Rep. Clay Deweese

Maddy summaryHB 1751 appropriates $162,606 from the state treasury to cover the Mississippi State Board of Psychology's operational expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes one permanent position and strictly prohibits using funds for salary increases, promotions, or title changes for current employees, requiring all spending to align with existing salary minimums and budget limits. It mandates detailed accounting records and compliance with state budget laws, ensuring funds are used solely for board operations without exceeding the approved appropriation.

Maddy summaryHB 1752 appropriates $746,698 from state funds to cover the operational expenses of the Mississippi Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes five permanent positions for the board and includes strict rules governing how funds can be spent, such as prohibiting salary increases for current employees using these funds and requiring compliance with state payroll guidelines. It does not change licensing rules or affect real estate appraisers directly - it solely provides funding for the board’s existing administrative operations. The bill also mandates detailed financial records and ensures funds are used strictly for approved purposes under state budget laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1, the "Build Up Mississippi Act," reduces Mississippi's income tax rate for taxable income over $10,000 to 3.75% in 2027, 3.5% in 2028, 3.25% in 2029, and 3% in 2030 and beyond, with potential further reductions after 2031 under specific fiscal conditions. It also imposes a 5% sales tax on grocery purchases starting July 1, 2025, and increases gasoline excise taxes to 27 cents per gallon by 2027. Additionally, the bill creates a new retirement system tier for state employees joining on or after March 1, 2026, combining a defined benefit component with a defined contribution plan requiring 9% employee contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 1086 authorizes the University of Mississippi to lease specific campus properties (including Kincannon, West Row, South Parking Lot, and other designated areas) to private partners for 45 years (with renewal options) to develop academic buildings, housing, dining, parking, and retail spaces. All lease proceeds must be deposited into a special fund exclusively for the university’s use, and the properties must revert to the university at lease end. The bill requires approval from the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and preserves the state’s mineral rights. The bill died on the calendar in March 2025 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (HR 61) commending the Lafayette High School "Commodores" Boys Soccer Team and Head Coach Gene Anderson for winning the 2025 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 5A State Championship. It has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply offers formal recognition of the team's achievement. The resolution was adopted by the Mississippi House of Representatives on March 5, 2025, and does not impact any laws or individuals beyond this ceremonial acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 62), not a policy bill. It formally commends the Lafayette High School "Commodores" Girls Soccer Team and Head Coach Melinda Scruggs for winning the 2025 MHSAA Class 5A State Championship. The resolution expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' recognition of the team's achievement, highlighting their championship victory and season record. It has no binding effect or policy changes - it is purely a symbolic gesture of appreciation.

Maddy summaryHB 1088 would authorize Mississippi municipalities and counties to purchase water associations' assets (including water supply and distribution systems) using revenue bonds or special improvement bonds. This would allow local governments to acquire these systems without requiring voter approval for the purchase itself, though bonds must be repaid solely from water system revenues. The bill directly affects municipalities, counties, and water associations operating in Mississippi. It does not change existing rate-setting rules but provides a new financing mechanism for local governments to expand or take over water services. (Note: The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 1456 transfers a 10.17-acre property at 1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue in Jackson, Mississippi - currently used as the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol headquarters - to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). The bill requires the Department of Finance and Administration (acting for the Department of Public Safety) to convey the property to UMMC's board of trustees, with terms considering redevelopment options like medical facilities or police administrative buildings. It also specifies that the state retains mineral rights and mandates consideration of FAA flight patterns, zoning, and cleanup costs during the transfer. This procedural bill directly affects the Department of Public Safety (current owner) and UMMC (new owner), with no policy changes beyond the property transfer.

Maddy summaryHB 943 authorizes Mississippi's Public Service Commission to mediate or arbitrate rate disputes between private water associations and their customers. It specifically allows customers to switch to county or municipal water systems if their current association faces health restrictions or cannot serve them. The Commission can intervene upon request or on its own initiative, and its decisions on rate fairness would be binding. This directly affects rural water customers, private water associations, and the Commission in resolving billing conflicts.

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.