In the 14th and final week of the 2025 Mississippi Legislative Session, the Senate concluded business on Thursday, April 3, 2025, with the journal reflecting Sine Die as Sunday, April 6, 2025.
The Senate on Thursday, April 3, 2025, honored retiring District 44 Senator John A. Polk, who is not seeking re-election after serving since 2012, with Senate Resolution 152, for his dedicated service to the Senate and the state. Polk is currently the Chairman of the Senate Business and Financial Institutions Committee. Among the bills passed were Senate Bill 2802, that will contribute $12 million per year in assistance for fire protection. Of this amount, 40 percent will go to the Rural Fire Truck Assistance Program, 30 percent will go to municipalities, and 30 percent will go to counties for this need. The hope is to decrease insurance premiums as well. Senate Bill 2357, authorizes the Mississippi Department of Corrections to contract with Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll Economic Development Foundation for Delta Work Release Program, which would allow close to release qualified prison inmates to work for the foundation in jobs that would continue post release. The inmates would earn fair market wages and “pay twenty-five percent (25%) toward any support of dependents or to the Mississippi Department of Human Services on behalf of dependents as may be ordered by a judge of competent jurisdiction as well as fines, restitution, or costs as ordered by the court to include any fines and fees associated with obtaining a valid driver's license upon release.” They would save a portion of their wages to use upon release and pay 15 percent to MDOC for administrative duties and have 10 percent available for commissaries until their release from custody, at which time they would begin working full-time for the employing agency. House Bill 733, creates the Property Cleanup Revolving Fund. It would allow municipalities to qualify for up to 15 grants per year of up to $2,000 to deal with certain dilapidated properties being held by the Secretary of State’s office. Some cities would qualify for more grants.
Other bills passed included: · House Bill 1193, prohibits DEI statements and practices in public K-12 and postsecondary schools. · Senate Bill 2704, requires the Mississippi Department of Health to conduct an annual inspection of the infirmary at the State Penitentiary at Parchman. · Senate Bill 2211, amended law related to sexual assault victim's rights to qualify for federal STOP Grant funds. · Senate Bill 3126, provides an income tax credit for added tax revenue from certain nongaming capital investment projects at casinos. · House Bill 1896, imposes excise tax on Kratom products. · House Bill 1201, creates an income tax and ad valorem tax incentive program for developers to improve tax forfeited, blighted properties in the state. · House Bill 1062, authorizes dental hygienists to provide services to patients under the general supervision of dentists under certain conditions. · House Bill 602, provides country of origin labeling requirements for crawfish and seafood. · House Bill 913, requires accurate labeling of meat and nonmeat products by processors, and retail and food establishments prior to final sale.
Brandon High School choir, with its four choir groups - Brio, B-One-9, Brilliance, and Bellas –performed at the second-floor rotunda of the Capitol on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, as part of Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann’s tradition of letting students show their talents. Senate President Pro Tempore Dean Kirby and Representative Lee Yancey welcomed them.
Senators made several floor presentations to honor exemplary achievements. · Senator Bart Williams on Monday, March 31, 2025, led presentation of Senate Resolution 142, to Jim Ellis, commending his 46-year career upon retirement as the Mississippi State University Baseball announcer, affectionately known as "The Voice of the Diamond Dawgs." · Senator Jeremy England on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, led presentation of Senate Resolution 132, honoring Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College men's golf team for winning the program's second national championship, along with the NJCAA District D Tournament for the fifteenth time in the last 16 events, and claiming the last 12 tournaments of the year, along with honoring Head Coach Brad Thornton who was named the Dave Williams National Coach of the Year by the Golf Coaches Association of America. · Senator Jason Barrett on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, led presentation of Senate Resolution 44 to Brookhaven Academy Cougars Girls Fast-Pitch Softball Team and Coach Lisa Covington for winning the 2024 MAIS 5A Girls Fast-Pitch Softball Title.
· Senator Neil Whaley and Senator Kathy Chism on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, led presentation of three resolutions saluting the athletic excellence of Ingomar High School students. Senate Resolution 101, commended Ingomar High School Lady Falcons Girls Volleyball Team and Head Coach Andy Wilbanks for their 2024-2025 championship season. Senate Resolution 102, commended Ingomar High School Lady Falcons Girls Basketball Team and Head Coach Trent Adair for their third straight State Championship. The Lady Falcons claimed the MHSAA Class 2A State Championship 58-28 over East Union on March 1, 2025, at the Mississippi Coliseum. Senate Resolution 115, recognizing legendary legacy of Ingomar High School award-winning multi sports star Macie Phifer. · Senator Daniel Sparks on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, led presentation of Senate Concurrent Resolution 540, commending Booneville High School Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Michael Smith, for winning their fourth State Championship in a row. Senator Sparks also led presentation of Senate Concurrent Resolution 541, commending Booneville High School Lady Blue Devils Girls Basketball Team, (27-5), and Head Coach Michael Smith, for winning the Class 3A State Championship. · Senator John Horhn on Wednesday, April, 2, 2025, led presentation of Senate Resolution 140, to longtime, award winning WLBT journalist Howard Ballou for being honored on March 14, 2025, by the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters with the Television Lifetime Achievement Award.
· Senate President Pro Tempore Dean Kirby, Senator Brian Rhodes, and Senator Walter Michel on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, led presentation of Senate Resolution 144, and Senate Resolution 145, to Jackson Prep Lady Patriots basketball team and Coach Michael McAnally for winning back-to-back MAIS 6A State Championships, and to Jackson Prep Boys basketball team and Head Coach Will Johnson for winning the MAIS Overall State Championship. · Senator Michael McLendon on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, led presentation of Senate Resolution 141, honoring Hernando High School junior guard Fran Kelly as Gatorade Mississippi Girls Basketball Player of the Year for the 2024-2025 season. · Senator Brian Rhodes on Thursday, April 3, 2025, led presentation of Senate Resolution 135, commending the East Rankin Academy Patriots Boys Soccer Team and Head Coach Reid Westover for their first-ever MAIS Division II State Championship. · Senator Hob Bryan on Thursday, April 3, 2025, led presentation of Senate Resolution 28, to the Tupelo High School Golden Wave Football Team and Head Coach Ty Hardin for winning the MHSAA Class 7A state title. Tupelo’s Cross Country Team and Girls Basketball Teams were also commended by the Senate for spectacular seasons.
