Rep. Manly Barton

Maddy summaryHB 1923 appropriates $175,312 from state funds to cover the Mississippi Athletic Commission’s expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027), with $58,867 specifically designated for employee salaries, wages, and benefits. The bill strictly limits "Personal Services" spending to prevent exceeding this salary budget, prohibits using these funds for promotions or salary increases, and requires the Commission to maintain detailed financial records matching its FY2026 reporting standards. It also mandates that any future budget requests for FY2028 must follow the same detailed format as the current year’s submission.

Maddy summaryHB 1926 appropriates $2,100,968 from the State General Fund and $215,258 from the State Treasury to fund the Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill authorizes nine permanent staff positions to support the office’s work representing individuals sentenced to death in Mississippi. It requires the office to maintain detailed financial records and comply with existing state budget laws governing fund usage. This is a routine funding measure to sustain existing legal services for death penalty cases, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1925 appropriates $117,462 for the Mississippi Auctioneers Commission to cover its operating expenses during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). The bill requires the commission to maintain detailed financial records matching its FY2026 standards and submit future budget requests in a comparable format. It also mandates that the commission give preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods or equipment, both with and without competitive bids. The funds must be spent in compliance with existing state budget laws prohibiting overspending.

Maddy summaryHB 1933 reappropriates unspent funds from prior fiscal years to continue construction and renovation projects at Mississippi state agencies, institutions, and higher education facilities for fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). It allocates specific amounts from previously authorized budgets (including $70 million for higher education and $75 million for general state projects) but requires that funds not exceed remaining unspent balances as of June 30, 2026, and cannot change the original purpose of the spending. The bill does not create new funding or policy changes - it simply allows existing, unspent allocations to be reused for ongoing projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes and congratulates the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Men's Golf Team for winning the NJCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship. The resolution highlights the team's achievements, including multiple national titles and individual awards won by players and the head coach. It also acknowledges the team's academic success and directs copies of the resolution to college officials and the press. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or funding implications.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally recognizes and commends Melina Doggett, an eighth-grade student at George County Middle School in Lucedale, Mississippi, for winning the 138-pound girls state wrestling championship. The resolution highlights her achievements, including overcoming injuries during the season and pinning the number one seed in the state finals. It serves as an official acknowledgment of her athletic accomplishment and expresses support for her future endeavors. Copies of the resolution will be provided to Melina Doggett and members of the Capitol Press Corps.

Maddy summaryHB 1789 provides an additional $5,309,560 in state funding to Mississippi's Department of Marine Resources (DMR) for projects originally planned but not fully funded during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This funding comes from the Tidelands Fund and is specifically designated for prior-year projects, ensuring completion of marine resource initiatives that were budgeted but lacked full financial support. The bill directs the State Treasurer to disburse these funds upon proper requisitions from the DMR. This is a straightforward budgetary adjustment, not a new policy, directly affecting DMR's ability to manage existing marine infrastructure and conservation projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 designates a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Yazoo County as the "Colonel Donnell Berry Memorial Highway" to honor Colonel Donnell Berry. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will install and maintain signage along this highway segment. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 4062 creates the Bayou Casotte Industrial Zone in Jackson County, Mississippi, to exempt property within it from municipal property taxes if annexed by a municipality. The bill states that any real or personal property within the zone becomes tax-exempt for the annexing municipality upon annexation. This directly affects property owners in the designated industrial zone and municipalities considering annexation, preventing double taxation without added municipal services. The legislation aims to support industrial development by removing a potential tax burden that could hinder economic growth.

Maddy summaryHC 34 is a ceremonial concurrent resolution recognizing the Mississippi rock band 3 Doors Down on their 30th anniversary. It honors their musical achievements (including over 20 million albums sold and Grammy nominations), their Better Life Foundation (which has raised over $5 million for children's charities), and their support for military recruitment through the song "Citizen Soldier" created for the Mississippi National Guard. The resolution formally commends the band for their contributions to Mississippi and national service. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new laws or policies.