Rep. Hank Zuber

Maddy summaryHB 605 requires Mississippi's Commissioner of Insurance to establish a state-run health insurance exchange by 2026. This exchange would allow residents to compare and purchase health insurance plans through an online portal, using funds from a new "Mississippi Health Insurance State Exchange Trust Fund" (financed by up to 3.5% of insurer fees). The bill directs the transfer of existing risk pool association funds to this trust by June 2026 and authorizes the Commissioner to use the current risk pool association's resources to operate the exchange. It directly affects Mississippi residents seeking health insurance, insurers selling plans through the exchange, and the state's existing risk pool association.

Maddy summaryHB 1852 appropriates $1,000,000 from the State General Fund to the existing Technology Innovation Fund for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). This bill provides additional funding to the fund established under Mississippi Code § 25-53-263, with no new eligibility criteria or program changes. The funds will be distributed per standard state fiscal procedures, as specified in the bill. It directly affects the Technology Innovation Fund’s budget but does not alter the fund’s purpose or recipient eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 1689 exempts property and casualty insurance premiums paid by Mississippi school districts from the state's 3% insurance premium tax. This change applies to both foreign and domestic insurance companies writing coverage for school districts. The bill amends two tax sections (27-15-103 for foreign insurers and 27-15-109 for domestic insurers) to exclude these specific premiums from taxable income. The exemption directly affects school districts by reducing their insurance costs, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 868 exempts insurance premiums paid by governmental entities from Mississippi's 3% annual privilege tax on insurance carriers. The bill amends Sections 27-15-103 (for foreign carriers) and 27-15-109 (for domestic carriers) to exclude premiums for coverage provided to state agencies, departments, institutions, or political subdivisions. This means insurance companies serving government entities - like state agencies, counties, or school districts - will not pay the standard tax on those specific policies. The exemption applies to all premiums collected for government coverage under existing insurance contracts. The bill does not change insurance coverage terms or affect premiums paid by individuals or private businesses.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a binding law) passed by the Mississippi House of Representatives. It expresses support for strengthening economic ties and friendship between Mississippi and the Republic of China (Taiwan), highlighting Taiwan's role in global trade and technology. Key provisions include supporting the establishment of a Mississippi Trade and Investment Office in Taiwan, advocating for Taiwan's participation in international organizations like the WHO and UN climate talks, and celebrating the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. The resolution does not create new policy but formally encourages deeper economic collaboration and diplomatic engagement.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution designates March 12-19, 2026 (and annually thereafter) as "Girl Scout Week" in Mississippi and commends the Girl Scouts of the USA on its 114th anniversary. It has no binding effect or policy changes - it is purely ceremonial recognition of the organization's history and mission.

Maddy summaryHB 549 requires candidates for county, county district, and municipal offices - and their political committees - to file all campaign finance reports (detailing donations and spending) directly with Mississippi’s Secretary of State’s office, instead of local county clerks. It updates existing rules to mandate that these reports be submitted via fax, email, mail, or in person, and requires the Secretary of State to make them publicly available within 48 hours and retain them for five years. The bill applies specifically to local elections (not state-level races) and takes effect July 1, 2026. This streamlines reporting for local campaigns under a single state-level office.

Maddy summaryHB 550 clarifies that Mississippi chancery courts can directly handle child abuse or neglect allegations that arise during ongoing custody disputes between parents, without needing to transfer the case to youth court. This applies when no prior notice of abuse was given before the custody case began. The bill also updates rules for confidential handling of child abuse records, specifying which officials (like court-appointed advocates or child welfare agencies) can access them under strict privacy protections. It affects parents in custody cases, chancery courts, and child welfare systems by streamlining how abuse allegations are addressed within existing family court proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 546 creates a centralized cloud storage center for all Mississippi state agencies, requiring them to transition to this system by July 1, 2031, to standardize data management and improve security. It establishes a Procurement Modernization Advisory Council to oversee implementation, develop cybersecurity standards, and integrate data systems across state, county, and municipal governments. The bill mandates 24/7 cybersecurity monitoring, regular compliance audits, and standardized data formats to enhance system interoperability and efficiency. These changes directly affect all state agencies and will eventually extend to local governments through the cloud system's adoption.

Maddy summaryHB 544 creates a grant program administered by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to help public universities establish endowments specifically for recruiting and hiring professors in quantum computing and artificial intelligence engineering. It requires universities to apply with details about their endowment goals, existing funding, and requested grant amounts. The bill establishes a dedicated "State Institutions of Higher Learning Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence Engineering Professors Fund" in the state treasury, with unspent funds rolling over annually. This program directly affects Mississippi's public universities seeking to strengthen faculty in these high-demand technical fields.