Sen. Joey Fillingane

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SC 524), not a policy bill. It expresses the Mississippi Legislature's sympathy to Jimmy Carter's family and commends his life, public service, and legacy following his passing. The resolution details his presidency (1977-1981), key achievements like the Camp David Accords, and post-presidency work through the Carter Center. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals or policies - it is solely a symbolic gesture of remembrance. The resolution was adopted by the Mississippi Legislature on March 5, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) honoring Mississippi poll workers with 50+ consecutive years of service. It commends them as the "Frontline of Democracy" and recognizes specific individuals (including Colene Cain and Freddie Byrd Farmer) who received a Capitol ceremony on February 27, 2025. The resolution has no policy changes - it solely offers symbolic recognition for their decades of nonpartisan election work. It does not alter election laws, provide funding, or affect voters or officials.

Maddy summarySB 2083 would have allowed Mississippi vehicle owners to purchase distinctive license tags supporting Mississippi College School of Law, requiring an additional $30 annual fee per tag. The bill specified that $24 of each fee would go directly to Mississippi College School of Law, $1 to the Mississippi Burn Care Fund, $2 to the State Highway Fund, and $1 to another special fund. It applied only to owners who voluntarily chose to pay the fee for the specialty tag, with the tags needing annual renewal. The bill was referred to committee but ultimately "died in committee" on March 4, 2025, meaning it did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2201 clarifies that Mississippi's traffic law definition of "automated recording equipment or system" includes devices operated manually by law enforcement officers, not just fully automated systems. This change would have affected county and municipal governments that use or plan to use traffic enforcement technology to record license plates for violations like speeding or red-light running. The bill amended Section 17-25-19 to explicitly include manually operated devices under the existing ban on local use of such equipment for traffic enforcement. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2309 creates a new criminal offense in Mississippi for "grooming of a child," defined as a person over 21 knowingly engaging in a pattern of communication or conduct to prepare a child under 16 for sexual activity, human trafficking, or sexual servitude. It establishes penalties of 2-10 years in prison or fines up to $10,000 for first offenses, with harsher penalties (5-20 years, up to $30,000 fines) for those in positions of trust (e.g., teachers, coaches) or repeat offenders. The bill also amends definitions in related laws, including clarifying "morphed images" as altered visual depictions making a child appear to engage in sexual conduct. It directly affects individuals over 21 targeting minors and expands legal tools to prosecute online exploitation.

Maddy summarySB 2334 bans camping on public streets, sidewalks, or within 1,000 feet of critical infrastructure (like roads or bridges) without authorization, treating violations as misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $250. It requires 48-hour written or posted notice before enforcement actions and mandates humane removal of encampments on private property after notice. The bill also regulates public solicitation (requiring permits) and defines "aggressive panhandling" and "loitering" as crimes with fines, while requiring mental health/substance abuse evaluations for arrested individuals. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and does not yet affect public policy.

Maddy summarySB 2850 requires cigarette and vape (ENDS) manufacturers in Mississippi to submit annual certifications to the Commissioner of Revenue by September 1, 2025, for vapes, leading to a public directory of approved products starting October 1, 2025. Retailers must stop selling vape products not listed in the directory after that date, with a 60-day grace period to clear existing inventory. Sellers of non-compliant products face daily fines up to $1,500 per product, and the bill mandates unannounced compliance checks by the Department of Revenue. Manufacturers must also maintain a registered agent in Mississippi for legal service.

Maddy summarySB 2483 modifies Mississippi law to allow the Commission on Judicial Performance to access youth court records directly for its official duties, removing a prior requirement that the Commission needed to formally request such records. The bill also clarifies that certain individuals (like youth court staff and judges) can inspect youth court records without needing a court order, and defines "judge" specifically for the Commission's operations. It further grants the Commission authority to compel the Mississippi Youth Court Information Delivery System to provide relevant records. This change primarily affects the Commission on Judicial Performance and youth court administrators, streamlining access to records for judicial oversight purposes.

Maddy summarySB 2883 authorizes Mississippi counties with welcome centers to receive state grants to pay for staffing using county employees (not state employees). The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) will administer a new "Welcome Centers Staff Grant Program," providing funds to cover staffing costs like employee compensation. Counties must submit detailed budget plans for staffing needs, and grants can only be used for these expenses, funded through a dedicated state special fund that doesn’t expire annually. The bill requires MDA to report yearly on grant usage and effectiveness, though it died in committee in March 2025.

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.