Sen. Chad McMahan

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the minimum salary for Mississippi public school teachers and assistant teachers starting in the 2026-2027 school year, establishing specific pay scales based on experience and license type (e.g., $43,500 for entry-level teachers with certain licenses). It requires school districts to maintain or increase local supplements and not pay assistant teachers below the state minimum salary, with potential funding reductions for violations. Additionally, the bill mandates a $2,000 annual salary increase for all full-time faculty at Mississippi's state colleges and universities.

Maddy summarySB 2191 revises Mississippi law to allow municipalities and counties to use a special fund from use tax revenue for specific infrastructure projects. The fund can cover repairs to roads, bridges, water systems, and sewer infrastructure, as well as debt payments for these projects, but cannot be used for salaries, administrative costs, or personal equipment. Municipalities must meet a minimum spending requirement on eligible projects (based on past spending adjusted for inflation) to receive full funding, with allocations split equally among all municipalities plus portions based on population and past sales tax revenue. Unspent funds carry over to the next fiscal year without lapsing into the general fund.

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 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 2725 updates Mississippi's pawnbroker regulations. It requires pawnbrokers to maintain precious metals, coins, and bullion on their premises for three business days if they share transaction records electronically or via computer disc within 72 hours of the transaction (otherwise, 21 days); for other items, the holding period is 14 days under the same condition (otherwise, 21 days). The bill also mandates fingerprinting and FBI background checks for initial licensing and every three years for renewal. These changes apply directly to licensed pawnbrokers operating in Mississippi.

Maddy summaryThe Mississippi Patient Protection Act of 2026 requires health insurers to accept any qualified healthcare provider who meets their terms for participation, without discrimination based on location within the insurer's coverage area. It bans insurers from using financial penalties or incentives that would limit a patient's choice among participating providers. The Commissioner of Insurance will enforce these rules and may adopt regulations to implement the law, directly affecting insurers, healthcare providers (like doctors, dentists, hospitals, and clinics), and patients in Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2874, the "Gold and Silver Commemorative Coin Act," authorizes Mississippi's State Treasurer to contract with a minting company to produce one-ounce commemorative coins in gold or silver. The coins must feature the state name, "In God We Trust," the minting year, the Great Seal on one side, and a magnolia flower on the reverse, with no monetary value or human imagery. The Treasurer can sell the coins at or above cost (metal value plus fees), depositing profits into the state general fund (retaining 20% for administrative costs), effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryMississippi SB 2242 establishes the "Moving Mathematics in Mississippi" (M3) program to improve math education across public K-12 schools. It requires schools to implement K-5 math screening with targeted interventions for struggling students, use 5th-grade test scores as an Algebra-Readiness Indicator to guide middle school placement, and expand math coaching for teachers in all grade bands. The bill mandates grade-specific professional development aligned with state standards and creates a state fund to support these initiatives. These changes directly affect all Mississippi public school students, teachers, and districts through new assessment protocols and support structures.

Maddy summarySB 2402 (The Amy Act) eliminates the grace period allowing lobbyists to register with Mississippi's Secretary of State after starting lobbying activities. It requires lobbyists and their clients to register and pay fees *before* engaging in lobbying, rather than after. The bill creates "The Amy Act" under Section 5-8-17, authorizing the Secretary of State to assess daily fines of $50 (up to $500 total) for late registration. This directly affects all lobbyists and their clients who lobby in Mississippi, making timely registration mandatory to avoid penalties.

Maddy summarySB 2494 allows Mississippi Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) to engage in bulk purchasing for school districts they serve. It requires all RESA services to use competitive bidding and mandates a public request for proposals for purchases exceeding the highest threshold. This applies to school districts participating in RESAs, ensuring cost-effective procurement through transparent processes. The bill specifies that invite-only bids do not qualify as competitive, requiring public advertising of procurement opportunities.