Rep. Kent McCarty

Maddy summaryHB 1142 clarifies that employees in prekindergarten and early childhood education programs within charter schools (authorized by the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board) that are not granted by the State Department of Education (SDE) are exempt from standard teacher qualification requirements. This exemption applies specifically to roles like teachers and assistant teachers in these charter schools, while programs operated under SDE's authority remain subject to existing qualification rules. The bill does not change degree or certification standards for SDE-granted programs but explicitly removes those requirements for the specified charter school programs. The exemption will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1139 would exempt local school districts' test security plans for Mississippi's statewide student assessments from public disclosure under the Mississippi Public Records Act. This means documents protecting exam integrity (like question banks or administration protocols) would no longer be subject to public record requests. The bill specifically targets security plans for the state's standardized testing program, directly affecting school districts managing these assessments. However, the bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1562 updates how Mississippi school districts distribute 9.61% of the Education Enhancement Fund for classroom supplies. It requires districts to provide teachers (including those at specialized schools like the Mississippi School for the Arts) with procurement cards or digital solutions by August 1 each year to purchase instructional materials, computers, or supplies. Funds must supplement - never replace - existing resources and cannot cover administrative costs. The bill specifies that teachers must use these funds to address individual classroom needs, with districts submitting teacher counts to the State Department of Education annually.

Maddy summaryHB 1143 clarifies the role of an interim superintendent appointed by Mississippi's State Board of Education (SBE) when a school district transitions back to local control after being under state administrative oversight. It requires the interim superintendent to serve for one year in an advisory role alongside the newly reconstituted local school board and the newly appointed superintendent. The bill also authorizes the SBE to create rules governing school board members' conduct and set penalties for violations. This directly affects Mississippi school districts that have been under state control and are returning to local governance.

Maddy summaryHB 1656, the STRONG Act, would provide tax benefits and health care support for Mississippi National Guard members and their families. It increases income tax exemptions for Guard and Reserve members, creates a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes a program to reimburse National Guard members for Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The Adjutant General would administer the program and report its progress to the legislature. The bill passed the legislature in February 2025 but died on calendar before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1140 exempts purchases of tangible personal property and services made by the Lamar County Education Foundation, Inc. from Mississippi's sales tax. This bill adds the Foundation to the existing list of organizations already exempt from sales tax under Mississippi Code § 27-65-111. The exemption applies to all purchases the Foundation makes for its operations, similar to how schools or hospitals are currently exempt. The bill does not change other tax rules or affect general consumers. The measure died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1144 revises Mississippi's requirements for entering teacher and administrator preparation programs. It eliminates the previous need for a minimum 21 ACT score, SAT equivalent, Praxis passing score, or 3.0 GPA to enroll in these programs for both traditional and nontraditional teaching routes. Instead, the bill requires participants in the "Teach Mississippi Institute" to complete two semester-long, six-hour internships and allows up to 15 credit hours for a provisional teaching license. These changes directly affect prospective teachers seeking initial licensure through educator preparation programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1564 establishes a state guarantee program for Mississippi school districts' voter-approved general obligation bonds. It directly affects school districts that issue bonds, allowing them to borrow at lower interest rates by leveraging the state's credit without creating state debt. The program requires school districts to pay debt service through county tax collectors to paying agents; if payments are missed, the state treasurer covers them and the district must repay the state with interest. The guarantee applies only to bonds issued after January 1, 2026, and includes specific repayment terms and penalties for districts that fail to meet obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 575 requires Mississippi school districts with 25% or more students receiving free lunch in the prior year to apply to the USDA for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). This would make all meals free for every student at those schools or districts, regardless of family income, without individual income checks. The bill mandates submitting student eligibility data by April 1 and a full application by June 30 each year. It directly affects qualifying school districts and aims to simplify access to free meals under federal nutrition programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1138 would provide licensed teachers in Mississippi public schools with an annual $2,000 salary supplement if they work in areas designated by the State Board of Education as having critical teacher shortages. The supplement would apply to teachers in designated "geographically critical teacher shortage areas" starting with the 2025-2026 school year. Teachers already receiving salary supplements for National Board Certification would still be eligible for this new $2,000 supplement. This bill amends Mississippi's teacher salary schedule to include this additional compensation for educators in shortage areas.