Maddy summaryMississippi's HB 1922 appropriates $330,629 from state special funds to cover the operating expenses of the Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The funds specifically cover salaries, wages, and benefits for three permanent staff positions, with $203,629 designated exclusively for "Personal Services" (no promotions or salary increases for current staff). The bill requires the board to maintain detailed financial records matching its FY2026 reporting and prohibits using these funds for federal replacement or to exceed the approved budget. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting the board's budget and staffing for licensing oversight.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1920 appropriates $1,950,524 from the Real Estate License Fund to cover the Mississippi Real Estate Commission's operating expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifies that $1,229,744 of this amount must be used exclusively for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits) for up to 16 permanent staff positions, with strict rules prohibiting use for promotions, title changes, or salary increases beyond approved headcounts. It requires the Commission to maintain detailed financial records matching FY2026 standards and mandates that any FY2028 budget request follow the same reporting format. This is a funding bill with no policy changes, solely allocating existing resources for the Commission's personnel costs.
Maddy summaryHouse Concurrent Resolution 46 is a symbolic resolution passed by the Mississippi Legislature to commend Dr. Kim Welch Hoover for over 40 years of career excellence in healthcare, including her work as a nurse, educator, administrator, and leader in nursing workforce development. It specifically recognizes her new role as Mississippi State University's inaugural Senior Nurse Fellow, highlighting her contributions to advancing nursing education and addressing workforce challenges. The resolution serves as a formal expression of legislative appreciation, without creating new laws or obligations, and will be presented to Dr. Hoover and shared with the press.
Maddy summaryHB 514 amends Mississippi's Veterinary Practice Act to require certified veterinary technicians to be credentialed by the Board of Veterinary Medicine, directly affecting technicians who must now obtain board certification to use titles like "Certified Veterinary Technician." The bill adds one certified veterinary technician and one public member to the Board, updates fee-setting authority for license renewals (increasing the age exemption from 65 to 70 for fee waivers), and removes annual exam requirements for licensing. Key mechanisms include prohibiting unauthorized use of technician titles, granting the Board power to set inspection fees and fines for unlicensed practice, and allowing revocation of technician certifications. These changes aim to standardize technician qualifications and strengthen board oversight within veterinary practice regulations.
Maddy summaryHB 346 revises Mississippi's architectural licensing laws to allow multi-disciplinary firms (combining architects, landscape architects, and engineers) to operate under specific conditions. The bill requires that at least one active member or stockholder of such a firm must hold a valid Mississippi architecture license, and no more than one-third of the firm's ownership can be held by landscape architects. Firms must clearly disclose each member's license type (architect, engineer, or landscape architect) in all business materials and include at least one licensed architect's name in their title. This change directly affects architects, landscape architects, and engineering firms seeking to collaborate under a single business entity in Mississippi.
Maddy summaryHB 565, known as "Jill's Law," requires all health insurance plans in Mississippi - including Medicaid and the State and School Employees Health Insurance Plan - to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence. This includes tests backed by FDA approvals, clinical guidelines, or consensus statements, effective for plans renewed or entered after July 1, 2026. Plans must provide clear written justifications for denied claims, update coverage policies publicly within 60 days of enactment, and allow appeals for coverage disputes. The law applies to all health benefit plans and aims to ensure timely access to evidence-based testing without requiring multiple biopsies.
Maddy summaryHB 1402 designates a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Yazoo County as the "Colonel Donnell Berry Memorial Highway" to honor Colonel Donnell Berry. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will install and maintain signage along this highway segment. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation with no policy or funding changes.
Maddy summaryHB 563 requires Mississippi to automatically add a specific pharmaceutical form of psilocybin (approved by the FDA) to the state's controlled substances list once the federal government (DEA) schedules it. This eliminates the need for new state legislation to implement the scheduling and applies only to psilocybin used in FDA-approved medications. The automatic scheduling would remain in effect until the next legislative session passes a new law to update Mississippi's controlled substances schedule.
Maddy summaryHB 352 designates the Union County Heritage Museum as Mississippi's official state barbecue museum. This symbolic bill, with no substantive policy changes, takes effect July 1, 2026, formally recognizing the museum's role in preserving barbecue heritage. It directly affects the museum's official status but does not alter funding, operations, or public policy.
Maddy summaryHB 351 designates June 3 as "Bobbie Gentry Day" in Mississippi to honor the singer-songwriter Bobbie Gentry, born in Woodland, Mississippi, who gained international fame in the 1960s with hits like "Ode to Billie Joe." The bill amends Mississippi Code Section 3-3-7 to add this day as a commemorative observance, alongside existing days like Elvis Presley Day and Hernando de Soto Day. It specifies that June 3 will be a day of recognition and observation but explicitly states it is not a legal holiday, meaning it does not affect government operations, business closures, or work schedules. The bill has no regulatory or financial impact and serves solely as a symbolic tribute to Gentry's cultural contributions.