Sen. Brian Rhodes

Maddy summarySB 2605 would require all Mississippi public and charter schools to teach standalone civics courses starting in 8th grade and before students graduate high school, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. The courses must cover U.S. and Mississippi history, government structure (including federalism and the Constitution), civic skills like source analysis, and nonpartisan civic engagement, using historical and current examples. The Mississippi State Department of Education would develop the curriculum standards and update them to reflect current civics scholarship. Note: This bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySR 65 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Mississippi Senate to honor Hinds County Deputy Sheriff Martin Shields, Jr., who died in the line of duty on February 23, 2025. The resolution extends the Senate's "sincerest sympathy" to his surviving family - including his wife, daughter, and parents - and commends his law enforcement career. It has no policy provisions or financial impact; it is purely symbolic, expressing condolences and acknowledging his service. The Senate formally adopted the resolution on February 27, 2025, and will present it to his family and the Hinds County Sheriff's Office.

Maddy summarySB 3146 appropriated $250,000 from Mississippi's General Fund to the City of Richland for drainage repairs and improvements during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill directly affected Richland, Mississippi, by providing state funds to cover eligible costs for maintaining its drainage infrastructure. Key provisions included specifying the exact funding amount, requiring payment through state fiscal channels, and setting the fiscal year scope. The bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 3000 amends Mississippi's sales tax code to exempt sales of water used for agricultural irrigation from state sales tax. This directly affects farmers and agricultural producers who purchase water for crop irrigation, reducing their operational costs. The bill adds "water" to the existing exemption list under Section 27-65-107(g), which already covers other agricultural inputs like electricity and fuel for farming operations. The legislation was introduced in 2025 but died in committee on February 26, 2025, without becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 2084 would have exempted the National Wild Turkey Federation's auction sales of physical goods from Mississippi's state sales tax, provided the organization maintained its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status under federal law. This exemption specifically applied to sales conducted at auction, not general sales, and directly affected the National Wild Turkey Federation as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The bill amended Mississippi's tax code to add this organization to the list of entities already exempt from sales tax under specific provisions. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 3159 proposed a $75,000 appropriation from Mississippi's State General Fund to the Village of Sylvarena for repairs, renovations, and improvements to its community center during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill would have directly provided funding to Sylvarena Village for specific facility upgrades. However, the bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not advance further.

Maddy summarySB 3155 proposed appropriating $1,000,000 from Mississippi's General Fund to the City of Pelahatchie for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements and repairs during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill would have directly funded the city's specific infrastructure needs, covering costs for upgrades and maintenance. It included standard payment procedures through the State Treasurer and Fiscal Officer. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 3162 would have allocated $2 million from Mississippi's General Fund to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) for Smith County road projects under the State Aid Program during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The funding was intended to cover costs for road construction and maintenance projects administered by MDOT's Office of State Aid and Road Construction within Smith County. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2804 would reduce the sales tax rate to 1.5% for commercial farmers purchasing livestock fencing, trailers for livestock transport, and related maintenance parts/labor. It applies only to "commercial farmers" who hold a permit issued by Mississippi's Department of Revenue and present it to sellers at purchase. The bill amends existing tax law to create this specific exemption, which would lower costs for qualifying agricultural equipment purchases while requiring a permit verification process.

Maddy summarySB 3157 sought to appropriate $706,000 from Mississippi's General Fund to the Town of Mize for specific water system upgrades during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill directly affected Mize by funding a water well replacement, new fire hydrants, and blow-off valves. It contained no policy changes but provided state funding for municipal infrastructure improvements. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and never became law.