Sen. Jeff Tate

Maddy summarySB 2658 authorizes the Pat Harrison Waterway District to offer discounts on park, campground, and facility fees to active-duty military, reserve, National Guard members, and veterans. The bill allows the district's board to set specific discount rates, terms, and eligibility requirements for these military members. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted into law, so these discounts have not been implemented. The proposal focused solely on enabling existing discount programs without altering funding or creating new obligations.

Maddy summarySB 2667, the "Mississippi Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act of 2026," creates a 24/7 Mississippi Veterans Suicide Prevention Lifeline hotline staffed by trained veterans to provide crisis intervention and connect veterans with mental health resources. It requires the State Veterans Affairs Board to develop and publicly share an implementation plan by December 2026, including performance metrics and evidence-based practices for the hotline. The bill also prohibits unaccredited representatives from assisting veterans with VA claims or advertising such services, imposing penalties for violations and requiring a public registry of accredited representatives. Additionally, it directs funds from federal TANF block grants to support marriage counseling for military and first responder families through nonprofit organizations.

Maddy summarySB 2742 creates a rebuttable presumption that joint custody with equal parenting time is in the best interest of children for all custody cases in Mississippi. Courts must follow this presumption unless a preponderance of evidence shows it's not appropriate, and they must document any deviation (unless both parents agree to it). The presumption does not apply if a domestic abuse protection order exists against a parent in the case. The bill also clarifies that child support calculations should account for equal parenting time and applies to all custody determinations.

Maddy summarySB 2800 creates a $7.50 fee on money transfer transactions under $500 (plus 1.5% over $500) for businesses licensed under Mississippi's Money Transmitters Act. The collected fees fund a new "Illegal Immigration Enforcement Fund," which supports a dedicated unit within the Department of Public Safety to enforce immigration laws under federal Section 287(g) programs. The bill requires all county detention facilities to sign agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by a deadline or risk sheriff removal, and prohibits contracts with carriers knowingly transporting unauthorized immigrants. Customers may claim a tax credit for fees paid by providing a Social Security or tax ID number.

Maddy summarySB 2891 requires municipalities seeking to annex unincorporated territory to hold an election within that specific area, where only residents of the proposed annexation zone can vote. The annexation requires approval by 50% plus one of all voters in the election, and the municipality must pay all election costs. The bill also changes appeal procedures, requiring municipalities to cover attorney fees and court costs if they challenge election results in court. It repeals a prior requirement that annexation petitions be filed directly in chancery court. This bill directly affects residents in proposed annexation zones and municipalities pursuing boundary changes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 25) is a symbolic commendation from the Mississippi Senate, not a policy change. It formally congratulates the Lamar School Raiders football team and head coach Jacob Land for winning the MAIS 4A Division III State Championship on November 22, 2025 - their seventh state title and first since 2018. The resolution specifically recognizes their victory over Brookhaven Academy (34-17) and acknowledges the team's defensive performance. As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect and directly affects only the team, coaches, and school community by offering formal recognition.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 11) honors Ann Alexander, a board member of Friends of Mississippi Veterans, for her dedicated service to Mississippi veterans. It formally recognizes her role in founding and supporting the organization, which helped establish the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery and assisted the Veterans Home System. The resolution, adopted by the Mississippi Senate in January 2026, extends official thanks to her and the group for their lasting impact on veterans in the state. It does not create new laws or alter policies - it is a ceremonial acknowledgment with no direct effect on legislation or beneficiaries.

Maddy summarySB 2020 appropriates $378,795 for the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors to cover operational expenses during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It authorizes two permanent staff positions and allocates $100,000 specifically for updating the board’s Licensing Management System. The bill requires the board to maintain detailed financial records matching 2025 standards and comply with state budget laws prohibiting overspending. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting the board’s budget and administrative operations.

Maddy summarySB 2023 allocates $200,296 to Mississippi's Board of Veterinary Examiners for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026) to cover their operational expenses. This is a funding bill with no policy changes, directly supporting the board's work in regulating veterinary professionals. It specifies that funds must be used for board expenses, requires detailed financial reporting, and includes standard procurement preferences for Mississippi Industries for the Blind. The bill was enacted after approval by the governor on June 4, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2024 provides $1.29 million in state funding to Mississippi's Board of Dental Examiners for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It specifically allocates $694,646 for staff salaries and benefits for the board’s 8 authorized positions, with strict rules preventing use for promotions or salary increases beyond budget limits. Additionally, $27,000 is designated for the Board of Pharmacy to support its Prescription Monitoring Program. This is a routine budget allocation for operational costs, not a new policy change.