Sen. Briggs Hopson

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) honoring Mississippi musician Guy Hovis, Jr., who passed away in January 2026. It expresses the Mississippi Legislature's condolences to his surviving family and celebrates his legacy as a musical icon who performed on *The Lawrence Welk Show* for over a decade and contributed to Mississippi's cultural heritage. The resolution formally pays tribute to his life and career without creating any new laws or affecting any policies.

Maddy summarySB 3102 appropriates $28.9 million total (including $6.05 million from the General Fund and $22.86 million from special funds) for Mississippi's Department of Tourism operations during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). It specifically allocates $3.1 million for personnel costs (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits) to cover up to 59 authorized positions (56 permanent and 3 time-limited), strictly limiting how these funds can be used. The bill requires the department to maintain detailed financial records matching its FY2026 standards and prohibits exceeding the allocated personnel budget without new legislative approval. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting the department’s budget and staffing operations.

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 51 (SR 51) is a ceremonial resolution recognizing Dean Ken Cyree's retirement after 17 years as Dean of the University of Mississippi School of Business Administration. It honors his service as the second-longest-serving business dean in Ole Miss history and the longest-serving business school dean in the Southeastern Conference, highlighting achievements like raising $54.7 million for the school and growing enrollment by 73%. This resolution does not create new policy or affect any laws - it simply expresses the Mississippi Senate's appreciation for his leadership. The resolution will be presented to Dean Cyree, the university chancellor, and the Board of Trustees.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution honoring Katie Blount upon her retirement as Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH). It recognizes her 11-year leadership (2015-2026), including overseeing the opening of the Two Mississippi Museums (visited by over 744,000 people since 2017) and advancing inclusive storytelling and preservation efforts at historic sites. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely expresses the Senate’s gratitude for her service.

Maddy summarySB 2258 establishes the Mississippi-Ireland Trade Commission to strengthen economic ties between Mississippi and Ireland. The commission, composed of 10 appointed members (including state officials and trade experts with Irish connections), will advance bilateral trade, promote business/academic exchanges, and encourage mutual investment. It can raise funds through solicitation, grants, and donations to carry out these goals. The bill directly affects Mississippi businesses seeking Irish market opportunities and Irish entities interested in Mississippi trade partnerships, effective March 17, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2453 amends Mississippi's window tinting law to allow licensed Mississippi optometrists to diagnose medical conditions that qualify for a tinting exemption, previously limited to physicians. This directly affects residents with light-sensitive conditions (like certain skin diseases) who need medical exemptions to legally use darker window tint. The bill expands the list of qualifying professionals who can certify these exemptions but maintains existing requirements: applicants must still obtain a free certificate from county tax collectors, provide a signed diagnosis from a qualified provider, and display the certificate on their vehicle dashboard. It does not change the exemption rules or light transmittance standards for tinted windows.

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 summaryThis bill repeals the authorization for the "Judicial System Operation Fund" (Section 9-21-45) and amends multiple code sections to replace references to that fund with the "State General Fund." It does not change actual funding amounts or judicial salary structures, only updating the administrative designation of where judicial funds are sourced. The bill affects how Mississippi's judicial system funding is categorized in state law, moving it from a specific fund to the general state fund. This is a procedural change to state code, not a policy shift impacting funding levels or judicial operations.

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.