Sen. Scott DeLano

Maddy summarySB 2817 would have required all golf carts and low-speed vehicles (defined as vehicles under 25 mph) operating on Mississippi public roads to display a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Owners without a manufacturer-provided VIN would need to apply to the Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) for one, providing proof of ownership, vehicle compliance, and paying a $100 fee, with the VIN displayed as a 7x4-inch metal plate on the vehicle's front. The bill also updated definitions and referenced existing registration rules but did not create new registration requirements. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 2744 creates the Mississippi First Responder PTSD and Suicide Prevention Task Force to address mental health challenges among first responders. The task force, composed of 20 members including legislative representatives, agency staff, mental health professionals, and first responder organizations, will assess current mental health resources, identify gaps, and develop a strategic plan for support services by December 1, 2025. It will focus on improving access to treatment, reducing stigma, and recommending legislation and funding solutions for law enforcement, firefighters, 911 dispatchers, Mississippi National Guard members, and emergency medical services personnel. The task force must submit its final report to the legislature with findings and recommendations before its dissolution.

Maddy summarySB 2533 would lower the voter approval threshold for Mississippi school districts to issue bonds from three-fifths (60%) to a simple majority (over 50%) of qualified voters who cast ballots in the election. This change would make it easier for school districts to fund capital projects like building new schools or renovating facilities by requiring fewer votes to approve bond measures. The bill maintains the existing requirement that a petition signed by 20% of qualified electors can trigger a bond election. If an election is held, bonds can only be issued if a majority of participating voters approve them.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state funds to support the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid for the 2025 fiscal year, covering scholarships, loans, and grants for eligible students. It establishes specific funding priorities, such as reserving money for new optometry students and ensuring that the FAITH Scholarship Program receives a designated portion of federal and special source funds. The legislation also sets rules for fund allocation, including a preference for the Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing equipment and a limit preventing students from receiving aid from multiple undergraduate grant programs simultaneously. Additionally, the bill requires the agency to submit detailed annual reports on award amounts and recipient data while mandating that official transcripts cannot be issued to students with unpaid loan balances.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates approximately $463 million in state funds to support and maintain the Mississippi Department of Corrections for the fiscal year 2025. The legislation allocates specific amounts from both the General Fund and a special fund to cover operational costs, staffing, and services across various facilities, including central offices, regional prisons, community corrections, and private prison contracts. Key provisions authorize a total of 2,279 permanent and time-limited positions and set spending limits for areas such as medical services, farming operations, and local confinement centers. Additionally, the bill includes restrictions requiring that vacancy funds be used exclusively to hire new staff rather than for salary increases or promotions for existing employees.

Maddy summaryThis Mississippi bill appropriates over $1.5 billion in state and special funds to support the eight state universities for the 2025 fiscal year, covering general operations, maintenance, and repairs. A key provision establishes a rule requiring off-campus centers to receive at least 65% of the funding rate applied to on-campus students while charging only direct costs. The legislation also allocates specific amounts for the Mississippi Governor's School for the Gifted and Talented and the Teacher Corps, and directs the Board of Trustees to eliminate duplicate programs and avoid using general funds to replace withdrawn federal money.

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 summaryThis bill allocates approximately $71.5 million in state and special funds to support the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine for the 2025 fiscal year. The funding covers general operations, salaries, research grants, clinical services, and specific programs like chronic disease testing and rural veterinarian scholarships. In exchange for this financial support, the college is required to meet specific performance targets, such as ensuring 95% of graduates pass their licensing exam and achieving high levels of client and alumni satisfaction. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the college give purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when buying goods and services. The bill also requires the college to submit a detailed budget report for the following year that includes data on how well these performance goals were achieved.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state funds to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency for the fiscal year 2025. The legislation authorizes the hiring of a specific number of permanent and temporary staff members and establishes strict rules to prevent salary increases for current employees unless new funding is approved. Additionally, the bill allocates money to support various disaster relief programs, including assistance for victims of hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, and the pandemic. These funds are designated for administrative costs and state contributions to public assistance, individual grants, and mitigation efforts related to numerous past and ongoing disasters.

Maddy summarySB 3036 appropriates state funds to cover the operating expenses of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce for fiscal year 2025. The bill allocates nearly $10 million from the State General Fund and approximately $19.6 million from special source funds, which include fees from publications and museum admissions, to support various divisions such as plant industry, fair commissions, and the livestock coliseum. A significant portion of the funding is designated for staffing, authorizing a permanent workforce of 219 positions and a time-limited workforce of 13, while also establishing strict rules to prevent using these funds for salary increases or promotions. Additionally, the legislation sets aside specific amounts for the Beaver Control Program and the Mississippi Egg Marketing Board, and it outlines performance targets for areas like pesticide inspections and museum attendance.