Sen. Jeremy England

Maddy summarySB 2653 prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns for constitutional amendments, local ballot measures, or similar elections in Mississippi. It makes it unlawful for anyone to knowingly solicit, accept, or aid such contributions, with violations punishable by fines up to $10,000 or six months in jail. Campaigns unknowingly receiving foreign contributions must return the funds to the Secretary of State within 30 days, or face penalties. The law applies to all election-related contributions, including those for non-office races like ballot initiatives.

Maddy summarySB 2444 establishes a scholarship program providing free tuition at Mississippi state universities and community colleges for eligible veterans. To qualify, veterans must be Mississippi residents, honorably discharged, qualify for in-state tuition, not receive federal education benefits, and either have served in a combat zone with a campaign medal or have a service-connected disability rated at 10% or higher. The program covers one month of tuition for each month of qualifying service, with a minimum of one academic year and maximum of four years of coverage. Funding is limited to $500,000 annually through the newly created Combat Veteran Scholarship Fund.

Maddy summarySB 2238 revises Mississippi's probation and parole laws to clarify that a "technical violation" no longer includes committing a new criminal offense. This change directly affects individuals on probation or parole who are charged with a new crime - such cases will now be handled through standard criminal court processes instead of triggering probation/parole revocation. The bill amends Section 47-7-2 to explicitly exclude new criminal offenses from the definition of "technical violation" and updates related sections (47-7-38) regarding graduated sanctions for actual technical violations like missed appointments. This policy shift aims to prevent minor supervision breaches from being conflated with new criminal activity.

Maddy summarySB 2850 requires cigarette and vape (ENDS) manufacturers in Mississippi to submit annual certifications to the Commissioner of Revenue by September 1, 2025, for vapes, leading to a public directory of approved products starting October 1, 2025. Retailers must stop selling vape products not listed in the directory after that date, with a 60-day grace period to clear existing inventory. Sellers of non-compliant products face daily fines up to $1,500 per product, and the bill mandates unannounced compliance checks by the Department of Revenue. Manufacturers must also maintain a registered agent in Mississippi for legal service.

Maddy summarySB 2650 requires Mississippi's Secretary of State to create and maintain a public, searchable website for campaign finance reports. The website must include all contributions and expenditures by candidates, committees, and political groups for state, county, and municipal elections, searchable by details like candidate name, office sought, and dollar amounts. Candidates and committees can file reports online through this system, and local offices (like circuit clerks) must forward reports to the Secretary of State for posting. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, standardizing public access to campaign finance data.

Maddy summaryMississippi's SB 2649 proposed a criminal penalty for individuals who assist voters in casting ballots but intentionally fail to submit the ballot with the intent it not be counted. The bill specifically targeted people handling mailed ballots (like election workers or volunteers) who deliberately withhold the ballot from being processed. If passed, this would have made such actions a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySR 65 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Mississippi Senate to honor Hinds County Deputy Sheriff Martin Shields, Jr., who died in the line of duty on February 23, 2025. The resolution extends the Senate's "sincerest sympathy" to his surviving family - including his wife, daughter, and parents - and commends his law enforcement career. It has no policy provisions or financial impact; it is purely symbolic, expressing condolences and acknowledging his service. The Senate formally adopted the resolution on February 27, 2025, and will present it to his family and the Hinds County Sheriff's Office.

Maddy summarySR 52 is a commemorative resolution by the Mississippi Senate to honor the 155th anniversary of Hiram Revels' historic election as the first African American elected to the U.S. Senate in 1870. It recognizes his broader legacy, including being the first African American elected to the Mississippi State Senate, the first African American Mississippi Secretary of State, and the first president of Alcorn State University (the nation's first land-grant institution for African Americans). The resolution formally acknowledges his lifetime of service to Mississippi and the nation without creating new laws or affecting any policies. It serves as a symbolic tribute to his pioneering role in American political history.

Maddy summarySB 2990 would exempt retail purchases by honorably discharged veterans with service-connected total disabilities from Mississippi's state sales tax. To qualify, veterans must provide documentation of their exempt status from the Mississippi Department of Revenue. This exemption would add this group to the existing list of tax-exempt categories under Mississippi's sales tax law, similar to exemptions for hospitals and schools. The bill would remove the sales tax burden for eligible veterans on all qualifying retail transactions.

Maddy summarySB 2991 would exempt the labor portion of motor vehicle repairs from Mississippi's state sales tax. This means customers would not pay sales tax on the labor charges when getting repairs done at auto shops, directly reducing repair costs for vehicle owners. The exemption would apply to all mechanics performing labor on vehicles, affecting auto repair businesses and their customers. The bill would amend Mississippi's tax code to add this specific exemption to the existing list of sales tax exclusions.