Sen. Kamesha Mumford

Maddy summarySB 2604 creates two new grant programs for Mississippi volunteer fire departments and their members. It establishes a $500 annual tuition grant (per academic term) for volunteer firefighters enrolled in Mississippi community colleges, requiring proof of volunteer status, academic progress (2.5 GPA), and FAFSA submission. Separately, it authorizes the Mississippi Insurance Department to administer equipment grants for purchasing/maintaining firefighting gear (e.g., hoses, communication tools), with departments needing to report fund usage and demonstrate ongoing need for renewal. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never took effect.

Maddy summarySB 2603 creates a dedicated "HBCU Equity Fund" in Mississippi's state treasury to address documented funding gaps at three public HBCUs: Alcorn State, Jackson State, and Mississippi Valley State University. The fund would supplement existing funding to cover long-neglected repairs, modernize facilities, and support academic programs, research, and student services - specifically targeting per-student operating funding to match non-HBCU universities by 2027. It requires biennial facility assessments by the Board of Trustees, a ten-year capital plan to close disparities, and competitive grants for workforce programs, student retention, and high-demand fields like healthcare and engineering. Funds would come from state appropriations, bonds, federal grants, or private donations, with unspent balances rolling over annually. The bill was introduced but died in committee before becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 2649 repealed Section 61-3-6 of Mississippi’s code, which established the Jackson Metropolitan Area Airport Authority. It also amended Sections 61-3-3 and 61-3-5 to remove references to this authority, aligning the code with the repeal. The bill directly affected the governance structure of Jackson’s airport by eliminating its dedicated authority. It died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summarySB 2677, the Mississippi Land Bank Act, would allow cities and counties to create land banks to acquire and redevelop vacant and abandoned properties forfeited to the state for nonpayment of taxes. Land banks could clean, demolish, or rehabilitate these properties, then sell or lease them for productive use like housing or business, using tools such as bonds and tax credits. The bill grants land banks broad authority to manage property without being restricted by typical local government rules on transactions. This aims to reduce blight, generate revenue for communities, and return underused properties to economic activity.

Maddy summarySB 2684 defines "blight" to include unsafe structures, abandonment, trash accumulation, or environmental hazards, making it clearer for property determinations. It requires Mississippi's Secretary of State to assess whether tax-forfeited properties (bought at tax sales) qualify as blighted upon request by the purchaser, who must pay a fee. If deemed blighted, the bill shortens the time needed for long-term occupants to claim full ownership from 10 years to just one year. This directly affects tax sale purchasers of blighted properties seeking clear title without lengthy legal processes.

Maddy summarySB 2685, the Mississippi Fair Housing Act, would have prohibited discrimination in housing based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status. It would have applied to real estate transactions (sales, rentals, financing), requiring brokers and property owners to avoid discriminatory practices like refusing to rent, making biased ads, or using discriminatory application forms. Exceptions included owner-occupied duplexes and short-term rentals by owners. The bill also established civil remedies for victims of discrimination but died in committee in 2026 without becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 2722 proposed creating Mississippi's Statewide Insurance Enrollment Assistance Program (SIEAP) within the Department of Insurance to provide free, unbiased help with health insurance applications and plan comparisons for Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP. The bill required the state to develop county-by-county uninsured data reports to target resources and simplify Medicaid renewal procedures to reduce coverage loss. It also directed the creation of a program to encourage small employers to participate in existing insurance programs through incentives. The SIEAP would train staff and partner with community organizations to offer personalized guidance at health fairs and enrollment events.

Maddy summarySB 2744 clarifies and expands Mississippi's mental health treatment court program. It defines key terms like "mental health treatment court" and authorizes judges in circuit, county, or municipal courts to establish these courts within existing court structures. The bill revises eligibility requirements for participants and allows courts to impose sanctions or refer cases back to criminal court if participants fail to comply with treatment plans. This program directly affects defendants with mental health disorders who qualify for court-supervised treatment instead of traditional sentencing, using multidisciplinary teams focused on reducing recidivism through evidence-based practices.

Maddy summarySB 2791, the "Purple Angels Law," creates a public registry within Mississippi's Department of Public Safety for offenders convicted of domestic violence with at least one prior conviction for the same offense against the same victim. Courts must order registration upon qualifying conviction, requiring offenders to pay a $250 fee: $150 funds domestic violence prevention services, $50 covers registry administration, and $50 covers court processing. The registry includes basic identifying information (name, DOB, photo) but excludes sensitive IDs like driver's license numbers. Offenders are removed after 5-20 years based on prior convictions, but never for felony convictions, with the law taking effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2820 criminalizes property managers or landlords who receive lease payments for utility services but deliberately fail to pay utility bills using deception or within 60 days. It imposes escalating criminal penalties based on the amount misappropriated, from up to 6 months in jail for under $1,000 to 20 years for $25,000 or more. The law exempts cases where tenants didn’t pay enough or utility companies made errors. It directly affects property management entities handling tenant rent that includes utility payments, requiring them to remit funds or face criminal charges.