Maddy summarySB 2058 established the "Disabled Veteran and Dependents Patriot Scholarship Program" to provide tuition and fee waivers at Mississippi public colleges and universities for eligible veterans and their families. It directly affects disabled veterans (with service-connected disabilities rated 40% or higher, POW/MIA status, or service-related death) and their dependents, offering up to five years of in-state tuition coverage based on the veteran's disability rating (5 years for 100% disabled veterans, 3 years for 40-90% rated). Key provisions include new residency requirements (1 year prior to military service, with exceptions), a $2,000 semester cap on fees/textbooks starting July 2025, and age limits for dependents (26 for children, up to 30 for some cases). The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and is not currently law.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 2445, the "Strengthening Troop Retention for Our National Guard (STRONG) Act," would have provided three specific benefits for Mississippi National Guard members: (1) increased income tax exemptions under Section 27-7-15, (2) a credit for motor vehicle license fees under Section 27-19-51, and (3) a reimbursement program for Tricare Reserve Select costs through the Mississippi Military Department. These provisions directly targeted National Guard service members to reduce financial burdens and improve medical readiness. The bill was referred to the Veterans and Military Affairs committee but died there on February 4, 2025, without becoming law.
Maddy summarySB 2215 would add an extra prison term for shoplifting from stores that sell food, packaged food, or drugstore items in Mississippi. Specifically, it requires courts to impose an additional 4 months for misdemeanor shoplifting or up to 1 year for felony shoplifting when merchandise is stolen from these businesses. This enhancement applies regardless of the stolen items' total value and targets stores like grocery stores, pharmacies, or convenience stores. It would directly affect individuals convicted of shoplifting from such establishments in Mississippi.
Maddy summarySB 2237 ends Mississippi's Earned-Time Allowance Program, which allowed some inmates to reduce their sentences through good behavior or work. Effective July 1, 2025, offenders previously under this program will be transferred to the Division of Community Corrections for supervision, using the same rules as probation or parole. This change affects inmates who were eligible for earned-time releases and will now be monitored under community supervision instead of direct Department of Corrections oversight. The bill updates multiple state laws to formalize this transfer of responsibility.
Maddy summarySB 2463, the "Right to Know How Safe We Are Act of 2025," would have required Mississippi district attorneys to file annual public reports by March 1st detailing their office's handling of criminal cases. The reports would have included aggregate data on case intake (e.g., cases accepted for prosecution, dismissed, or diverted), dispositions (e.g., dismissals by reason, guilty pleas, trial outcomes), and sentencing (e.g., incarceration, probation, or jail terms). The Attorney General would have compiled these into a statewide, sortable public report by May 1st for policymakers. However, the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted into law.
Maddy summarySB 2244 would have amended Mississippi law to explicitly prohibit individuals enrolled in the Intensive Supervision Program or Home Detention from being eligible for parole. This change would have directly affected people serving sentences under these community-based supervision programs, preventing them from seeking early release through parole. The bill added a new provision (subsection h) to parole eligibility rules, making participation in these programs a permanent barrier to parole consideration. The bill was referred to the Corrections committee but died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.
Maddy summarySB 2435 requires Mississippi's Department of Revenue to add the International Symbol of Access (adopted by Rehabilitation International in 1969) in the lower left corner of license tags issued to disabled veterans. It applies to veterans already eligible for discounted tags under existing law - those rated 100% permanently disabled or 70% non-permanently disabled by the VA. The bill modifies Section 27-19-53 to mandate this symbol on all qualifying tags, which currently cost $1 annually. This is a design specification change for existing benefits, not a new eligibility or cost adjustment.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the expiration date for Lauderdale County's existing Tourism Commission and its associated hotel tax to October 1, 2028. It authorizes the county Board of Supervisors to collect a 2.5% tax on overnight room rentals at hotels and motels with more than ten rooms to fund tourism promotion activities. Additionally, the bill allows for an optional $5 per room tax to be levied specifically for building a central sportsplex, but this second tax requires approval from at least 60% of voters in a special election. The legislation also establishes the structure for a seven-member commission, with members appointed by the county board, the City of Meridian, and the Town of Marion.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state funds to cover the operating expenses and salaries for the Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Board and the Mississippi State Veterans Homes for the 2025 fiscal year. It authorizes specific staffing levels for both entities and includes strict rules to prevent using general funds to replace federal or special source money, while also ensuring no employee salaries fall below state minimums. Additionally, the legislation provides $250,000 to assist indigent or low-income veterans and eligible surviving spouses with care costs and grants the Board limited authority to transfer up to 25% of its budget between the Board and the Homes to manage cash reserves more efficiently.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $329,091 from the state treasury to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi State Board of Funeral Services for the fiscal year 2025. The funding authorizes two permanent staff positions and establishes strict rules to ensure money is used only for hiring new employees rather than raising salaries or changing job titles for current workers. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the agency give purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when buying goods or services and requires detailed financial record-keeping. These provisions aim to maintain fiscal responsibility and transparency while supporting the board's administrative functions.