Rep. Hank Zuber

Maddy summaryHB 262 establishes the Mississippi-Ireland Trade Commission to strengthen economic ties between Mississippi and Ireland. The commission, composed of 10 appointed members (including officials with Irish trade experience), aims to advance bilateral trade, promote business/academic exchanges, and encourage mutual investment. It can raise funds through donations, grants, and fundraising events to support these goals. The bill directly affects Mississippi businesses and Irish partners by creating a formal structure to foster trade relationships, with the commission required to begin operations by March 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1199 authorizes Mississippi's Secretary of State to use the existing Land Records Maintenance Fund to contract with vendors for routine upkeep of unredeemed tax-sale lands (blighted properties) that remain unsold. This directly affects counties and municipalities responsible for maintaining these properties, allowing them to cover costs like mowing, debris removal, and minor repairs through competitive vendor contracts. The bill also prevents unspent funds in this dedicated account from lapsing into the General Fund at year-end. While the bill passed the House in January 2025, it died in the Senate Committee on Public Property and Appropriations on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 922 modifies Mississippi's healthcare certificate of need (CON) law by removing specific services (chemical dependency facilities, intermediate care facilities, psychiatric residential treatment) from CON requirements. It increases the capital expenditure threshold needing CON approval, directs the health department to approve a Madison County nonprofit for expanding a developmental disability program (capping new beds at 10 per facility), and limits total beds for intellectual disability facilities to 80 across all licenses. The bill also adds reporting requirements for CON recipients, allows up to four 12-month extensions for projects, and repeals certain existing provisions. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 888 updates Mississippi's Burn Care Fund by expanding eligible recipients to include Baptist Medical Center and burn centers affiliated with Level I trauma centers, while removing the University of Mississippi Medical Center as a designated recipient. It increases the fee for distinctive license tags from $1.00 to $2.50 per tag or plate, and adds a $0.50 fee for commercial vehicle decals, with all new proceeds deposited into the Burn Care Fund. These changes direct funding toward specific burn care facilities within Mississippi's trauma system, shifting support from the University of Mississippi Medical Center to Baptist Medical Center and Level I-affiliated centers. The bill does not create new facilities but alters how existing funds are distributed. The fee increases take effect for vehicle registrations starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1198 requires that land sold at a tax sale automatically transfers to the State of Mississippi if the purchaser does not demand a deed within 90 days after the redemption period ends. The chancery clerk must then certify the land to the Secretary of State within 30 days, and the taxing authority cancels any debt accrued during the redemption period. This applies to lands sold for nonpayment of taxes on or after July 1, 2025. The bill updates procedures for recording such land transfers and ensures the state gains clear title without requiring additional legal action.

Maddy summaryHB 991 amends Mississippi's trust accounting rules to clarify how trustees handle money received from entities during partial liquidations (when an entity sells part of its assets). It requires trustees to reallocate a portion of funds initially classified as "principal" (trust assets) to "income" (current earnings) to cover federal and state income taxes on those distributions. This directly affects trustees managing trusts and their beneficiaries when trusts receive such payments from entities like corporations or investment funds. The change simplifies tax handling by mandating that tax costs be covered from the principal allocation, rather than adding to the beneficiary's tax burden. The bill focuses solely on procedural trust accounting adjustments without creating new programs or altering broader tax policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes existing Mississippi procurement code sections by moving them to a different location within the state code, without changing the content or requirements. It affects state agencies that handle procurement (like the State Tax Commission, Department of Education, and others listed in Section 31-1-1) by relocating rules about printing contracts, contractor definitions, and public records exemptions. The bill does not create new policies or alter current procurement procedures - only streamlines their placement in the legal code. This is a procedural adjustment to improve code organization.

Maddy summaryHB 1656, the STRONG Act, would provide tax benefits and health care support for Mississippi National Guard members and their families. It increases income tax exemptions for Guard and Reserve members, creates a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes a program to reimburse National Guard members for Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The Adjutant General would administer the program and report its progress to the legislature. The bill passed the legislature in February 2025 but died on calendar before becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 60) is a symbolic recognition by the Mississippi House of Representatives of the creation of the Mississippi-Israel Joint Legislative Caucus. It celebrates the caucus's goal to strengthen diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Mississippi and Israel through shared values and collaborative initiatives. The resolution has no policy impact or funding provisions - it solely acknowledges the caucus's formation and purpose. As a procedural resolution, it does not affect laws, regulations, or direct any specific group.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 32) formally honors the student-led Hope Squad programs in 14 middle and high schools across Jackson County, Mississippi. It recognizes 203 student members and their advisors for implementing peer-to-peer suicide prevention initiatives using the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) method, fostering mental wellness through activities like "Hope Chains" and "Cultivating Calmness" events. The resolution specifically commends the program's community partnerships (including Singing River Health Foundation and local businesses) and its evidence-based approach to addressing teen mental health challenges. As a symbolic gesture - not a law - it does not create new programs or funding but publicly acknowledges existing efforts to build inclusive school environments.