Rep. Jimmy Fondren

Maddy summaryHB 1396, the "Asbestos Action Over-Naming Reform Act," requires plaintiffs in asbestos lawsuits to submit detailed sworn disclosures within 30 days of filing their case. This includes full exposure history, prior lawsuits, asbestos trust claims, and supporting documentation to identify specific defendants linked to the plaintiff's exposure. The bill allows courts to dismiss cases without prejudice if plaintiffs fail to meet these disclosure requirements, aiming to reduce frivolous lawsuits against multiple defendants ("over-naming").

Maddy summaryHB 1580 requires insurance companies selling Medicare Advantage plans, Part D plans, and Medicare supplement policies to Mississippi residents to follow specific rules. It mandates that companies pay agents and brokers fair market value commissions based on federal standards for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, and use a flat fee model for supplement policies. The bill also creates a five-year open enrollment window for seniors aged 65-80 to switch plans without medical questions, and requires network providers to submit "intent to exit" notices by August 1 annually. Additionally, it separates data on independent agent contractors from employee agents and gives Mississippi’s Insurance Commissioner authority to enforce these rules. The bill, which died in committee in February 2026, would have directly affected insurers, agents, and healthcare providers operating in Mississippi’s Medicare market.

Maddy summaryHB 1628 would have eliminated registration fees and chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing requirements for deer enclosures that prevent white-tailed deer from freely exiting. It specifically removed the need for owners of such enclosures to pay registration fees, submit deer for CWD testing (including those dying naturally), or test harvested deer from these enclosures. The bill directly affected deer enclosure owners, such as hunting preserves or farms, by reducing regulatory costs and administrative burdens. It repealed a specific CWD testing mandate for deer harvested within enclosed areas. The bill died in committee before becoming law, so these changes were never implemented.

Maddy summaryHB 1587 requires Mississippi's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to approve or deny environmental permits within 45 days of receiving a complete application. If the DEQ misses this deadline, the permit is automatically approved, and the applicant must only pay the required fee. This bill directly affects developers, businesses, and others seeking permits for projects involving air or water pollution controls, such as construction or industrial operations. The law aims to prevent delays in the permitting process by setting strict timelines and automatic approval if the DEQ fails to act.

Maddy summaryHB 1683 would require political organizations in Mississippi that receive funding from China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran to report their political activities and funding sources to the state Secretary of State. It would also mandate that individuals acting as representatives of these foreign entities register with the Secretary of State within 10 days of starting their role and update their registration quarterly. Organizations would need to file annual reports starting in 2027 detailing their expenditures related to influencing state policies or elections, with fines of up to $500 per violation for non-compliance. The bill aims to increase transparency around foreign influence in Mississippi's campaign finance system.

Maddy summaryHB 970 allows Mississippi municipalities and counties to declare property with a riparian owner (adjacent to waterways) a public health and safety hazard if unclean. If deemed a "menace" after a hearing with notice to the owner, local governments can clean the property - removing debris, abandoned structures, or hazardous water obstructions - and charge the owner fees or penalties up to $1,500 or 50% of cleaning costs. These costs become a civil debt or property assessment, and authorities may re-enter the property up to six times yearly for maintenance without additional hearings. The law directly affects riparian property owners who fail to maintain their land.

Maddy summaryHB 1654 extends the expiration date of a tourism tax on prepared food sold at restaurants in Pascagoula, Mississippi, from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2029. The tax, which may reach up to 2% of the gross sales of prepared food, requires voter approval through a referendum with at least 60% support before implementation. Revenue collected must be dedicated solely to the city's Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan (adopted in 2012) and managed in a separate account, distinct from general city funds.

Maddy summaryHB 888 updates Mississippi's Burn Care Fund by expanding eligible recipients to include Baptist Medical Center and burn centers affiliated with Level I trauma centers, while removing the University of Mississippi Medical Center as a designated recipient. It increases the fee for distinctive license tags from $1.00 to $2.50 per tag or plate, and adds a $0.50 fee for commercial vehicle decals, with all new proceeds deposited into the Burn Care Fund. These changes direct funding toward specific burn care facilities within Mississippi's trauma system, shifting support from the University of Mississippi Medical Center to Baptist Medical Center and Level I-affiliated centers. The bill does not create new facilities but alters how existing funds are distributed. The fee increases take effect for vehicle registrations starting in 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 summaryHB 798, the "Boyd Mason Act," would create a sales tax exemption for Mississippi veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities and their families. It exempts purchases of goods and services from sales tax for veterans who are honorably discharged from U.S. Armed Forces or Mississippi National Guard and certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as having a 100% permanent disability. The exemption also covers surviving spouses and authorized household members making purchases on behalf of the veteran. The bill would cap the total annual sales eligible for this exemption at a specific amount.