Sen. Ben Suber

Maddy summaryThis ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 70) commends Sam Kendricks, a former Ole Miss track-and-field athlete and Oxford native, for winning a silver medal in the men's pole vault at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It recognizes his broader career achievements, including six-time outdoor national championships and his role as a Mississippi athlete who brought honor to his hometown, university, and state. The resolution, adopted by the Mississippi Senate, formally expresses support and congratulations but does not create any new laws or obligations. It will be presented to Kendricks, the University of Mississippi Athletic Director, and Oxford High School.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 67) formally recognizes the 150th anniversary of the Mississippi Dental Association (MDA), which was founded in 1875. It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it symbolically honors the MDA's historical role in advancing dental care, promoting oral health, and supporting over 1,000 dentists across Mississippi. The resolution expresses the state Senate's appreciation for the MDA's contributions to public health and professional standards over 150 years. It directly affects the MDA by publicly acknowledging its anniversary, with no concrete policy changes or financial implications.

Maddy summarySB 2359 revises Mississippi's definition of "technical violation" for parole supervision. It specifically excludes pleas or sentences in intervention courts (like drug or mental health courts under Chapters 23, 25, or 27 of Title 9) from being counted as a violation. This means parolees who participate in these specialized court programs will not face parole revocation for their involvement. The bill directly affects individuals on parole who engage with intervention courts as part of their supervision. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commends the life and service of U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, a Mississippi native and Black Hawk helicopter pilot who died in a 2025 training mission crash near Washington, D.C. It expresses the Mississippi Legislature’s sympathy to his family and honors his memory as a fallen soldier. The resolution has no policy provisions or direct impact beyond ceremonial recognition.

Maddy summarySB 2147 requires Mississippi public schools to integrate financial literacy into grades 6-8 curriculum by the 2026-2027 school year and mandates a personal finance course (either a half-credit or full course with at least half focused on finance) for high school graduation starting with the 2031 graduating class. The bill establishes a "Financial Literacy Trust Fund" within the state treasury to support this program, administered by the State Board of Education with annual audits and legislative reporting. It directly affects all public school students in Mississippi from middle school through high school, requiring new coursework to meet graduation standards. The fund must be managed responsibly, with unspent money lapsing to the general fund annually, and the State Board must develop specific curriculum standards for financial literacy.

Maddy summarySB 2258 would allow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and recreational off-highway vehicles to operate on county rural, gravel, or paved roads in Mississippi, provided they have proper tags and follow basic motor vehicle rules (excluding windshield wiper requirements). The bill prohibits these vehicles from towing, operating on highways with speed limits over 40 mph, or using interstate highways - though limited crossings of other roads are permitted under specific safety conditions. It also requires counties to receive $5 from each vehicle's registration fee (instead of state funds) and mandates compliance with existing licensing and safety standards. This bill directly affects ATV and off-highway vehicle owners seeking to use county roads for recreation or travel.

Maddy summarySB 2083 would have allowed Mississippi vehicle owners to purchase distinctive license tags supporting Mississippi College School of Law, requiring an additional $30 annual fee per tag. The bill specified that $24 of each fee would go directly to Mississippi College School of Law, $1 to the Mississippi Burn Care Fund, $2 to the State Highway Fund, and $1 to another special fund. It applied only to owners who voluntarily chose to pay the fee for the specialty tag, with the tags needing annual renewal. The bill was referred to committee but ultimately "died in committee" on March 4, 2025, meaning it did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2477 would increase salaries for Mississippi's full-time district attorneys, setting current rates ($125,900) through 2022, raising them to $134,400 starting January 2023, and eventually aligning them at 90% of circuit judge pay by July 2025. It also establishes salary ranges for legal assistants based on their years licensed: 80% for under five years, 85% for 5-14 years, and 90% for 15+ years. The bill directly affects district attorneys and their legal assistants statewide. The proposed changes would take effect in phases, with the final rate taking effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2892 established the Mississippi-Ireland Trade Commission to strengthen economic ties between Mississippi and Ireland. The commission, composed of 10 appointed members (including state officials and Irish trade representatives) plus non-voting ex-officio members, aims to advance bilateral trade, promote business/academic exchanges, and encourage investment between the two regions. It is authorized to raise funds through donations, grants, and events to carry out these goals. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2282 allows landowners, agricultural leaseholders, or their agents to use drones for observing, trapping, and taking wild hogs on their own property, subject to federal drone regulations and while avoiding deer hunting seasons. The bill specifically amends Mississippi law to permit drone-assisted wild hog management year-round (except during deer season) without requiring additional licenses beyond standard nuisance animal regulations. It directly affects private landowners and leaseholders dealing with wild hog populations, which are classified as "nuisance animals" under existing law. The bill was amended and passed in February 2025 but died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.