Sen. Rod Hickman

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 55) honors James Henry Taylor, a Mississippi native and U.S. Army soldier lost when Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 disappeared during a secret Vietnam War mission on March 16, 1962. It commemorates his service and sacrifice, noting he was among 93 soldiers and 11 crew members whose names were not added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Mississippi Senate adopted the resolution on February 27, 2025, to extend recognition to Taylor and his surviving family. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new policy or affect any laws.

Maddy summarySB 3001 would remove the 7% sales tax on grocery purchases in Mississippi and adjust how sales tax revenue is distributed to cities and towns. This ensures municipalities continue receiving the same level of funding they would have if groceries remained taxable. The bill amends Mississippi tax code sections to implement this exemption and revenue adjustment. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2812 would create a $10 million loan program to help Mississippi's rural counties (population ≤30,000) and municipalities (population ≤10,000) cover costs for emergency infrastructure repairs, maintenance, construction, and upgrades. The Mississippi Development Authority would administer the program, offering loans up to $250,000 for up to five years, with repayments replenishing the fund to avoid needing new state funding. The state would issue $10 million in general obligation bonds to establish the "Rural Counties and Municipalities Emergency Infrastructure Improvements Fund," which would not expire and would use loan repayments to sustain future support. The bill, which died in committee in February 2025, aimed to provide a sustainable funding solution for small communities facing urgent infrastructure needs.

Maddy summarySB 2811 would exempt from Mississippi's state sales tax retail sales of groceries defined as food or drink for human consumption eligible for purchase with USDA food stamps or similar federal benefits. This directly affects grocery shoppers using food assistance programs, as they would no longer pay state sales tax on qualifying items. The bill amends existing tax law to add this exemption to the list of tax-free sales, specifically tying eligibility to federal food stamp program standards. The policy change would reduce sales tax burden for low-income households purchasing basic food items.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SC 502), not a policy bill. It formally expresses the Mississippi Senate's condolences to the family of John J. Fraiser, Jr., a former state senator, presiding judge of the Mississippi Court of Appeals, and WWII veteran who died in July 2024. The resolution commends his decades of public service, including establishing the Mississippi Court of Appeals and authoring education-related legislation. It has no policy impact or effect on any individuals or laws.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 41) honoring The Williams Brothers, a Mississippi gospel group, for their musical and cultural contributions. The resolution formally recognizes their decades-long legacy, including over 42 albums, performances at major venues like Carnegie Hall and the White House, and their 2022 Governor's Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement. It does not create new laws or affect policy; it is purely an official expression of appreciation from the Mississippi Senate. The resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 20, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) expressing the Mississippi Senate's condolences to the family of Edwin Lloyd Pittman, a former Mississippi public servant. It honors his service as Chief Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, Attorney General, Secretary of State, two-term State Senator, and Brigadier General in the Mississippi National Guard. The resolution recognizes his career spanning multiple branches of state government and his efforts to improve judicial transparency and access to justice. It contains no policy changes or funding provisions, serving solely as a formal tribute.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SC 506) is a concurrent resolution expressing the Mississippi Legislature's sympathy to the surviving family of former State Senator Nickey Reed Browning of Pontotoc, Mississippi, following his death on October 29, 2024. It commends his 24-year service in the Senate, his community leadership, and his role as a longtime coach for the Pontotoc Red Sox American Legion Baseball team. The resolution formally extends condolences and recognizes his contributions to Pontotoc and Union Counties. As a commemorative measure, it does not create any new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryBill SC 504 is a commemorative resolution extending the Mississippi Senate's deepest sympathy to the family of Charles James Pittman, a former Mississippi State Senator and former staff member to Governor Haley Barbour. The resolution also commends his decades of public service, including founding the "MS Singing Senators" and his dedication to Mississippi communities. It honors his legacy of ethics, community involvement, and service to the state, as detailed in the resolution's preamble. This procedural resolution does not create new laws or affect policy, but serves as a formal tribute.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 30) expresses the Mississippi Senate's condolences to the family of Representative Charles L. Young, Jr., following his passing on December 19, 2024. It formally extends sympathy to his surviving family members, recognizing his service as a Democrat representing Mississippi's 82nd District since 2012. The resolution does not create any new policies or affect any specific laws, as it is a ceremonial expression of respect for a deceased legislator.