Sen. Dennis DeBar

Maddy summarySB 2180 would limit charter school teacher exemptions from standard educational qualifications (like degree requirements) to programs that do not receive Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) grant funding. Currently, charter school teachers are exempt from these qualifications under Section 37-21-3, but this bill would require them to meet the same standards as public school teachers if their program receives MDE grants. The bill applies specifically to early childhood education and prekindergarten programs in charter schools authorized by the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board. It died in committee in February 2025 and would have taken effect July 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Mississippi Court of Appeals' establishment (1994), recognizing its role in resolving the Mississippi Supreme Court's appeal backlog and efficiently handling appellate caseloads. It highlights the court's achievement of issuing over 15,000 merit opinions with an average processing time of 200 days since its inception. The resolution formally honors the court's accomplishments, including its community outreach programs and the dedication of its judges and staff over three decades. As a symbolic gesture, it does not enact new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill asks the Mississippi Governor to declare a state of emergency in counties suffering from severe economic losses due to a drought-induced pine beetle outbreak. The legislation cites extensive damage, including millions of dead trees, utility disruptions, and high costs for clearing roads and properties, as justification for the request. If approved, the declaration would allow the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency to implement specific relief programs and resources to address the crisis. The bill was ultimately adopted by the Senate but did not advance further in the legislative process.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for a specific fee assessment in Greene County, Mississippi, from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2028. The fee allows the county's Board of Supervisors to charge up to $15 for each civil case filed or misdemeanor conviction in the local justice court. The collected money is designated for building and maintaining a new facility called the Greene County Justice Court Complex. Although the bill was referred to a committee, it did not advance further and ultimately failed to pass.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Mississippi Adequate Education Program by changing how the base cost of educating a student is calculated and how funds are distributed to school districts. It requires the base student cost to increase annually by 25% of the previous year's cost, adjusted for inflation, while also mandating that 90% of state contributions be spent on teacher salaries and classroom resources rather than administrative roles. The legislation sets specific rules for funding charter schools, requiring them to return prorated funds if students return to their home districts, and ensures that no district receives less state funding in 2025 than it did in 2024. Ultimately, the bill aims to standardize the formula used to determine the amount of money each school district receives to support its students.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state funds to support the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid for the 2025 fiscal year, covering scholarships, loans, and grants for eligible students. It establishes specific funding priorities, such as reserving money for new optometry students and ensuring that the FAITH Scholarship Program receives a designated portion of federal and special source funds. The legislation also sets rules for fund allocation, including a preference for the Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing equipment and a limit preventing students from receiving aid from multiple undergraduate grant programs simultaneously. Additionally, the bill requires the agency to submit detailed annual reports on award amounts and recipient data while mandating that official transcripts cannot be issued to students with unpaid loan balances.

Maddy summaryThis Mississippi bill appropriates over $1.5 billion in state and special funds to support the eight state universities for the 2025 fiscal year, covering general operations, maintenance, and repairs. A key provision establishes a rule requiring off-campus centers to receive at least 65% of the funding rate applied to on-campus students while charging only direct costs. The legislation also allocates specific amounts for the Mississippi Governor's School for the Gifted and Talented and the Teacher Corps, and directs the Board of Trustees to eliminate duplicate programs and avoid using general funds to replace withdrawn federal money.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the definition of "qualified resort area" under Mississippi's local alcoholic beverage control laws, allowing specific municipalities to set stricter rules for alcohol sales. It authorizes local governments in these designated areas to establish operating hours for alcohol facilities, require that at least 25% of revenue comes from food sales rather than drinks, and limit where alcohol-selling businesses can be located. Additionally, the law permits these areas to issue special permits allowing the retail sale, storage, and distribution of alcohol within their boundaries. The legislation directly affects city councils and towns that choose to be classified as qualified resort areas, giving them new tools to regulate alcohol consumption locally.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates approximately $71.5 million in state and special funds to support the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine for the 2025 fiscal year. The funding covers general operations, salaries, research grants, clinical services, and specific programs like chronic disease testing and rural veterinarian scholarships. In exchange for this financial support, the college is required to meet specific performance targets, such as ensuring 95% of graduates pass their licensing exam and achieving high levels of client and alumni satisfaction. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the college give purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when buying goods and services. The bill also requires the college to submit a detailed budget report for the following year that includes data on how well these performance goals were achieved.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates approximately $286 million in state funds to cover the expenses of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety for the fiscal year 2025. The legislation authorizes the hiring of specific permanent and time-limited positions while establishing strict rules to prevent using these funds for salary increases or promotions of current employees. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department cannot issue speed limit citations based on quotas and sets specific performance targets for enforcement activities, driver services, and forensic analysis.