Rep. Zack Grady

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 summaryHB 1231 would amend Mississippi law to classify a mother as committing felonious child abuse if a newborn tests positive for non-prescribed controlled substances at birth. The bill directly affects pregnant individuals who use controlled substances without a physician's prescription, making this a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine for a first offense. Key mechanisms include updating the definition of felonious child abuse to include unexplained drug-positive birth tests (Section 97-5-39(2)(d)) and strengthening mandatory reporting requirements for such cases (Section 43-21-353). The law would not apply if the substance was medically prescribed.

Maddy summaryHB 678, the Mississippi Doxxing Prevention Act, prohibits intentionally sharing restricted personal information (like home addresses, phone numbers, or email) of specific protected individuals with the intent to harass or threaten them. It directly affects law enforcement officers, government employees, jurors, witnesses, and informants (defined as "covered persons") by creating criminal penalties: first offenses are misdemeanors (up to 6 months jail or $2,000 fine), while repeat offenses or cases involving violence become felonies (up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 fine). The bill also amends Mississippi’s public records law to exempt the restricted personal information of these covered persons from public disclosure. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee but died there on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1229 makes it a misdemeanor to harass first responders (including police, firefighters, and EMTs) after being verbally warned to stay away. It prohibits approaching within 25 feet with intent to impede their duties, threaten them, or cause serious emotional distress. Violators face fines up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. The bill directly affects individuals who engage in such behavior toward emergency personnel while performing their duties. It aims to provide legal recourse for responders facing intentional, repeated harassment.

Maddy summaryHB 1508, the Mississippi Heroes Act, creates a state fund to provide supplemental pay to municipal, county, and state law enforcement officers based on continuous service years. Officers with 5 years of service receive $5,000, 10 years receive $10,000, and 20 years receive $20,000, requiring uninterrupted service without termination or suspension. Funding comes from specific assessments on traffic violations ($30), drug forfeiture (10%), and other designated fees, as amended in Mississippi Code sections 99-19-73 and others. The bill was referred to committee but died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not advance.

Maddy summaryHB 1423 allows recreational vehicle (RV) park owners to refuse accommodations or ask guests to leave for specific reasons, including intoxication, unpaid rent, disturbances, illegal activity, or safety hazards. If a guest refuses to leave, park owners can request police to arrest them for trespass, and police must enforce removal. The bill explicitly prohibits denials of service based on race, disability, gender, or other protected characteristics. It also requires parks to give guests 48 hours to retrieve belongings after removal, with owners allowed to dispose of unclaimed property afterward. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was not enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 921, the MS ROSS Act, would have created a state-funded program to help Mississippi public and accredited private elementary and secondary schools hire School Resource Officers (SROs). The Mississippi Department of Public Safety would have covered increasing percentages of SRO costs (starting at 30% in 2025-2026 and rising to 70% by 2029-2030), with local law enforcement and school boards responsible for the remaining portion, up to a $55,000 annual cap per SRO. Schools and local agencies would have needed to jointly apply for funding and establish agreements to participate. The bill, which died in committee in February 2025, was never enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 1367 clarifies that mandatory reporters of child abuse in Mississippi - including teachers, healthcare workers, social workers, and others - must immediately contact local law enforcement when they suspect abuse, rather than only reporting to child protection services. The bill requires this initial report to be made by phone or other immediate means, followed by a written report to the Department of Child Protection Services (DCPS). It also specifies that DCPS must notify law enforcement within 48 hours for severe cases (like sexual abuse or human trafficking) and provide ongoing details to support investigations. This bill directly affects mandatory reporters and law enforcement agencies by streamlining the response process to suspected child abuse.

Maddy summaryHB 1265 creates a 13-member Sales Tax Diversion Study Committee to examine how Mississippi allocates sales tax revenue between the state Department of Revenue and local municipalities. The committee will review current practices, assess financial impacts on municipalities, and recommend reforms for the 2026 legislative session. It must report findings by December 1, 2025, and includes representatives from state agencies, large and small municipalities, and economic organizations. The bill itself does not change tax law but establishes a process to study revenue distribution.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1212) died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law. If enacted, it would have created a 9-member study committee to examine unintended impacts of wind turbines on agriculture, including property rights (e.g., pesticide drift), aquifer safety, and aviation pilot concerns. The bill also included a temporary moratorium on new wind turbine construction permits until July 1, 2026, to allow time for the committee’s study. The committee was required to report findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 1, 2025, but the bill did not advance beyond the committee stage.