Sen. Brian Rhodes

Maddy summarySB 2168 would require all Mississippi high school students to take a civics course demonstrating knowledge of U.S. government fundamentals to graduate. It also mandates that U.S. History classes include content starting from Jamestown's 1607 settlement through the present. These requirements apply to students graduating after the 2025-2026 school year, with implementation beginning July 1, 2025. The law amends existing graduation standards to include civics and history curriculum changes.

Maddy summarySB 2026 would update Mississippi's labeling rules for soil amendments and plant growth products. It adds definitions for "beneficial substances" (like natural growth enhancers) and "plant biostimulants" (products that improve plant health without just supplying nutrients), clarifying they are treated as soil amendments. The bill requires manufacturers to list all ingredients - including exact percentages of beneficial substances and inert materials - on product labels, along with usage instructions and product purpose. These changes would directly affect companies selling soil amendments and biostimulant products in Mississippi, ensuring clearer information for farmers and gardeners. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2407 requires Mississippi insurers to reimburse pharmacists at the same rate as other nonphysician healthcare providers for covered services performed within their legal scope of practice, as defined by state law. This would directly affect pharmacists providing services like medication management or immunizations, and insurers offering health plans in Mississippi. The bill mandates that reimbursement rates for these pharmacist services cannot be lower than those paid to other nonphysician providers, such as nurse practitioners. However, the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2172 (Mississippi) would have required all public schools and postsecondary institutions receiving state funds to display the Ten Commandments, Mayflower Compact, and Declaration of Independence in conspicuous locations by January 2026, along with Mississippi-specific historical facts. The bill mandated a historical context statement for the Ten Commandments display and specified that schools could use donated materials or free resources to avoid costs. It cited Supreme Court rulings (Van Orden v. Perry, American Legion v. American Humanists Association) to justify the display requirements. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2454 establishes a "Lengthy Trial Fund" to provide wage replacement or supplementation for Mississippi jurors serving more than ten days in civil cases. The fund, managed by the Administrative Office of Courts, pays up to $300 per day beyond the tenth day and up to $100 per day for days four through ten if a juror faces financial hardship. Jurors may also return their per diem fees to counties for earmarking on local causes like public libraries, law enforcement, or the Mississippi Burn Care Fund. The bill does not change the existing $60 to $100 per day juror compensation rate, and counties are not required to contribute to the fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the creation of a new Rankin County Stormwater Management Agency to address flooding and drainage issues across the county. The agency would be formed only if the county's governing bodies pass an ordinance or resolution following a special election where a majority of voters approve its establishment. Once created, the agency's board of commissioners must develop a comprehensive stormwater management plan within 24 months and will have the power to levy annual utility charges on landowners within its territory. Landowners who disagree with the amount of these charges can request a hearing before the county Board of Supervisors to contest the fee.

Maddy summaryThe SAFER Act establishes new state laws in Mississippi that require public schools and universities to maintain separate restrooms, changing facilities, and student housing spaces for males and females. Under this legislation, these areas must be designated exclusively for one sex or configured as single-occupant or family-use rooms with secure locks to ensure privacy. The law also restricts entry into these spaces, allowing access only for specific reasons such as assisting young children, responding to emergencies, or performing official government duties. Additionally, the bill defines terms like "female" and "male" based solely on biological sex determined at birth and mandates that social fraternities and sororities on public land adhere to these single-sex housing definitions.