Sen. Jeff Tate

Maddy summarySB 2238 revises Mississippi's probation and parole laws to clarify that a "technical violation" no longer includes committing a new criminal offense. This change directly affects individuals on probation or parole who are charged with a new crime - such cases will now be handled through standard criminal court processes instead of triggering probation/parole revocation. The bill amends Section 47-7-2 to explicitly exclude new criminal offenses from the definition of "technical violation" and updates related sections (47-7-38) regarding graduated sanctions for actual technical violations like missed appointments. This policy shift aims to prevent minor supervision breaches from being conflated with new criminal activity.

Maddy summarySB 2192 would require Mississippi driver's licenses, permits, and commercial licenses to display the sex assigned at birth, overriding any legal gender changes. It directly affects all license applicants in Mississippi, including transgender individuals who have legally changed their gender. The bill mandates that the license sex field must match the sex recorded at birth, regardless of court orders or legal gender recognition. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and has 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.

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 2553 would exempt income earned by honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces from Mississippi's state income tax. Specifically, it amends Mississippi's tax code to add veterans' compensation and income to the list of items already excluded from taxable gross income. This change directly affects Mississippi residents who are honorably discharged veterans and receive income from military service, such as disability compensation or retirement benefits. The bill's key provision is a straightforward tax exemption, removing this income from state tax calculations without altering other tax rules. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2990 would exempt retail purchases by honorably discharged veterans with service-connected total disabilities from Mississippi's state sales tax. To qualify, veterans must provide documentation of their exempt status from the Mississippi Department of Revenue. This exemption would add this group to the existing list of tax-exempt categories under Mississippi's sales tax law, similar to exemptions for hospitals and schools. The bill would remove the sales tax burden for eligible veterans on all qualifying retail transactions.

Maddy summarySB 2991 would exempt the labor portion of motor vehicle repairs from Mississippi's state sales tax. This means customers would not pay sales tax on the labor charges when getting repairs done at auto shops, directly reducing repair costs for vehicle owners. The exemption would apply to all mechanics performing labor on vehicles, affecting auto repair businesses and their customers. The bill would amend Mississippi's tax code to add this specific exemption to the existing list of sales tax exclusions.

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 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.