Sen. Daniel Sparks

Maddy summarySB 2412 is a procedural bill that moves Section 25-31-5 of the Mississippi Code (which specifies staffing levels for legal assistants in circuit courts) to a new location in the code for potential future amendment. It restates current authorized numbers (e.g., 10 legal assistants in the First Circuit, 14 in the Seventh) and includes future adjustments like increasing the Ninth Circuit to 4 assistants by 2027. The bill also clarifies that additional staff may be funded through county resolutions, federal grants, or other sources, with reporting requirements for district attorneys. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2400 amends Mississippi law to set a $84 daily compensation rate for commissioners of the Tishomingo County Water District, matching the existing rate for several Hancock County water districts. It directly affects Tishomingo County Water District commissioners who attend board meetings, ensuring they receive consistent pay with other similar districts. The bill specifies this rate applies per meeting attended (regular or special), with reimbursement for necessary expenses as outlined in existing law. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and will not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2374, the "Ending Agency Overreach Act," would change how Mississippi courts review state agency decisions. It requires courts to interpret agency rules and statutes "from scratch" (de novo) instead of deferring to agency interpretations, and prohibits civil penalties in enforcement cases unless a jury trial occurs first. The bill also extends the deadline for challenging agency rules to one year after the affected person or business suffers harm. It directly affects state agencies, businesses, and individuals facing enforcement actions, and would have taken effect in 2026. However, the bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2514, the "Mississippi Open to Religion Act," would have required all Mississippi public school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy allowing daily voluntary prayer and Bible or religious text reading on school campuses starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The policy would mandate signed consent forms from students' parents/guardians or employees (including a waiver of legal claims related to religious expression), prohibit participation without consent, and require schools to avoid forcing non-consenting individuals to hear or participate. It also specifies that such activities cannot replace instructional time and must accommodate those who revoke consent. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2692 is a procedural bill that moves Section 73-35-3 of Mississippi's real estate law to a new location in the code for possible future revision. This section currently defines key terms like "real estate broker" and "real estate salesperson," including exemptions for owners, attorneys, and certain financial institutions. The bill itself does not change existing rules but reorganizes the code to facilitate potential updates to these definitions. It affects real estate professionals, brokers, and related entities governed by the current section.

Maddy summarySB 2734, the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act," would have created a legal process to quickly dismiss lawsuits challenging protected speech on public issues. It would apply to private individuals or businesses sued over communications related to public concerns (like political or artistic expression), but explicitly excludes government employees acting officially, public health/safety enforcement, and business communications about goods/services. Key mechanisms include requiring courts to rule on a "special motion" to dismiss such lawsuits within 60 days, staying all other court proceedings during the motion, and allowing the winning party to recover costs and attorney fees. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2771, the Fresh Start Act, revises Mississippi law to prevent automatic disqualification from occupational licenses based solely on past criminal convictions. It requires licensing boards to consider only crimes directly related to a job's duties (e.g., a theft conviction for a cashier role), banning vague terms like "moral turpitude" and mandating a clear standard for review. The law gives applicants 30 days to get a determination on their license eligibility after submitting a $25 fee petition and requires all licensing boards to comply by July 1, 2025. It excludes attorney licensing, nursing compacts, and certain healthcare licenses from these changes.

Maddy summarySB 2489 authorizes Mississippi Supreme Court justices and Court of Appeals judges to receive a daily expense allowance when performing judicial duties outside Jackson, Mississippi. The allowance equals the federal government's maximum daily rate for Jackson's high-cost area, capped at 20 days per month total - 12 days for travel outside Jackson and 20 days in Jackson. It ensures no judge receives more days of allowance than previously permitted under state law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not increase overall expense allowances.

Maddy summarySB 3057 extends the expiration date of Booneville, Mississippi's 2% tax on hotel/motel room rentals and restaurant sales from its original date to July 1, 2029. The tax, collected by businesses and paid to the state, funds tourism promotion and parks/recreation projects in Booneville. Proceeds cannot be used for general city expenses, salaries, legal fees, or private property. This extension ensures the dedicated revenue stream for tourism and recreation initiatives remains active through 2029.

Maddy summarySC 544 is a concurrent resolution passed by the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives to extend condolences to Paul Gallo's family and honor his 56-year career as a talk radio host in Mississippi. It recognizes Gallo's role as a "Godfather" of Mississippi talk radio, his hosting of "The Gallo Radio Show," and his community impact - including raising nearly $3 million for children's causes through SuperTalk's Radiothon. The resolution emphasizes his dedication to amplifying Mississippi's stories, holding leaders accountable, and connecting with listeners as "family" over decades. As a ceremonial tribute, it has no policy effect or direct impact on legislation or constituents.