Sen. Dennis DeBar

Maddy summarySB 2287 is a procedural bill that reorganizes existing sections of Mississippi's charter school law (specifically moving sections 37-28-1 through 37-28-61) to a new position in the code for potential future amendments. It does not create new policies or change current charter school rules - it only rearranges the legal text to facilitate future legislative updates. The bill died in committee in 2026 and had no effect on existing charter school operations or regulations. This is a technical code renumbering, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summarySB 2434 would have authorized Mississippi's Pat Harrison Waterway District to offer discounts on park, campground, and recreational facility fees to active-duty military, reserves, National Guard members, and veterans. The district's board would have set the discount rates and eligibility rules. This bill directly affected military members seeking reduced costs for using the district's recreational areas. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2394, a proposed Mississippi bill, would allow home-based food sellers to increase their annual sales limit from an unspecified lower amount to $120,000 without needing a full food establishment permit. It requires all cottage food sellers to complete certified food safety training (with existing sellers having until October 2026 to comply) and lists specific approved foods like baked goods, jams, dried spices, and wine. The bill also mandates detailed product labeling, prohibits direct online sales (though advertising online is allowed), and exempts homemade wine sold through cottage food operations from certain local restrictions. This bill, which died in committee in February 2026, would have directly affected small home-based food businesses operating within Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2921 would require the Mississippi legislature to preserve the core purpose and intent of citizen-initiated proposals when drafting alternative versions for the ballot. If the legislature amends a citizen initiative, the revised version must honor the original's intent and substance, and both the original and amended proposals would be presented to voters. The bill mandates that any initiative or legislative alternative must receive a majority of votes plus at least 40% of total ballots cast to pass. This change would directly affect how citizen-driven proposals are handled during legislative review, ensuring alternatives align with voter-approved proposals rather than altering their fundamental purpose.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 10) formally commemorates Mississippi College's bicentennial in 2026, marking 200 years since its founding on January 24, 1826. It honors the institution's history as Mississippi's oldest college and the second oldest Baptist college in the U.S., highlighting its contributions to education, its Christian mission, and its role in developing leaders across Mississippi. The resolution has no policy or funding provisions - it is purely ceremonial, extending recognition to the college's students, faculty, and administration. It was adopted by the Mississippi Senate in early 2026 with no reported opposition.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $189 million from Mississippi's general fund and $1.7 billion from patient/student fees and special funds to cover the University of Mississippi Medical Center's (UMMC) operating expenses for fiscal year 2026. It specifically allocates funds for UMMC's schools (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing), the Teaching Hospital, and designated programs including $2.17 million for rural physician scholarships, $4.75 million for the Cancer Institute, $595,000 for a tobacco center, and $1.35 million for children's abuse care facilities. The bill requires UMMC to provide detailed expenditure reports to the legislature and mandates that state agencies reimburse UMMC for services within 90 days or risk service discontinuation. It also prohibits using funds for embryo research and specifies how certain allocations (like scholarship programs) must be used.

Maddy summarySB 2026 appropriates $438.2 million from the state General Fund and $30.8 million from special funds for Mississippi's Department of Corrections during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill allocates specific funding to key areas including $122 million for medical services, $69.5 million for private prison contracts, and $144 million for personnel costs (salaries, benefits, and staffing positions). These funds directly support state correctional facilities like Parchman, South Mississippi Correctional, and community corrections programs, covering operational expenses and staffing for approximately 2,900 positions. As a funding measure, it does not change policy but authorizes financial resources for existing correctional operations.

Maddy summarySB 2015 appropriates $168,604,209 from the State General Fund and $117,126,547 from Special Funds to cover the Department of Public Safety's expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It specifically allocates $154,691,960 for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits), with strict limits on spending to prevent exceeding budgeted amounts when annualized. The bill authorizes 4 new positions (including Medical Examiner and Sexual Assault Kits staff) and requires that "Vacancy Funding" ($705,000) be used solely to fill unfilled roles, not for raises or promotions. It also mandates that funds must comply with Mississippi’s Variable Compensation Plan and prohibits using state funds to replace withdrawn federal or special funds.

Maddy summarySB 2005 appropriates $33.37 million from general funds and $14.53 million from special sources (including $1.15 million from the Education Enhancement Fund) to support Mississippi State University's Cooperative Extension Service for fiscal year 2026. The bill requires the service to report on meeting specific performance targets across agriculture, 4-H, family education, and community development programs, while prohibiting the use of state funds to replace federal or external grants. It also mandates preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions and requires compliance with budget reporting standards for future funding requests.

Maddy summarySB 2001 allocates nearly $1.5 billion in state funds to Mississippi's eight public universities (Alcorn State, Delta State, Jackson State, Mississippi State, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State, Ole Miss, and Southern Miss) for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides $376 million from the state general fund for core operations, $1.09 billion from federal/student fees, and $1.5 million from the Ayers Endowment for specific university support. The bill also earmarks $145,000 for the Governor's School for Gifted Students (requiring nominations from all high schools) and $349,200 for the Teacher Corps program. Key provisions include requiring 65% of on-campus funding for off-campus centers and prohibiting general funds from replacing federal or special funds.