Rep. John Read

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 summaryHB 1655 changes how the State Aid Engineer's salary is determined under Mississippi law. It amends Section 65-9-9 to require the Governor to set the State Aid Engineer's salary (previously likely set by statute), subject to the State Personnel Board's rules and guidelines. This directly affects the State Aid Engineer position and their assistants within the Office of State Aid Road Construction. The bill does not alter the engineer's qualifications, bond requirements, or other operational details of the office.

Maddy summaryHB 1650 requires Mississippi's State Treasurer to annually review public funds receiving interest from pooled investments to identify accounts with no activity beyond interest receipts. If found inactive (excluding funds legally authorized to retain interest), the Treasurer may block future interest allocations and direct the closure or consolidation of those funds. The bill directly affects dormant state funds, accounts, or trusts held within the state treasury that generate interest but aren't used for government operations. It also mandates state agencies to review their funds and report to the Treasurer, who must then share compiled data with legislative offices. The policy aims to streamline inactive state financial accounts without creating new programs or altering investment rules.

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 1652 requires Mississippi municipalities and counties to return leftover funds and earned interest from certain local improvement projects to the state's Capital Expense Fund. It sets deadlines: unspent funds must be returned within 30 days if no project agreement exists, or within three years (with a possible six-month extension) after an agreement is signed. If funds aren't returned, the state can withhold 10% of future sales tax payments to the entity until the funds are recovered. This bill updates existing state laws to enforce these return requirements and recovery procedures for funds originally allocated under Chapter 102, Laws of 2021.

Maddy summaryHB 1602 requires Mississippi state agencies to submit budget requests to the Legislative Budget Office (LBO) within 30 days of the deadline. If an agency misses this deadline, its director must hire a third-party contractor to prepare a new budget that is 3% lower than the agency’s current state general fund budget. The contractor must submit the budget to the LBO within 30 days, and the agency must pay the contractor within 45 days - or risk a spending freeze on its current budget. This applies directly to state agencies that fail to file timely budget requests, with the responsible officer personally liable for unpaid contractor fees.

Maddy summaryHB 1134 creates a voluntary program allowing Mississippi pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with substance abuse or mental health impairments to avoid disciplinary action by entering an alternative program before a formal hearing. The program requires participants to cover costs for treatment, counseling, or education related to their impairment, with all program details kept confidential under state privacy laws. It applies specifically to licensees facing discipline for issues like addiction or mental health conditions under existing licensing rules. The bill does not change the grounds for disciplinary action but offers an alternative path focused on rehabilitation rather than penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 19 appropriates $597 million from state funds for Mississippi's Department of Health operations during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It allocates specific sums to critical programs, including $34 million for the Trauma Care System (covering hospitals in Mississippi and select out-of-state partners), $20 million from the Tobacco Control Fund for cancer programs and school nurse initiatives, and $7 million for targeted health disparity and maternal care programs. The bill also sets strict limits on "Personal Services" funding (salaries and benefits) for 2,083 authorized positions. The legislation passed the legislature but was partially vetoed by the governor on June 19, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 35 is an appropriation bill that allocates state funds for Mississippi's legislative operations during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It directly funds salaries, travel, and daily allowances for House and Senate members, contingent operating funds for both chambers, and expenses for key legislative committees - including the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Performance Evaluation Committee, and Reapportionment Committee. The bill also covers assessments for interstate organizations like the Southern States Energy Board and allocates $2.4 million for computer systems upgrades for the Budget Committee. As a procedural funding measure, it does not create new policies but ensures existing legislative bodies have resources for their mandated duties.

Maddy summaryHB 22 allocates $13.55 million from general funds and $28.63 million from special funds to cover the Mississippi Department of Insurance’s expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It specifically restricts $11.21 million of these funds to "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits for 131 authorized positions), prohibiting their use for promotions or salary increases for current staff. The bill mandates that "Vacancy Funding" ($619,005) can only fill unfilled positions from fiscal year 2025, not raise existing salaries, and requires the department to maintain detailed spending records. This is a routine funding measure affecting the department’s budget execution, not a policy change.