Sen. Tyler McCaughn

Maddy summarySB 2009 prohibits Mississippi timber mills receiving state funding from refusing to purchase timber solely based on a landowner's future land use plans (e.g., converting to pasture). It also bans timber purchasers from requiring landowners to sign contracts that dictate future land use, such as mandatory replanting or restrictions on pasture. If a mill declines business without a specific reason other than future use, it faces a $5,000 fine. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and unenforceable contract terms are voided while other contract parts remain valid.

Maddy summarySB 2481 would allow property owners in Mississippi residential subdivisions to establish or amend neighborhood rules (covenants, conditions, and restrictions) without relying solely on a homeowners association (HOA). It directly affects homeowners in subdivisions without an HOA or where an HOA's governing documents are invalid or nonexistent. The bill requires property owners to gather majority support, file a petition with the chancery court, provide public notice via newspaper and signage, and obtain court approval before rules take effect. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2505 would amend Mississippi's child support guidelines to require courts to factor in the cost of health insurance coverage obtained by a noncustodial parent when calculating child support. Specifically, if a court orders the noncustodial parent to provide health insurance for a child, the cost of that coverage would be deducted from their adjusted gross income before determining the support amount. This change directly affects noncustodial parents who are legally required to obtain health insurance for their children. The bill aims to ensure that child support calculations account for this mandatory expense, rather than treating it as a separate obligation. (Bill: SB 2505, Title: Child support award; cost of health insurance coverage obtained by noncustodial parent considered in determining.)

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally honors Mississippi broadcaster and storyteller Walt Grayson as the recipient of the 2025 Governor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement. It recognizes his decades-long career in Mississippi media, including hosting "Mississippi Roads" on MPB, writing books about the state, and his deep connection to Mississippi culture. As a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill), it has no policy impact but serves to publicly acknowledge Grayson's contributions to the state's arts and storytelling traditions. The Senate resolution was adopted without amendment on January 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Mississippi Court of Appeals' establishment (1994), recognizing its role in resolving the Mississippi Supreme Court's appeal backlog and efficiently handling appellate caseloads. It highlights the court's achievement of issuing over 15,000 merit opinions with an average processing time of 200 days since its inception. The resolution formally honors the court's accomplishments, including its community outreach programs and the dedication of its judges and staff over three decades. As a symbolic gesture, it does not enact new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores the right to vote to Larry Sills, a resident of Newton County, Mississippi, who had previously been disqualified due to past criminal convictions. The legislation specifically addresses his 1981 burglary and larceny charges, as well as his 1985 grand larceny conviction, noting that he completed his prison sentence in 1989 and has since lived as a law-abiding citizen. By passing this act, the state removes the legal barriers that prevented Sills from participating in elections, effective immediately upon the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Mississippi Governor to declare a state of emergency in counties suffering from severe economic losses due to a drought-induced pine beetle outbreak. The legislation cites extensive damage, including millions of dead trees, utility disruptions, and high costs for clearing roads and properties, as justification for the request. If approved, the declaration would allow the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to implement specific relief programs and resources to address the crisis. The bill was ultimately adopted by the Senate but did not advance further in the legislative process.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the joint Senate Rules and House Management Committees to reassign fourth-floor office space in the Mississippi Capitol Building. Specifically, it aims to take space currently reserved for the press and divide it equally between the Senate and the House of Representatives. The legislation relies on existing laws that grant the legislature authority to allocate office space within the new Capitol building. Although the bill was referred to the Rules Committee in January 2024, it did not advance and died in committee by May 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Senate rules to restrict access to the floor and gallery for news media members during legislative sessions. It requires journalists to have proper credentials issued by the Rules Committee to take photographs or transcribe debates, while also banning food consumption and the display of banners or signs in these areas. Additionally, the bill tightens general visitor restrictions by clarifying who is allowed on the Senate floor and mandating that the Sergeant-at-Arms clear the chamber thirty minutes before sessions begin. Although the measure was referred to the Rules Committee in January 2024, it did not advance and died in committee in May 2024.

Maddy summaryThis legislative bill is a concurrent resolution that formally opposes a proposed federal rule change allowing non-employees to serve as representatives during OSHA workplace safety inspections. The bill argues that the current regulation correctly restricts these representatives to actual employees or specific experts like safety engineers, while the new proposal would permit any third party to accompany inspectors. By condemning the Department of Labor's plan, the resolution aims to protect private property rights and prevent government officials from granting access to unqualified individuals on business premises. Ultimately, the document serves as an official statement of the Mississippi Legislature's stance against the federal amendment rather than creating new laws or policies.