Maddy summaryHB 247 revises Mississippi's hate crime law to expand the categories of victims eligible for enhanced penalties. It adds "actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical technician" as a new trigger for enhanced penalties, alongside existing categories like race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin. The bill requires courts to hold separate sentencing hearings where a jury must find beyond reasonable doubt that the crime was motivated by the victim's identity or occupation. If proven, penalties can increase to double the standard prison term or fine. This directly affects victims of crimes targeting specific identities or first responders, and impacts how courts handle sentencing for such offenses.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow the city of Hattiesburg to use some of its traffic fine revenue to fund local community development projects. Specifically, the city could direct these funds toward housing assistance, violence prevention, and traffic safety programs. The legislation gives city officials the discretion to decide how to allocate the money within these approved areas. Although the bill was introduced in 2024, it did not advance beyond the committee stage and did not become law.
Maddy summaryHB 1793 provides $332,928 in state funding for the Mississippi State Board of Barber Examiners to cover its operational expenses for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill authorizes the hiring of four permanent staff members and establishes strict rules to ensure these funds are used only for new hires rather than salary increases or promotions for existing employees. It sets specific performance goals, such as completing 425 examinations and processing licenses within one year, while also requiring the agency to give purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the board maintain detailed financial records and submit a budget report for the following year to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
Maddy summaryHB 1796 provides funding for the Mississippi State Department of Health for the fiscal year 2025, allocating money from both the State General Fund and various special funds to cover operational expenses. The bill specifies how millions of dollars will be distributed to support specific programs, including trauma care systems, maternal and child health services, tobacco control initiatives, and grants for qualified health centers. It also authorizes the creation of new permanent and time-limited positions within the department while establishing strict rules to ensure salary increases are used only for hiring new essential staff rather than raising pay for current employees.
Maddy summaryHB 1800 authorizes over $10 billion in funding for Mississippi's Division of Medicaid for the 2025 fiscal year to cover medical assistance for eligible residents and administrative costs. The bill allocates money from the State General Fund, the Medical Care Fund, and special source funds, while also permitting the use of recovered funds to offset audit expenses. Additionally, the legislation sets specific limits on hiring new staff and salary increases, requiring that general funds not be used to replace federal funding or pay for current employees' promotions. The act further mandates that the agency maintain detailed financial records and submit future budget requests with CHIP and home and community-based services separated from the main medical program. Finally, it establishes performance targets for the division, including goals for processing claims within 30 or 90 days and reducing third-party liability costs.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for how the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce manages funds related to the state museum and fairgrounds. It requires that money used for building improvements, marketing, and naming rights be spent only after the Legislature approves it, while also establishing special funds to track these monies. The legislation allows the department to lease naming rights for museum and fairground properties for up to 20 years, but such leases must be approved by the Department of Finance and Administration. Additionally, the bill removes the department's ability to automatically increase certain budgets and clarifies procedures for handling donated items and livestock competition awards.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates over $320 million in state and special funds to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services for the fiscal year 2025 to cover its operating expenses. The legislation authorizes the hiring of approximately 1,934 staff members and establishes strict rules to ensure salary funds are used only for new hires rather than raises or promotions for existing employees. Specific allocations within the budget support critical services, including a 24-hour hotline for trafficking victims, kinship care payments, foster home maintenance, and technology upgrades aimed at improving efficiency. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department give preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods and requires detailed accounting records for all expenditures.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates approximately $256 million from state funds to cover the operating expenses of Mississippi's Department of Rehabilitation Services for the 2025 fiscal year. The legislation authorizes the department to hire a total of 1,076 employees, including both permanent and time-limited positions, while establishing strict rules to ensure new hires are used to fill vacancies rather than increase salaries for current staff. Additionally, the act sets specific performance targets for the department, such as the number of individuals served and the rate of employment placement, and includes provisions to prioritize purchasing goods from Mississippi Industries for the Blind.
Maddy summaryHB 1797 appropriates approximately $1.8 billion to the Mississippi Department of Human Services for fiscal year 2025, covering both general and special funds. The bill authorizes the hiring of over 1,700 permanent and time-limited employees while establishing strict rules to prevent salary increases for current staff unless new funding is approved. It also mandates that the department prioritize purchases from the Mississippi Industries for the Blind, prohibits using general funds to replace withdrawn federal money, and sets specific performance targets for investigative audits and services for aging adults. Additionally, the legislation requires detailed financial record-keeping, transfers $1 million to the Department of Health for child care licensure, and bans utility allowances for employees living in state-provided housing.
Maddy summaryHB 1799 provides $22,068,556 in funding for the Mississippi Department of Insurance for the fiscal year 2025, covering expenses from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The bill authorizes the department to maintain 131 permanent staff positions while establishing strict rules to prevent using these funds for salary increases or promotions for existing employees. Additionally, the legislation sets specific performance targets for licensing insurance agents, conducting fire inspections, and handling customer inquiries, requiring the department to report on its progress toward these goals. The act also includes provisions for purchasing equipment with a preference for the Mississippi Industries for the Blind and mandates that public announcements about grants must acknowledge state funding.