Sen. Brice Wiggins

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $891,741 from the State General Fund and $27,268 from the State Treasury to cover the Commission on Judicial Performance's expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It authorizes six permanent staff positions, caps the director’s salary at chancellor-level pay (Mississippi Code §25-3-35), and requires detailed financial reporting. Additionally, $140,000 is specifically allocated to hire an attorney to audit and monitor Youth Courts operations. The bill funds existing commission operations without creating new policy, directly affecting the commission’s staffing and oversight capabilities.

Maddy summarySB 2747, the Mississippi Transparency in Consumer Legal Funding Act, regulates companies that provide advance payments to people with legal claims (like personal injury cases) in exchange for a share of future settlement proceeds. It requires these contracts to be written in plain language, include a 10-day right to cancel without penalty, and contain specific disclosures about fees. The law also prohibits prepayment penalties, bans attorneys from having financial ties to funding companies they refer clients to, and mandates that all funding companies register with the Secretary of State. This directly affects consumers using legal funding, the companies offering it, and attorneys handling such cases in Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2898 directs the State Treasurer and State Fiscal Officer to transfer $20 million from Mississippi's Capital Expense Fund to the Disaster Assistance Trust Fund upon the bill's effective date. This technical amendment reallocates existing state funds without creating new programs or changing eligibility for disaster assistance. The transfer affects state budget accounting by moving money between two designated funds (Fund No. 6499C00000 to Fund No. 3372500000) to support disaster response resources. The bill has no direct impact on citizens or businesses but modifies how state funds are allocated. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 2378 increases the fee court reporters can charge for transcripts from $4.00 to $5.00 per page. It requires reporters to format documents using practical font and spacing to minimize printed pages, directly affecting court reporters and parties ordering transcripts (like litigants or attorneys). The fee change takes effect July 1, 2026. This bill modifies existing billing rules without altering transcript content or legal procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate concurrent resolution that formally commends Patrick Wilcher for receiving the "Instructor of the Year" award at the Perkinston Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The resolution recognizes Wilcher's distinguished service as a mathematics instructor and department chair who has worked at the college for nineteen years. It directs that the resolution be presented to Wilcher, forwarded to the college president, and made available to the press corps. This is a ceremonial measure with no changes to laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate concurrent resolution that formally commends and congratulates Vic A. Gauthreaux, Jr., an Information Systems Technology Instructor at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's Harrison County Campus. The resolution recognizes his selection as "Instructor of the Year," an award established by the college's Alumni Association based on nominations from students, faculty, and administrators. It highlights his ten years of employment at the college, his educational background, and his dedication to teaching excellence and community service. The resolution directs that the document be presented to Mr. Gauthreaux, forwarded to the college president, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution formally commends Dr. Linda Nix for being selected as "Instructor of the Year" at the Jackson County Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The resolution recognizes her nine years of service as a Science Instructor and highlights her academic credentials and prior teaching experience. It serves as an official acknowledgment of her teaching excellence and contributions to the college community, with the document to be presented to Dr. Nix and made available to the press.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that formally commends Dr. Gabriel Posadas for being selected as "Instructor of the Year" at the George County Center of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The resolution recognizes his distinguished service as a Biology Instructor and highlights his academic credentials and teaching experience. It directs that the resolution be presented to Dr. Posadas, forwarded to the college president, and made available to the press. This is a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than a policy change, with no new laws or regulations being established.

Maddy summarySB 2728, the Mississippi Chancery Youth Court Act of 2026, standardizes youth court procedures across all Mississippi chancery courts and transitions the system from youth court referees to appointed judges by January 1, 2028. It defines key roles (like "youth court prosecutor," now the county prosecutor in delinquency cases), requires public access to hearings with limited exceptions, creates a new Family Services Forum for youth and families, and establishes a state-wide youth diversion program to reduce court involvement. The bill directly affects youth in delinquency and child welfare cases, county prosecutors, chancery court judges, child welfare agencies, and the Department of Human Services. Key changes include removing barriers to public court access, updating record handling rules, and requiring mandatory training for intake officers.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally commends Dr. Linda Nix for being selected as "Instructor of the Year" at the Jackson County Campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The recognition highlights her nine years of service as a science instructor and acknowledges her background in biology education and prior teaching experience. The resolution is ceremonial and does not create new laws or funding, serving instead to honor her contributions to education and the college community.