Rep. Richard Bennett

Maddy summaryHB 555 exempts the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration from standard public procurement rules when purchasing renovations, repairs, or improvements for the State Capitol building and other historic sites that hold dual designation as both a National Historic Landmark and a Mississippi Landmark. This means the department can bypass competitive bidding requirements and Public Procurement Review Board approval for these specific projects. The exemption is temporary, set to expire on June 30, 2028. The bill directly affects the department’s purchasing process for these designated historic properties.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 1479, if enacted, would require homeowners' insurance policies covering one- or two-family owner-occupied homes in Mississippi (issued or renewed after January 1, 2026) to apply hurricane and named-storm deductibles annually per calendar year, rather than per storm. This means policyholders would only pay one deductible for all hurricane-related claims within a single year, not separate deductibles for each storm. Insurers must provide clear, written forms detailing deductible amounts (as percentages or fixed sums) to policyholders, with updated forms required if deductible terms change. The bill directly affects Mississippi homeowners with these specific insurance policies and aims to simplify deductible application during hurricane seasons.

Maddy summaryHB 853 requires state agencies to prequalify bidders for construction, maintenance, or renovation projects on historical buildings or Mississippi landmarks costing $10 million or more. This applies specifically to projects over $10 million involving designated historical sites, adding a new step before bidding begins. The bill amends existing procurement rules to mandate this prequalification process for these high-value cultural preservation projects. It directly affects state agencies contracting for such work and construction companies seeking those contracts. The change does not alter standard bidding rules for smaller projects or non-historical construction.

Maddy summaryHB 1093 would have transferred a specific property in Jackson, Mississippi (approximately 8.14 acres) currently used as the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN) headquarters to the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce. The transfer was intended to provide space for the Agricultural and Livestock Theft Bureau, which would use the facility for its operations. The bill required the Department of Finance and Administration to handle the property transfer upon the MBN relocating to new facilities in Rankin County. This was a procedural bill focused solely on real property assignment between state agencies, with no new policy or funding changes. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.)

Maddy summaryHB 1119 (the "Representative Andy Stepp Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act") requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to reimburse pharmacies at least the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) for drugs plus a standard dispensing fee, ensuring pharmacies are paid fairly for medications. It prohibits PBMs from charging patients more than the amount retained by the pharmacy and bans PBMs from penalizing patients for choosing specific pharmacies or favoring certain pharmacies in networks. The bill also mandates clear appeal processes for pharmacies disputing low reimbursements and prohibits PBMs from retaliating against pharmacies for exercising rights under the law. These provisions directly affect PBMs, pharmacies, and patients in Mississippi by setting fair reimbursement standards and protecting patient choice.

Maddy summaryHB 1793 provides $332,928 in state funding for the Mississippi State Board of Barber Examiners to cover its operational expenses for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill authorizes the hiring of four permanent staff members and establishes strict rules to ensure these funds are used only for new hires rather than salary increases or promotions for existing employees. It sets specific performance goals, such as completing 425 examinations and processing licenses within one year, while also requiring the agency to give purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the board maintain detailed financial records and submit a budget report for the following year to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1796 provides funding for the Mississippi State Department of Health for the fiscal year 2025, allocating money from both the State General Fund and various special funds to cover operational expenses. The bill specifies how millions of dollars will be distributed to support specific programs, including trauma care systems, maternal and child health services, tobacco control initiatives, and grants for qualified health centers. It also authorizes the creation of new permanent and time-limited positions within the department while establishing strict rules to ensure salary increases are used only for hiring new essential staff rather than raising pay for current employees.

Maddy summaryHB 1800 authorizes over $10 billion in funding for Mississippi's Division of Medicaid for the 2025 fiscal year to cover medical assistance for eligible residents and administrative costs. The bill allocates money from the State General Fund, the Medical Care Fund, and special source funds, while also permitting the use of recovered funds to offset audit expenses. Additionally, the legislation sets specific limits on hiring new staff and salary increases, requiring that general funds not be used to replace federal funding or pay for current employees' promotions. The act further mandates that the agency maintain detailed financial records and submit future budget requests with CHIP and home and community-based services separated from the main medical program. Finally, it establishes performance targets for the division, including goals for processing claims within 30 or 90 days and reducing third-party liability costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates over $320 million in state and special funds to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services for the fiscal year 2025 to cover its operating expenses. The legislation authorizes the hiring of approximately 1,934 staff members and establishes strict rules to ensure salary funds are used only for new hires rather than raises or promotions for existing employees. Specific allocations within the budget support critical services, including a 24-hour hotline for trafficking victims, kinship care payments, foster home maintenance, and technology upgrades aimed at improving efficiency. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department give preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods and requires detailed accounting records for all expenditures.