Rep. Clay Deweese

Maddy summaryThis resolution commends Ole Miss men's basketball head coach Chris Beard for being named the 2025 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year. It recognizes his leadership in guiding the team to its first Sweet 16 appearance in school history (since 2013) and its first NCAA Tournament wins since 2013 during the 2024-2025 season. The resolution serves as a ceremonial honor from the Mississippi House of Representatives, with no substantive policy changes or direct effects beyond recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 1284 renames Mississippi's "Native Spirit Law" to the "Native and Craft Spirits Law" and defines "craft distillery" and "craft spirit" for the first time. The bill legalizes the production and sale of craft spirits under the same regulations as native spirits, while allowing both types of distilleries to operate one permanent satellite tasting room in any location that permits alcohol sales (previously limited to within 5 miles of the main facility). It also revises permit requirements, sales rules, and distance restrictions for distilleries, directly affecting Mississippi distilleries producing craft spirits and native spirits. These changes aim to modernize the regulatory framework for small-scale spirit producers in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1567 is a procedural bill that reorganizes specific sections of Mississippi's code related to fire truck funding programs. It moves existing code sections (like 17-23-1, which details the Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program) to more logical positions in the codebook for administrative clarity. The bill does not change the program's funding limits ($1,010,000 max per county), truck purchase rules, or NFPA standards requirements. It solely streamlines the code structure without altering policy or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1740 appropriates $1,459,164 for the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering's fiscal year 2026 expenses. The bill authorizes 17 permanent positions and strictly limits fund use to new hires (not salary increases for current staff), requiring the agency to adhere to specific performance targets like conducting 6,000 annual inspections and processing 3,120 cosmetology examinations. It also mandates the board not issue new wigology licenses while allowing existing wig specialists to continue practicing under prior rules. This is a funding authorization bill, not a policy change, with no direct impact on the public beyond the board's operational budget.

Maddy summaryHB 1742 appropriates $78.1 million from the state general fund and $1.57 billion from special funds to the Mississippi Department of Human Services (DHS) for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It authorizes 1,202 permanent and 353 time-limited staff positions, strictly requiring that funds be used only for new hires - not raises, promotions, or salary increases - and mandating that DHS maintain detailed financial records matching 2025 standards. The bill also transfers $1 million to the Department of Health for child care licensing and prohibits using state funds for utilities (electricity, gas, cable, phone) in state-provided employee housing. All funding must align with constitutional duties, federal law, or approved programs, with strict limits on personnel spending exceeding prior-year appropriations.

Maddy summaryHB 1749 appropriates $256,272 from state special funds to cover the operational expenses of Mississippi's State Board of Optometry for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes one permanent position for the board and strictly limits how funds can be used, prohibiting salary increases for current employees and requiring adherence to the agency’s 2026 budget without exceeding allocated amounts. It mandates compliance with state personnel rules, including no use of funds to replace withdrawn federal or special funds, and requires the board to maintain detailed financial records matching its 2025 reporting standards. This is a procedural funding measure with no direct policy impact on optometrists or the public.

Maddy summaryHB 1744 appropriates $13.29 million from the state general fund and $5.13 million from special funds to cover the Mississippi Department of Insurance's expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes 124 permanent positions and strictly limits personnel spending to filling vacancies (not salary increases or promotions), requiring the department to maintain detailed financial records and report on performance targets. Key targets include issuing 150,000 insurance licenses, conducting 8,000 fire marshal inspections, and addressing 24,500 customer assistance requests, with results reported in the 2027 budget request. This funding directly supports the department’s operations and accountability to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 1750 appropriates $354,642 from state funds for the Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy to cover its operational expenses during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill specifies that funds must cover authorized positions (3 permanent staff) and prohibits using the allocation for employee promotions, salary increases beyond budgeted levels, or replacing federal funds. It also requires the Board to maintain detailed financial records matching 2025 standards and comply with state budget laws regarding expenditure limits. This is a procedural funding measure, not a policy change affecting the public or physical therapy practice.

Maddy summaryHB 1754 appropriates $32,555,404 from the State General Fund and $224,005,132 from special funds to cover the Department of Rehabilitation Services' expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It authorizes 875 permanent and 201 temporary positions, with strict rules requiring that personal services funding not exceed the prior year’s level without new legislative approval and limiting fund use to new hires - not promotions or salary increases for current staff. The bill specifies $3,681,802 from the Health Care Expendable Fund for federal fund matching and the Independent Living Program, and allocates $100,000 for the National Federation for the Blind News Line service. It also mandates detailed financial reporting and prioritizes contracts with Mississippi Industries for the Blind.

Maddy summaryHB 1746 appropriates $4,383,252 from state funds to cover the State Board of Medical Licensure's expenses for fiscal year 2026. The bill authorizes 30 permanent positions and requires the board to use funds strictly for filling vacancies (not salary increases), maintain performance targets like 100% online license renewals and 90% complaint resolution within seven days, and submit detailed budget reports. It also allocates $600,000 for the Mississippi Physician Health Program and $130,000 for the Prescription Monitoring Program. The funding includes strict controls to prevent exceeding budgeted personnel costs and mandates compliance with state personnel rules. This is a funding bill, not a policy change to medical licensure standards.