Sen. Rod Hickman

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 25) is a symbolic commendation from the Mississippi Senate, not a policy change. It formally congratulates the Lamar School Raiders football team and head coach Jacob Land for winning the MAIS 4A Division III State Championship on November 22, 2025 - their seventh state title and first since 2018. The resolution specifically recognizes their victory over Brookhaven Academy (34-17) and acknowledges the team's defensive performance. As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect and directly affects only the team, coaches, and school community by offering formal recognition.

Maddy summarySB 2026 appropriates $438.2 million from the state General Fund and $30.8 million from special funds for Mississippi's Department of Corrections during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill allocates specific funding to key areas including $122 million for medical services, $69.5 million for private prison contracts, and $144 million for personnel costs (salaries, benefits, and staffing positions). These funds directly support state correctional facilities like Parchman, South Mississippi Correctional, and community corrections programs, covering operational expenses and staffing for approximately 2,900 positions. As a funding measure, it does not change policy but authorizes financial resources for existing correctional operations.

Maddy summarySB 2015 appropriates $168,604,209 from the State General Fund and $117,126,547 from Special Funds to cover the Department of Public Safety's expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It specifically allocates $154,691,960 for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits), with strict limits on spending to prevent exceeding budgeted amounts when annualized. The bill authorizes 4 new positions (including Medical Examiner and Sexual Assault Kits staff) and requires that "Vacancy Funding" ($705,000) be used solely to fill unfilled roles, not for raises or promotions. It also mandates that funds must comply with Mississippi’s Variable Compensation Plan and prohibits using state funds to replace withdrawn federal or special funds.

Maddy summarySB 3063 extends the expiration date for a hotel and motel tax in Louisville, Mississippi, from its current date to July 1, 2029. This tax, which allows the city to collect up to 2% of room rental revenue from hotels and motels with six or more rooms, funds tourism and parks programs. The bill does not change the tax rate, collection process, or funding purposes - it only delays when the tax authority ends. It directly affects hotels and motels operating in Louisville that currently pay this tax.

Maddy summarySB 2452 amends Mississippi's child support law (Section 93-11-65) to require that support payments continue past the age of majority (currently 18-21) for children with disabilities. It directly affects disabled children who would otherwise lose support at age 18 or 21, and their noncustodial parents who would continue paying support. The key provision changes the emancipation rules to specify that support obligations don't end if a child is disabled, overriding the standard age-based termination. This creates a legal presumption that support continues for disabled children, aligning with existing exceptions for full-time students. The bill does not alter other child support requirements like payment amounts or enforcement procedures.

Maddy summarySB 3278 would restore voting rights to Melvin Jackson, a Monroe County, Mississippi resident disqualified after a 2001 conviction for false pretenses. The bill specifically reverses his disqualification based on his completion of probation (though no discharge affidavit exists) and his subsequent law-abiding conduct. If enacted, it would fully restore his suffrage rights effective July 1, 2025. This is a personal restoration bill, not a general law affecting broader groups.

Maddy summarySB 3277 restores voting rights to Ashley Montana Wimberly of Lincoln County, Mississippi, who was disqualified due to 2012 convictions for worthless checks and false pretenses. The bill reinstates her suffrage after she completed probation and was discharged from supervision in 2018, with the restoration taking effect July 1, 2025. This is a targeted measure for one individual, not a broad policy change.

Maddy summarySB 3285 is a personal bill that would restore voting rights to Heather Dawn Wicks (formerly Heather Dawn South Rogers) of Covington County, Mississippi. It specifically addresses her disqualification following a 2005 embezzlement conviction, noting she completed her 10-year sentence (including one year in custody and five years probation) and has since lived as a law-abiding citizen. The bill would formally reinstate her right to vote effective July 1, 2025. This is a targeted restoration for an individual, not a broad policy change affecting multiple voters.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores voting rights to Frederick Kenyon Clark of Leake County, Mississippi, who was disqualified after a 1998 armed robbery conviction. It specifies Clark completed his six-year sentence in 2004 and has since lived as a law-abiding citizen. The restoration takes effect July 1, 2025. (Note: The bill died in committee on April 3, 2025.)

Maddy summarySB 3282 would restore Brittany Marie Holifield's right to vote in Mississippi elections after she completed her sentence for a 2015 conspiracy to commit armed robbery conviction. The bill specifies she was released on parole in 2021, successfully completed all sentence terms, and has since been a law-abiding citizen. It would have taken effect on July 1, 2025, but the bill died in committee in April 2025 without becoming law. This is a specific restoration for an individual, not a general policy change.