Maddy summaryHB 545 requires Mississippi vehicle registration applications to include a voluntary option for applicants to indicate a communication impairment (such as speech, hearing, or autism-related conditions) that may affect interaction with law enforcement. The Department of Revenue may request verification from a health professional (e.g., doctor or therapist) and must share the applicant’s registration details and impairment category (not the specific condition) with the Department of Public Safety. This information will be added to the Mississippi Criminal Information Center to alert officers during traffic stops, while keeping the specific condition confidential and preventing public disclosure. The bill prohibits visible license plate markings for this purpose and ensures all shared information remains confidential between state agencies.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 548 changes Mississippi law to allow alcohol package retailers (stores selling alcohol in sealed containers) to also sell lottery tickets. It amends two sections of state law: first, by explicitly making holders of alcohol package retailer permits eligible to apply as lottery retailers under the Mississippi Lottery Law, and second, by permitting these retailers to actually sell lottery tickets from their existing locations. This bill directly affects current alcohol package retailers who hold valid permits under Mississippi's alcoholic beverage control law. The key change removes a prior barrier, enabling these businesses to offer lottery sales without needing separate licensing, while maintaining existing requirements like tax compliance and background checks for lottery retailers.
Maddy summaryHB 576 transfers the responsibility for employing and managing school attendance officers from Mississippi's State Department of Education (MDE) to local school districts. It requires districts to fund one officer for every 3,000 students in compulsory-age enrollment, maintains current salaries for transferred staff (with a 25% increase), and abolishes three regional officer positions. The bill also mandates that transferred officers continue serving at charter schools within their district and ensures no interruption to retirement or health benefits. This change directly affects local school districts, current MDE-employed officers, and students whose attendance is monitored under Mississippi's compulsory school attendance law.
Maddy summaryHB 578 would have allowed Mississippi state agencies to negotiate liability limits with prospective contractors in future contracts, directly affecting both state agencies and contractors. The bill’s key provision permits agency heads, purchasing agents, or designated staff to include such limits during contract negotiations, as long as the state retains "reasonable protection" against damages. It did not create new requirements but expanded existing negotiation authority for contracts. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.
Maddy summaryHB 579 is a procedural bill that reorganizes existing Mississippi Code sections related to state agency procurement by moving over 100 code sections to new locations within the code. It does not change any substantive rules or policies but simply relocates references for administrative clarity. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and had no direct effect on agencies, contractors, or the public since it only adjusted the code's structure.
Maddy summaryHB 577 simplifies the process for retired Mississippi teachers to return to classroom work. It reduces the required separation period from 90 to 30 days, removes minimum service year requirements, and eliminates the need for hiring districts to have critical teacher shortages. The bill also allows school districts to cover part or all of returning retirees' health insurance premiums and adjusts pension contributions to reflect their new teaching roles. Retirees can teach for up to five years total (consecutively or intermittently) while continuing their retirement benefits, with salaries calculated under specific guidelines.
Maddy summaryHB 575 would have required all Mississippi state agencies and institutions of higher learning to use the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MDITS) for all information technology needs, including computer equipment, data storage, and retrieval. The bill removed existing exemptions that allowed some agencies to contract directly with third-party vendors and expanded the definition of "agency" to include all state institutions. This centralized procurement approach aimed to streamline IT services, enhance cybersecurity coordination through MDITS' Enterprise Security Program, and eliminate redundant spending across state operations. The bill died in committee in 2026 and never became law.
Maddy summaryHB 1102 requires the Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance to request a $1 million transfer from the Annual Fire Fund to the City of Ocean Springs specifically for purchasing a fire truck during fiscal year 2027. The bill does not create new policy but mandates a targeted fund allocation for Ocean Springs' fire department equipment needs. It references existing fire truck funding mechanisms (Rural Fire Truck Fund, Municipal Fire Protection Fund) for potential future amendments but focuses solely on this one-time transfer. The bill directly affects Ocean Springs' ability to acquire fire truck equipment through state funds.
Maddy summaryHB 1092 is a procedural bill that revises the purpose descriptions for existing state funds allocated in the FY 2022 budget. It amends Section 29 of the 2021 appropriations law to update how $97,568,800 in funds will be used for specific projects across Mississippi, including road repairs, community centers, flood control, and the Emmett Till Monument. The bill does not change the total funding amount or create new projects - it only clarifies the intended use for 37 previously listed recipients (e.g., Hinds County, City of Vicksburg, Rankin County stormwater program). The bill died in committee in 2026 and had no new policy impact.
Maddy summaryHB 1101 would have revised Mississippi's campaign finance laws, directly affecting candidates, political committees, and contributors. Key provisions included requiring all campaign finance reports to be filed online starting January 1, 2027; banning anonymous contributions (mandating refunds or deposits into an election fund); and increasing penalties for violations. The bill also shifted enforcement authority from the Ethics Commission to the Secretary of State, repealed bans on corporate contributions, and required candidates to maintain zero cash balances when terminating campaigns. This bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.