Sen. Mike Seymour

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a bill with policy changes) that commends Stone County High School senior golfer Carissa Hester for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association 5A District, Regional, and State Championship titles in golf. It formally recognizes her as the first Stone County High School golfer to achieve both regional and state championship wins. The resolution extends congratulations to Hester, her coach, and school officials, and will be presented to her family and the Stone County Board of Education. It has no legal effect or policy implications, serving solely as an expression of recognition.

Maddy summarySR 27 is a ceremonial resolution extending the Mississippi Senate's sympathy to the family of Jeanne Carter Luckey, a National Republican Committee Woman and community leader from Louisville, Mississippi, following her death on November 7, 2024. The resolution commends her service, including her work as Mississippi Federation of Republican Women President, her advocacy for disability access on the Institutions of Higher Learning board, and her decades of community involvement. This resolution has no policy effect - it solely expresses the Senate’s condolences and acknowledges her life’s contributions. It was adopted by the Senate on February 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to amend Mississippi's constitution to reinstate the citizen initiative process, which was previously invalidated by the state Supreme Court. It would allow citizens to propose constitutional amendments (requiring signatures from 40% of registered voters) or statutory changes (requiring 25% of registered voters) through petitions. Key provisions include requiring petition signers to provide home addresses, limiting signatures per congressional district to proportional representation based on current district counts, and banning initiatives that target specific constitutional rights or retirement systems. The bill also mandates fiscal analyses for initiatives and specifies that only one proposal per petition may be submitted for separate voter consideration.

Maddy summarySB 2513 is a procedural bill that moves existing Mississippi firearm regulations (specifically Sections 45-9-51, 45-9-53, and 45-9-101 of the Mississippi Code) to different locations within the code for potential future amendment. It does not change current law or create new restrictions; it only reorganizes where these provisions are located in the legal code. The bill affects local governments and residents by preserving existing limits on local firearm ordinances, such as prohibiting counties/municipalities from banning firearm possession in public housing or certain outdoor areas. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and has no current effect on firearm regulations.

Maddy summarySB 2641 increases penalties for absentee ballot fraud in Mississippi. It raises the minimum fine for "vote fraud" to $1,000 and the minimum prison sentence to one year, with maximums of $5,000 and five years. The bill specifically targets actions like paying people to influence absentee votes, selling votes, fraudulently submitting absentee applications, or falsifying related affidavits. It directly affects individuals committing these specific offenses involving absentee ballots. The bill was referred to the Elections Committee but died there in February 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2516, the "Safe Dormitories Act," requires Mississippi public colleges and universities to offer students the option to live in dormitory rooms with roommates of the same biological sex, defined as based on reproductive systems (producing ova or sperm). It prohibits entering a dormitory room designated exclusively for the opposite sex, with exceptions for emergencies, chaperoning minors, or maintenance. The law allows private lawsuits for violations and mandates annual compliance reports to state officials. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2509 would have amended Mississippi law to allow members of the legislature to inspect certain youth court records when a parent, guardian, or custodian provides written consent. Currently, youth court records are confidential except under specific court orders or for certain agencies like child protection services. This bill created a new exception permitting legislative review of these records only with explicit, prior written permission from a child's parent or guardian. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2417 requires auto insurers in Mississippi to reinstate policies if they cancel for nonpayment but send cancellation notices to an incorrect address, preventing the insured from receiving proper notice. It directly affects auto insurance policyholders who pay overdue premiums after such a notice error. The key provision mandates that if the insured pays the past-due amount within the required timeframe, the policy is reinstated under its original terms without changes. The bill amends Mississippi's insurance code (Section 83-11-5) to enforce this requirement, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2265 would have increased Mississippi's annual sales cap for cottage food operations from $20,000 to $59,000, allowing home-based food sellers to earn more without needing a full food establishment permit. It required all cottage food vendors to complete ANSI-accredited food handler safety training (with a 2025 compliance deadline for existing sellers) and mandated specific labeling on products. The bill defined approved cottage foods (like baked goods, jams, dried spices, and wine) and prohibited online sales or wholesale distribution. However, the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2464 would prohibit Mississippi state agencies and local governments from entering contracts that treat firearm or knife businesses unfairly. Specifically, it requires companies bidding on government contracts over $40,000 to verify they don’t discriminate against firearm/knife manufacturers, retailers, or their trade associations. The bill also amends existing law to prevent restrictions on firearm possession, carrying, or ownership in government contracts or policies, and creates a legal way for citizens to challenge violations. However, the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.