Sen. Rita Parks

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $50,000 from Mississippi's State General Fund to Alcorn County specifically for repairing, renovating, and improving the VFW Post 3962 building. The funds are designated for use during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) to cover costs associated with the building project. The bill directly affects VFW Post 3962, which will utilize the funding for physical improvements to its facility. This is a straightforward funding allocation with no new policy provisions.

Maddy summarySB 3366 appropriates $350,000 from Mississippi's General Fund to the Town of Walnut for infrastructure improvements on Industrial Road during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). The funds will cover costs related to road repairs or upgrades in Walnut, directly benefiting the town's local infrastructure and residents using Industrial Road. The bill authorizes the State Treasurer to disburse the funds upon proper requisitions, with no new policy requirements or broader impacts beyond this specific project. As a procedural funding measure, it does not create new regulations or affect other entities.

Maddy summarySB 3365 appropriates $250,000 from Mississippi's General Fund to Blue Mountain University for equipment and enhancements to its nursing program during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The funding covers costs directly tied to upgrading nursing program equipment and improving the program's structure. This is a straightforward funding allocation with no policy changes or broader implications beyond supporting the university's nursing education resources.

Maddy summarySB 3363 appropriates $250,000 from the State General Fund to the City of Corinth for specific improvements to the pavilion at Trailhead Park, including roof repairs or replacement. The funding covers costs associated with these projects during the fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027). This bill directly affects the City of Corinth by providing state funds for a defined local park infrastructure project. It is a straightforward funding allocation with no new policy requirements or broad-reaching provisions.

Maddy summarySB 3361 appropriates $500,000 from Mississippi's General Fund to Alcorn County for engineering studies related to extending the Kimberly Clark Parkway. The funds are specifically for planning work during the state's fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). This bill does not fund construction or policy changes, only preliminary engineering analysis. It directly affects Alcorn County by providing resources to evaluate the feasibility of expanding the roadway. The appropriation is limited to study costs and requires state approval for payment.

Maddy summarySB 2510 requires Mississippi's Office of Healthy Schools to develop a standardized salary schedule for school nurses based on their education and experience. All public school districts must use this schedule as the minimum pay when hiring nurses. The bill amends Section 37-14-3 of Mississippi law to mandate this requirement, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects school districts and school nurses by establishing uniform compensation standards.

Maddy summarySB 2541 would have allowed Mississippi residents to buy ivermectin (formulated for human use) without a doctor's prescription or consultation. It directly affected consumers seeking this medication for personal use, removing the current requirement for a prescription. The bill’s key provision exempted ivermectin from prescription requirements for human use, treating it as an over-the-counter medication. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2575, the Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act, aims to regulate pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and improve payment fairness for pharmacies. It requires PBMs to pay pharmacies promptly for prescription drugs at set rates, provides pharmacies with appeal processes if payments are disputed, and bans practices like "spread pricing" (where PBMs charge more to insurers than they pay pharmacies) and "steering" (directing patients to specific pharmacies). The bill also mandates PBMs to report rebate information to the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy and creates a committee to manage specialty drug access. It directly affects pharmacies, PBMs, and specialty drug providers in Mississippi. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2733 would require Mississippi insurers to offer Medicare supplement policies to eligible residents without denying coverage or charging higher premiums due to health conditions, specifically when they lose or voluntarily end employer-sponsored group health coverage or Medicaid. It directly affects Medicare-eligible Mississippians (often seniors working past 65) who would otherwise face barriers to obtaining supplemental coverage. The law would mandate that insurers provide "guaranteed issue" rights during these transitions, ensuring access regardless of pre-existing health status. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2782 modifies Mississippi's broadband funding process by requiring the Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility (BEAM) to publish preliminary funding decisions online, including project locations and service speeds. It establishes a 30-day public comment period for projects serving end users, during which BEAM must investigate objections and cannot approve projects overlapping with existing or planned broadband coverage. The bill also protects applicants' trade secrets and financial information from public disclosure under Mississippi's records law. This directly affects broadband applicants seeking state funding and BEAM staff managing the review process, with no changes to project eligibility criteria or funding amounts.