Sen. Tyler McCaughn

Maddy summarySB 2243, the "Don Triplett Act," creates a new Office of the Ombudsman for Parental Assistance within Mississippi's State Department of Education. This office directly helps parents, teachers, and school stakeholders resolve disputes with schools or districts by investigating complaints, mediating conflicts, and tracking systemic issues. Key provisions include requiring the ombudsman to have specific education/experience qualifications, mandating confidentiality for communications (exempting records from public disclosure), and authorizing annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The office will operate independently, accepting grants for support, and must be implemented by December 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2673 establishes an "Occupational Licensure Boards Consolidation Study Committee" to examine whether merging Mississippi's separate occupational licensing boards into a single "Department of Occupational Licensure" would be feasible and beneficial. The committee, composed of legislative leaders, oversight committee chairs, and five governor-appointed board members, must evaluate consolidation options, develop a timeline, recommend department locations, and report findings to the legislature by December 1, 2026. This bill does not create the department itself but directs the study committee to assess potential efficiency gains from streamlining current licensing processes. It directly affects all state occupational licensing boards and agencies involved in the study.

Maddy summarySB 2259, "The Peoples Access Act," requires most local government meetings in Mississippi (cities, towns, villages, and hamlets) to be broadcast via video livestream on the agency’s official website, with exceptions for executive sessions. It mandates that public notices include the livestream link and detailed agendas, and any meeting action taken without proper livestreaming is void. If technical issues prevent livestreaming, the meeting must be recorded and posted online with an explanation. The law phases compliance: cities by January 2027, towns by July 2027, and villages/hamlets by January 2028, excluding the Legislature and judiciary.

Maddy summarySB 2732 requires Mississippi consumer reporting agencies to place a free security freeze on a child’s credit report upon request from the Bureau of Vital Statistics. The bill directs health care facilities to provide parents with a form (at their discretion) to authorize this freeze within 10 days of a child’s birth. This applies only to children born in Mississippi health care facilities, creating a new procedure to block access to a child’s credit report before identity theft could occur. The law uses existing federal credit freeze rules (15 USC § 1681c-1) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2316 clarifies Mississippi law regarding devices that muffle firearm noise (commonly called silencers). It states that making, selling, or possessing such devices is unlawful in Mississippi *only* if those actions already violate federal law. The bill does not create new restrictions but ensures state penalties align with federal regulations. Violations would be punishable by a misdemeanor fine of up to $500 or 30 days in jail. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 3201 allocates $200,000 from the Mississippi State General Fund to the City of Union for equipment purchases during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). This procedural bill provides direct funding to the city for operational equipment needs without changing laws or affecting residents. The funds will be disbursed by the State Treasurer upon proper requisitions. It is a straightforward funding allocation with no policy or regulatory changes.

Maddy summarySB 3199 appropriates $250,000 from the State General Fund to the Newton County School District for the fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The funds are specifically designated to cover operational costs associated with the Newton County CTE Center, a career and technical education facility serving students in the district. This is a straightforward funding measure with no new policy provisions, directly supporting the district’s existing CTE programming. The appropriation becomes effective July 1, 2026, and is paid through standard state fiscal channels.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $400,000 from the State General Fund to Newton County for repaving Chunky Duffee Road during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It directly affects Newton County residents by funding the physical repaving project on this specific road. The key provision is the allocation of state funds to cover the road repair costs, with payment processed through the State Treasurer. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not alter existing laws or create new regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $500,000 from the State General Fund to the City of Forest, Mississippi, specifically for renovating Gaddis Park facilities and equipment during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The funding covers costs directly associated with upgrading the park’s infrastructure and equipment. The City of Forest is the sole recipient, with the State Treasurer disbursing funds upon proper requisition. The bill is purely a funding allocation with no additional policy provisions.

Maddy summarySB 3203 allocates $500,000 from Mississippi's State General Fund for the Newton Municipal School District to fund security/safety upgrades at its elementary school and football field, plus renovations to the gymnasium and auditorium. The funding covers expenses for the fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027). This bill directly affects Newton Municipal School District students, staff, and facilities by providing state funds for specific infrastructure improvements. It is a straightforward appropriations measure with no new policy provisions, solely authorizing the use of existing state funds for these designated purposes.