Sen. David Blount

Maddy summarySB 2806 shifts responsibility for Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) employer contributions from counties and municipalities to the state of Mississippi. It prevents local governments from paying employer contributions above the rate set for July 1, 2024, requiring the state to cover any additional costs. This applies to all counties and municipalities participating in Mississippi's PERS system, effectively freezing their contribution rate at the July 2024 level. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2720 requires Mississippi's Department of Human Services (DHS) to allocate at least 30% of the state's federal TANF block grant funds each year to child care vouchers. These funds would be transferred to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) to pay for child care through the existing Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) for qualifying low-income children. The bill mandates this spending as a minimum requirement, using existing federal TANF funds rather than new appropriations. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment (SC 523) to allow Mississippi citizens to directly propose new laws through a petition process. Qualified voters could file initiative proposals with the Secretary of State, gather signatures, and submit them to the ballot for approval by majority vote. The process includes drafting assistance from the Attorney General, ballot title/summary preparation, and restrictions (e.g., no initiatives targeting the initiative process itself or the state retirement system). If approved, the law would take effect 30 days after the election, with rules limiting to five initiatives per ballot and preventing repeated proposals on the same subject for two years.

Maddy summarySB 2390 removes the requirement for pregnant women to provide proof of income when a qualified health provider (like a county health department or community health center) makes a preliminary Medicaid eligibility determination for prenatal care. Instead, providers can now base this determination solely on preliminary income information, without needing verification documents. Pregnant women deemed presumptively eligible can immediately receive prenatal care during a temporary period while completing their full Medicaid application, which must be submitted by the end of the following month. This change aligns Mississippi's Medicaid rules with federal requirements for presumptive eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 2066 would allow Mississippi voters to register online using a secure website that verifies their identity against state driver's license records. It also permits voting up to 21 days before an election at county registrars' offices, requiring voters to appear in person with ID and follow the same procedures as election day. The bill specifies that pre-election votes would be counted immediately alongside election day votes, with the same challenges and rules applying as at polling places. These changes directly affect voters seeking online registration and those wishing to vote early at county offices, while requiring county registrars to process applications and manage early voting locations.

Maddy summarySB 2001 creates a commission to recommend two new historical figures for Mississippi's representation in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection, which currently features statues of Jefferson Davis and James Zachariah George. The nine-member commission, appointed by state leaders (including the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, and Governor), must select figures who honor all Mississippians and reflect the state's demographics, with recommendations due by November 30, 2025. The commission will hold public meetings, accept written input, and document its process. The bill establishes a procedural framework for potential future representation but does not change existing statues or require immediate action.

Maddy summarySB 2327 clarifies that Mississippi Capitol Police have authority to enforce violations of the City of Jackson's municipal codes and ordinances within the Capitol Complex Improvement District (created under Section 29-5-203). This amendment explicitly adds municipal code enforcement to their existing jurisdiction over state laws on Capitol Complex properties, affecting Capitol Police operations and coordination with Jackson city officials. The bill does not create new penalties but streamlines enforcement of existing local laws in this specific district.

Maddy summarySB 2458 would increase the number of legal assistants in Mississippi's Seventh Circuit Court District from 14 to 16 permanent positions, adding two temporary assistants effective July 1, 2025, through July 1, 2027. The bill specifically amends Mississippi Code Section 25-31-5 to adjust staffing levels for this district, which handles cases across multiple counties in southern Mississippi. This change directly affects the Seventh Circuit Court District's operations by providing additional support for court staff managing caseloads. The bill does not alter funding mechanisms but specifies the temporary increase period and total authorized positions. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, but this summary describes its proposed provisions.)

Maddy summarySB 2065 creates a secure online system for Mississippi college students to apply for absentee ballots electronically. It defines "student absentee voters" as registered students enrolled in higher education who are absent from their voting residence on election day due to school. To apply, students must submit an electronic form with a registrar's verification, a copy of their student ID, and other required details through a website established by the Secretary of State. Once approved, students automatically receive mailed absentee ballots for all elections until June 30 of the following year, eliminating the need for separate applications per election.

Maddy summarySB 2394 would expand Mississippi's Medicaid program to include low-income adults who qualify for coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), specifically those meeting income criteria typically set at 138% of the federal poverty level. The bill amends Mississippi Code sections 43-13-115 (eligibility) and 43-13-117 (benefits) to add this new category and require essential health benefits for these individuals. This change would directly affect thousands of low-income adults in Mississippi currently uninsured due to the state's lack of Medicaid expansion under the ACA.