Sen. Andy Berry

Maddy summarySB 2025 appropriates $4,154,101 in state funds for the Mississippi State Board of Pharmacy to cover fiscal year 2026 expenses (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill allocates $2,799,541 specifically for "Personal Services" (employee salaries, wages, and fringe benefits), including $354,951 designated to fill existing vacancies without increasing headcount beyond 21 authorized positions. It requires the Board to meet strict performance targets, such as processing 100% of licenses within 10 business days and resolving 100% of complaints within six months. The funding includes safeguards to prevent exceeding budget limits, ensure salaries meet state minimums, and mandate annual reporting on performance metrics to the legislature.

Maddy summarySB 2018 appropriates $330,227 from Mississippi’s state treasury to fund the State Board of Funeral Services for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It specifically requires $135,614 of this amount to cover only staff salaries, wages, and benefits for the board’s two authorized positions, with strict rules preventing use for promotions, title changes, or exceeding budget limits. The bill mandates detailed accounting of all expenditures and prohibits transferring funds to other categories or using them to replace withdrawn federal funds. It also requires the board to comply with Mississippi’s salary plans and reporting standards, and gives preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind for certain purchases. This is a routine budget allocation with no policy changes, directly affecting the board’s staffing and financial operations.

Maddy summarySB 2039 allocates $6,164,999 in state funds for the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission's operations during fiscal year 2026, including $5,000,826 specifically for employee salaries and benefits. The bill strictly limits "Personal Services" spending to $5.00M (covering salaries, fringe benefits, and vacancy funding for 55 authorized positions) and requires the Commission to maintain detailed records and meet specific performance targets, such as resolving 900 cases within three months. It also appropriates $25,000 for the Second Injury Fund and mandates a safety training contract with the private sector. This is a funding bill with no new policy provisions, solely authorizing budgeted expenditures for the Commission's existing responsibilities.

Maddy summarySC 544 is a concurrent resolution passed by the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives to extend condolences to Paul Gallo's family and honor his 56-year career as a talk radio host in Mississippi. It recognizes Gallo's role as a "Godfather" of Mississippi talk radio, his hosting of "The Gallo Radio Show," and his community impact - including raising nearly $3 million for children's causes through SuperTalk's Radiothon. The resolution emphasizes his dedication to amplifying Mississippi's stories, holding leaders accountable, and connecting with listeners as "family" over decades. As a ceremonial tribute, it has no policy effect or direct impact on legislation or constituents.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SR 142) commending Jim Ellis for his 46-year career as the play-by-play announcer for Mississippi State University baseball. It recognizes his role as "The Voice of the Diamond Dawgs," highlighting his coverage of 11 College World Series appearances, SEC championships, and the 2021 national title. The resolution formally praises his service to MSU and the state, with no policy changes or direct impact on any laws or individuals beyond the ceremonial acknowledgment. It was adopted by the Mississippi Senate in April 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2257 removes a repealer provision from Mississippi law that would have eliminated existing weight and route requirements for harvest permit vehicles. The bill preserves current rules requiring harvest permit holders (such as agricultural haulers transporting crops, wood products, or materials like sand/gravel) to adhere to specific maximum vehicle weights and obtain prior route approvals. These rules include detailed weight limits based on axle spacing (e.g., up to 88,000 lbs with a permit) and restrict tolerance allowances for overweight vehicles. The change ensures these regulations remain in effect rather than phasing them out.

Maddy summarySB 3034 allocates $1.2 million for the Dixie National Livestock Show and smaller sums for livestock events across Mississippi, including $64,890 for junior livestock shows, $15,000 for county shows (capped at $1,000 per county), $65,000 for district shows, $8,500 for state dairy shows, and $26,150 for high school rodeo promotions. The bill requires that 75% of district and dairy show funds go to 4-H and Smith-Hughes School participants, mandates proper facilities for county shows, and ensures equal prize distribution for comparable entries across shows. It specifies that funds must cover actual costs like prizes, judges, and facilities, with strict limits on county spending and show scheduling to avoid conflicts. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting livestock exhibitors, 4-H members, and county agricultural associations.

Maddy summarySB 3018 allocates $220.38 million to Mississippi's Department of Transportation for its Office of State Aid Road Construction during fiscal year 2026. It specifically directs $40 million toward replacing structurally deficient bridges on local road systems, directly affecting communities relying on these infrastructure projects. The bill also establishes strict accounting rules for fund usage, requires performance reporting on project metrics (like bridge repairs and project timelines), and prohibits using state funds to replace withdrawn federal or special funds.

Maddy summarySB 3035 appropriates $1,768,035 from the State General Fund and $1,119,460 from special funds to cover the operating costs of the Mississippi Board of Animal Health for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes 23 permanent and 5 time-limited staff positions, with strict conditions requiring funds to cover personnel expenses without increasing salaries for current employees or exceeding prior-year budgets. It mandates detailed accounting records and specifies that $250,000 must be used for animal disease outbreak response under existing law. This is a funding measure for the Board’s existing operations, not a new policy.

Maddy summarySB 2968 changes how Mississippi calculates property taxes for rural agricultural structures like barns and poultry houses (excluding homes). It requires revaluing structures appraised before 2025 and mandates a fixed 7% annual depreciation rate for all rural structures after initial appraisal. Poultry houses have specific rules: their value cannot drop below 20% of original value, and a 45% economic obsolescence adjustment applies. These changes directly affect owners of commercial agricultural buildings, not residential properties.