Sen. Rita Parks

Maddy summarySB 2514, currently inactive after dying in committee on March 4, 2025, would have created the Mississippi Nursing Instruction Grant Program. The program aimed to increase nursing instructor salaries to $105,000 annually at 15 specified Mississippi community colleges (like Hinds, Meridian, and Gulf Coast Community Colleges) and fund up to two new instructor positions per college. It would have been administered by the Mississippi Community College Board using a dedicated state fund, with grants requiring colleges to certify compliance with salary and hiring guidelines. The pilot program was scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2028.

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 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 summaryThis resolution (SR 51) is a ceremonial recognition by the Mississippi Senate of Caterpillar Inc. and its Corinth, Mississippi facility for celebrating its 100th anniversary. It formally acknowledges the company's history, innovation in construction and mining equipment, and its economic impact in Mississippi. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it simply expresses the Senate's appreciation through a formal statement to be presented to Caterpillar and the Mississippi Manufacturers Association.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 53) is a ceremonial recognition of the Coliseum Theatre's 100th anniversary in Corinth, Mississippi. It honors the historic theater, built in 1924 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980, as a cultural landmark central to Corinth's downtown revitalization. The resolution formally extends congratulations to Corinth citizens and directs copies to local officials, tourism committees, and the theater's centennial committee. It does not create new laws or alter policies; it solely serves as a symbolic tribute to the theater's historical and community significance.

Maddy summarySB 3074 would have allocated $7 million from Mississippi's General Fund to the City of Corinth for the Harper Road Infrastructure Project. The funds were intended to cover costs for improving South Harper Road between Highway 45 East and Highway 72 during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This bill specifically provided state funding for a local road project in Corinth. The bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 3078 proposed appropriating $150,000 from Mississippi's State General Fund to the Town of Farmington for police department equipment and vehicle purchases during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill would have directly funded Farmington's police department for operational needs like vehicles and gear. It included standard state payment procedures through the State Treasurer and Fiscal Officer. However, the bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 3076 allocated $350,000 from Mississippi's General Fund to the Town of Walnut for infrastructure improvements on Industrial Road during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill directly affected the Town of Walnut by providing funding to cover costs for road upgrades. It specified that funds would be paid by the State Treasurer upon proper requisitions, effective July 1, 2025. The bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2988 appropriated $500,000 from Mississippi's State General Fund to the Department of Finance and Administration for software upgrades at Region 4 Mental Health Services facilities during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill directly affects Region 4 Mental Health Services facilities, which provide care to patients in specific Mississippi counties. It authorizes funds to cover costs for upgrading their software systems, with payment handled through standard state fiscal procedures. The bill died in the Appropriations Committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.