Sen. David Blount

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 16 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra (MSO) as the 2026 recipient of the Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Performing Arts. It formally extends the Mississippi Senate's recognition to MSO, the state's largest professional performing arts organization based in Jackson, for its contributions to Mississippi's cultural landscape. The resolution does not create new laws, funding, or obligations - it serves solely as a symbolic honor acknowledging MSO's 80-year history, educational programs, and statewide impact through music. The Senate will present this resolution to MSO's director, Crafton Beck, and share it with the press.

Maddy summarySB 2006 increases the annual office operating allowance for Mississippi circuit and chancery judges to $15,000, covering expenses like office rent, equipment, and travel for legal education. It also creates a new $260,000 annual fund per judge (managed by the Administrative Office of Courts) to hire approved support staff (e.g., law clerks, secretaries), requiring prior approval before hiring. The bill preserves an additional $7,000 annual allowance for judges without a county-provided office and is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026. This directly affects all circuit judges and chancellors in Mississippi by changing their office funding structure.

Maddy summarySB 2047 would create a secure online system for Mississippi college students to apply for absentee ballots electronically. Students would submit a copy of their student ID and have their enrollment verified by a school registrar through a website established by the Secretary of State. Once approved, students would automatically receive mailed absentee ballots for all elections until June 30 of the following year. The bill amends existing election laws to implement this process, replacing manual application requirements for student voters.

Maddy summarySB 2094 would have allowed Mississippi voters to register online through a secure website managed by the Secretary of State, requiring verification using a valid Mississippi driver's license or ID. It also would have permitted voting up to 21 days before an election at county registrars' offices, with the same procedures as election day voting, including voter challenges and immediate vote announcement. The bill required county registrars to process online applications within 14 days and established rules for pre-election voting procedures. It was referred to the Elections Committee but died there on February 3, 2026, without further action. The bill directly affected qualified Mississippi voters seeking online registration or early voting options.

Maddy summarySB 2097 would designate Mississippi's Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) as the sole leasing agent for all state agencies requiring office space. It requires agencies to obtain DFA approval before leasing private buildings and mandates prioritizing state-owned buildings first. The bill establishes standard lease agreements, allows DFA to consolidate agencies into shared spaces for cost savings, and sets requirements for lease requests and approvals. This affects all state agencies (excluding military, universities, and community colleges) needing office space, aiming to streamline leasing and reduce costs.

Maddy summarySB 2279 is a proposed Mississippi bill that would allow physicians and dentists convicted of specific crimes (like bribery, theft, or perjury) to reapply for their licenses after meeting strict conditions. To qualify, applicants must wait at least five years after their release from incarceration or probation, pay all fines and restitution, and have no new qualifying convictions. The Mississippi State Boards of Medical Licensure or Dental Examiners would review applications, using their discretion to determine eligibility, and require fingerprint-based criminal history checks starting in 2026. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summaryMississippi's SB 2396 clarifies that the Secretary of State must approve all leases for Public Trust Tidelands used in gaming operations, including new casino projects. It requires gaming license holders to obtain these separate leases directly from the Secretary of State (not local governments), with existing gaming sites approved before December 31, 2023, exempted. The bill also confirms the Secretary of State holds sole authority over tideland leases and prohibits local authorities from leasing tidelands for gaming purposes. It updates definitions and clarifies that state-held tidelands are managed under specific maps and legal boundaries. This bill focuses on establishing clear jurisdiction for tideland leasing, particularly for gaming developments.

Maddy summarySB 2375 requires municipalities and court-appointed receiverships to treat unpaid water fees as a lien against the property owner, not just the tenant. It clarifies that renters who pay water fees through rent are not liable if the property owner fails to pay. The bill establishes that fees become a yearly lien on the real property, prohibits selling personal property to satisfy these liens, and mandates notification to county tax collectors. This directly affects property owners of residential or commercial properties using municipally owned water services, ensuring fees are collected through property-based liens rather than tenant liability.

Maddy summarySB 2389 would expand Mississippi Medicaid eligibility to include low-income adults who qualify under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA), specifically those with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level who are currently excluded from Mississippi Medicaid. The bill amends state law to automatically include these individuals in Medicaid coverage and requires that they receive essential health benefits. This change would allow eligible adults to enroll directly in Medicaid instead of navigating the ACA marketplace. The bill died in committee in 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2397 would require gaming license holders (including casinos) to obtain separate leases from Mississippi's Secretary of State for state-owned coastal lands (public trust tidelands), overriding local government authority. It clarifies that gaming projects on these lands cannot rely on municipal or county approvals and must secure state leases regardless of existing local agreements. This specifically applies to casinos in Mississippi's three southernmost counties and prohibits local governments from leasing tidelands for gaming purposes without state consent. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.