Rep. Greg Haney

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) commending Jamal Roberts, a Meridian, Mississippi native, for winning the 23rd season of *American Idol*. It formally congratulates him as the second Mississippian and second African-American male to win the competition, highlighting his musical achievements and roots. The resolution has no policy impact; it simply expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' praise and will be sent to Roberts and the press. It does not affect any laws, regulations, or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 705, titled "Enhanced penalties for use of mask in commission of a crime; authorize," would have required Mississippi courts to add a mandatory 1-2 year prison sentence for anyone convicted of a crime while wearing a facial mask, hood, or other face-covering that concealed their identity. The bill directly affected individuals convicted of crimes committed with facial concealment during sentencing. Key provisions mandated the enhanced penalty be added to the standard sentence for such offenses, with no judicial discretion to reduce it. However, the bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1045 would amend Mississippi's retirement law to allow Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) retirees to work full-time as law enforcement officers for a new employer (not their previous employer) while receiving their full retirement benefits. Currently, retirees face restrictions preventing full-time work and full benefits, but this bill specifically removes that barrier for law enforcement positions. The key provision permits retirees to work the full normal schedule and earn the full salary for a law enforcement role without reducing their retirement allowance. This would directly affect retired law enforcement officers seeking full-time employment with a different agency.

Maddy summaryHB 995 would allow retired Mississippi public school teachers with at least 30 years of service (or 25 years by 2024) to return to full-time teaching while keeping their retirement benefits. It removes a requirement for school districts to split pension contribution costs 50/50 with the state and sets a fixed salary for returning teachers based on their retirement-level pay grade and license type - capped at 125% of standard district rates. School districts must verify teachers hold current licenses, have no pre-existing hiring agreements, and meet performance standards before rehiring. The bill also requires districts to report hires to the retirement system and adjust funding formulas to cover costs. (Note: The bill died in committee and did not become law.)

Maddy summaryHB 993 requires Mississippi's State Board of Education and State Department of Education to request a federal waiver from the annual testing requirement for grades 3-8 in reading and math under federal law. The state must submit this waiver request by March 1, 2026, including a plan to support student achievement without these tests and methods to monitor progress. Before submitting, the state must gather public input from stakeholders like parents and school districts and include their feedback in the federal application. If approved, the waiver would allow Mississippi to pause annual standardized testing for these grades while still reporting student performance data annually to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 994 requires Mississippi public schools to add financial literacy to grades 6-8 curricula starting in 2026-27 and mandates a personal finance course (worth half a credit) for all high school graduation beginning with the 2031 class. It creates a "Financial Literacy Trust Fund" in the state treasury to support this program, allowing funds from private donations, grants, and state/federal appropriations. The State Board of Education would manage the fund and report annually to the legislature. This bill directly affects all students in Mississippi public schools and charter schools by changing graduation requirements and funding educational resources.

Maddy summaryHB 996 would raise the minimum annual pay for Mississippi's K-3 assistant teachers from an unspecified prior amount to $20,000, effective for the 2026-2027 school year. The bill directly affects assistant teachers in kindergarten through third grade, who currently assist licensed teachers under supervision in classrooms. It requires school districts to fund these positions at the new minimum rate, with potential future adjustments based on state revenue growth. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1046 would require public employees convicted of felonies involving $50,000 or more in public funds (after July 1, 2026) to forfeit retirement benefits from Mississippi’s state retirement systems (PERS, SLRP, or MHSPRS). It mandates a separate civil hearing to confirm the conviction and final appeals before benefits are terminated, with the state retirement system only acting after the Attorney General confirms all appeals are exhausted. The bill affects current or former state employees whose felony convictions relate to misuse of public funds, requiring them to lose retirement benefits but allowing refunds of their own contributions without interest. Note: This bill died in committee in 2026 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1047 would have allowed Mississippi sheriffs and deputies to use radar speed detection devices on public roads to enforce speed limits specifically within school zones marked by blinking caution lights. It required counties to use fines from these school zone violations to fund school safety measures, such as school resource officers or staff safety training. The bill directly affected sheriffs' enforcement capabilities and school safety funding in counties. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1044 would change Mississippi's public employee retirement system (PERS) by reducing the required service years for full retirement eligibility from 35 to 30 years for Tier 5 members. This means eligible public employees who complete 30 years of service could retire without age restrictions, whereas previously they needed 35 years. The bill also maintains a minimum 8 years of service for retirement at age 60 and includes an actuarial reduction for those retiring before age 60 with fewer than 30 years of service. It directly affects state and local government employees in Mississippi's Tier 5 PERS retirement plan.