Sen. Johnny DuPree

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution commends Patrick Wilcher, a mathematics instructor and department chair at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's Perkinston Campus, for receiving the "Instructor of the Year" award. The resolution formally recognizes his distinguished service and teaching excellence, which was selected through nominations from students, faculty, and administrators based on his performance in teaching, college service, community service, and professional development. The document directs that the resolution be presented to Mr. Wilcher, forwarded to the college president, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $20 million from the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund to Mississippi's Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for disaster response and recovery costs. It specifically covers expenses related to the severe weather event beginning January 24, 2026, and other state disaster obligations, effective from passage through June 30, 2027. The funds are intended to cover MEMA's costs for managing disaster response and recovery efforts during this period. This is a straightforward funding allocation with no new policy provisions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Mu Xi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at the University of Southern Mississippi. The bill formally acknowledges the chapter's history, which began in 1976 when 16 undergraduate students were initiated as charter members. It highlights the fraternity's broader legacy as a service organization founded by African American men and its contributions to the community. The resolution is presented to the fraternity chapter and the Capitol Press Corps for distribution, serving as an official commemorative gesture rather than establishing new policy requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution congratulates former Mississippi State Senator Bobby Chamberlin on his investiture as a United States District Court Judge for the Northern District of Mississippi. The resolution recognizes his judicial career, including his service on the Mississippi Supreme Court and previous roles as a municipal judge and prosecutor. It also notes his confirmation by the U.S. Senate and includes a statement of support from Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. The resolution will be presented at Chamberlin's investiture ceremony and shared with the press.

Maddy summarySB 2850 expands Mississippi's Advantage Jobs Act by allowing qualified businesses to receive incentive payments for up to 10 years, with potential extensions. To qualify for the initial 10-year period, businesses must meet job creation (minimum 10 full-time jobs) and wage requirements (average salary at least 125% of state/county average wage). For a 5-year extension, businesses must create 3,000 new jobs within 5 years and maintain average wages at 150% of the state/county average. A second 10-year extension requires an additional 4,000 new jobs (net of the first 3,000) while sustaining the same wage threshold, all verified by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. This directly affects businesses meeting these specific job and wage criteria in eligible counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $188,645 from the state treasury to fund the Mississippi State Board of Chiropractic Examiners for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It specifically allocates $40,000 to replace and upgrade the board’s licensing management system. The bill requires the board to maintain detailed financial records, comply with budget laws, and give preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods or services.

Maddy summarySB 3074 appropriates $1,269,591 for the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners for fiscal year 2027, primarily to cover staff salaries and benefits for its authorized 8 full-time positions. The bill specifies that $720,776 must be used exclusively for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits), with strict limits preventing budget overruns or using these funds for promotions or new positions. It requires the Board to use "Vacancy Funding" only to fill existing unfilled authorized positions from the prior year, not to increase current staff compensation. The funds must comply with Mississippi's Variable Compensation Plan and cannot exceed the prior year's allocation without legislative approval for new positions.

Maddy summarySB 2369 allows Mississippi to withhold gaming winnings (from casinos, lotteries, and other licensed venues) from individuals who owe unpaid child support. The law requires the Mississippi Gaming Commission and Department of Human Services to create rules for this process and permits gaming businesses to charge a small administrative fee when withholding these winnings. This directly affects people with outstanding child support debt by using their gambling winnings as a new source to pay that debt. The bill provides a concrete enforcement tool for collecting child support payments through the gaming industry.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a formal tribute resolution honoring civil rights icon James Howard Meredith. It recognizes his receipt of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Mississippi Pinnacle Awards, commemorating his historic role as the first African American student admitted to the University of Mississippi in 1962. The resolution acknowledges his lifelong civil rights advocacy and the pivotal impact of his enrollment, which challenged segregation and became a key moment in the civil rights movement. The tribute will be presented to Meredith and shared with the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill) expressing the Mississippi Legislature's condolences on the death of Dr. Rod Paige, Mississippi native and the nation's first African American U.S. Secretary of Education. It honors his legacy, including his role in shaping the No Child Left Behind Act and his work as Houston school superintendent. The resolution extends "sincerest sympathy" to his family and pays tribute to his contributions to education. It has no legislative effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a commemorative gesture.