Rep. Zack Grady

Maddy summaryHB 1490 would have created a 25-member Mississippi School Safety Task Force to study and improve school safety environments for students, teachers, and staff. The task force - comprising state education leaders, law enforcement officials, school superintendents, student and parent representatives, and others - would have researched best practices for prevention and response, then submitted annual recommendations to the legislature. It would have referenced existing school safety grant programs (under Section 37-3-83) but did not create new funding or mandate specific safety measures. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1388 would change Mississippi law to require drivers to physically hand their driver's license to law enforcement officers upon demand during a traffic stop, rather than simply displaying it. This bill directly affects all Mississippi drivers who operate motor vehicles. The key provision amends Section 63-1-41 of the Mississippi Code to specify that licenses must be "displayed by handing the license to the law enforcement officer." The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1491, the "Students Safe at School Act," establishes new requirements for active shooter drills and simulations in Mississippi K-12 schools. The bill mandates that student drills must be trauma-informed, age-appropriate, and announced as practice sessions without immediate danger, requiring 24-hour parental notification with opt-out options (no attendance penalty for opting out). It prohibits requiring student participation in active shooter simulations (which mimic real shootings) during regular school hours, bans simulations for students in grades K-8, and allows parental opt-in only for high school students (grades 9-12) during non-school hours. The act also requires post-drill mental health support, safety planning involving student input, and development of school emergency mapping data for law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) honoring Director John B. Miller for his 35 years of service with the Biloxi Police Department. It commends him upon his retirement, recognizing his roles as Police Director (appointed in 2009), his leadership in community organizations, and his awards including the Medal of Valor and Mississippi Crime Stoppers Lifetime Achievement Award. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' appreciation for his service.

Maddy summaryHB 1284 renames Mississippi's "Native Spirit Law" to the "Native and Craft Spirits Law" and defines "craft distillery" and "craft spirit" for the first time. The bill legalizes the production and sale of craft spirits under the same regulations as native spirits, while allowing both types of distilleries to operate one permanent satellite tasting room in any location that permits alcohol sales (previously limited to within 5 miles of the main facility). It also revises permit requirements, sales rules, and distance restrictions for distilleries, directly affecting Mississippi distilleries producing craft spirits and native spirits. These changes aim to modernize the regulatory framework for small-scale spirit producers in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1230 requires the Michigan Department of Corrections (MBI) and local law enforcement agencies to notify other law enforcement entities when an inmate or detainee escapes from their facility. This bill directly affects MBI and local police departments by mandating specific notification procedures upon an escape. The key provision is a requirement for timely communication to other agencies to aid in locating and apprehending escaped individuals. The bill died in conference on March 31, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1268 creates the Mississippi Save Our Service Member Task Force to study mental health needs and suicide prevention for Mississippi National Guard members and veterans. The 15-member task force - including military leaders, mental health experts, and legislative representatives - will assess current services, identify gaps in support, and develop recommendations for improved mental health resources. It must submit a final report with proposed legislation and funding needs to the legislature by January 1, 2026. The bill also establishes a separate task force for first responders, but its primary focus is on military service members' mental health.

Maddy summaryHB 565 requires Mississippi law enforcement agencies to report officer resignations and terminations to the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. Agencies must provide timely notification within a specified timeframe and include an explanation if the resignation or termination resulted from disciplinary action. Failure to report carries penalties, though agencies may appeal the board's decision. This bill directly affects all law enforcement agencies in Mississippi, aiming to improve transparency in officer employment history.

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 1439 requires Mississippi public school districts to create and publish a standardized School Accountability Dashboard starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The dashboard must display key metrics like graduation rates, student proficiency in reading/math, college readiness, and teacher staffing data in a single-page, user-friendly format on district and state websites. School districts must update the dashboard within three weeks of receiving their annual accountability rating, with the state education department issuing a template by August 1, 2025. This law aims to provide parents and communities with transparent, accessible school performance data to support informed decisions.