Sen. Brice Wiggins

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 2479, the "Creating Transparency and Accountability in Dental Services Act," requires dental insurance companies (referred to as "dental carriers") to calculate and report annually how much of their premium revenue is spent directly on patient care versus administrative costs. Dental carriers must file detailed reports by June 30 each year, including data matching federal standards, and make these reports publicly accessible online by December 1. The law applies to all dental health plans sold in Mississippi, excluding Medicaid and state-sponsored programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program. This transparency measure aims to clarify where premium dollars go, allowing consumers and regulators to review carrier spending patterns.

Maddy summarySB 2243, the "Don Triplett Act," creates a new Office of the Ombudsman for Parental Assistance within Mississippi's State Department of Education. This office directly helps parents, teachers, and school stakeholders resolve disputes with schools or districts by investigating complaints, mediating conflicts, and tracking systemic issues. Key provisions include requiring the ombudsman to have specific education/experience qualifications, mandating confidentiality for communications (exempting records from public disclosure), and authorizing annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The office will operate independently, accepting grants for support, and must be implemented by December 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2292 requires all Mississippi public and charter schools to teach civics courses starting in 8th grade and before 12th grade, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. The bill mandates instruction on U.S. and Mississippi constitutions, government structures (including federalism and separation of powers), historical context, critical thinking skills, and civil discourse. The State Department of Education will develop and update curriculum standards to align with current civics scholarship, renaming existing U.S. Government courses to "United States Government and Civics." This policy directly affects all K-12 students and school staff in Mississippi's public and charter schools.

Maddy summarySB 2696 increases the monetary limit for justice court cases in Mississippi from $3,500 to $5,000. This change directly affects individuals and small businesses filing claims for debts, damages, or personal property recovery under $5,000. The key provision modifies the jurisdictional threshold in Mississippi law, allowing justice courts to handle larger small claims cases without requiring higher court referrals. The bill does not alter court procedures or create new obligations, only expanding the existing scope for lower-value disputes.

Maddy summaryMississippi Senate Bill 2293 amends the state's student funding formula to increase the weight and multiplier for gifted education funding. It requires that all funds allocated under this revised calculation go directly toward gifted education instruction in schools. The bill also adds seventh- and eighth-grade students enrolled in career and technical education courses to the calculation for those funds. This change affects all Mississippi public school districts serving students identified as gifted, increasing their per-pupil funding for specialized gifted programs. The bill does not specify the exact new percentage but revises the existing 14.5% weight calculation method.

Maddy summarySB 2717 updates Mississippi’s youth court data systems by standardizing how courts track cases involving children. It requires the Administrative Director of Courts to implement a uniform youth court case tracking system (MYCIDS), develop standardized forms, and create a statewide docket numbering system. The bill also mandates an audit of MYCIDS by August 2024 and a report with system improvements or a new system plan by September 2024, targeting full implementation by July 2026. It clarifies data privacy rules, limiting disclosure of youth court records to authorized personnel or specific court-approved purposes. This directly affects youth courts, judicial administrators, and child welfare systems managing juvenile cases.

Maddy summarySB 2697 is a procedural bill that brings forward specific sections of Mississippi law (43-21-261, 43-21-351, 43-21-801, 43-27-20, and 45-33-61) related to youth court handling of child neglect and delinquency cases. These sections currently govern the confidentiality of case records, restricting disclosure to authorized personnel (like youth court staff, guardians, or CASA volunteers) or under court orders for specific purposes (e.g., child safety, research, or job programs). The bill reorganizes these sections in the code to streamline potential future amendments but does not change existing confidentiality rules. It directly affects youth courts, child protection agencies, and legal entities handling such cases by clarifying record access protocols.

Maddy summarySB 2264 creates a Technical Advisory Board (TAB) to develop and annually update a comprehensive coastal conservation and restoration plan for Mississippi's Gulf Coast. The TAB, composed of state agency representatives, university officials, environmental groups, and legislators, will establish priorities and goals for projects involving storm protection, habitat restoration, and water quality improvement. State agencies like the Department of Marine Resources (DMR) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) must follow this plan when selecting and funding future projects. The bill requires an annual report tracking progress toward the plan's goals and limits TAB administrative costs to 1% of related funds.

Maddy summarySB 3112 creates an income tax credit for Mississippi charter boat operators and commercial fishermen who pay fuel taxes on fuel used on waterways (not roads). The credit equals the amount of fuel taxes paid under specific state fuel tax laws for water-based operations. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to five years, but cannot exceed the taxpayer's annual state income tax liability. To claim the credit, businesses must apply with the Department of Revenue, providing proof of fuel taxes paid and a valid license.