Sen. John Horhn

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 29) formally honors Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones for 25 years of service in law enforcement. It recognizes his leadership, community-focused initiatives, and contributions to improving police-community relations in Hinds County. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, expressing legislative appreciation through a formal resolution and a copy presented to Sheriff Jones. It was adopted by the Mississippi Senate on February 17, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2522 created a 9-member task force to study historical funding disparities between Alcorn State University and other Mississippi public universities, particularly Mississippi State University (a land-grant institution). The task force was required to examine past underfunding impacts on students and faculty, and propose solutions for restoring adequate funding and future parity. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, before the task force could be formed or submit its required report by December 31, 2025. This procedural bill did not enact any funding changes, as it failed to advance beyond committee review.

Maddy summarySB 2747 was a procedural bill to renumber existing architectural licensing statutes in Mississippi (specifically sections 73-1-13, 73-1-29, and others listed in the bill text) without altering their substantive requirements. It affected architects and the Mississippi Board of Architectural Examiners by moving these sections to new code locations for administrative clarity. The bill contained no new policy changes or eligibility requirements - it only adjusted the statutory numbering. The bill died in committee in 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2586 requires state agencies, boards, and commissions in Mississippi to appoint individuals whose race and gender reflect the demographic makeup of the region they serve. It mandates using the most recent U.S. Census data alongside the PEER database (updated annually) to determine appropriate representation percentages for appointments. The bill directly affects all state entities with appointment authority, aiming to address current disparities shown in data where 80% of appointees were female (with 13 Black, 65 White) and 196 were male (20 Black, 174 White). The bill would have taken effect July 1, 2025, but died in committee on February 4, 2025, and is not currently law.

Maddy summarySB 2848 would have allowed Mississippi state agencies to use the "construction manager at-risk" method for building projects without requiring competitive bidding for subcontractors. Specifically, it would let the Department of Finance and Administration require the construction manager to directly hire all necessary contractors, exempting those contracts from standard public bidding laws. This would primarily affect state departments overseeing construction projects (like schools, hospitals, or office buildings) and the construction managers/contractors involved. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2686 amends Mississippi's certificate of need law to allow new 60-bed nursing facilities in underserved minority zip code areas. It modifies Section 41-7-191 to exempt such facilities from standard certificate of need requirements when located in qualifying underserved minority neighborhoods. The bill specifically targets skilled nursing facilities (defined under state law) in areas meeting certain accessibility and need criteria. The legislation died in the Public Health and Welfare Committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2629 would allow qualified Mississippi voters to cast ballots early, 5 to 21 days before an election, at the county registrar's office or a designated location. It requires the same voting procedures as Election Day, prohibits absentee ballots during early voting, and mandates that early votes be counted and announced simultaneously with Election Day votes. The bill specifies early voting hours (weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m., last two days until 7 p.m., and one Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.) and requires candidates to have the same right to challenge voters during early voting as at polling places. This legislation directly affects all registered Mississippi voters seeking to vote before Election Day.

Maddy summarySB 2594, titled "Our Children's Health Impacts Our Future Law," requires Mississippi public schools to include a notice on student registration forms advising parents or guardians about the importance of obtaining a medical and dental physical for their child before the first day of school. The notice specifically states: "It is beneficial to the overall health of your child to receive a medical and dental physical prior to the first day of school if he or she has not already received one." This bill directly affects parents, legal guardians, or custodians of children enrolling in Mississippi public schools. It died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law. The measure was procedural, adding a notice to existing enrollment paperwork without changing school health requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2752 amends Mississippi law to establish clear requirements for physicians seeking to reinstate a revoked medical license. The bill requires applicants to wait at least one year after revocation, submit two verified recommendations from licensed physicians and two from citizens with personal knowledge of their post-disciplinary conduct, and undergo a fingerprint-based criminal background check. The Board of Medical Licensure must evaluate applicants based on their post-disciplinary activities, professional reputation, and ability, and may require an oral examination. All criminal history records collected remain confidential and are used solely by the Board for licensure decisions, with applicants covering associated fees.

Maddy summarySB 2584 would have eliminated the requirement for performance bonds on public construction contracts under $50,000 in Mississippi, provided the public body (like a city or county) paid the contractor in two equal installments (50% upfront and 50% after project completion). This change would have directly affected small contractors working on public projects like minor repairs or renovations. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law, so the existing bond requirement for public works contracts remains in effect.