Maddy summarySB 2472 reconstitutes Mississippi's Tax Sales Study Committee, which examines issues with the state's tax sale process - including unmerchantable property titles, blight from current sales, and procedural inconsistencies. The committee, composed of seven members (three Senate appointees, three House appointees, a chancery clerk, a tax assessor, and the Secretary of State as nonvoting member), is extended to dissolve by January 1, 2027, instead of 2026. The bill ensures all prior appointments and procedures remain valid for the reconstituted committee and requires state agencies to provide data and support upon request. This procedural bill affects state agencies, local officials involved in tax sales, and the committee’s ongoing work to evaluate reforms.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 2436 requires Mississippi's wildlife agency (MDWFP) to manage black bear hunting through a formal season starting in 2027-2028. It mandates that all hunters - residents first (from 2027-2028) and nonresidents later (from 2032-2033) - must obtain a special "harvest tag" via a lottery system, based on population data. The bill limits nonresident tags to 10% of annual allocations and reserves one annual "Governor's Tag" for auction to fund bear habitat conservation. This directly affects hunters and establishes a structured, data-driven approach to bear population management.
Maddy summarySenate Concurrent Resolution 526 is a symbolic resolution congratulating the Ole Miss Rebels football team and head coach Pete Golding for winning the 2025-2026 Sugar Bowl championship and finishing No. 3 in national rankings - the highest finish for an SEC team since 1962. It recognizes their 13-2 season, historic College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, and significance as the highest-ranked Ole Miss team in over six decades. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, commending the team's achievements without altering laws or regulations.
Maddy summarySB 2032 amends Mississippi's child support guidelines to require courts to factor in the cost of health insurance coverage obtained by the noncustodial parent when calculating child support payments. If a court orders the noncustodial parent to provide health insurance for a child, the cost of that coverage must be subtracted from the parent's adjusted gross income before determining the support amount. This change directly affects noncustodial parents and Mississippi courts handling child support cases, ensuring health insurance costs are considered in the calculation. The bill does not alter existing child support percentage guidelines but adds a specific adjustment for health insurance expenses when applicable.
Maddy summarySB 2003 shortens the waiting period for retired Mississippi educators to return to teaching from 90 to 45 days. It removes requirements that retirees must have a minimum service history, teach only in districts with critical shortages, or work only in specific subject areas. The bill also sets a 65% cap on salary for returning retirees, adjusts pension liability payments, and allows school districts to cover health insurance premiums for these educators using local funds. These changes directly affect retired teachers seeking to return to classroom roles in Mississippi public schools.
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 2428 requires owners of enclosed white-tailed deer areas (high-fenced enclosures) to register with Mississippi's Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks department and submit chronic wasting disease (CWD) test samples from harvested deer and deer that die from non-hunting causes. Specifically, owners must submit at least one sample per 200 acres annually, with samples from dead deer counting toward this requirement. Failure to comply results in escalating fines: $500 for a first violation and $1,000 for each subsequent violation. The bill also clarifies that surrounding properties cannot be designated as CWD Management Zones solely based on a diagnosis within 5 miles of an enclosure unless the disease is confirmed in those adjacent areas. This directly affects private landowners maintaining deer enclosures.
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 testing services that administer insurance producer license exams in Mississippi to meet standards set by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). It directly affects third-party testing companies contracted by the state to handle these exams. The law mandates that these services develop, administer, and score exams according to NAIC's established standards and best practices. The requirement takes effect on July 1, 2026.
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.