Rep. John Read

Maddy summaryHB 1745 appropriates over $8.1 billion in state funds for Mississippi's Medicaid program during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It allocates $845 million from the State General Fund for medical assistance and administration, $814 million from the Medical Care Fund, and $6.37 billion from special source funds to cover program costs. The bill authorizes 890 permanent and 82 temporary positions at the Division of Medicaid, with strict rules requiring funds to maintain current staffing levels without increasing salaries for existing employees or replacing federal funds. It also mandates detailed accounting records and prohibits using state funds to violate IRS reporting rules for contract employees.

Maddy summaryHB 1768 appropriates over $5.2 billion in state funds for Mississippi's K-12 education system and related programs for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It allocates $2.95 billion from the State General Fund and $2.28 billion from special funds to cover operations of the State Department of Education, vocational and technical education, and the Mississippi Student Funding Formula. Key provisions include $16 million for school district capital facilities and buses, $25 million for instructional materials, and specific funding for literacy initiatives, special needs programs, and the Mississippi Eye Screening Program. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools, students, and the State Department of Education, including payments to Chickasaw Cession counties for lost land compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 1767 appropriates $1,562,907 from the State General Fund and $2,690,000 from a special fund (including $1.49 million from the Education Enhancement Fund) to cover the Mississippi Arts Commission’s expenses for fiscal year 2026. The funds support the Commission’s operations, staff positions (10 permanent, 2 time-limited), and specific programs like educator training, public school arts grants, and the "Whole Schools Initiative." Strict rules govern spending, including limits on salary increases, requirements to maintain detailed records, and prohibitions on using state funds to replace federal or special funds. The bill ensures all spending complies with state appropriation laws and specifies that $1.49 million must be used for designated education and program activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1755 appropriates $273,302 from state funds for the Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists to cover its operating expenses during the 2026 fiscal year (July 2025-June 2026). The bill specifically allocates $5,500 to upgrade the Board’s Licensing and Regulatory System (LARS) to a cloud-based platform. It includes spending rules requiring the Board to maintain existing staffing levels, avoid using funds for salary increases beyond budgeted amounts, and comply with state fiscal accountability procedures. This is a routine funding measure for an existing state board, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1734 allocates $2.56 million from general state funds and $80,000 from a special fund to cover the Public Utilities Staff's expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes 24 permanent staff positions and strictly prohibits using these funds for salary increases, promotions, or replacing federal funds. It requires the agency to track spending within budget limits, maintain detailed records matching fiscal year 2025 standards, and submit future budget requests in a comparable format. The $80,000 is specifically designated for the "Atlas Project" and must be spent per state procurement rules.

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 summaryHB 1725 appropriates $62,755 from state funds to cover the operating expenses of Mississippi's State Board of Registration for Foresters for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It specifically allocates $18,626 for upgrading the board’s licensing system database and requires the board to give preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods or services. The bill also mandates detailed financial record-keeping comparable to the previous fiscal year and ensures funds are spent in compliance with existing budget laws. This directly affects the State Board of Registration for Foresters and indirectly impacts licensed foresters through their licensing system.

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 1739 appropriates $312.4 million in state funds for Mississippi’s Department of Child Protection Services (DCPS) to cover expenses during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It funds existing child protection services, including a $250,000 24-hour hotline for trafficking victims and up to $4.5 million for kinship care payments. The bill requires strict accounting of funds, prohibits using state money to replace federal funds, and mandates that salary increases for current staff must not exceed budgeted amounts. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, ensuring DCPS can maintain current operations and authorized positions.