Sen. Hob Bryan

Maddy summarySB 2923 prohibits Mississippi's Division of Medicaid from collecting debts from Greenwood Hospital related to 2024 overpayments until after May 1, 2026. This directly affects Greenwood Hospital and ensures uninterrupted access to critical healthcare services for residents in the central and eastern Mississippi Delta region. The bill delays all collection actions for these specific 2024 overpayment debts, preventing potential service cuts during the transition period. It aims to protect healthcare access without altering Medicaid's standard billing processes.

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.

Maddy summarySB 2731 extends the repealer date for Mississippi's psychology licensure laws from 2024 to July 1, 2029, ensuring existing regulations remain in effect. It reenacts Sections 73-31-1 through 73-31-29, which establish the Mississippi Board of Psychology and define "practice of psychology" (including assessment, therapy, and consultation services). The bill adds two members to the Board, increasing it to nine total members, and specifies that appointments must include psychologists from doctoral programs and one non-psychology professional with interest in the field. This directly affects licensed psychologists, psychology programs, and the regulatory oversight of mental health services in Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2729 establishes the "Mississippi Public Health Trust Fund" in the state treasury to support public health programs defined under state law. The fund will be financed primarily by medical cannabis tax revenue (as stated in the bill's title), along with other appropriations, donations, or grants. Funds can only be used for public health services and must be spent at rates between 3% and 7% of the fund's total value annually, with oversight by the Mississippi State Department of Health. This bill directly affects public health programs across Mississippi by creating a dedicated funding source for health initiatives. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2699 reinstates the Patient's Right to Informed Health Care Choices Act, requiring health care providers to clearly disclose their qualifications (like M.D., D.O., or N.P.) in all advertising to prevent misleading claims. It also creates Mississippi’s first licensing system for genetic counselors, mandating licenses by January 1, 2025, and prohibiting unlicensed practice with criminal penalties. The law defines prohibited deceptive advertising (e.g., falsely claiming qualifications) and establishes the State Board of Health to enforce rules, including disciplinary actions for violations. It directly affects all health care providers who advertise services and genetic counselors practicing in Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2681 modifies Mississippi's Certificate of Need (CON) rules for specific healthcare facilities in three counties. It removes special restrictions preventing a psychiatric facility in DeSoto County from participating in Medicaid, ensuring it faces the same rules as other facilities. The bill also requires a new CON for additional beds at a Madison County facility serving developmentally disabled adults and revises CON terms for a Harrison County long-term care hospital to allow Medicaid participation as a "crossover provider." The bill passed the legislature in March 2025 but died on the calendar, meaning it did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill deletes a repealer provision in Mississippi's Health Care Expendable Fund statute, ensuring existing transfer rules remain in effect. It maintains the current process for moving tobacco settlement funds from the Health Care Trust Fund to the Expendable Fund, including specific annual transfers for fiscal years 2005-2015 and ongoing income-based funding. The change directly affects how the state manages and allocates tobacco settlement revenue for healthcare purposes. By removing the repealer, the bill preserves the established funding mechanism without altering the amounts or timing of transfers.

Maddy summarySB 2743 amends Mississippi law to redirect funds collected from fees for certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records. After completing marriage record statistics, any remaining funds must be used for maternal/infant/child health programs, completing birth records, or other vital statistics. This change affects the State Board of Health, which manages these funds and vital records. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not create new fees but reallocates existing ones.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) honoring former Mississippi House Speaker Pro Tempore Robert George Clark, Jr., who died on March 4, 2025. It extends the Legislature's sympathy to his family and recognizes his historic service as Mississippi's first African American legislator since Reconstruction (1967-2003), his leadership roles, and his advocacy for education and Mississippi's historical preservation. The resolution directs that it be presented to his family and forwarded to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. No policy changes or funding are involved.

Maddy summarySB 2844 establishes a dedicated "TVA Service Area Utilities Grant Fund" in Mississippi's state treasury, funded initially by $25 million in state general obligation bonds and future diverted payments from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in lieu of taxes. The fund provides grants to local utility companies in Mississippi's TVA service area to improve infrastructure, with priority for entities affected by the March 2023 storms and matching grants for projects aligned with federal programs. It requires the Okolona Electric Department to commit to spending matching funds for distribution line improvements outside the city if it receives aid. The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) administers the program, distributes funds, and must report annually to the legislature on all grant usage.