Sen. Brian Rhodes

Maddy summarySR 27 is a ceremonial resolution extending the Mississippi Senate's sympathy to the family of Jeanne Carter Luckey, a National Republican Committee Woman and community leader from Louisville, Mississippi, following her death on November 7, 2024. The resolution commends her service, including her work as Mississippi Federation of Republican Women President, her advocacy for disability access on the Institutions of Higher Learning board, and her decades of community involvement. This resolution has no policy effect - it solely expresses the Senate’s condolences and acknowledges her life’s contributions. It was adopted by the Senate on February 17, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2472 would shield pesticide manufacturers and sellers from civil lawsuits related to product labeling, including failure-to-warn claims, if the pesticide had an EPA-approved label under federal law (FIFRA) at the time of sale. It specifically applies to pesticides registered both with Mississippi’s commissioner and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The bill provides limited immunity only for labeling issues, not other product defects or safety concerns. This change would directly affect manufacturers, sellers, and potentially consumers who might otherwise file lawsuits over labeling. The bill died in committee and was not enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill would authorize Mississippi pharmacists to test for and treat specific minor, nonchronic health conditions like the flu, strep throat, urinary tract infections, lice, and certain skin conditions (e.g., ringworm). It defines these conditions as short-term issues typically managed with basic treatments, allowing pharmacists to perform CLIA-waived tests and initiate care without a doctor’s prescription. Pharmacists could also delegate testing tasks to supervised pharmacy interns or technicians and prevent insurance denials for these services if they would be covered when provided by a doctor or nurse. The bill aims to expand pharmacists’ role in accessible primary care for common, low-risk health issues.

Maddy summarySB 2711 requires all licensed nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Mississippi to maintain fully operational emergency power systems with at least five days of fuel supply. The bill mandates these systems must power medical devices (like supplemental oxygen) and maintain comfortable temperatures for residents. The Mississippi Department of Health must adopt rules for these requirements and conduct routine, unannounced inspections to ensure compliance. Facilities have 60 days after the rules are finalized to meet the standards. This applies directly to all licensed facilities in Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2801 raises Mississippi's threshold for requiring competitive bidding on public purchases from $5,000 to $25,000. This change directly affects state agencies, local governments, and school districts that make routine purchases, allowing them to bypass formal bidding for items costing $25,000 or less. For purchases between $25,000 and $75,000, the bill requires at least two competitive bids but eliminates the need for public advertising. Purchases over $75,000 would still require full competitive bidding with public notice. The bill aims to streamline procurement for smaller purchases while maintaining oversight for larger expenditures.

Maddy summarySB 2758 would ban the manufacture, sale, or distribution of food products made from cultured animal cells (lab-grown meat) in Mississippi. It prohibits these activities for all businesses, with violations classified as misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $500 or up to three months in jail. Retail food establishments violating the ban could face license suspension or revocation under existing health and agriculture laws. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law, so it has no current effect. The proposed law directly affects food businesses and manufacturers of cultivated meat products in Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2531, which died in committee on February 4, 2025, would have required all Mississippi public school classrooms (K-12) to display the Ten Commandments starting January 1, 2026. The bill mandated displays of at least 11x14 inches with large, legible text, accompanied by a four-paragraph historical explanation from the state education department. Schools could not use public funds for displays but could accept donations for posters or frames, and might also display documents like the Declaration of Independence alongside the Ten Commandments. The bill was framed as educational, citing the Ten Commandments' historical role in American law, but its passage was blocked before becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 2405, the "Make Mississippi Resilient and Strong Act," creates the Mississippi Windstorm Mitigation Association under the Insurance Commissioner to provide grants for retrofitting homes and commercial properties to withstand hurricanes and tornadoes. It directly affects Mississippi homeowners (single-family, site-built, owner-occupied) and commercial property owners who apply for grants up to $15,000 to meet standardized wind-resistance requirements, such as the Insurance Institute’s "fortified roof" certification. The association is funded by mandatory assessments on all property insurers in Mississippi, which can offset these costs against their insurance premiums. The bill requires the association to report annually and operate under the Insurance Commissioner’s supervision, with member insurers gaining immunity for their duties under the program. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2167 would require every public and charter school classroom in Mississippi to display a framed copy of the Ten Commandments (minimum 16x20 inches) and a U.S. flag (minimum 36x24 inches) at all times during school hours. It mandates a non-denominational prayer at the start of each school day via PA system and in classrooms, while allowing students and staff to opt out without penalty. The bill also prohibits school staff from facing discrimination due to religious views and requires fifth-grade instruction on flag etiquette and respect. These provisions would take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, though the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2337 requires local law enforcement in a juvenile's county to notify the juvenile's school district within 24 hours of arresting a juvenile (defined as age 12-18) for a felony. This would directly affect school districts, allowing them to support affected students following a felony arrest. The bill, which died in committee on February 4, 2025, does not change arrest procedures but mandates timely school notification. It focuses solely on communication between law enforcement and schools, not on altering legal penalties or student discipline policies.