Sen. Daniel Sparks

Maddy summarySB 2480 directs the State Fiscal Officer to transfer $265 million from Mississippi's Capital Expense Fund to the Capacity Project Fund upon the bill's effective date. This transfer specifically funds transportation infrastructure projects (known as "capacity projects") included in the Mississippi Department of Transportation's Three-Year Plan, as defined under existing law. The bill amends Section 65-1-141.2 to clarify that unspent funds in the Capacity Project Fund do not lapse into the general state fund, and earnings from the fund remain within it. The bill does not create new policy but reallocates existing state funds for transportation project financing.

Maddy summarySB 2017 repeals numerous outdated commissions, councils, and advisory boards from Mississippi's legal code, including the Arkansas-Mississippi Bridge Commission and the Mississippi Commission on the Holocaust. The bill removes specific sections of the Mississippi Code that created these entities, which have been inactive for years. It also amends two code sections to remove references to the repealed entities, ensuring the law remains consistent. This procedural bill cleans up obsolete legal structures without creating new requirements or directly affecting the public.

Maddy summarySB 2613 creates a dedicated "PERS Tier 5 COLA Account" within Mississippi's public employee retirement system. It requires the State Treasurer to transfer $5 million annually from the State General Fund to this account on July 1 each year, beginning July 1, 2026, and continuing through July 1, 2035. The funds are designated for "additional annual benefit" payments specifically for Tier 5 retirees under the PERS system. This bill directly affects current and future Tier 5 public employee retirees by establishing a funding mechanism for their cost-of-living adjustments. The transfer schedule and account management are explicitly defined by the bill's provisions.

Maddy summarySB 2668, the "Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans Act of 2026" (PLUS Act), regulates paid assistance with veterans' benefit claims in Mississippi. It prohibits charging fees for such services unless the veteran signs a waiver acknowledging they’re within the one-year post-discharge period and choosing to deny free VA services. The bill requires written agreements with clear fee terms (capped at 5x monthly benefit increase or $12,500), bans upfront fees, mandates a specific disclosure about free VA services, and prohibits using veterans’ personal data without consent. It directly affects veterans seeking claim assistance and businesses/individuals offering paid services, while exempting VA-accredited representatives. Violations can result in civil penalties under Mississippi’s Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Maddy summarySB 2630 creates the "Mississippi Grant and Subgrant Administration Transparency and Accountability of Non-Governmental Organizations Act of 2026" to improve oversight of state and federal grant funds given to nonprofits and quasi-public entities. It requires these organizations to submit detailed annual financial reports showing fund usage, set measurable program goals, and disclose leadership backgrounds (including past violations or criminal history). The bill prohibits using grant funds for partisan political activities and mandates that agencies suspend payments for missed reporting deadlines or unmet performance metrics, with termination possible after 120 days. All reports must be filed within 180 days after the fiscal year ends, and failure to comply risks immediate grant termination and a three-year ban on future funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Mississippi public schools to incorporate financial literacy into the curriculum for grades 6-8 starting in the 2027-2028 school year. It also mandates that all high school students pass either a half-credit personal finance course or a full-credit course where at least half focuses on financial literacy to graduate, beginning with the 2032 graduating class. The law directly affects all Mississippi public schools (including charter schools) and students in grades 6-12. It amends existing education law to formalize these requirements, focusing on practical financial skills like budgeting and credit management.

Maddy summarySB 2623 creates the Mississippi Office of Apprenticeship under the Department of Employment Security and establishes a State Apprenticeship Council. The Office will implement apprenticeship programs, define terms like "apprentice" and "apprenticeship agreement," and promulgate necessary rules. The Apprenticeship Council, composed of specified members, provides advisory guidance to the Office on program operations but cannot replace it as the state's registration agency. This bill sets up the administrative framework for Mississippi's apprenticeship system without creating new financial benefits or direct program requirements for employers or workers.

Maddy summarySB 2909 reduces the required years of creditable service for retirement benefits under Mississippi's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) from 35 years to 30 years. It specifically applies to members who become part of PERS on or after March 1, 2026, allowing them to qualify for retirement benefits with fewer service years. The bill modifies Section 25-11-111 of Mississippi's code to reflect this change in eligibility requirements. This adjustment directly affects future public employees joining PERS after the effective date, making retirement benefits more accessible with a shorter service commitment. The age requirements for retirement remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryMississippi Senate Bill 2911 modifies the state's Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) rules to allow eligible retirees to return to state employment under new terms. It reduces the required separation period from 90 to 30 days and creates an alternative return-to-work provision for retirees not subject to actuarial reductions (except for lump-sum distributions). Under this provision, retirees can work at up to 80% of their prior salary for an agreed period, requiring a written agreement detailing terms, with the employer covering both employer and employee contributions. The bill prohibits retirees from returning to work as elected officials, K-12 superintendents, or university administrators under this provision and sets an expiration date of July 1, 2036.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires any local government retirement plan previously approved by Mississippi's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to pay its full net pension liability to the PERS board in a single lump sum before the plan terminates. It applies specifically to political subdivisions (like cities or counties) ending their retirement plans, mandating they pay the greater of the liability as of June 30, 2026, or their actual termination date. The bill amends PERS law to enforce this lump-sum payment as a condition of termination, ensuring local governments settle pension obligations before exiting the system. This changes how retirement plan terminations are handled, requiring immediate financial settlement rather than deferred payments.