Rep. Jeffrey Hulum

Maddy summaryHB 1695 authorizes Mississippi to issue state bonds to provide funds for the City of Gulfport to remove blighted properties in the western part of the city. The state would borrow money through these bonds, backed by Mississippi’s full credit, with proceeds used exclusively for property removal costs and related expenses. The bonds would be exempt from state taxes and managed by the State Bond Commission, with repayment secured by the state treasury if needed.

Maddy summaryHB 1694 would have authorized Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund repairs, renovations, and upgrades to park areas at specific facilities in Gulfport. The bill's key mechanism is the state borrowing money through bond sales, with repayment backed by Mississippi's full credit, and the proceeds would be directly transferred to Gulfport for park improvements. This bill specifically targeted park facilities (not general city services) and required the City of Gulfport to use funds solely for these designated park upgrades. The bill died in the Ways and Means Committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 243 allocates $500,000 from the state general fund to the City of Gulfport for repairs, renovations, upgrades, and improvements to specific park areas at four facilities: the Jack and Florence Goldin Sportsplex ($125,000), 19th Street Community Center ($125,000), Gaston Point Recreation Center ($125,000), and 28th Street Park and Pavilion ($125,000). The funds are designated for use during the 2026 fiscal year (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026) to cover costs associated with these facility improvements. This is a straightforward funding appropriation with no new policy provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1873 would have allocated $300,000 from Mississippi's State General Fund to the City of Gulfport for winterization projects in "The Quarter," a low-income neighborhood in central Gulfport. The funds were intended to cover home repairs, energy efficiency upgrades, and other improvements to help residents better withstand winter weather during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill specified that "winterization" includes necessary repairs and upgrades to existing homes, not new construction. The measure was referred to the Appropriations Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 692 authorized Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund the City of Holly Springs' construction of a wellness and aquatics center and related facilities. The bill would have provided state-issued bonds, backed by Mississippi's full credit, to cover the city's costs for building and equipping the center. However, the bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and was never enacted into law. This would have directly affected Holly Springs residents by enabling a new public facility, but no funds were allocated under this bill.

Maddy summaryHB 734 would reduce Mississippi's sales tax rate on most grocery items (like fresh produce, meat, and dairy) from 7% to 3.5% for purchases not made using food stamps. This applies to food that would normally be exempt from sales tax if bought with food stamps, such as standard groceries. The bill amends Mississippi's tax code to set this new 3.5% rate, effective July 1, 2025. Retailers selling these items would collect the lower tax, potentially reducing costs for shoppers who don't use food stamps.

Maddy summaryHB 1659, the Boyd Mason Act, would have created a sales tax exemption in Mississippi for veterans with 100% permanent service-connected disability. It would have exempted purchases of everyday items like clothing, furniture, or appliances for these veterans, their surviving spouses, and household members acting on their behalf (with VA certification). The exemption required VA certification and limited annual exempt sales. The bill died in committee in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 244 appropriates $350,000 from the state general fund to the City of Gulfport for removing blighted properties in the western part of the city during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The funds are intended to cover costs associated with clearing abandoned or deteriorated properties that negatively impact neighborhoods. The bill directly affects Gulfport city officials and residents in the western district by providing state financial assistance for property removal. It is a straightforward funding measure with no additional policy provisions or requirements beyond the specified appropriation.

Maddy summaryHB 1091 would have allowed Mississippi veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces to park motor vehicles for free at any state airport or airport parking facility. To qualify, veterans would need to show specific proof of service (like a DD-214, military ID, or "Vet" designation on a Mississippi driver's license) and be the driver or passenger exiting the facility. The bill required airports to implement this policy but did not mandate state funding for the free parking. It died in committee on February 13, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 857 expands Mississippi's literacy program to support students in grades 4 through 8 by requiring evidence-based reading instruction and interventions. It mandates annual universal reading screenings for all students in these grades, professional development for teachers focused on the "science of reading" (including phonics and decoding), and prohibits the use of "three-cueing systems" for teaching word reading. The bill also creates a system to identify "Middle Literacy Support Schools" based on reading data and requires the state education department to develop a structured literacy course for grades 6-8. Schools must provide targeted interventions for struggling readers, and the department must submit annual implementation reports to the legislature.