Sen. Hillman Frazier

Maddy summaryThis is a concurrent resolution (not a bill with policy changes), adopted by the Mississippi legislature to honor the centennial birthdays of two Mississippi icons. It formally recognizes the legacies of blues musician B.B. King and civil rights leader Medgar Evers on what would have been their 100th birthdays. The resolution directs that it be presented to their surviving descendants, museums, and historical institutions, including the B.B. King Museum and Medgar Evers Home National Monument. As a symbolic gesture, it has no binding effect or direct impact on any laws or individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funding for the Mississippi Department of Employment Security to cover its expenses for the 2025 fiscal year. It allocates money from the State General Fund and the Unemployment Trust Fund to support staff salaries, operational costs, and specific programs like One-Stop Career Centers and unemployment compensation administration. The legislation also establishes rules for hiring, limits salary increases to new hires only, and grants preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods or services. Additionally, it sets aside specific amounts for data systems, workforce training initiatives, and administrative support.

Maddy summaryThis Mississippi bill appropriates $20 million from the state's Capital Expense Fund to support the construction and renovation of the CARES Center, a facility for children and youth psychiatric treatment. The funds are designated for a subgrant to Canopy Children's Solutions, which must agree to reserve at least 33 beds for patients under state care and meet specific health regulatory standards. To protect state investment, the legislation requires Canopy to provide a financial security interest in the facility and allows the state to recoup the funds if the facility fails to meet standards for three consecutive months or ceases operations. Additionally, the bill explicitly prohibits using these funds to pay employee premium payments and releases the state from any future obligation to maintain the center if the agreement is breached.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates over $120 million from various state funds to cover the administrative expenses of the Mississippi Community College Board for the 2025 fiscal year. The funding supports a range of specific programs, including workforce training, industrial training, the Mississippi Virtual Community College, and the administration of proprietary school regulations. Additionally, the legislation authorizes 46 permanent staff positions and allocates money for facility repairs, equipment upgrades, and the Greenville Higher Education Center. The bill also includes provisions to prioritize purchases from the Mississippi Industries for the Blind and sets guidelines for future budget requests and industrial training commitments.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new trust fund to provide death benefits to Mississippi law enforcement officers and firefighters who die or suffer fatal injuries while performing official duties. It increases the base death benefit payment to $150,000 and allows for an additional $25,000 per child, with a maximum total payout of $250,000, while also authorizing up to $15,000 for funeral expenses. The legislation creates a separate fund for training and equipment grants, directing any money remaining in the death benefits trust after maintaining a $4 million minimum balance to support enhanced training or safety gear for covered individuals.

Maddy summarySB 3016 appropriates state funds to support the operation of Mississippi's public community and junior colleges for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill allocates money from the State General Fund and special funds to cover general operating expenses, employee life and health insurance, workforce development programs, and technology initiatives. Funding distribution is based on a formula that considers student enrollment and specific program types, including academic, technical, and nursing degrees. The legislation also authorizes the Mississippi Community College Board to provide temporary financial advances to colleges that lack sufficient funds to operate until state appropriations are distributed.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates over $691 million in state and special funds to support the Mississippi Department of Mental Health for the 2025 fiscal year. The funding authorizes the hiring of nearly 6,250 permanent and time-limited staff members while establishing strict rules to prevent salary increases for current employees unless new positions are added. A significant portion of the money is designated for specific programs, including Medicaid payments, Alzheimer's services, crisis centers, and drug abuse education. The legislation also sets performance targets for the department, such as increasing community-based care and expanding access to crisis response teams.