi's Department of Information and Technology Services (MDITS) and the Secretary of State to establish minimum cybersecurity standards for the Statewide Elections Management System (SEMS) by January 1, 2027. These standards aim to protect voter registration data and election integrity, directly affecting county registrars and election commissioners who use the SEMS. The bill mandates policies for system security, regular adherence assessments, confidentiality of data, and grants the State Auditor authority to review compliance. It also allows MDITS and the Secretary of State to request internal assessment results if needed.

Maddy summarySB 2704 creates a new option for professional and trade associations in Mississippi (like groups of doctors, lawyers, plumbers, or electricians) to offer self-funded health plans regulated by another state or federal authority, rather than Mississippi’s insurance laws. These plans must meet specific requirements, including operating for three years without insurance as their primary purpose, being nonprofit, and maintaining proper reserves. The bill requires clear written notices to members that these plans are not regulated by Mississippi’s Insurance Department, not covered by the state’s guaranty association, and have no state oversight on costs or benefits. This provides additional health coverage choices for association members while exempting these plans from most Mississippi insurance regulations.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 50 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing Castro "Mr. Sipp" Coleman, a McComb, Mississippi-based gospel and blues artist, for his musical contributions. It formally honors his career as a Grammy-winning guitarist with the Williams Brothers, his 2025 Blues Music Awards B.B. King Entertainer of the Year win, and his role as a Mississippi music ambassador. The resolution does not create new laws or provide funding - it solely offers symbolic recognition of his achievements in blues and gospel music. It directly affects no individuals or policies, serving only to celebrate his cultural impact.

Maddy summarySB 2653, the Mississippi IT Optimization Act, establishes a centralized program to coordinate state government IT systems. It requires all state agencies to align their technology plans with statewide standards managed by the Department of Information Technology Services (ITS), aiming to reduce duplication and improve efficiency through shared systems. Key provisions include ITS developing enterprise architecture standards, reviewing agency IT projects for compliance, maintaining a statewide application inventory, and incorporating cybersecurity requirements. The bill exempts sensitive IT documentation from public records and open meetings laws, and authorizes ITS to accept donations and develop training programs. This directly affects all state agencies and their IT operations, focusing on systematic modernization rather than new public services.

Maddy summarySB 2018 creates the Mississippi National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program, which reimburses actively drilling Mississippi National Guard members for their Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The program applies to members eligible for Tricare Reserve Select coverage who are not covered by another employer, with reimbursements paid at the current "Tricare Reserve Select - Member only" rate. The Adjutant General administers the program, requiring legislative funding each year and annual reports starting in 2026 to assess its impact on medical readiness and participation. This policy directly affects National Guard members by reducing their out-of-pocket healthcare costs, aiming to support retention and readiness.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 526 is a symbolic resolution congratulating the Ole Miss Rebels football team and head coach Pete Golding for winning the 2025-2026 Sugar Bowl championship and finishing No. 3 in national rankings - the highest finish for an SEC team since 1962. It recognizes their 13-2 season, historic College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, and significance as the highest-ranked Ole Miss team in over six decades. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, commending the team's achievements without altering laws or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 2046, the "Mississippians' Right to Name, Likeness and Voice Act," grants every individual in Mississippi a legal right to control how their name, likeness, and voice are used, including by digital tools like AI-generated images or voice replicas. It requires written agreements with legal counsel for commercial use of these elements by individuals 18 or older, or court approval for minors, and allows rights to be inherited by family members for up to 10 years after death (with termination if unused for two years). The law explicitly states these rights are transferable and protects free speech in related lawsuits through a First Amendment defense. It directly affects all Mississippi residents and businesses using personal identifiers commercially, especially in digital contexts.

Maddy summarySB 2004, the Mississippi PERS Stability Act, transfers $500 million from Mississippi's Capital Expense Fund to the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) on July 1, 2026, followed by annual $50 million transfers through 2036. If insufficient funds exist in the Capital Expense Fund, the state will use General Funds to ensure the full $50 million is transferred each year. This directly stabilizes funding for Mississippi's public employees' retirement system, which serves state and local government workers. The bill requires these specific, scheduled transfers to address long-term retirement system funding needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the minimum salary for Mississippi public school teachers and assistant teachers starting in the 2026-2027 school year, establishing specific pay scales based on experience and license type (e.g., $43,500 for entry-level teachers with certain licenses). It requires school districts to maintain or increase local supplements and not pay assistant teachers below the state minimum salary, with potential funding reductions for violations. Additionally, the bill mandates a $2,000 annual salary increase for all full-time faculty at Mississippi's state colleges and universities.

Maddy summarySB 2480 directs the State Fiscal Officer to transfer $265 million from Mississippi's Capital Expense Fund to the Capacity Project Fund upon the bill's effective date. This transfer specifically funds transportation infrastructure projects (known as "capacity projects") included in the Mississippi Department of Transportation's Three-Year Plan, as defined under existing law. The bill amends Section 65-1-141.2 to clarify that unspent funds in the Capacity Project Fund do not lapse into the general state fund, and earnings from the fund remain within it. The bill does not create new policy but reallocates existing state funds for transportation project financing.