Sen. Tyler McCaughn

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 15) formally recognizes Mississippi composer, playwright, and performer Heather Christian as the 2026 recipient of the Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Music Composition. The resolution serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of her artistic achievements, including her MacArthur Fellowship and national awards, without creating any new laws or policies. It does not affect any individuals or organizations beyond this formal recognition. As a procedural resolution, it has no legislative impact and simply extends the Mississippi Senate's congratulations to Christian.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 17 is a commemorative resolution recognizing Dorothy "Dottie" Armstrong of Newton, Mississippi, as the recipient of the 2026 Governor's Arts Award for Excellence in Arts Education. The resolution formally extends the Mississippi Senate's recognition to Armstrong for her decades-long work as an art educator, including founding school art programs, creating public murals, and running a community art studio. This resolution has no policy impact - it solely serves to publicly honor her contributions to arts education in Mississippi, as she has been selected for an existing state award.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 23) formally commends the Calhoun City Wildcats High School football team and head coach M.D. Jennings for winning the 2025 MHSAA Class 1A State Championship - their third title overall and first since 2016. It directs the resolution to be presented to the team, coach, school principal, and Calhoun County Board of Education. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact or legislative effect beyond expressing recognition.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 24) is a ceremonial recognition of Jamal Roberts, a Meridian, Mississippi native and winner of *American Idol* Season 23 (2025). It honors his performance of the national anthem at the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship, which the resolution states brought "honor to his home state and community." The resolution has no legal effect - it simply expresses the Senate’s pride in his cultural contributions as a soul/gospel singer and his representation of Mississippi. It does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 33), not a bill with policy changes. It formally commends the Mississippi Forestry Commission for its 100th anniversary, recognizing its century of service in wildfire protection, forest management, and supporting Mississippi's forest-based economy. The resolution has no legal effect or direct impact on any individuals, landowners, or policies - it serves solely as a symbolic gesture of appreciation. The Senate will present it to the Commission and share it with state officials.

Maddy summarySB 2028 requires that any transfer of rights related to carbon credits or carbon sequestration (such as storing carbon in soil or forests) must be recorded with the county clerk as a land interest, following the same rules as property deeds. This affects landowners, farmers, and businesses participating in carbon credit programs by mandating formal recording to establish legal priority. The bill updates Mississippi’s property recording laws (Sections 89-5-1 and 89-5-3) to ensure carbon-related transfers are treated like standard property conveyances. The law would have taken effect July 1, 2026, but the bill died in committee in February 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2124 amends Mississippi tax sale procedures to clarify notice requirements and strengthen purchasers' rights. It states that a tax sale is voidable only if the clerk fails to send required notice (not if the purchaser provided it), and requires property owners to provide a mailing address to the county clerk when filing taxes - failure to do so bars claims of missing notice. The bill also allows tax sale purchasers to collect future property taxes, maintenance costs they paid, and attorney fees if defending their title, while prohibiting homestead exemptions in certain cases. These changes aim to reduce disputes over tax sales and provide clearer legal rights for both property owners and purchasers.

Maddy summarySB 2282 would allow veterinarians educated at foreign veterinary schools to practice in Mississippi if they hold specialty board certification. The bill amends licensing laws to include these graduates under specific qualifications, expanding the definition of "veterinarian" in Mississippi Code sections 73-39-53, 59, 61, 67, and 71. It directly affects foreign-trained veterinarians seeking licensure or endorsement in Mississippi, provided they meet the new specialty certification requirements. The bill also permits such veterinarians to teach specialty courses at Mississippi veterinary schools as part of continuing education. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was not enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2211 requires Mississippi's Public Service Commission to study security risks to the state's electric grid - including electromagnetic pulse attacks and solar flares - and recommend measures to strengthen security and diversify the grid. The commission must evaluate current grid vulnerabilities, assess threats, and propose actions by December 1, 2027, then submit findings to state leadership. This bill does not create new laws but mandates a security study to inform future policy. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not advance further.

Maddy summarySB 2305 would have required Mississippi public school boards to allow a Christian Bible provided by an external entity (not the school district) to be visible in all classrooms and libraries. It also mandated daily recitation of the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance - including the phrase "under God" - and required teaching a new state pledge referencing "Almighty God." The bill aimed to enforce these provisions through school board compliance measures and reporting requirements. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.