Sen. Daniel Sparks

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Mississippi's statute of limitations for "felonious assistance program fraud" (fraud involving government assistance programs like food stamps or welfare) to require prosecution within 10 years of the crime. It directly affects individuals who commit such fraud and prosecutors who must file charges within this timeframe. The bill amends existing law to add a specific 10-year limit for this offense, while other crimes retain their original time limits (e.g., murder has no time limit, most felonies have 5-year limits). This is a procedural change to clarify when cases can be prosecuted, not a new crime or policy.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution designates "Rockabilly Districts" in specific Northeast Mississippi communities (including Tupelo, Saltillo, and Corinth) to recognize and promote the region's role in rockabilly music history. It establishes the "Mississippi Hills Rockabilly Music Historical Trail" to support heritage tourism, economic development, and cultural preservation through markers, exhibits, and community collaboration, directly affecting the listed municipalities and the Northeast Mississippi Rockabilly Heritage Foundation.

Maddy summarySB 2416 (Mississippi) gives law enforcement officers who test positive for drugs in an initial urinalysis test the right to request a follow-up hair follicle test before facing termination or suspension. Officers must contest results within two business days, then have five additional days to pay for a hair test at their own expense; if negative, the employer reimburses them and reinstates the officer. The bill prevents immediate disciplinary action pending the follow-up test results and aligns with existing certification rules. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2018 creates the Mississippi National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program, which reimburses actively drilling Mississippi National Guard members for their Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The program applies to members eligible for Tricare Reserve Select coverage who are not covered by another employer, with reimbursements paid at the current "Tricare Reserve Select - Member only" rate. The Adjutant General administers the program, requiring legislative funding each year and annual reports starting in 2026 to assess its impact on medical readiness and participation. This policy directly affects National Guard members by reducing their out-of-pocket healthcare costs, aiming to support retention and readiness.

Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 526 is a symbolic resolution congratulating the Ole Miss Rebels football team and head coach Pete Golding for winning the 2025-2026 Sugar Bowl championship and finishing No. 3 in national rankings - the highest finish for an SEC team since 1962. It recognizes their 13-2 season, historic College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, and significance as the highest-ranked Ole Miss team in over six decades. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, commending the team's achievements without altering laws or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 2046, the "Mississippians' Right to Name, Likeness and Voice Act," grants every individual in Mississippi a legal right to control how their name, likeness, and voice are used, including by digital tools like AI-generated images or voice replicas. It requires written agreements with legal counsel for commercial use of these elements by individuals 18 or older, or court approval for minors, and allows rights to be inherited by family members for up to 10 years after death (with termination if unused for two years). The law explicitly states these rights are transferable and protects free speech in related lawsuits through a First Amendment defense. It directly affects all Mississippi residents and businesses using personal identifiers commercially, especially in digital contexts.

Maddy summarySB 2004, the Mississippi PERS Stability Act, transfers $500 million from Mississippi's Capital Expense Fund to the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) on July 1, 2026, followed by annual $50 million transfers through 2036. If insufficient funds exist in the Capital Expense Fund, the state will use General Funds to ensure the full $50 million is transferred each year. This directly stabilizes funding for Mississippi's public employees' retirement system, which serves state and local government workers. The bill requires these specific, scheduled transfers to address long-term retirement system funding needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the minimum salary for Mississippi public school teachers and assistant teachers starting in the 2026-2027 school year, establishing specific pay scales based on experience and license type (e.g., $43,500 for entry-level teachers with certain licenses). It requires school districts to maintain or increase local supplements and not pay assistant teachers below the state minimum salary, with potential funding reductions for violations. Additionally, the bill mandates a $2,000 annual salary increase for all full-time faculty at Mississippi's state colleges and universities.

Maddy summarySB 2190 increases Mississippi's required minimum balance for the Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund from 10% to 15% of the General Fund's annual appropriations. It also raises the maximum amount that can be diverted from unencumbered General Fund cash into the reserve from 10% to 15% of the General Fund's appropriations for the fiscal year. The fund, used to manage cash flow shortages, cover revenue shortfalls (with a $50 million annual cap), and provide immediate disaster assistance, will now require a larger reserve to be maintained.

Maddy summarySB 2337 modifies Mississippi's probation law to exempt intervention court participants from a hearing requirement when they commit three or more technical violations of the court's rules. Instead, a judge may directly impose the remainder of the suspended sentence after making a written finding of the violations, skipping the standard hearing process. This change specifically applies to individuals enrolled in intervention courts - specialized programs for non-violent offenders focused on rehabilitation, such as drug or mental health courts. The bill streamlines consequences for repeated technical violations without requiring a hearing in these cases.