Sen. Albert Butler

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally commends Mississippi Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Milton Williams, Jr. for receiving the Northern Region Special Agent Citation. It recognizes his law enforcement career and community leadership, including founding the nonprofit organizations Men United and Women United to support youth in the Mississippi Delta. The resolution also highlights his family legacy in law enforcement and his service as a mentor and public servant. This is a ceremonial document that does not create new laws or change policy.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 50 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing Castro "Mr. Sipp" Coleman, a McComb, Mississippi-based gospel and blues artist, for his musical contributions. It formally honors his career as a Grammy-winning guitarist with the Williams Brothers, his 2025 Blues Music Awards B.B. King Entertainer of the Year win, and his role as a Mississippi music ambassador. The resolution does not create new laws or provide funding - it solely offers symbolic recognition of his achievements in blues and gospel music. It directly affects no individuals or policies, serving only to celebrate his cultural impact.

Maddy summarySB 2657 creates a dedicated "Wild Turkey Stamp Fund" within Mississippi's state treasury, requiring all revenue from mandatory wild turkey hunting stamps to be deposited into this fund. Hunters (excluding specific exempt groups like minors, seniors, and disabled individuals) must purchase stamps for $10 (residents) or $100 (non-residents) to legally hunt wild turkeys. The fund revenue must be used exclusively for: habitat restoration, scientific research on turkeys, administrative costs for hunting permits, and expanding public hunting access - barring any use for staff salaries. This policy directly affects turkey hunters and ensures dedicated funding for conservation efforts.

Maddy summarySB 2018 creates the Mississippi National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program, which reimburses actively drilling Mississippi National Guard members for their Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The program applies to members eligible for Tricare Reserve Select coverage who are not covered by another employer, with reimbursements paid at the current "Tricare Reserve Select - Member only" rate. The Adjutant General administers the program, requiring legislative funding each year and annual reports starting in 2026 to assess its impact on medical readiness and participation. This policy directly affects National Guard members by reducing their out-of-pocket healthcare costs, aiming to support retention and readiness.

Maddy summarySB 2004, the Mississippi PERS Stability Act, transfers $500 million from Mississippi's Capital Expense Fund to the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) on July 1, 2026, followed by annual $50 million transfers through 2036. If insufficient funds exist in the Capital Expense Fund, the state will use General Funds to ensure the full $50 million is transferred each year. This directly stabilizes funding for Mississippi's public employees' retirement system, which serves state and local government workers. The bill requires these specific, scheduled transfers to address long-term retirement system funding needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the minimum salary for Mississippi public school teachers and assistant teachers starting in the 2026-2027 school year, establishing specific pay scales based on experience and license type (e.g., $43,500 for entry-level teachers with certain licenses). It requires school districts to maintain or increase local supplements and not pay assistant teachers below the state minimum salary, with potential funding reductions for violations. Additionally, the bill mandates a $2,000 annual salary increase for all full-time faculty at Mississippi's state colleges and universities.

Maddy summarySB 2243, the "Don Triplett Act," creates a new Office of the Ombudsman for Parental Assistance within Mississippi's State Department of Education. This office directly helps parents, teachers, and school stakeholders resolve disputes with schools or districts by investigating complaints, mediating conflicts, and tracking systemic issues. Key provisions include requiring the ombudsman to have specific education/experience qualifications, mandating confidentiality for communications (exempting records from public disclosure), and authorizing annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The office will operate independently, accepting grants for support, and must be implemented by December 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2659 creates a new "Lifetime Conservationist Legacy License" for Mississippi residents aged 65 or older. This license allows seniors who are already exempt from standard hunting and fishing license requirements (due to age) to pay a minimum $250 fee to support conservation efforts. The license serves as proof of their exemption while enabling them to contribute to the Mississippi Wildlife Endowment Fund. The bill specifically amends Sections 49-7-153 and 49-7-151 of the Mississippi Code to establish this new option.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Mississippi public schools to incorporate financial literacy into the curriculum for grades 6-8 starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It also mandates that all high school students pass either a half-credit personal finance course or a full-credit course where at least half focuses on financial literacy to graduate, beginning with the 2032 graduating class. The law directly affects all Mississippi public schools (including charter schools) and students in grades 6-12. It amends existing education law to formalize these requirements, focusing on practical financial skills like budgeting and credit management.

Maddy summarySB 2292 requires all Mississippi public and charter schools to teach civics courses starting in 8th grade and before 12th grade, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. The bill mandates instruction on U.S. and Mississippi constitutions, government structures (including federalism and separation of powers), historical context, critical thinking skills, and civil discourse. The State Department of Education will develop and update curriculum standards to align with current civics scholarship, renaming existing U.S. Government courses to "United States Government and Civics." This policy directly affects all K-12 students and school staff in Mississippi's public and charter schools.