Sen. Juan Barnett

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution congratulates former Mississippi State Senator Bobby Chamberlin on his investiture as a United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi. The resolution recognizes his judicial career, including his service on the Mississippi Supreme Court and previous roles as a municipal judge and prosecutor. It also notes his confirmation by the U.S. Senate and includes a statement of support from Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. The resolution will be presented at Chamberlin's investiture ceremony and shared with the press.

Maddy summarySB 2036 clarifies that nonviolent Mississippi inmates eligible for parole may be released without a hearing to parole supervision on their parole eligibility date, at the State Parole Board’s discretion, if they meet specific conditions. These conditions include completing their parole case plan, having no recent violations, securing victim consent (or no victim request for a hearing), agreeing to supervision terms, and having an approved discharge plan. The bill does not change who qualifies for parole eligibility but streamlines the process for compliant nonviolent inmates who meet these criteria. It maintains requirements for hearings if victims request one, if there are public safety concerns raised by law enforcement, or if the inmate hasn’t met case plan requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 3087 allocates $12.27 million in state funds for Mississippi's Department of Audit to cover salaries and operational expenses during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifies $7.89 million from General Funds and $5.06 million from Special Funds, with all funds restricted to "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits) for 134 authorized positions. It requires strict adherence to the state's Variable Compensation Plan and prohibits using these funds for promotions, salary increases, or replacing federal funds. As a purely procedural appropriations bill, it does not create new policies or directly affect citizens or public offices beyond funding the audit department's mandated oversight work.

Maddy summarySB 3092 allocates specific funds for existing livestock shows across Mississippi during fiscal year 2027. It provides $1.2 million for the Dixie National Livestock Show, $64,890 for junior livestock events, $30,000 for county shows (capped at $2,000 per county), $65,000 for district shows, and $8,500 for dairy shows. The bill mandates that county show funds require adequate facilities, guarantee minimum prize amounts, and reserve 75% of district/dairy funds for 4-H and school participants. It specifies strict payout rules, including reimbursement requirements and equal prize distribution for comparable livestock classes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 52), not a policy bill. It formally recognizes Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Mississippi Alpha Network for their 55th anniversary as the first intercollegiate fraternity for African American men. The resolution highlights the fraternity's founding in 1906 and its history in Mississippi since 1927, including its 13 alumni chapters and nine college chapters. The resolution serves only to honor their legacy of leadership, scholarship, and community service through a formal legislative acknowledgment.

Maddy summarySB 2018 creates the Mississippi National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program, which reimburses actively drilling Mississippi National Guard members for their Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The program applies to members eligible for Tricare Reserve Select coverage who are not covered by another employer, with reimbursements paid at the current "Tricare Reserve Select - Member only" rate. The Adjutant General administers the program, requiring legislative funding each year and annual reports starting in 2026 to assess its impact on medical readiness and participation. This policy directly affects National Guard members by reducing their out-of-pocket healthcare costs, aiming to support retention and readiness.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 526 is a symbolic resolution congratulating the Ole Miss Rebels football team and head coach Pete Golding for winning the 2025-2026 Sugar Bowl championship and finishing No. 3 in national rankings - the highest finish for an SEC team since 1962. It recognizes their 13-2 season, historic College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, and significance as the highest-ranked Ole Miss team in over six decades. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, commending the team's achievements without altering laws or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 2046, the "Mississippians' Right to Name, Likeness and Voice Act," grants every individual in Mississippi a legal right to control how their name, likeness, and voice are used, including by digital tools like AI-generated images or voice replicas. It requires written agreements with legal counsel for commercial use of these elements by individuals 18 or older, or court approval for minors, and allows rights to be inherited by family members for up to 10 years after death (with termination if unused for two years). The law explicitly states these rights are transferable and protects free speech in related lawsuits through a First Amendment defense. It directly affects all Mississippi residents and businesses using personal identifiers commercially, especially in digital contexts.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the minimum salary for Mississippi public school teachers and assistant teachers starting in the 2026-2027 school year, establishing specific pay scales based on experience and license type (e.g., $43,500 for entry-level teachers with certain licenses). It requires school districts to maintain or increase local supplements and not pay assistant teachers below the state minimum salary, with potential funding reductions for violations. Additionally, the bill mandates a $2,000 annual salary increase for all full-time faculty at Mississippi's state colleges and universities.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that carbon dioxide (CO2) captured during industrial processes or oil extraction will now be subject to Mississippi's gas severance tax. It explicitly amends the definition of "gas" in tax law to include CO2, ensuring companies selling CO2 (e.g., from power plants or enhanced oil recovery operations) pay a 6% tax on its value at the point of production. Previously, this inclusion may have been ambiguous under existing definitions. The change directly affects businesses that produce or sell CO2, aligning their tax treatment with natural gas producers.