Sen. David Blount

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Mississippi public schools to incorporate financial literacy into the curriculum for grades 6-8 starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It also mandates that all high school students pass either a half-credit personal finance course or a full-credit course where at least half focuses on financial literacy to graduate, beginning with the 2032 graduating class. The law directly affects all Mississippi public schools (including charter schools) and students in grades 6-12. It amends existing education law to formalize these requirements, focusing on practical financial skills like budgeting and credit management.

Maddy summaryMississippi SB 2242 establishes the "Moving Mathematics in Mississippi" (M3) program to improve math education across public K-12 schools. It requires schools to implement K-5 math screening with targeted interventions for struggling students, use 5th-grade test scores as an Algebra-Readiness Indicator to guide middle school placement, and expand math coaching for teachers in all grade bands. The bill mandates grade-specific professional development aligned with state standards and creates a state fund to support these initiatives. These changes directly affect all Mississippi public school students, teachers, and districts through new assessment protocols and support structures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires any local government retirement plan previously approved by Mississippi's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to pay its full net pension liability to the PERS board in a single lump sum before the plan terminates. It applies specifically to political subdivisions (like cities or counties) ending their retirement plans, mandating they pay the greater of the liability as of June 30, 2026, or their actual termination date. The bill amends PERS law to enforce this lump-sum payment as a condition of termination, ensuring local governments settle pension obligations before exiting the system. This changes how retirement plan terminations are handled, requiring immediate financial settlement rather than deferred payments.

Maddy summarySB 2104 expands Mississippi's gambling prohibitions to explicitly include online, interactive, and computerized games, targeting operators of illegal online gambling platforms. It increases violations from misdemeanors to felonies, imposing fines up to $100,000 or 10 years in prison, and authorizes forfeiture of assets used in violations. The bill creates a "safe harbor" (new Section 97-33-6) protecting telecom and technology platforms from liability if they comply with certain requirements. It also explicitly includes internet sweepstakes casinos under the prohibitions and allows prosecutions to be filed in the county of violation or Hinds County. The law directly affects online gambling operators and platforms hosting such activities.

Maddy summarySB 2522 creates the UPSKILL Mississippi Grant Program, providing tuition-free access to community college certificate or associate degree programs for Mississippi residents pursuing training in high-demand fields. The program targets occupations identified by Accelerate Mississippi (the state's workforce office) as critical for economic growth, requiring colleges to offer support services like academic advising and career planning. Administered by the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, it will launch in phases starting with a 2027 pilot, covering tuition/fees after other aid, plus a $500 annual book stipend, for eligible residents meeting residency, education, and enrollment requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2819 increases penalties for illegally dumping solid waste in Mississippi. It raises fines for larger violations: amounts exceeding 15 pounds or 27 cubic feet become misdemeanor offenses ($500-$1,500 fines or up to 1 year in jail), while commercial dumping, hazardous waste, or over 500 pounds becomes a felony ($1,000-$75,000 fines or up to 5 years in prison). Convicted individuals must also cover cleanup costs, repair property damage, perform community service related to waste removal, and pay investigative expenses. This directly affects anyone illegally discarding solid waste, including individuals, businesses, and vessel operators.

Maddy summarySB 2912 allows Mississippi's state employee deferred compensation plan to offer Roth accounts and other after-tax contribution options. It directly affects state employees participating in this retirement plan. The key provision requires that after-tax contributions be treated as taxable income in the year they are made (rather than when withdrawn), aligning with federal tax treatment for Roth accounts. The bill amends two sections of Mississippi law and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits charter schools' right to purchase or lease closed public school buildings in their district to a 12-month window after closure. It requires school districts to wait six months before allowing other entities (like libraries, colleges, or community organizations) to bid on the property, unless charter schools have formally declined the opportunity. The bill also adds rules for school boards to approve alternative uses of repurposed property (e.g., community centers or cultural spaces) and mandates that sale or lease contracts include procedures for seeking such approvals. These changes directly affect charter schools, school districts, and potential new users of closed school facilities.

Maddy summarySB 2203 designates Mississippi's Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Bureau of Building as the central leasing agent for all state agencies needing office space, effective January 1, 2027. It requires agencies to get DFA's approval before leasing private buildings and mandates they use available state-owned buildings first, only turning to private leases when necessary. The bill establishes DFA's authority to negotiate all leases, set office space standards, consolidate agencies to reduce costs, and create a standard lease form. This directly affects all state agencies (excluding military, universities, and community colleges) by centralizing their real estate decisions under DFA.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Mississippi Code Section 45-1-19 to grant the Department of Public Safety (DPS) jurisdiction to enforce state laws - including local noise ordinances - within the City of Jackson. It specifically expands DPS authority to cover noise violations on city properties and in Jackson's Capitol Complex Improvement District. The bill does not create new noise restrictions but clarifies DPS as the primary enforcement agency for noise ordinances within Jackson's boundaries, replacing or supplementing local enforcement. This primarily affects city properties, businesses operating in Jackson, and residents subject to noise ordinances. (Note: The bill title mentions "retail establishments," but the actual text focuses on DPS jurisdiction enforcement, not retail-specific noise rules.)