Sen. Albert Butler

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally honors Carroll E. Rhodes for his lifetime of service to civil rights and constitutional principles in Mississippi. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves as an official legislative commendation recognizing Rhodes' career in legal advocacy and his contributions to voting rights and democratic participation. The resolution expresses the Mississippi Legislature's gratitude and admiration for Rhodes' work and intends to present the document to him as a symbol of respect.

Maddy summarySB 2632 is a procedural bill that reorganizes existing sections of Mississippi's Emergency Management Law (Mississippi Code of 1972) by moving specific code sections (33-15-1 through 33-15-53) to new positions in the code. It does not change the content or policy of these sections, which cover definitions, purposes, and structure of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The bill’s sole purpose is to facilitate future amendments by updating the code’s numbering. This reorganization affects the legal code itself, not individuals or entities, and requires no action from the public or agencies.

Maddy summarySB 3061 appropriates $190,004,192 from the State General Fund and authorizes $2,224,662,021 from patient/student fees and special funds to cover the University of Mississippi Medical Center's (UMMC) operating expenses for fiscal year 2027. The bill requires UMMC to maintain its schools (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, etc.), provide detailed expenditure reports to the Legislature, and allocate specific funds for rural physician/dentist scholarships, a cancer institute, and a tobacco center. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly supporting UMMC's operations and healthcare services across Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 3072 appropriates $704.7 million for Mississippi's Department of Mental Health for fiscal year 2027, combining $253.88 million from general funds and $450.85 million from special sources. Key allocations include $2.0 million for mental health training for law enforcement and court liaisons, $1.1 million for physician services at community centers, and $16.8 million for department operations and Medicaid payments. The bill specifies that funds must be used for "Personal Services" like salaries and cannot be diverted to other purposes, with strict limits on annual spending. It directly affects the Department of Mental Health and its ability to operate existing mental health programs and services.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates over $1.67 billion in state funds for Mississippi's eight public universities (Alcorn State, Delta State, Jackson State, Mississippi State, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State, University of Mississippi, and University of Southern Mississippi) for fiscal year 2027. It allocates $394.6 million from the general fund for general support, $1.277 billion from federal/student fees for operations, and $1.5 million from the Ayers Endowment for specific university needs. The bill also directs $145,000 for the Governor's School for Gifted Students (requiring statewide high school nominations) and $349,200 for the Teacher Corps program. Additionally, it mandates that off-campus centers receive at least 65% of on-campus student costs without indirect overhead charges.

Maddy summarySB 2931 authorizes the City of Natchez and Adams County to annually contribute funds to Natchez, Inc., a nonprofit focused on economic development. Specifically, Natchez must contribute at least $150,000 yearly, while Adams County must contribute at least $165,000 yearly. The bill expires on July 1, 2030, and does not create new taxes or alter existing funding streams.

Maddy summarySB 3060 allocates $54.3 million from the state general fund and $4.5 million from federal/found sources to support Mississippi's student financial aid programs for fiscal year 2027. It directly affects Mississippi students receiving scholarships, grants, or loans through the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid, prioritizing those eligible under Section 37-106-39 of state law. The bill requires the Office to report annually on program usage, including recipient numbers, award amounts, and loan repayment status. It also specifies funding for 10 new optometry students annually and restricts funds from supporting certain specialized loan programs like the Southeast Asia POW/MIA Grant.

Maddy summarySB 3055 allocates $8,161,869 in state general funds and $335,000 from the Education Enhancement Fund to support Alcorn State University's agricultural research, extension, and land-grant programs for fiscal year 2027. The funds are specifically designated for agency operations ($170,000), the Poultry Sciences Academic Research Center ($300,000), and broader agricultural research including poultry, animal, and environmental science programs ($715,000). This appropriation directly affects Alcorn State University's existing agricultural programs and prohibits using state funds to replace federal or other external funding sources.

Maddy summarySB 3059 appropriates $21.37 million from general funds and $55.86 million from special sources (including $750,000 from the Education Enhancement Fund) to fund the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University for fiscal year 2027. The funding covers operations, a $180,000 scholarship program for rural veterinarians, Chronic Wasting Disease research, and construction of the Wise Center. The bill requires the college to meet specific performance targets, including a 95% pass rate on veterinary licensing exams and 38,800 patient visits at its Animal Health Center. It also mandates reporting on these metrics in the 2028 budget request. This bill directly affects Mississippi State University's veterinary program and its students, faculty, and clinical services.

Maddy summarySB 3057 appropriates $34.37 million from general funds and $18.51 million from special sources (including $1.15 million from the Education Enhancement Fund) for the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service’s fiscal year 2027 operations. The bill mandates that these funds support specific program areas: Agriculture, Family and Consumer Education, Natural Resources, 4-H, and Business/Community Development in all counties. It requires the agency to meet detailed performance targets, such as delivering 270,000 educational contacts in Agriculture and 370,000 total contacts in Natural Resources. The bill also prohibits using general funds to replace federal or special funds and directs reporting on performance metrics for the 2028 budget request.