Rep. Jeffrey Hulum

Maddy summaryHB 1402 designates a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Yazoo County as the "Colonel Donnell Berry Memorial Highway" to honor Colonel Donnell Berry. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will install and maintain signage along this highway segment. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 672 allows counties, cities, tribes, or state agencies in Mississippi that already permit alcohol sales ("wet" jurisdictions) to authorize alcohol stores to sell packaged alcohol on Sundays between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. It does not require stores to open on Sundays - they may continue operating Monday through Saturday. The bill amends existing law (Section 67-1-83) to permit these Sunday hours, while maintaining the existing ban on Sunday sales elsewhere. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1085 creates a program to reimburse Mississippi National Guard members for costs of Tricare Reserve Select health coverage and Tricare Dental premiums. It directly affects Guard members who pay these premiums themselves and do not have health/dental coverage through a civilian employer. The Mississippi Military Department will administer the program, using funds approved annually by the legislature, and must report yearly on participation and program effectiveness to the legislature. The bill ensures state reimbursement only covers premiums not already covered by federal sources.

Maddy summaryHB 1126 increases base teacher salaries by $5,000 annually starting with the 2026-2027 school year, with an additional $3,000 annual supplement for licensed special education teachers and $6,000 for certified occupational therapists and school psychologists. It also raises assistant teachers' pay by $5,000 and caps superintendent salaries at 250% of equivalent teacher pay, including district supplements. The bill includes related provisions for retirement benefits for first responders and revised roles for student success coaches, but its core focus is direct compensation increases for educators.

Maddy summaryHB 1578 requires all Mississippi public school districts to adopt policies addressing online safety risks, including social media predators, grooming, and human trafficking, by October 2028. It mandates the State Board of Education to create a model policy by July 2027, covering definitions, safety planning, reporting procedures, staff training, and parent/student education. Schools must integrate age-appropriate lessons on healthy relationships and social media dangers into health courses for grades K-12, using state-approved materials. The policy must be included in school discipline codes and distributed to students and parents annually.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial House Resolution (not a bill) honoring Matt McDonnell upon his retirement as Executive Director of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center after 40 years of service. It recognizes his career at the facility since 1986, including roles as Director of Operations, Assistant Executive Director, and Executive Director, as well as his prior work in event management, public service as an Ocean Springs Alderman, and business ventures. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely a formal expression of appreciation with no legal effect or direct impact on any individuals or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 419 increases Mississippi's homestead property tax exemption for a specific group: unremarried surviving spouses of veterans who were honorably discharged and are 85 years or older. The bill amends existing law to grant these individuals a full exemption from all ad valorem taxes on their homestead property's assessed value, rather than a partial reduction. This expands the current homestead exemption program to include this veteran spouse demographic, providing complete tax relief on their primary residence. The exemption applies to the entire assessed value of their home, not just a portion of it.

Maddy summaryHB 1008 authorizes Mississippi to issue state bonds to fund repairs and upgrades to park areas in the City of Gulfport. The bond proceeds would directly assist Gulfport with costs for specific park facility improvements, including renovations and upgrades. The state pledges its full credit for repayment, meaning taxpayers would cover any shortfall if needed. This is a financial mechanism to provide funding, not a direct policy change for park operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1007 authorizes Mississippi to issue state bonds to provide funds for the City of Gulfport to cover costs associated with removing blighted properties in the western part of the city. The state would borrow money through bond sales, with repayment backed by Mississippi's full credit, and transfer the proceeds directly to Gulfport for this specific cleanup project. The bill requires that the funds be used exclusively for property removal and cannot be diverted to other state or city expenses. This legislation creates a financial mechanism to support Gulfport's efforts to address deteriorated properties without requiring additional local taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 1005 appropriates $500,000 from the Mississippi State General Fund to the City of Gulfport for specific park facility repairs and upgrades. The funds are allocated equally ($125,000 each) to four locations: the Jack and Florence Goldin Sportsplex, 19th Street Community Center, Gaston Point Recreation Center, and 28th Street Park and Pavilion. The money is designated for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) to cover costs associated with renovations and improvements. This is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes beyond the specified allocations to these municipal facilities.