Sen. David Blount

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 71 pays tribute to Dr. Elayne Hayes-Anthony, a pioneering journalist and former Jackson State University acting president who passed away on March 5, 2026. The resolution formally recognizes her historic contributions as the first African American woman to serve as an anchor, producer, and reporter at WJTV-12, and honors her decades of leadership in education, public service, and media advocacy. It directs that the resolution be presented to her surviving family and shared with Jackson State University and the Capitol Press Corps.

Maddy summarySB 2369 allows Mississippi to withhold gaming winnings (from casinos, lotteries, and other licensed venues) from individuals who owe unpaid child support. The law requires the Mississippi Gaming Commission and Department of Human Services to create rules for this process and permits gaming businesses to charge a small administrative fee when withholding these winnings. This directly affects people with outstanding child support debt by using their gambling winnings as a new source to pay that debt. The bill provides a concrete enforcement tool for collecting child support payments through the gaming industry.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill) expressing the Mississippi Legislature's condolences on the death of Dr. Rod Paige, Mississippi native and the nation's first African American U.S. Secretary of Education. It honors his legacy, including his role in shaping the No Child Left Behind Act and his work as Houston school superintendent. The resolution extends "sincerest sympathy" to his family and pays tribute to his contributions to education. It has no legislative effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a commemorative gesture.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) honoring Mississippi musician Guy Hovis, Jr., who passed away in January 2026. It expresses the Mississippi Legislature's condolences to his surviving family and celebrates his legacy as a musical icon who performed on *The Lawrence Welk Show* for over a decade and contributed to Mississippi's cultural heritage. The resolution formally pays tribute to his life and career without creating any new laws or affecting any policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a non-binding ceremonial resolution (SC 521) extending the Mississippi Legislature's congratulations to Dr. John A. Peoples, Jr., President Emeritus of Jackson State University (JSU) and the oldest living HBCU president. It formally recognizes his leadership as JSU's president from 1967-1984, his role in expanding the university's academic programs and infrastructure, and his status as a pioneering HBCU leader. The resolution celebrates his legacy, including founding JSU's ROTC program and his contributions to higher education during the civil rights era. It does not create any new policies or obligations - it is purely a symbolic gesture of appreciation for Dr. Peoples' service.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a commemorative resolution (SC 524) honoring Willie Totten and Jerry Rice, whose 1981-1985 partnership at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) revolutionized small-college football as the "Satellite Express." It recognizes Totten's record-setting passing (12,711 yards, 141 TDs) and Rice's historic receiving (4,693 yards, 50 TDs), which propelled Rice to NFL stardom and influenced modern offensive strategies. The resolution specifically commemorates their legacy at MVSU, an HBCU that overcame decades of struggles under Coach Archie Cooley's innovative no-huddle offense. As a symbolic gesture, it does not enact new policy or affect any current laws.

Maddy summarySB 2018 creates the Mississippi National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program, which reimburses actively drilling Mississippi National Guard members for their Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The program applies to members eligible for Tricare Reserve Select coverage who are not covered by another employer, with reimbursements paid at the current "Tricare Reserve Select - Member only" rate. The Adjutant General administers the program, requiring legislative funding each year and annual reports starting in 2026 to assess its impact on medical readiness and participation. This policy directly affects National Guard members by reducing their out-of-pocket healthcare costs, aiming to support retention and readiness.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the minimum salary for Mississippi public school teachers and assistant teachers starting in the 2026-2027 school year, establishing specific pay scales based on experience and license type (e.g., $43,500 for entry-level teachers with certain licenses). It requires school districts to maintain or increase local supplements and not pay assistant teachers below the state minimum salary, with potential funding reductions for violations. Additionally, the bill mandates a $2,000 annual salary increase for all full-time faculty at Mississippi's state colleges and universities.

Maddy summarySB 2464 requires Mississippi's Department of Human Services to redirect at least 30% of its annual Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds - both state and federal - to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) each fiscal year. This policy change directly affects families eligible for child care assistance, as CCDF funds subsidize child care costs for low-income working parents. The bill mandates a specific percentage transfer (30%) of TANF resources to CCDF, ensuring dedicated funding for child care support rather than other welfare services. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all subsequent fiscal years.

Maddy summarySB 2479, the "Creating Transparency and Accountability in Dental Services Act," requires dental insurance companies (referred to as "dental carriers") to calculate and report annually how much of their premium revenue is spent directly on patient care versus administrative costs. Dental carriers must file detailed reports by June 30 each year, including data matching federal standards, and make these reports publicly accessible online by December 1. The law applies to all dental health plans sold in Mississippi, excluding Medicaid and state-sponsored programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program. This transparency measure aims to clarify where premium dollars go, allowing consumers and regulators to review carrier spending patterns.