Maddy summaryMississippi's SB 2220, the "Mississippians' Right to Name, Likeness and Voice Act," establishes that every resident (living or deceased) has a property right in their name, likeness, and voice. It requires explicit consent for commercial use of these elements, especially for digital replicas created via AI or digital technology (like voice clones or image simulations), and sets penalties: $50,000 per violation for unauthorized digital cloning services and $5,000 for other unauthorized uses. The law allows heirs to enforce these rights for 10 years after death but requires written consent from individuals aged 18+ (or court-approved for minors) for new commercial uses. This bill directly affects all Mississippi residents and businesses or entities using personal identity commercially, particularly in digital advertising or media.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 2021 shortens the notice period required for county board of supervisors special meetings in Mississippi from five days to three days. It directly affects county boards and their members by reducing the advance notice needed for public meetings. The bill requires notice to be posted at the courthouse, published in a local newspaper, and displayed on the county website/social media for at least three days before the meeting, while still mandating that all agenda items be specified in the notice. This change aims to streamline meeting scheduling without altering the requirement to detail business topics in advance. The law would take effect July 1, 2025, if passed.
Maddy summaryThe Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to pay pharmacies promptly for medications and establishes a process for pharmacies to appeal if payments are below agreed rates. It also bans PBMs and pharmacy services organizations (PSAOs) from restricting patient choice of pharmacy, spreading pricing, or retaliating against pharmacists who exercise rights under the law. The bill mandates that PBMs, PSAOs, drug manufacturers, and health insurers report pricing and contract details to the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy, which will publish this information online for transparency. These changes directly affect pharmacies, pharmacists, PBMs, PSAOs, and health insurers operating in Mississippi.
Maddy summarySB 2753 would require Mississippi's Department of Health to add plain-language information about brain health, dementia risk reduction, and Alzheimer's disease into existing public health outreach programs. It targets high-risk populations and mandates that these programs cover early warning signs, prevention, and the link between dementia and chronic health conditions. The bill also directs health care provider training on validated assessment tools, Medicare billing for cognitive care, and early detection protocols. However, the bill "died in committee" on March 4, 2025, and has not become law.
Maddy summarySB 2192 would require Mississippi driver's licenses, permits, and commercial licenses to display the sex assigned at birth, overriding any legal gender changes. It directly affects all license applicants in Mississippi, including transgender individuals who have legally changed their gender. The bill mandates that the license sex field must match the sex recorded at birth, regardless of court orders or legal gender recognition. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and has not become law.
Maddy summarySB 2245 streamlines how Mississippi counties handle 16th section lands (historically reserved for schools) by removing the requirement for county boards of supervisors to approve leases or waivers for mineral exploration/production. Instead, it authorizes the Secretary of State to approve these transactions, directly affecting counties and industrial development projects seeking to use these lands. The bill also updates provisions allowing counties to financially assist industrial projects through contributions, loans, or property donations without board approval. These changes aim to simplify processes for economic development on public lands while maintaining county oversight for project-related infrastructure.
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 summarySR 52 is a commemorative resolution by the Mississippi Senate to honor the 155th anniversary of Hiram Revels' historic election as the first African American elected to the U.S. Senate in 1870. It recognizes his broader legacy, including being the first African American elected to the Mississippi State Senate, the first African American Mississippi Secretary of State, and the first president of Alcorn State University (the nation's first land-grant institution for African Americans). The resolution formally acknowledges his lifetime of service to Mississippi and the nation without creating new laws or affecting any policies. It serves as a symbolic tribute to his pioneering role in American political history.
Maddy summarySB 2906 appropriates $1,200,000 from Mississippi's General Fund to Franklin County for road, bridge, and culvert construction and repair during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026). The bill directly affects Franklin County residents by funding infrastructure maintenance and improvements. It is a procedural funding measure with no policy changes, and it died in committee on February 26, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 2933 would have allocated $21.4 million from Mississippi's General Fund to Alcorn Agriculture Research and Extension for specific capital projects during fiscal year 2026. The funds were earmarked for Phase II of a Poultry Sciences building ($3.77M), agricultural infrastructure ($2.27M), a hydroponics greenhouse ($3.77M), and a STEAM Outreach Center ($11.92M). This bill, which died in committee on February 26, 2025, proposed a direct funding mechanism for physical infrastructure projects at Alcorn State University's agricultural research unit. It did not create new policy but provided budgetary support for defined construction needs.