Sen. Briggs Hopson

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 129) is a ceremonial tribute from the Mississippi Senate honoring former NBA player Donald Earl "Slick" Watts of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, following his death on March 15, 2025. It commemorates his NBA career with the Seattle SuperSonics (1973-1979), including his historic 1975-76 season as the first player to lead the league in both assists and steals, and his legacy as a Mississippi sports icon. The resolution extends condolences to his family and directs the text to be presented to them, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, and the Capitol Press Corps. As a commemorative measure with no policy impact, it has no direct effect on legislation or constituents.

Maddy summarySB 2544 amends an existing 2024 law to correct the names and purposes of specific projects funded from Mississippi's Local Improvements Projects Fund. It clarifies that $10 million will support Senatobia's downtown historic district infrastructure, $3 million will fund the Port of Pascagoula's North Rail Connector, and other allocations include $1.5 million for Lamar County's Lincoln Road Extension, $1.3 million for Lowndes County Sheriff's technology, and smaller amounts for fire departments, courthouses, and airport improvements across 20+ Mississippi counties and cities. The bill directly affects local governments, public safety departments, and community projects by ensuring funds are correctly directed to their intended uses. It makes no new policy changes but corrects administrative errors in the original appropriation list.

Maddy summarySB 3034 allocates $1.2 million for the Dixie National Livestock Show and smaller sums for livestock events across Mississippi, including $64,890 for junior livestock shows, $15,000 for county shows (capped at $1,000 per county), $65,000 for district shows, $8,500 for state dairy shows, and $26,150 for high school rodeo promotions. The bill requires that 75% of district and dairy show funds go to 4-H and Smith-Hughes School participants, mandates proper facilities for county shows, and ensures equal prize distribution for comparable entries across shows. It specifies that funds must cover actual costs like prizes, judges, and facilities, with strict limits on county spending and show scheduling to avoid conflicts. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting livestock exhibitors, 4-H members, and county agricultural associations.

Maddy summarySB 3027 appropriates $200,296 from state funds to cover the Mississippi State Board of Veterinary Examiners' expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill requires the Board to maintain detailed financial records comparable to its 2025 reporting and mandates that purchases prioritize Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal. It also specifies that state funds cannot replace withdrawn federal or special funds for salaries. This procedural funding bill directly affects the Board’s operations and administrative processes.

Maddy summarySB 3014 appropriates $754,389 from the state General Fund to cover the Mississippi Ethics Commission's operating expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes six permanent staff positions and requires the Commission to maintain detailed financial records matching its 2025 reporting standards. It also directs the Commission to prioritize purchasing from the Mississippi Industries for the Blind and permits using funds for vehicle insurance. This is a routine funding measure for an existing agency, not a policy change affecting citizens or businesses. The bill was pending in conference committee as of March 29, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 3030 appropriates $3,958,339 for the Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy to cover its operations during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill directly funds the Board’s activities, authorizing 20 permanent staff positions and requiring strict adherence to spending rules (e.g., no salary increases for current employees, funds must cover headcount not promotions). It mandates the Board to meet specific performance targets, including processing 100% of pharmacy licenses within 10 business days and resolving 100% of complaints within six months. The bill also includes safeguards to prevent misuse of funds and requires detailed reporting for future budget requests.

Maddy summarySB 3024 appropriates $378,711 in state funds to cover the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors' expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill specifically allocates $100,000 toward updating the board's Licensing Management System. It requires the board to maintain detailed financial records comparable to previous years and mandates that funds be used in compliance with state budget laws and procurement preferences for Mississippi Industries for the Blind. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting the board's operations and licensing processes for professional counselors.

Maddy summarySB 3038 appropriates $5,350,112 from the State General Fund to cover the operating costs of Mississippi's State Personnel Board for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill directly affects state employees and agencies by funding personnel positions (46 permanent roles) and strictly prohibiting the use of these funds for salary increases, promotions, or title changes for current staff. Key provisions require the Personnel Board to publish projected payroll costs, ensure expenditures don’t exceed budgeted amounts, and mandate that any new salary actions require additional funding approval. The bill also includes administrative requirements for record-keeping and ensures funds comply with existing state budget laws and IRS reporting rules for contract employees.

Maddy summarySB 3054 provides additional funding for several Mississippi state agencies to cover specific expenses during fiscal years 2025 and 2026. It allocates $156,842 for the Attorney General’s office to cover legal costs in ongoing cases (including water litigation and civil rights claims), $4.3 million for the Department of Corrections’ medical program, $4.1 million for the Mississippi State Department of Health’s water litigation, and $12.8 million for the Department of Child Protective Services to cover therapeutic placements, staffing increases, and temporary child placements. The bill directly affects state agencies and the public through funding legal defense, healthcare services, and child welfare operations. All funds are drawn from the Capital Expense Fund and must be used for the specified purposes outlined in the bill.

Maddy summarySB 3040 allocates $5.67 million from the General Fund and $3.19 million from special funds to cover the operational costs and staff salaries of the State Veterans Affairs Board for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It also provides $6.36 million from the General Fund and $48.53 million from special funds to support the Mississippi State Veterans Homes’ operations. Additionally, $250,000 is specifically designated to assist indigent and low-income veterans and eligible surviving spouses (under the "Hilton R. 'Jack' Vance Act of 1997"), retroactively covering prior eligibility periods. The bill focuses on funding existing programs without creating new policies or mandates.