Sen. Rod Hickman

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 12) formally congratulates "Visit Mississippi" and the Mississippi Tourism Association for winning the "Past Presidents Award" at the 2025 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. The award recognized their float celebrating Mississippi's music heritage, honoring Elvis Presley and B.B. King. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies - it simply expresses the state's support for Mississippi's tourism program through this recognition. The resolution was adopted by the Mississippi Senate on February 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SR 33) is a ceremonial resolution honoring Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) for its 75th anniversary. It formally recognizes MVSU's historical role in Mississippi higher education, including its founding in 1946 as a vocational college and its evolution into a university offering diverse academic programs. The resolution commends MVSU's contributions to the state and nation and extends congratulations to its students, faculty, and administration. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or obligations but serves to publicly acknowledge the institution's legacy.

Maddy summarySB 2522 created a 9-member task force to study historical funding disparities between Alcorn State University and other Mississippi public universities, particularly Mississippi State University (a land-grant institution). The task force was required to examine past underfunding impacts on students and faculty, and propose solutions for restoring adequate funding and future parity. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, before the task force could be formed or submit its required report by December 31, 2025. This procedural bill did not enact any funding changes, as it failed to advance beyond committee review.

Maddy summarySB 2619 would require Mississippi charter schools with a "D" or "F" accreditation rating for more than two consecutive years to have their charters revoked or not renewed. The bill directly affects public charter schools in Mississippi that consistently underperform under the state's school accreditation system. Key provisions mandate that authorizers (like school districts or state agencies) must revoke charters for such schools, with specific procedural safeguards including written notices, response opportunities, and public reporting. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2724 requires Mississippi's Department of Human Services to provide child care and transportation for TANF applicants during initial meetings, including application processing, job-readiness classes, and work program intake sessions. This directly affects individuals applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits who must attend these mandatory sessions. The bill's key provision mandates that the state cover these costs to remove common barriers to participation, such as lack of child care or transportation. It does not change existing TANF eligibility rules, benefit amounts, or other program requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2738, the Mississippi Kratom Consumer Protection Act, regulates kratom products sold in Mississippi by prohibiting specific unsafe practices. It bans processors and retailers from selling kratom products adulterated with dangerous substances, contaminated with harmful ingredients, containing over 2% 7-hydroxymitragynine, synthetic alkaloids, or lacking proper labeling (including serving size). The law also prohibits sales to anyone under 21 years old. Violations carry fines up to $5,000 for repeat offenses, enforced by the Mississippi Department of Health starting July 1, 2025. This directly affects businesses selling kratom (processors and retailers) and ensures safer consumer access through defined product standards.

Maddy summarySB 2590 would replace Mississippi's end-of-course tests for 11th and 12th graders with nationally recognized college and career readiness exams like the ACT and ACT WorkKeys, starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It requires all public high school students to take these exams and directs the state to seek federal approval to use them instead of federal testing requirements. The bill also revises accountability systems to include student performance on these college-readiness assessments. However, the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2888 directed Mississippi's Medicaid Division to study how work reporting requirements affect newly eligible Medicaid recipients aged 19-64 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL). The bill mandated collecting data on coverage terminations, analyzing demographic subgroups (like rural vs. urban residents or education levels), and tracking impacts on healthcare access and provider systems. It required annual reports to lawmakers starting in 2027 and a final report by 2031, with the study set to expire in 2032. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2723 prohibits using Mississippi's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to pay for college scholarships for individuals who are not currently receiving TANF benefits. The bill amends Mississippi Code § 43-17-5 to explicitly state that TANF funds may not be allocated for such scholarships, affecting state agencies administering TANF and non-beneficiaries who might have otherwise accessed education support through these funds. This policy change directly restricts how TANF resources can be spent, ensuring they remain reserved for active TANF recipients. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2709 requires Mississippi nursing homes and assisted living facilities to maintain a fully operational emergency power source with enough fuel to run continuously for at least five days. This applies directly to all licensed facilities in the state, ensuring backup power for medical devices (like oxygen) and climate control during outages. The bill mandates the Mississippi Department of Health to create rules for these standards and conduct unannounced inspections for compliance, giving facilities 60 days to meet requirements after rules are finalized. The bill was referred to the Public Health and Welfare Committee but died there on February 4, 2025, without further action.