Sen. Rita Parks

Maddy summaryThis bill restores the right to vote to Teddy Null, a resident of Alcorn County, Mississippi, who had previously lost his voting rights due to criminal convictions. The legislation specifically addresses his three prior convictions for offenses including receiving stolen property, operating a chop shop, and conspiracy, noting that he has completed his sentences and been discharged from the Department of Corrections. By passing this act, the Mississippi Legislature formally removes the legal barrier preventing Null from participating in elections. The bill contains no additional policy mechanisms beyond reinstating his eligibility to vote.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores the right to vote to Pamela Null of Alcorn County, Mississippi, who had previously lost her voting rights due to past criminal convictions. The legislation formally recognizes that she has completed her sentences and has since lived as a law-abiding citizen. By passing this act, the Mississippi Legislature removes the legal barriers that prevented her from participating in elections. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage and applies specifically to this individual's case.

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 3071 reappropriates $54.4 million in unspent Gulf Coast Restoration Funds (split across Sections 2 and 3) to the Mississippi Development Authority for specific projects in fiscal year 2027. It directly affects 17 recipients, including cities (Diamondhead, Gulfport, Moss Point), counties (Pearl River, Hancock), universities (Mississippi State, USM), and organizations (Pascagoula Redevelopment, Ohr-O'Keefe Museum), for projects like harbor restoration, road improvements, and cultural center renovations. The bill authorizes spending only from unexpended balances remaining as of June 30, 2026, and cannot alter the original purpose of the funds. It does not create new policy but reallocates existing funds for previously approved projects under Senate Bill 2047.

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 3070 is a funding bill appropriating $204.5 million ($16.48 million from the General Fund and $188.04 million from the State Treasury) to the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifically limits MDA’s personnel spending to $13.13 million for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits), authorizing 142 total positions (106 permanent, 36 time-limited). It requires strict adherence to budgeted headcounts, prohibits using funds for promotions or salary increases beyond appropriations, and mandates compliance with Mississippi’s Variable Compensation Plan for employee pay. The funding directly affects MDA employees and its operational budget, with no new policy changes beyond financial allocation.

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 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.