Sen. Briggs Hopson

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 67) formally recognizes the 150th anniversary of the Mississippi Dental Association (MDA), which was founded in 1875. It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it symbolically honors the MDA's historical role in advancing dental care, promoting oral health, and supporting over 1,000 dentists across Mississippi. The resolution expresses the state Senate's appreciation for the MDA's contributions to public health and professional standards over 150 years. It directly affects the MDA by publicly acknowledging its anniversary, with no concrete policy changes or financial implications.

Maddy summarySB 3023 appropriates $378,324 from state funds to cover the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission's (MVC) operating expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It authorizes 3 permanent staff positions and strictly limits fund usage to cover salaries for new hires or vacancies - not raises for current employees - while requiring the MVC to maintain detailed financial records. The bill also mandates that purchases prioritize Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal and prohibits using state funds to replace withdrawn federal or special funds. This is a funding bill focused solely on the MVC's budget, with no policy changes beyond financial oversight.

Maddy summarySB 3019 appropriates $363,967 in state funds to the Mississippi State Board of Architecture and Landscape Architecture Advisory Committee for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill directly affects the Board by funding its operational expenses, including authorization for two permanent staff positions. Key provisions include strict limits on personnel spending to prevent salary increases for current employees and require compliance with existing budget rules, such as not exceeding prior-year funding without legislative approval. It also mandates preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions and requires detailed financial record-keeping. As a procedural funding bill, it does not create new policies but allocates resources for the Board’s existing operations.

Maddy summarySB 3022 appropriates $199,100 in state funds to cover the operational expenses of the Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill requires the board to maintain detailed financial records comparable to those from fiscal year 2025 and directs that future budget requests follow similar formatting. This procedural funding measure directly supports the board’s administrative functions and has been enacted into law.

Maddy summarySB 3028 appropriates $134,145 from the state treasury to fund the Mississippi State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill requires the Board to maintain detailed financial records matching its 2025 reporting standards and mandates that future budget requests follow similar formatting. It also directs the Board to prioritize purchases from Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal in price, quality, and service. The bill is procedural and solely concerns funding allocation, not policy changes affecting chiropractors or the public.

Maddy summarySB 2083 would have allowed Mississippi vehicle owners to purchase distinctive license tags supporting Mississippi College School of Law, requiring an additional $30 annual fee per tag. The bill specified that $24 of each fee would go directly to Mississippi College School of Law, $1 to the Mississippi Burn Care Fund, $2 to the State Highway Fund, and $1 to another special fund. It applied only to owners who voluntarily chose to pay the fee for the specialty tag, with the tags needing annual renewal. The bill was referred to committee but ultimately "died in committee" on March 4, 2025, meaning it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThe Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to pay pharmacies promptly for medications and establishes a process for pharmacies to appeal if payments are below agreed rates. It also bans PBMs and pharmacy services organizations (PSAOs) from restricting patient choice of pharmacy, spreading pricing, or retaliating against pharmacists who exercise rights under the law. The bill mandates that PBMs, PSAOs, drug manufacturers, and health insurers report pricing and contract details to the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy, which will publish this information online for transparency. These changes directly affect pharmacies, pharmacists, PBMs, PSAOs, and health insurers operating in Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2151 requires all Mississippi public school districts, charter schools, agricultural high schools, and specific state schools (like the Mississippi School for the Arts) to adopt and submit by January 1, 2026, policies banning or limiting student cell phone use during class or under staff supervision. Schools failing to comply face daily funding deductions under the state’s funding formula. Exceptions allow phone use during emergencies, for medically necessary reasons (as certified by a healthcare provider), or per a student’s special education plan. The bill also specifies that cell phone policy violations alone cannot justify suspension or expulsion, except as a final disciplinary step.

Maddy summarySB 2563 would have increased the maximum percentage of Mississippi's unspent annual General Fund budget that could be diverted to the Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund from 10% to 15%. This change would affect how the state manages its surplus funds at year-end, requiring the Executive Director of Finance and Administration to allocate up to 15% of the annual appropriations to this reserve after funding the Municipal Revolving Fund. The bill, which died in committee on March 4, 2025, did not become law and therefore has no current effect on state budget practices. It was a procedural budget adjustment, not a policy affecting citizens or services.

Maddy summarySR 65 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Mississippi Senate to honor Hinds County Deputy Sheriff Martin Shields, Jr., who died in the line of duty on February 23, 2025. The resolution extends the Senate's "sincerest sympathy" to his surviving family - including his wife, daughter, and parents - and commends his law enforcement career. It has no policy provisions or financial impact; it is purely symbolic, expressing condolences and acknowledging his service. The Senate formally adopted the resolution on February 27, 2025, and will present it to his family and the Hinds County Sheriff's Office.