Rep. Larry Byrd

Maddy summaryHB 944 proposed authorizing Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce's purchase, renovation, and equipment costs for a specific building at 226 E. Central Avenue in Petal, Mississippi. The bill would have directed the city of Petal to receive funds from the state and then provide them to the Chamber for this project. The key mechanism involved the State Bond Commission issuing bonds (backed by the state's full credit) to cover the building expenses, with proceeds flowing through the city to the Chamber. This was a funding mechanism bill, not a policy change, and it died in committee without becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 930 appropriates $4 million from the State General Fund to the Rural Fire Truck Fund for an additional round of fire truck purchases under Mississippi's existing Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program. The funds would support counties and municipalities in acquiring new fire trucks during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not advance to become law. This was a funding measure, not a policy change, and directly affected local fire departments participating in the program.

Maddy summaryHB 935 would authorize Mississippi to issue state bonds to help the City of Petal fund construction and expansion of its wastewater infrastructure. This infrastructure is specifically required to transport wastewater to Hattiesburg’s sewer lagoon, addressing a connection need between the two cities. The state would repay the bonds using general funds if necessary, and bond proceeds would be used exclusively for these construction costs. The bill does not cover operational expenses or other projects beyond this infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 934 would have provided $525,000 in state funds from the General Fund to the City of Petal for wastewater infrastructure improvements. The bill specifically aimed to cover costs related to expanding Petal's system to transport wastewater to Hattiesburg's sewer lagoon during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It was a straightforward funding appropriation with no additional policy changes beyond the monetary allocation. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1091 would have allowed Mississippi veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces to park motor vehicles for free at any state airport or airport parking facility. To qualify, veterans would need to show specific proof of service (like a DD-214, military ID, or "Vet" designation on a Mississippi driver's license) and be the driver or passenger exiting the facility. The bill required airports to implement this policy but did not mandate state funding for the free parking. It died in committee on February 13, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 50 would have required professional music therapists in Mississippi to obtain state licensure through the Department of Health starting January 1, 2026, prohibiting unlicensed practice or use of titles implying licensure. It directly affects music therapists seeking to practice and patients relying on these services, aiming to ensure practitioners meet defined qualifications. Key mechanisms include creating a Music Therapy Advisory Committee (with licensed therapists, healthcare providers, and consumers), setting licensure requirements, disciplinary procedures, and establishing a special fund for related fees. The bill defined "music therapy" as clinical, evidence-based use of music interventions within therapeutic relationships, excluding medical diagnosis. Note: This bill died on the legislative calendar in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1162 expands Mississippi's Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship Program to cover students with dyslexia in kindergarten through grade 12 (previously limited to grades 1-12). The scholarship allows eligible students to attend a public school outside their assigned district or receive funding for nonpublic school placement, providing access to specialized multisensory dyslexia therapy. This therapy must be delivered by Mississippi Department of Education-licensed therapists using evidence-based, Orton-Gillingham methods in small groups. To qualify, students must have a formal dyslexia diagnosis and undergo required screening in kindergarten and first grade. The bill aims to ensure early intervention for students with dyslexia by standardizing therapy access across all grade levels.

Maddy summaryHB 1164 requires Mississippi school districts to screen kindergarten and first-grade students for dyslexia annually and allows parents to request comprehensive evaluations if their child fails screening. If a diagnosis of dyslexia is confirmed, the state would reimburse parents and school districts up to $800 for the evaluation costs. Schools that refuse to accept a valid dyslexia diagnosis face fines starting at $800. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1090 requires counties and municipalities using handheld traffic cameras (defined as "manually operated automated recording equipment") to confirm the driver's identity before issuing fines for traffic violations. It clarifies that officers must verify who was operating the vehicle to enforce traffic laws, such as speeding or signal violations. The bill also specifies that Mississippi will not recognize out-of-state fines from similar systems unless the issuing state participates in the Driver License Compact. These provisions aim to standardize verification processes for traffic enforcement fines.

Maddy summaryHB 1163 amends Mississippi law to expand eligibility for the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program by authorizing a dyslexia diagnosis as a qualifying criterion, in addition to existing requirements like an active Individualized Education Program (IEP). Specifically, it updates Section 37-181-3(b) to include students with a dyslexia diagnosis (per the Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship Program) as eligible for ESA funds. This change directly affects students with dyslexia who may not have an active IEP but receive a clinical diagnosis, allowing them to access ESA-funded educational services. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and does not alter the program’s core mechanisms or funding structure.