Sen. Daniel Sparks

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 extends the expiration date for a repealer law that allows the City of Fulton, Mississippi, to impose a tourism tax on hotels and motels from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2028. The legislation defines eligible properties as establishments with six or more guest rooms and authorizes the city to collect a tax of up to three percent on room rentals, which must be used solely for tourism promotion and parks and recreation. Before the tax can be implemented, city officials must hold a public election where at least sixty percent of voters must approve the measure. The bill also mandates that funds be kept in a separate account, audited annually by an independent accountant, and that the tax be collected through the state Department of Revenue.

Maddy summarySB 2792 updates Mississippi laws regarding foster care and adoption to better protect children and support families involved in the system. The bill requires that children aged 12 or older be served with legal summons and represented by counsel in cases where parents' rights are being terminated, while also ensuring courts consider the preferences of children aged 14 and above. It establishes a new fund to pay for legal representation for indigent parents and guardians, clarifies definitions of child neglect, and sets specific timelines for permanency hearings. Additionally, the legislation mandates training for court intake officers and judges on child safety and introduces a waiver for adoption filing fees when the Department of Child Protection Services is involved.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new trust fund to provide death benefits to Mississippi law enforcement officers and firefighters who die or suffer fatal injuries while performing official duties. It increases the base death benefit payment to $150,000 and allows for an additional $25,000 per child, with a maximum total payout of $250,000, while also authorizing up to $15,000 for funeral expenses. The legislation creates a separate fund for training and equipment grants, directing any money remaining in the death benefits trust after maintaining a $4 million minimum balance to support enhanced training or safety gear for covered individuals.

Maddy summaryThe SAFER Act establishes new state laws in Mississippi that require public schools and universities to maintain separate restrooms, changing facilities, and student housing spaces for males and females. Under this legislation, these areas must be designated exclusively for one sex or configured as single-occupant or family-use rooms with secure locks to ensure privacy. The law also restricts entry into these spaces, allowing access only for specific reasons such as assisting young children, responding to emergencies, or performing official government duties. Additionally, the bill defines terms like "female" and "male" based solely on biological sex determined at birth and mandates that social fraternities and sororities on public land adhere to these single-sex housing definitions.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the legal authority for the Boards of Supervisors in Alcorn, Benton, Marshall, Prentiss, Tippah, and Tishomingo Counties to contribute up to $150,000 each to Northeast Mississippi Community Services, Inc. The funds provided by these county boards are intended to serve as matching contributions that allow the community action agency to secure additional grants from state or federal sources. By amending existing laws, the legislation updates the expiration date for this funding authority from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the authority of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to enforce state laws and city ordinances on various state-owned properties, including the Capitol Complex, the Governor's mansion, and specific buildings for the Department of Agriculture and Department of Revenue. It removes the previous requirement for written approval from state police leadership to secure events near state buildings, allowing for more flexible security arrangements. Additionally, the legislation provides for the compensation of judges in the CCID Inferior Court and establishes a fee structure for security services provided at the Mississippi State Fairgrounds.