Sen. Briggs Hopson

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 30) expresses the Mississippi Senate's condolences to the family of Representative Charles L. Young, Jr., following his passing on December 19, 2024. It formally extends sympathy to his surviving family members, recognizing his service as a Democrat representing Mississippi's 82nd District since 2012. The resolution does not create any new policies or affect any specific laws, as it is a ceremonial expression of respect for a deceased legislator.

Maddy summarySR 27 is a ceremonial resolution extending the Mississippi Senate's sympathy to the family of Jeanne Carter Luckey, a National Republican Committee Woman and community leader from Louisville, Mississippi, following her death on November 7, 2024. The resolution commends her service, including her work as Mississippi Federation of Republican Women President, her advocacy for disability access on the Institutions of Higher Learning board, and her decades of community involvement. This resolution has no policy effect - it solely expresses the Senate’s condolences and acknowledges her life’s contributions. It was adopted by the Senate on February 17, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2881 would have created the Delta Regional Health Authority to serve Mississippi's rural Delta region, directly affecting community hospitals in that area. It would have allowed these hospitals to join the authority, replacing their current governance under community hospital laws with authority board oversight, while granting the authority special status as a "governmental entity" for legal and Medicaid purposes. Key provisions included protecting the authority from antitrust laws when collaborating with other hospitals, creating a supplemental Medicaid payment program, and treating the authority as a "nonstate governmental hospital" for Medicaid eligibility. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2703 amends Mississippi law to allow county boards of supervisors to collectively agree on the membership composition of mental health regional commissions through formal resolutions, rather than requiring each county to appoint one member (like a clerk or sheriff) as currently mandated. This change directly affects county boards of supervisors in participating counties, giving them flexibility to design commission structures that better suit regional needs. The bill maintains existing requirements, including four-year terms for members, nonvoting liaisons from chancery clerks and sheriffs, and mandatory training attendance. It does not alter funding, program content, or the commission's duties, only the process for selecting members. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2564 would redirect 10% of Mississippi's state use tax revenue to the State Highway Fund, specifically for highway construction, reconstruction, repair, or maintenance. This amendment to Section 27-67-31 of Mississippi law would replace current allocations (such as portions going to schools or education funds) with this dedicated highway funding stream. The bill directly affects state highway infrastructure by ensuring a consistent revenue source for road maintenance and improvements. It does not change the tax rate or collection process but alters how existing use tax revenue is distributed. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.)

Maddy summaryThis bill removes pharmaceutical distributors from a state law that prohibits certain discriminatory actions against entities participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. It clarifies that only drug manufacturers (not distributors) are barred from interfering with 340B drug access or delivery to contracted pharmacies. The law directly affects hospitals, clinics, and other 340B program participants by changing which entities face restrictions on their interactions with drug distributors. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not advance to become law.

Maddy summarySB 2826 redirects specific motor vehicle registration fees from the State General Fund to the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund. It changes where revenue from standard license tags, university-themed tags (displaying out-of-state university emblems), Ducks Unlimited tags, and Rebuild the Coast tags is deposited. The bill also redirects unexpended funds from the License Tag Acquisition Fund to this tax reduction fund instead of the State General Fund. This policy change alters the destination of existing revenue streams without modifying fee amounts or creating new taxes.

Maddy summarySB 2488 would exempt certain confidential records related to economic development projects from Mississippi's Public Records Act. Specifically, it would prevent public disclosure of business terms and negotiation details during project review (up to one year total) and block access to specific financial data about tax incentives, including mFlex agreements and investment breakouts reported under state economic development laws. This applies to public bodies like local governments and the Mississippi Development Authority handling such projects. The exemption would last during negotiations and for 30 days after project approval or rejection, but does not cover annual reports required by law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally honors Mississippi broadcaster and storyteller Walt Grayson as the recipient of the 2025 Governor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement. It recognizes his decades-long career in Mississippi media, including hosting "Mississippi Roads" on MPB, writing books about the state, and his deep connection to Mississippi culture. As a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill), it has no policy impact but serves to publicly acknowledge Grayson's contributions to the state's arts and storytelling traditions. The Senate resolution was adopted without amendment on January 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 18), not a policy bill. It formally recognizes filmmaker Tate Taylor of Natchez, Mississippi, as the 2025 recipient of the Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Motion Picture. The resolution commends Taylor for his film work (including *The Help* and *Get On Up*), his economic impact on Mississippi through filming locations and job creation, and his community contributions like restoring historic sites and supporting local businesses. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply offers official Senate recognition.