Sen. Walter Michel

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commends Colonel Charles Haynes for his 25 years of dedicated service as Director of the Mississippi Highway Patrol and Assistant Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. It also congratulates him on his new appointment as Director of Administration of Justice at Mississippi College, where he will join the faculty. The resolution formally recognizes his extensive law enforcement background, including his work with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and various state agencies, and presents the document to him and the Capitol Press Corps.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution 74 is a ceremonial bill that formally commends the Mississippi Forestry Commission on its 100th anniversary. The resolution recognizes the agency's century-long service in protecting forest resources, preventing wildfires, and supporting rural economies across Mississippi. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of the commission's historic contributions to the state.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (SC 531), not a law with new requirements. It recognizes that many American workers, including state employees, face retirement security challenges - citing data showing 80% of households aged 60+ were financially struggling or at risk in 2020 - and urges federal and state leaders to address the issue. The resolution specifically encourages employers and retirement systems to promote lifetime income solutions and financial education, but it does not create new programs, funding, or mandates. It serves as a symbolic statement to raise awareness and prompt action by other entities.

Maddy summaryMississippi Senate Bill 2420 amends wildlife laws to extend hunting seasons ending on a Saturday until 30 minutes after sunset on the following Sunday. This applies to deer (Section 49-7-31), bobwhite quail and wild turkey (Section 49-7-31.2), squirrel and rabbits (Section 49-7-31.3), and fur-bearing animals (Section 49-7-31.4). The change only affects the end time of existing seasons when they conclude on Saturday, providing hunters an additional window on Sunday. It does not alter season dates, hunting methods, or regulations for these species.

Maddy summarySB 2369 allows Mississippi to withhold gaming winnings (from casinos, lotteries, and other licensed venues) from individuals who owe unpaid child support. The law requires the Mississippi Gaming Commission and Department of Human Services to create rules for this process and permits gaming businesses to charge a small administrative fee when withholding these winnings. This directly affects people with outstanding child support debt by using their gambling winnings as a new source to pay that debt. The bill provides a concrete enforcement tool for collecting child support payments through the gaming industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal tribute resolution honoring civil rights icon James Howard Meredith. It recognizes his receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Mississippi Pinnacle Awards, commemorating his historic role as the first African American student admitted to the University of Mississippi in 1962. The resolution acknowledges his lifelong civil rights advocacy and the pivotal impact of his enrollment, which challenged segregation and became a key moment in the civil rights movement. The tribute will be presented to Meredith and shared with the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill) expressing the Mississippi Legislature's condolences on the death of Dr. Rod Paige, Mississippi native and the nation's first African American U.S. Secretary of Education. It honors his legacy, including his role in shaping the No Child Left Behind Act and his work as Houston school superintendent. The resolution extends "sincerest sympathy" to his family and pays tribute to his contributions to education. It has no legislative effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a commemorative gesture.

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 summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution (SC 524) honoring Willie Totten and Jerry Rice, whose 1981-1985 partnership at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) revolutionized small-college football as the "Satellite Express." It recognizes Totten's record-setting passing (12,711 yards, 141 TDs) and Rice's historic receiving (4,693 yards, 50 TDs), which propelled Rice to NFL stardom and influenced modern offensive strategies. The resolution specifically commemorates their legacy at MVSU, an HBCU that overcame decades of struggles under Coach Archie Cooley's innovative no-huddle offense. As a symbolic gesture, it does not enact new policy or affect any current laws.

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.