Sen. Albert Butler

Maddy summarySB 3001 would remove the 7% sales tax on grocery purchases in Mississippi and adjust how sales tax revenue is distributed to cities and towns. This ensures municipalities continue receiving the same level of funding they would have if groceries remained taxable. The bill amends Mississippi tax code sections to implement this exemption and revenue adjustment. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee but died there 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 2875 would have authorized the State of Mississippi to issue general obligation bonds to fund repairs, renovations, and upgrades to the Walter Washington Administration and Classroom Building at Alcorn State University. The bonds, backed by the state's full faith and credit, would have been sold to raise funds exclusively for this specific building project, with proceeds deposited into a dedicated state fund. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee but died in committee in February 2025 without becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 2914 would have allocated $715,000 from Mississippi's General Fund to Alcorn State University for animal science research and outreach programs during fiscal year 2026. The funding was intended to support research addressing climate and production challenges for small ruminant (goats/sheep) and beef cattle industries, along with training and extension services. This bill directly affected Alcorn State University's agricultural programs and the livestock producers relying on these research resources. The bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 2932) allocated $545,000 from Mississippi’s General Fund to Alcorn State University for fiscal year 2026 to strengthen its poultry science research, extension, and academic programs. It directly affects Alcorn State University’s agricultural initiatives by providing dedicated funding for these specific programs. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2903 would have allocated $65 million from Mississippi's state general fund to Alcorn State University for new health care and medical sciences facilities in the southwest Mississippi River Region, specifically for fiscal year 2026. The bill provided funding for "strengthening and enhancing the growth" of these facilities but did not create new policy or affect voters. The bill died in the Appropriations Committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2904 appropriated $10 million from the State General Fund to Claiborne County for FY2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026) to cover costs of enhancing education and infrastructure projects within the county. The funds would come from money allocated under Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxiii) not otherwise used. This procedural funding bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and never became law. It directly affected Claiborne County by authorizing specific state funding for local projects, without changing any policy or law.

Maddy summarySB 2913 was a bill to allocate $1.67 million from Mississippi's General Fund to Alcorn State University for STEM-related programs during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It would have provided direct funding to support the university's science, technology, engineering, and math initiatives. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law. This was a straightforward funding measure, not a policy change, affecting only Alcorn State University's STEM programs.

Maddy summarySB 2872 would have authorized Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund Claiborne County's capital improvement projects, such as infrastructure upgrades. The bonds would be backed by Mississippi's full credit, with proceeds disbursed directly to the county's Board of Supervisors to cover project costs. This bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and was never enacted into law. It focused solely on creating a funding mechanism, not on specific projects or policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 2877 would have authorized Mississippi to issue state bonds to fund the construction, furnishing, and equipping of a hydroponics research and teaching greenhouse at Alcorn State University. The bill’s key mechanism is using general obligation bonds - backed by the state’s full credit - to finance this specific infrastructure project. It directly affects Alcorn State University by providing dedicated funding for a new facility to support agricultural research and student instruction in hydroponics. The bill does not create new programs or regulations but focuses solely on securing capital for this physical construction project.