Sen. Juan Barnett

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill), expressing the Mississippi Legislature's condolences to Reverend Jesse Jackson's family following his death. It honors his legacy as a civil rights leader, including his work with the NAACP, voting rights advocacy, and mentorship of Black elected officials in Mississippi. The resolution contains no policy changes or mechanisms - it solely offers symbolic sympathy through formal language. It was introduced by multiple senators and references statements from figures like President Trump, Rep. Bennie Thompson, and Jackson Mayor John Horhn.

Maddy summarySB 2632 is a procedural bill that reorganizes existing sections of Mississippi's Emergency Management Law (Mississippi Code of 1972) by moving specific code sections (33-15-1 through 33-15-53) to new positions in the code. It does not change the content or policy of these sections, which cover definitions, purposes, and structure of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The bill’s sole purpose is to facilitate future amendments by updating the code’s numbering. This reorganization affects the legal code itself, not individuals or entities, and requires no action from the public or agencies.

Maddy summaryMississippi Senate Bill 3107 extends the expiration date for a 3% tax on hotel and motel room rentals in Laurel, allowing the city to continue collecting this revenue for tourism promotion. The bill requires Laurel's city council to hold a voter referendum before implementing the tax, with funds dedicated solely to tourism activities like marketing, facility improvements, and public safety. It applies to all hotels, motels, and short-term rental platforms (e.g., Airbnb) operating within Laurel, excluding hospitals and nursing homes. The tax revenue must be collected through the state Department of Revenue, audited annually, and cannot be used as general city funds.

Maddy summaryMississippi Senate Bill 3090 allocates $56.8 million from the General Fund and $25 million from special funds to cover the operating costs of the Mississippi Department of Revenue for fiscal year 2027. This includes funding for its Homestead Exemption Division, Motor Vehicle Comptroller, Alcohol Beverage Control Division, Enforcement Division, and reimbursement to counties and school districts for tax losses due to homestead exemptions. The bill also specifies that $44.7 million must be used exclusively for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits) with strict limits on staffing levels (604 permanent positions) and prohibits using these funds for promotions or salary increases beyond approved levels. It requires the State Personnel Board to monitor spending to ensure compliance with annual budget caps and prohibits using general funds to replace other funding sources.

Maddy summarySB 3089 appropriates $5.8 million from the State General Fund and $28.7 million from a special fund to support the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for fiscal year 2027, including establishing a Disaster Relief Reserve Fund. The bill requires $19.1 million of these funds to be used exclusively for personnel costs - salaries, wages, and fringe benefits - for up to 183 authorized positions (122 permanent and 61 time-limited), with strict rules to prevent overspending. It prohibits using general funds to replace federal or special funds for salaries and mandates that "Vacancy Funding" must fill vacant positions, not provide raises for current employees. MEMA directly benefits as the recipient of these funds to carry out disaster response and relief programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $466 million in state funds for Mississippi's Department of Corrections operations during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). It allocates resources to fund salaries, maintenance, and services across all state correctional facilities - including Parchman Prison, South Mississippi Correctional Facility, and regional prisons - as well as medical services, parole operations, and community corrections programs. The funding comes from both the state General Fund and special funds designated for corrections. This is a routine budgetary measure to support existing correctional system operations, not a policy change.

Maddy summarySB 2898 directs the State Treasurer and State Fiscal Officer to transfer $20 million from Mississippi's Capital Expense Fund to the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund upon the bill's effective date. This technical amendment reallocates existing state funds without creating new programs or changing eligibility for disaster assistance. The transfer affects state budget accounting by moving money between two designated funds (Fund No. 6499C00000 to Fund No. 3372500000) to support disaster response resources. The bill has no direct impact on citizens or businesses but modifies how state funds are allocated. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 2778 extends the deadline for collecting monthly fees from offenders on probation, parole, or other field supervision in Mississippi. Currently set to end July 1, 2030, this extension delays when the fee collection authority expires. The bill maintains a $55 monthly fee, with $50 deposited into the Community Service Revolving Fund (used for restitution centers, drug programs, and supervision services), $3 into the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund, and $2 into the Training Revolving Fund. This affects offenders under supervision and the state funds they support.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $20 million from the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund to Mississippi's Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for disaster response and recovery costs. It specifically covers expenses related to the severe weather event beginning January 24, 2026, and other state disaster obligations, effective from passage through June 30, 2027. The funds are intended to cover MEMA's costs for managing disaster response and recovery efforts during this period. This is a straightforward funding allocation with no new policy provisions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Mu Xi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at the University of Southern Mississippi. The bill formally acknowledges the chapter's history, which began in 1976 when 16 undergraduate students were initiated as charter members. It highlights the fraternity's broader legacy as a service organization founded by African American men and its contributions to the community. The resolution is presented to the fraternity chapter and the Capitol Press Corps for distribution, serving as an official commemorative gesture rather than establishing new policy requirements.