Rep. Carolyn Crawford

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 888 updates Mississippi's Burn Care Fund by expanding eligible recipients to include Baptist Medical Center and burn centers affiliated with Level I trauma centers, while removing the University of Mississippi Medical Center as a designated recipient. It increases the fee for distinctive license tags from $1.00 to $2.50 per tag or plate, and adds a $0.50 fee for commercial vehicle decals, with all new proceeds deposited into the Burn Care Fund. These changes direct funding toward specific burn care facilities within Mississippi's trauma system, shifting support from the University of Mississippi Medical Center to Baptist Medical Center and Level I-affiliated centers. The bill does not create new facilities but alters how existing funds are distributed. The fee increases take effect for vehicle registrations starting in 2025.

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 403, the "No Patient Left Alone Act," gives minors and adults in Mississippi healthcare facilities the right to designate a parent, guardian, spouse, family member, or caregiver to be physically present during their care. Healthcare facilities may limit visitation only for medical reasons, safety concerns, disruptive behavior, or policy violations, but cannot require patients to waive this right or terminate it. The Mississippi Department of Health must create informational materials for facilities and can impose fines (up to $10,000 per day) for violations. The law does not override medical emergencies or federal safety protocols and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1081 declares that parents have a fundamental right to direct their children's upbringing, education, care, and control. It prohibits Mississippi state agencies and local governments from infringing on this right unless a narrowly tailored law serves a compelling state interest using the least restrictive means. The bill would have applied to all parents and state entities like schools or child welfare agencies, limiting their ability to intervene in family decisions. However, the bill "died in committee" on March 4, 2025, and did not become law, so these provisions never took effect. (Note: The bill was pending but not enacted as of the provided status.)

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 1707 appropriated $2.5 million from Mississippi's State General Fund to help the City of Pass Christian cover costs for building a new fire station during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill directly affected Pass Christian by providing state funding for a specific infrastructure project. It died in committee on February 26, 2025, and was never enacted into law. This was a procedural funding measure, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 801 would have prohibited health insurers in Mississippi from denying health insurance claims solely because a person has not received a vaccine recommended or required by the State Health Officer. It applied to a broad range of insurers, including health maintenance organizations, pharmacy benefit managers, and other entities responsible for paying health care claims. The bill, which was introduced in 2025 and scheduled to take effect July 1, 2025, did not become law after dying in committee in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 790 clarifies that anyone who enters property without permission (a trespasser) cannot be considered a tenant and may be removed immediately by the property owner or their agent, without needing court proceedings or following standard eviction processes. The bill amends Mississippi tenant law to explicitly state that trespassers have no tenant rights, including protection from removal or liability for items left behind. It directly affects individuals who occupy property without the owner's consent, such as squatters or unauthorized occupants. The law changes existing statutes to ensure trespassers are not covered by tenant protections, allowing owners to address unauthorized presence swiftly.

Maddy summaryHB 1573 requires Mississippi's State Department of Health to inspect nursing facilities and assisted living facilities during routine unannounced visits to verify compliance with existing rules for emergency power systems. This bill directly affects all licensed nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Mississippi by adding a specific safety check for backup power during standard health inspections. The key mechanism is mandating these facilities undergo regular, unannounced checks for emergency power readiness, which was previously not explicitly required in inspection protocols. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.