Rep. John Read

Maddy summaryHB 1743 appropriates $6,854,812 from the state General Fund and $1,825,000 from the Capital Expense Fund to support the Mississippi State Fire Academy for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes 62 permanent staff positions, requires training 8,100 students at an average cost of $1,151.60 per student, and prohibits using funds for salary increases of current employees or to replace federal funds. It mandates detailed financial record-keeping, prioritizes purchasing from Mississippi Industries for the Blind, and ties future funding to meeting performance targets. This funding directly affects the State Fire Academy’s operations, staffing, and training programs for firefighters across Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 1741 appropriates $63 million from the State General Fund and $535 million from special funds to cover the Mississippi Department of Health's operations for fiscal year 2026. It allocates specific amounts to key programs, including $34 million for the Trauma Care System (with $13 million for trauma centers and $1.8 million for emergency medical services), $20 million from tobacco funds for cancer programs and the Tobacco Control Office, and $7 million for initiatives like the Magnet Community Health Disparity Program and Breast/Cervical Cancer Program. The bill directly affects state health programs, hospitals within Mississippi's trauma network (including designated out-of-state centers like Le Bonheur Children's Hospital), and health centers receiving grants. Funds must be used as specified, with no spending on out-of-state hospitals except for approved trauma centers participating in Mississippi's system.

Maddy summaryHB 1729 appropriates $3.56 million for general support and $256.84 million (including $3.05 million from gasoline taxes) for Mississippi's Department of Marine Resources for fiscal year 2026. It authorizes 173 staff positions (108 permanent, 65 time-limited) and allocates $11.7 million specifically for tidelands projects, broken down into public access ($4.58M), management ($4.58M), bond repayment ($1.55M), and prior projects ($1M). The bill mandates strict accounting for all funds, prohibits using state funds to replace withdrawn federal funds, and requires detailed reporting on tidelands project spending. It also includes rules ensuring salary costs don’t exceed budgeted amounts and that funds for vacancies only fill positions, not increase current salaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1,786,295 from the Real Estate License Fund to cover the Mississippi Real Estate Commission's operating expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It authorizes 16 permanent staff positions and strictly prohibits salary increases for current employees without new funding, requiring all personnel costs to stay within the approved budget. The commission must comply with State Personnel Board rules, maintain detailed financial records matching 2025 standards, and follow IRS guidelines for contract employee reporting. The funds cannot replace withdrawn federal or special funds, and all spending must adhere to Mississippi Code §27-104-25 on budget limitations.

Maddy summaryHB 1731 approves $7,595,440 in state funds for the Pat Harrison Waterway District to cover its fiscal year 2026 operations (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill specifically allocates $700,000 for park facility repairs (bathhouses, cabins) and $480,000 for dam repairs, while requiring the district to maintain detailed financial records and submit annual reports to the legislature by December 1, 2025 (for park repairs) and July 15 annually (for a five-year project plan). It mandates strict compliance with budget limits, prohibits using state funds to replace withdrawn federal funds, and requires preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions. The bill directly affects the district’s budget management and operational spending for waterway maintenance, park infrastructure, and dam safety.

Maddy summaryHB 1722 allocates $12.5 million from the state general fund and $13.7 million from special funds to cover the Mississippi Department of Archives and History's operating costs for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It authorizes 165 staff positions (155 permanent, 10 time-limited) and restricts fund use to prevent salary increases beyond current levels or replace withdrawn federal funds. Specific allocations include $2 million for preserving Mississippi Landmark Properties, $100,000 for Beauvoir Shrine (Jefferson Davis' former home), and $50,000 for the Statewide Oral History Project. The bill mandates strict accounting and prohibits using state funds for rent at the State Historical Museum.

Maddy summaryHB 1129 redirects repayments from school districts on approved loans from the now-repealed Educational Facilities Revolving Loan Fund Program to the existing Education Enhancement Fund. School districts that fall behind on these loan payments will have the overdue amount withheld from their future total funding formula payments until settled. The bill requires the Department of Education to provide repayment details to the Department of Finance and Administration, which will deposit the funds into the Education Enhancement Fund. This ensures loan repayments contribute directly to the fund used for school facility improvements and other educational purposes as outlined in existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 1747 appropriates $209,142 from state funds for the Mississippi State Board of Nursing Home Administrators to cover its expenses during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes two permanent staff positions and strictly limits fund usage to personnel costs without increasing salaries for current employees, requiring adherence to budgeted payroll levels. It mandates detailed accounting records matching 2025 standards and prohibits using state funds to replace federal or special funds. Additionally, the bill requires preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions and ensures all expenditures comply with state budget laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1736 approves $9,089,507 in state funds for Mississippi's Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District to cover bond payments, maintenance, project costs, and other operational expenses during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill requires strict budget adherence for personnel spending, prohibiting salary increases for current staff and mandating that funds for vacancies fill new positions only. It also directs the district to prioritize Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchases, maintain detailed financial records matching 2025 standards, and deposit excess funds to earn interest rates comparable to state funds.

Maddy summaryHB 1751 appropriates $162,606 from the state treasury to cover the Mississippi State Board of Psychology's operational expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes one permanent position and strictly prohibits using funds for salary increases, promotions, or title changes for current employees, requiring all spending to align with existing salary minimums and budget limits. It mandates detailed accounting records and compliance with state budget laws, ensuring funds are used solely for board operations without exceeding the approved appropriation.