Sen. Briggs Hopson

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 2190 increases Mississippi's required minimum balance for the Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund from 10% to 15% of the General Fund's annual appropriations. It also raises the maximum amount that can be diverted from unencumbered General Fund cash into the reserve from 10% to 15% of the General Fund's appropriations for the fiscal year. The fund, used to manage cash flow shortages, cover revenue shortfalls (with a $50 million annual cap), and provide immediate disaster assistance, will now require a larger reserve to be maintained.

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.

Maddy summarySB 2099 requires all Mississippi public school districts, charter schools, and specific state schools (like the Mississippi School for the Arts) to adopt policies banning or restricting student cell phone use during class or under school supervision by January 1, 2027. Schools must submit these policies to the State Department of Education, with noncompliance resulting in daily funding deductions from their total funding formula. Exceptions permit cell phone use for emergencies, medical necessity (verified by a healthcare provider), or as required in a student’s special education plan. The bill also prohibits suspending or expelling students solely for violating this policy, allowing suspension only as a last resort.

Maddy summarySB 2487 requires Mississippi schools to provide targeted reading support for students in grades 4-8 who struggle with reading proficiency. It mandates that schools create an Individual Reading Plan (IRP) within 30 days of identifying a reading deficiency, notify parents within 10 business days, and provide supplemental or intensive interventions based on the severity of the deficiency. The bill prohibits promoting students to ninth grade if their reading difficulties remain unaddressed by the end of eighth grade. It also establishes a state system to train educators - including literacy coaches, interventionists, and teachers - and ensures all required supports are grounded in evidence-based reading research.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 44 is a symbolic resolution expressing Mississippi's support for strengthening economic and diplomatic ties with Taiwan. It does not create new laws or programs but formally encourages the state to support U.S.-Taiwan trade (noting $201.1 billion in 2025 trade), advocate for Taiwan's participation in international organizations like the WHO, and establish a Mississippi Trade and Investment Office in Taiwan. The resolution also supports a U.S.-Taiwan tax agreement and counters efforts by China to limit Taiwan's global engagement. As a non-binding expression of support, it directly affects Mississippi's diplomatic posture but does not impose new obligations or changes to existing policies.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 48 formally recognizes and celebrates the 155th anniversary of Alcorn State University's founding. This symbolic resolution commemorates the university as America's first Historically Black Land-Grant University, Mississippi's oldest land-grant institution, and the second-oldest state-supported higher education institution in the state. It highlights the university's historical significance, educational impact, economic contributions ($187 million annual impact, 3,000 jobs), and notable alumni, but does not create new policies, allocate funding, or impose obligations. As a commemorative resolution, it affects no individuals or entities through legislative action.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 42) is a ceremonial tribute expressing the Mississippi Senate's condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Donna Jill Johnson, Meridian’s first Republican Circuit Clerk elected in Mississippi history. It honors her 32-year service to Lauderdale County and the state, noting her integrity, community involvement, and passing at age 80 on February 5, 2026. The resolution does not create any new laws or policies - it solely offers a formal expression of sympathy and recognition of her public service. It directly affects her surviving family members and colleagues, acknowledging her legacy without any legislative impact.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution honors the historical and cultural connection between Quebec and Mississippi, dating to 1699 when French explorer Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville established a settlement in what is now Mississippi. It recognizes ongoing ties through shared heritage (including annual commemorations), economic collaboration (like Quebec supplying aluminum to Mississippi's auto industry), and membership in the SEUS-CP alliance, without creating new laws or affecting any policies. The resolution will be formally transmitted to Quebec officials as a symbolic gesture of goodwill.