Rep. Percy Watson

Maddy summaryHB 1765 appropriates $84,692,446 from state funds for Mississippi's Veterans' Home Purchase Board to cover its expenses and make new home loans for veterans during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill directly affects veterans seeking home loans through this program, as well as the Board's operations. Key provisions include authorizing 19 permanent positions and requiring strict adherence to budget limits, ensuring funds are used solely for approved personnel costs and home loans without exceeding appropriations. The bill mandates compliance with state budget laws and specifies that no general funds may replace federal or special funds.

Maddy summaryHB 1756 appropriates $166,093 from state funds to cover the Mississippi Athletic Commission’s operating expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It authorizes one permanent staff position and strictly limits spending to prevent salary increases for current employees, requiring new funds for any additional positions or programs. The bill mandates that personnel costs must not exceed the FY2026 appropriation, with strict reporting requirements for all expenditures. Additionally, it directs the Commission to prioritize purchasing from Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal and specifies a $43,060 annual salary for the Commission Chairman.

Maddy summaryHB 1766 reappropriates existing state funds for construction and renovation projects at Mississippi state agencies, institutions, and higher education facilities for fiscal year 2026. It allocates $65.5 million (Fund 3393100000) for general state agency projects, $70 million (Fund 3390300000) specifically for universities and community colleges, and additional sums totaling $38.7 million for other facility improvements. The bill allows state agencies to spend unexpended balances from prior years’ budgets, but cannot exceed those balances or change the original purpose of the funds. This reappropriation extends existing project authorizations from prior legislative sessions (including HB 1816 and HB 1643) without creating new spending authority.

Maddy summaryHB 1764 is a funding bill that allocates $70.2 million for Mississippi's court system operations during fiscal year 2026. It provides specific funding for the Supreme Court ($8.66 million), trial judges ($41.2 million), the Administrative Office of Courts ($45.5 million), the Court of Appeals ($7.19 million), and continuing legal education programs ($172,366). The bill authorizes permanent staffing levels for these entities (e.g., 70 positions for the Supreme Court, 109 for judges) but does not create new laws or policies. This is a routine appropriations measure to cover existing court expenses, not a substantive legislative change.

Maddy summaryHB 1760 appropriates $31,391,612 for district attorneys' salaries, travel, and office expenses, plus $489,367 for assistant district attorneys, for Mississippi's 2025-2026 fiscal year. It specifically allocates $371,679 to fund two assistant district attorneys and one criminal investigator per prior law. The bill prohibits using funds for taxable meals within a district and requires district attorneys to maintain detailed financial records matching 2025 standards. It also mandates submission of five-year strategic plans as required by state law. This funding directly supports Mississippi's 46 district attorney offices and their staff.

Maddy summaryHB 1761 is a funding bill that allocates state money to cover the operational costs of Mississippi's legislature for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It provides funds for legislators' salaries, daily expense allowances, and contingency budgets for both the House ($9.3 million) and Senate ($6.7 million), as well as for key committees like the Joint Legislative Budget Committee ($5.3 million) and the Reapportionment Committee ($324,000). The bill also specifies that $15,000 from the House and $10,000 from the Senate must cover expenses for the Mississippi Commission on Interstate Cooperation, prohibits unapproved out-of-state travel by legislators, and requires preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions. This bill affects only legislative staff, members, and committees, with no direct impact on citizens or policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 1763 allocates $4,373,202 for Mississippi's Office of State Public Defender for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It authorizes 25 permanent staff positions and specifies funding for three assistant public defenders ($446,521), indigent parental representation in custody cases ($422,500), and a youth defender program ($235,926). The bill requires the agency to meet performance targets (e.g., 75% of capital defense cases opened within one year) and report on outcomes to the legislature. It also reappropriates $60,000 for Hinds County Public Defender’s capital expenses and mandates detailed financial reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1,996,069 from the State General Fund for the Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel to cover its expenses during Mississippi’s fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It directly funds the office’s operations, which provide legal representation to individuals facing death penalty convictions who are seeking post-conviction relief. The bill authorizes nine permanent staff positions and requires the office to maintain detailed financial and personnel records comparable to its 2025 reporting. It also mandates compliance with existing budget laws prohibiting overspending and ensures funds are paid through standard state fiscal procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 1757 appropriates $30.39 million from Mississippi’s general fund and $9.65 million from special funds to cover the operating costs of the Attorney General’s Office for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It authorizes 91 permanent and 205 time-limited full-time staff positions while restricting fund use to prevent replacing federal funds or increasing salaries for current employees without new funding. The bill requires the office to maintain detailed financial records, adhere to performance targets (like 93% affirmation of criminal convictions), and report budget usage to the Legislature. These provisions ensure funds are used efficiently for core operations, as defined by the Mississippi Performance Budget Act.

Maddy summaryHB 1758 appropriates $117,462 from the state treasury to cover the operational expenses of the Mississippi Auctioneers Commission for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill requires the commission to maintain detailed accounting records matching its 2025 standards and submit future budget requests with comparable detail. It also mandates that the commission give preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods or equipment, both with and without competitive bidding. The funds must be spent in compliance with existing state budget laws governing appropriations and expenditures.