Sen. John Horhn

Maddy summarySB 2587 would create Mississippi's State Truth Commission, a five-member body appointed by the Governor (with Senate approval), to investigate racial grievances in state and local government programs. The commission would collect complaints, conduct interviews and site visits, advise on diversity policies, and recommend changes to address past racial issues. It would have authority to request information from state agencies, issue subpoenas, and establish procedures for reviewing grievances. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2799, the "Opportunities for Diversity in Contracting Act," establishes a program (ODC) administered by Mississippi's Development Authority to increase participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses in state contracts. It requires state agencies to appoint ODC compliance officers, set procurement goals for contracting with certified ODC businesses (defined as those with net worth under $750,000 meeting federal standards), and include specific language in contracts encouraging vendors to work with certified ODC businesses. The bill also creates a certification process, a waiver system for agencies unable to meet goals, and data-tracking mechanisms. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2585 requires the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to conduct a study examining whether a significant statistical gap exists between the number of qualified minority contractors in Mississippi and the number actually awarded state or prime state contracts. The bill mandates the MDA to file the completed study with the Senate Secretary and House Clerk by December 31, 2025. This legislation directly affects the MDA, which must complete and submit the report, and the legislature, which will receive the findings. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summarySB 2254 adds two specific roadway segments at Interstate 55 exits/entrances in Hinds County to Mississippi's state highway system. It designates the Pearl Street exit ramp from I-55 to South State Street (including its connection to South Jefferson Street) and the Pascagoula Street entrance ramp from South State Street to I-55 (including its connection to South Jefferson Street) as state-maintained highways. These additions place responsibility for construction and maintenance of these ramps with the Mississippi Transportation Commission. The bill would take effect on July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2284 amends Mississippi law to designate Hinds County as a separate workforce investment area under the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This change directly affects Hinds County residents and local workforce programs by creating a dedicated area for managing job training, employment services, and economic development resources. The bill modifies Section 37-153-7 to specify Hinds County’s status, ensuring it operates independently from other regions for federal workforce funding allocation. It does not alter the statewide workforce board structure or funding formulas, only the geographic boundaries for program administration.

Maddy summarySB 2274 would amend Mississippi's Open Meetings Act to explicitly include rural water associations as "public bodies" under the law. This means rural water associations - nonprofit entities managing water systems in rural areas - would be required to hold public meetings for official decisions, just like other government entities. The bill directly affects these associations by mandating transparency in their governance, such as posting meeting notices and allowing public attendance. The change would take effect July 1, 2025, but the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2380 is a Mississippi state bill that primarily establishes a development fund for the City of Jackson and modifies gaming-related laws. The bill creates the City of Jackson Development Fund, which will receive additional fees from gaming licenses and provide loans and grants to support new and expanding businesses in the city. It also amends several sections of the Mississippi Gaming Control Act to define terms like "project" and "gaming device" more clearly, and allows legal gaming in establishments that are part of approved projects. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to ensure that if gaming revenue distributed to certain cities or counties falls below historical averages, the state will make up the shortfall. The bill was referred to a committee but ultimately died in committee without further action.

Maddy summarySB 2442 would change the composition of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District board by requiring the Governor to appoint two members specifically from the City of Jackson (from a list submitted by Jackson's governing authority), rather than potentially from other areas. This directly affects the district's governance structure, as Jackson residents would gain two seats on the board overseeing water supply operations. The bill, which died in committee in February 2025, did not alter the district's water policies or services but modified who serves on its governing board.

Maddy summarySB 2441, the Mississippi Minimum Wage Act, establishes a state minimum wage of $12 per hour starting January 1, 2026, increasing to $15 per hour by January 1, 2028, with automatic adjustments tied to federal minimum wage changes. The bill covers most private-sector workers, excluding agricultural employees (with specific exemptions), certain family members working on farms, students, and some government employees. It empowers the Mississippi Department of Employment Security to enforce the law, impose civil penalties, and allows criminal penalties for violations, while permitting local governments to set higher minimum wages. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summarySB 2251, the Mississippi Fair Housing Act, prohibits discrimination in housing and real estate transactions based on race, religion, sex, disability, or familial status. It bans practices like refusing to rent/sell property, discriminatory advertising, or denying financing based on these protected characteristics, while allowing exceptions for small family rentals (e.g., owner-occupied homes with ≤2 units). The bill also prohibits retaliation against those reporting violations and establishes civil remedies for affected individuals. The legislation died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.