Rep. Sam Creekmore

Maddy summaryThis resolution commends Enterprise High School in Clarke County for earning Mississippi's highest accountability score (908/1,000) in the 2024-2025 state report, recognizing it as the top-performing high school in the state. It has no policy or funding impact - it is a ceremonial gesture with no binding requirements, solely serving to honor the school's academic achievement. The resolution was introduced by Representatives Smith, Calvert, and Creekmore IV.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill) commending retired United Methodist Bishop William Thomas (Bill) McAlilly for his service. It recognizes his leadership in the United Methodist Church, his Mississippi roots, his work after Hurricane Katrina, and his global ministry efforts, including establishing The Mama Lynn Center in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The resolution expresses the Mississippi Legislature's appreciation for his "compassion for the least and last" and legacy of service, both in Mississippi and internationally. It has no policy impact or funding provisions - it is purely a symbolic gesture of recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 349 removes a requirement for chancery clerks to submit quarterly reports to the Department of Mental Health (DMH) about court-ordered mental health admissions and denials for crisis stabilization beds. This change directly affects chancery clerks, who will no longer need to compile and send these records, and DMH, which will no longer receive them. The bill does not alter admission procedures, facility requirements, or other responsibilities in mental health care. It amends Section 41-21-77 of the Mississippi Code and takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 316 lowers the minimum age for applying to become a licensed hearing aid specialist in Mississippi from 21 to 18 years old. It also extends the time applicants have to pass required exams from an unspecified prior period to 18 months after submitting their initial application. The bill directly affects prospective hearing aid specialists seeking licensure in Mississippi, modifying the eligibility requirements in state law. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 312, the "Carl Rackley Airway Emergency Preparedness Act," requires specific facilities to maintain airway clearance devices (ACDs) for choking emergencies starting January 1, 2027. Covered facilities include public schools, child care centers, nursing homes, restaurants with 20+ indoor seats, and senior centers. The bill mandates each facility keep at least one ACD in a visible location with clear instructions, encourages but does not require staff training, and provides legal immunity for good-faith, uncompensated use of the device by bystanders. Noncompliant facilities face a written warning for first violations and up to $100 fines per occurrence for repeat failures, enforced through routine health inspections.

Maddy summaryHB 1136 defines obesity medicine as part of medical practice in Mississippi and allows physicians certified in obesity medicine to prescribe FDA-approved obesity drugs (including GLP-1 medications like Wegovy or Ozempic) via telemedicine. The bill amends telemedicine rules to explicitly include obesity medicine consultations and requires HIPAA-compliant technology for remote prescribing. This directly affects Mississippi physicians specializing in obesity care and patients seeking medication-based obesity treatment without in-person visits. The law mandates the State Board of Medical Licensure to create implementing rules, ensuring remote prescriptions follow state medical standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1372 authorizes the City of Greenwood and Leflore County (current owners of Greenwood Leflore Hospital) to sell or lease the hospital property under specific conditions. New owners must competitively bid for the property, cover all hospital debts including Medicaid overpayments, and maintain key services like the emergency room, rural hospital program, and swing-bed program. The sale or lease must be completed within one year of the law's effective date, and new owners assume full responsibility for operating the facility. The bill also references existing law (Section 41-13-15) but focuses on enabling the transfer while preserving critical healthcare services.

Maddy summaryHC 9 is a concurrent resolution that commemorates the life and legacy of Joseph "Joe" Dera, a renowned music publicist and businessman who passed away on October 10, 2025. It expresses the Mississippi legislature's deepest sympathy to his family and friends while highlighting his five-decade career representing music legends like David Bowie, Paul McCartney, and B.B. King. The resolution also acknowledges his later life and contributions to the Mississippi Delta community, including his work with local businesses and preservation of historic homes. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact or binding effect.

Maddy summaryHB 3 modifies Mississippi's certificate of need (CON) requirements for healthcare facilities. It removes Medicaid participation restrictions for a psychiatric facility in DeSoto County, requires a CON for a Madison County community living program, and allows Harrison County's long-term care hospital to join Medicaid as a "crossover provider." The bill grants the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) an academic exemption from CON requirements for certain Jackson-area services, provided proposed equipment or facilities serve a clear academic purpose. It also directs a study on exempting small hospitals from CON rules for dialysis units, geriatric psychiatric units, and requiring acute psychiatric units to treat uninsured patients or pay fees. These changes aim to reduce regulatory barriers for specific healthcare services and facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 347 revised Mississippi's mental health governance by changing how the State Board of Mental Health is appointed and removing Senate confirmation for the Executive Director. It updated board membership requirements (including district representation and professional qualifications), adjusted term lengths, and eliminated the Senate confirmation step for the Executive Director position. The bill also modified term expiration dates for current members and set limits on consecutive service for board members. This legislation directly affected the State Board of Mental Health, its appointed members, and the Executive Director role. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.