Sen. Rod Hickman

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 60) is a symbolic gesture by the Mississippi Senate congratulating Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell on winning Super Bowl LIX. It specifically recognizes his high school achievements at Yazoo County High School in Mississippi and his professional success with the Eagles. The resolution does not create any new laws or obligations - it merely expresses congratulations and will be presented to Gainwell, the Eagles' leadership, and local officials. As a commemorative resolution, it has no direct policy impact or effect on any group.

Maddy summarySB 3023 appropriates $378,324 from state funds to cover the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission's (MVC) operating expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It authorizes 3 permanent staff positions and strictly limits fund usage to cover salaries for new hires or vacancies - not raises for current employees - while requiring the MVC to maintain detailed financial records. The bill also mandates that purchases prioritize Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal and prohibits using state funds to replace withdrawn federal or special funds. This is a funding bill focused solely on the MVC's budget, with no policy changes beyond financial oversight.

Maddy summarySB 3019 appropriates $363,967 in state funds to the Mississippi State Board of Architecture and Landscape Architecture Advisory Committee for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill directly affects the Board by funding its operational expenses, including authorization for two permanent staff positions. Key provisions include strict limits on personnel spending to prevent salary increases for current employees and require compliance with existing budget rules, such as not exceeding prior-year funding without legislative approval. It also mandates preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions and requires detailed financial record-keeping. As a procedural funding bill, it does not create new policies but allocates resources for the Board’s existing operations.

Maddy summarySB 3022 appropriates $199,100 in state funds to cover the operational expenses of the Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill requires the board to maintain detailed financial records comparable to those from fiscal year 2025 and directs that future budget requests follow similar formatting. This procedural funding measure directly supports the board’s administrative functions and has been enacted into law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commends the life and service of U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, a Mississippi native and Black Hawk helicopter pilot who died in a 2025 training mission crash near Washington, D.C. It expresses the Mississippi Legislature’s sympathy to his family and honors his memory as a fallen soldier. The resolution has no policy provisions or direct impact beyond ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summarySB 2444 establishes a scholarship program providing free tuition at Mississippi state universities and community colleges for eligible veterans. To qualify, veterans must be Mississippi residents, honorably discharged, qualify for in-state tuition, not receive federal education benefits, and either have served in a combat zone with a campaign medal or have a service-connected disability rated at 10% or higher. The program covers one month of tuition for each month of qualifying service, with a minimum of one academic year and maximum of four years of coverage. Funding is limited to $500,000 annually through the newly created Combat Veteran Scholarship Fund.

Maddy summarySB 2798 requires Mississippi county boards of supervisors to maintain and repair public cemeteries owned by the county or any municipality within its boundaries, including abandoned public or nonprofit cemeteries showing neglect (e.g., overgrown vegetation, vandalism, or broken markers). It authorizes boards to use county funds for repairs, bill municipalities for reimbursement, and acquire title to neglected cemeteries deemed a public health risk. The bill explicitly excludes family burial grounds and for-profit cemeteries from coverage. This legislation died in committee on March 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2850 requires cigarette and vape (ENDS) manufacturers in Mississippi to submit annual certifications to the Commissioner of Revenue by September 1, 2025, for vapes, leading to a public directory of approved products starting October 1, 2025. Retailers must stop selling vape products not listed in the directory after that date, with a 60-day grace period to clear existing inventory. Sellers of non-compliant products face daily fines up to $1,500 per product, and the bill mandates unannounced compliance checks by the Department of Revenue. Manufacturers must also maintain a registered agent in Mississippi for legal service.

Maddy summaryMississippi's SB 2649 proposed a criminal penalty for individuals who assist voters in casting ballots but intentionally fail to submit the ballot with the intent it not be counted. The bill specifically targeted people handling mailed ballots (like election workers or volunteers) who deliberately withhold the ballot from being processed. If passed, this would have made such actions a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySR 65 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Mississippi Senate to honor Hinds County Deputy Sheriff Martin Shields, Jr., who died in the line of duty on February 23, 2025. The resolution extends the Senate's "sincerest sympathy" to his surviving family - including his wife, daughter, and parents - and commends his law enforcement career. It has no policy provisions or financial impact; it is purely symbolic, expressing condolences and acknowledging his service. The Senate formally adopted the resolution on February 27, 2025, and will present it to his family and the Hinds County Sheriff's Office.