Maddy summaryHB 1729 appropriates $3.56 million for general support and $256.84 million (including $3.05 million from gasoline taxes) for Mississippi's Department of Marine Resources for fiscal year 2026. It authorizes 173 staff positions (108 permanent, 65 time-limited) and allocates $11.7 million specifically for tidelands projects, broken down into public access ($4.58M), management ($4.58M), bond repayment ($1.55M), and prior projects ($1M). The bill mandates strict accounting for all funds, prohibits using state funds to replace withdrawn federal funds, and requires detailed reporting on tidelands project spending. It also includes rules ensuring salary costs don’t exceed budgeted amounts and that funds for vacancies only fill positions, not increase current salaries.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1731 approves $7,595,440 in state funds for the Pat Harrison Waterway District to cover its fiscal year 2026 operations (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill specifically allocates $700,000 for park facility repairs (bathhouses, cabins) and $480,000 for dam repairs, while requiring the district to maintain detailed financial records and submit annual reports to the legislature by December 1, 2025 (for park repairs) and July 15 annually (for a five-year project plan). It mandates strict compliance with budget limits, prohibits using state funds to replace withdrawn federal funds, and requires preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions. The bill directly affects the district’s budget management and operational spending for waterway maintenance, park infrastructure, and dam safety.
Maddy summaryHB 1722 allocates $12.5 million from the state general fund and $13.7 million from special funds to cover the Mississippi Department of Archives and History's operating costs for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It authorizes 165 staff positions (155 permanent, 10 time-limited) and restricts fund use to prevent salary increases beyond current levels or replace withdrawn federal funds. Specific allocations include $2 million for preserving Mississippi Landmark Properties, $100,000 for Beauvoir Shrine (Jefferson Davis' former home), and $50,000 for the Statewide Oral History Project. The bill mandates strict accounting and prohibits using state funds for rent at the State Historical Museum.
Maddy summaryHB 1736 approves $9,089,507 in state funds for Mississippi's Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District to cover bond payments, maintenance, project costs, and other operational expenses during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill requires strict budget adherence for personnel spending, prohibiting salary increases for current staff and mandating that funds for vacancies fill new positions only. It also directs the district to prioritize Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchases, maintain detailed financial records matching 2025 standards, and deposit excess funds to earn interest rates comparable to state funds.
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 1302 legalizes mobile sports betting and online horse racing wagering (called "online sports pools" and "online race books") in Mississippi. It directly affects licensed casinos, betting platforms, and Mississippi residents who can place bets via mobile devices. Key provisions require platforms to hold a specific license, verify users' locations (geofencing) and age (minimum 21), and limit casinos to partnering with only one platform. The bill explicitly prohibits all other forms of online gambling (like casino games) and amends existing laws to align with these new rules.
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 1783 appropriates state funds to support the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources for the fiscal year 2025, totaling approximately $257 million from special funds and $3.6 million from the general fund. The bill authorizes the department to hire 108 permanent and 65 temporary staff members while establishing strict rules to prevent salary increases for current employees and requiring detailed accounting of all expenditures. Additionally, the legislation allocates $11.7 million specifically for tidelands projects, including public access improvements like boat launches and piers in various coastal counties, as well as management initiatives and bond repayments.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates approximately $101.5 million from state funds to support the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for the 2025 fiscal year. The funding covers general operations, specific programs like Project WILD, and authorizes a staff of 580 employees, including 527 permanent positions. It also establishes performance targets for license sales, boat registrations, and wildlife management activities while setting strict rules to prevent salary increases without new funding. Additionally, the legislation provides a $550 annual uniform allowance for conservation officers and requires detailed financial reporting to the Legislature.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands the geographic requirements for creating a certified health care industry zone in Mississippi, directly affecting developers and local governments seeking state incentives. It allows an area to qualify if a proposed health care facility is located within an eight-mile radius of either a hospital with a specific number of beds or a university near Highway 67, rather than the previous, stricter distance limits. The legislation also maintains the requirement that the facility must be situated in a region with significant existing hospital infrastructure or capital investment. By adjusting these location criteria, the bill aims to make it easier for the Mississippi Development Authority to designate zones that encourage the construction of new health care facilities.