Sen. Joey Fillingane

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 summarySB 2003 shortens the waiting period for retired Mississippi educators to return to teaching from 90 to 45 days. It removes requirements that retirees must have a minimum service history, teach only in districts with critical shortages, or work only in specific subject areas. The bill also sets a 65% cap on salary for returning retirees, adjusts pension liability payments, and allows school districts to cover health insurance premiums for these educators using local funds. These changes directly affect retired teachers seeking to return to classroom roles in Mississippi public schools.

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 2480 directs the State Fiscal Officer to transfer $265 million from Mississippi's Capital Expense Fund to the Capacity Project Fund upon the bill's effective date. This transfer specifically funds transportation infrastructure projects (known as "capacity projects") included in the Mississippi Department of Transportation's Three-Year Plan, as defined under existing law. The bill amends Section 65-1-141.2 to clarify that unspent funds in the Capacity Project Fund do not lapse into the general state fund, and earnings from the fund remain within it. The bill does not create new policy but reallocates existing state funds for transportation project financing.

Maddy summarySB 2479, the "Creating Transparency and Accountability in Dental Services Act," requires dental insurance companies (referred to as "dental carriers") to calculate and report annually how much of their premium revenue is spent directly on patient care versus administrative costs. Dental carriers must file detailed reports by June 30 each year, including data matching federal standards, and make these reports publicly accessible online by December 1. The law applies to all dental health plans sold in Mississippi, excluding Medicaid and state-sponsored programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program. This transparency measure aims to clarify where premium dollars go, allowing consumers and regulators to review carrier spending patterns.

Maddy summarySB 2104 expands Mississippi's gambling prohibitions to explicitly include online, interactive, and computerized games, targeting operators of illegal online gambling platforms. It increases violations from misdemeanors to felonies, imposing fines up to $100,000 or 10 years in prison, and authorizes forfeiture of assets used in violations. The bill creates a "safe harbor" (new Section 97-33-6) protecting telecom and technology platforms from liability if they comply with certain requirements. It also explicitly includes internet sweepstakes casinos under the prohibitions and allows prosecutions to be filed in the county of violation or Hinds County. The law directly affects online gambling operators and platforms hosting such activities.

Maddy summarySB 2793 creates a new criminal offense called "financial institution accounts fraud" in Mississippi. It defines this crime as using false pretenses, devices, or schemes to withdraw or transfer money from accounts at banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, or brokerage/mutual fund accounts with intent to deprive the institution or customer. Penalties increase based on the amount stolen: misdemeanors for under $1,000 (up to 6 months jail or $1,000 fine), and felonies for larger amounts (up to 20 years in prison or $10,000 fines for $25,000+). The bill directly affects individuals who commit such fraud against financial institutions and provides clearer legal standards for prosecuting these cases.

Maddy summarySB 2370 authorizes Mississippi airport authorities to take possession of abandoned vehicles left on airport property after following specific notice procedures. It requires airports to attempt contacting owners via certified mail for 90 days and post public notices if owners cannot be found, before selling, disposing of, or retaining the vehicle for airport use (e.g., maintenance or security). Proceeds from sales first cover towing and storage costs, with any remaining funds held for 90 days before being deposited into the airport’s general operating fund. This law directly affects airport authorities and vehicle owners whose vehicles are left unclaimed on airport property.

Maddy summarySB 3127 allocates $2 million from Mississippi's General Fund to the City of Columbia for the fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The funding covers costs for expanding, renovating, and improving Columbia's sports complex. This bill directly affects the City of Columbia by providing state financial support for specific infrastructure upgrades to its public recreation facility. The appropriation is procedural, with no policy changes beyond the specified funding allocation.

Maddy summarySB 3121, the "Retailer Tax Fairness Act," provides a tax credit to Mississippi retailers who accept debit or credit cards. It entitles merchants to a credit equal to 2.5% of state and local taxes collected from customers using electronic payment transactions (like credit/debit cards), because they pay interchange fees to payment networks. This directly affects retailers processing card payments, reducing their tax burden by offsetting fees they pay to process transactions. The credit applies to taxes under specific Mississippi tax codes and local hotel/motel/restaurant taxes, effective July 1, 2026.