Rep. Manly Barton

Maddy summaryHB 1455 removes state restrictions that previously prevented drug distributors from handling medications under Mississippi's 340B program. The bill deletes prohibitions against distributors in state law, allowing them to work with pharmacies contracted under the federal 340B program (which provides discounted drugs to safety-net providers like community health centers). This change directly affects drug distributors and participating pharmacies by eliminating state-level barriers to distributing 340B drugs. The legislation aims to support affordable drug access by aligning state policy with federal 340B program rules. (Note: The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025.)

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 summaryThis concurrent resolution (HC 28) formally commends the George County High School Rebels Baseball Team for winning the 2024 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State Championship. It specifically recognizes their 30-5 season, the 27-year championship drought broken since 1997, and honors head coach Brandon Davis (who earned his 400th career win while coaching his son, Ben Davis, named Class 6A Player of the Year). The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a ceremonial tribute to the team's athletic achievement and sportsmanship. It was adopted by both legislative chambers and signed into law on February 27, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally recognizes Home of Grace in Vancleave, Mississippi, for 60 years of providing Christian-based recovery support to individuals struggling with addiction. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or impose requirements - it serves solely as a symbolic honor for the organization’s community service. The resolution highlights Home of Grace’s founding in 1965 by Reverend Bill Barton and its ongoing mission to offer refuge and renewal. It was unanimously adopted by the Mississippi House of Representatives in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHR 13 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Mississippi House of Representatives to commend James Arthur Trochesset on his 100th birthday. It honors his life and service, including his World War II Merchant Marines service and family legacy, without creating any new laws or affecting policies. The resolution has no binding effect or practical impact on any individuals or programs. It serves solely as a formal expression of goodwill from the state legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 587 would remove intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities from Mississippi's Certificate of Need (CON) law, which requires state approval before major healthcare expansions. This change would exempt these specific facilities from needing state permission to make capital investments or expand services. The bill amends Section 41-7-173 of Mississippi's code to exclude these facilities from the definition of "health care facility" subject to CON requirements. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1213 would authorize licensed Mississippi podiatrists to perform ankle surgery under specific conditions. To qualify, podiatrists must complete a 3-year CPME-accredited residency, hold ABFAS certification for rearfoot/ankle surgery, and perform procedures only in Mississippi hospitals where they have received surgical privileges. The bill restricts ankle surgery to procedures listed by the Council of Podiatric Medical Education for certification. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and is not currently law.

Maddy summaryHB 1378 directs Mississippi's Medicaid agency to apply for a federal waiver from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to cover medical services provided to prison inmates who are fully Medicaid-eligible in the 30 days before their release on parole. The waiver would allow the state to use federal Medicaid funds for reimbursement instead of state funds, reducing the state's cost for these services. This policy change would directly affect inmates meeting Medicaid eligibility during that 30-day transition period, ensuring continuity of healthcare upon release. The bill does not expand Medicaid eligibility but modifies the reimbursement structure for a specific group of inmates.

Maddy summaryHB 1548 exempts certain pharmaceutical distributors from Mississippi's Consumer Protection Act when they act under specific federal requirements. It adds a new exemption (subsection c) for distributors following U.S. Department of Justice orders or responding to suspicious order reports as defined under federal law (21 U.S.C. § 802(7)). This directly affects pharmaceutical distributors who comply with these federal protocols, shielding them from state consumer protection claims related to those actions. The bill does not alter general consumer protection rules but narrows the scope of the Act for this specific federal compliance scenario. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 621 would have required Mississippi's State Department of Health to issue a certificate of need for a specific nonprofit corporation in Madison County to construct, expand, or convert beds in a community living program for developmentally disabled adults at an ICF-IID facility. This bill directly affected that nonprofit organization by creating an exception to standard certificate of need rules for its project. The key mechanism was amending existing law to mandate the Health Department issue the certificate without requiring a standard review process. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.