Maddy summaryHB 1449 prevents fire departments from being forced to retire fire trucks solely based on age if the equipment passes safety inspections, meets maintenance standards, and has no critical defects. It requires the Mississippi State Rating Bureau to base replacement recommendations on objective testing - not age - and sets a minimum 7.5-mile response distance standard for fire rating evaluations. The bill also updates how funds from fire insurance premiums are allocated, directing $4.85 million annually to municipal fire departments for training, equipment, and volunteer firefighter support. These changes directly affect all Mississippi municipalities, fire districts, and volunteer fire departments managing fire apparatus and insurance ratings.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1721, the "Additional Living Expense Fairness and Expedited Closure Adjudication Act," aims to streamline how homeowners and small businesses receive temporary housing and living expense payments (ALE) after property damage covered by insurance. It directs Mississippi’s Insurance Department to resolve disputes over ALE eligibility, amounts, or delays within strict timelines (e.g., insurers must respond to requests within 3-5 business days), and requires insurers to pay undisputed ALE immediately. The bill also allows the Insurance Commissioner to issue emergency orders to prevent hardship during disputes, such as ordering immediate payments based on local rental rates. The bill was introduced in 2026 but died in committee without becoming law.
Maddy summaryHB 1020 creates a dedicated "Insurance Department Fraud Detection Trust Fund" to combat rising insurance fraud, including cyberfraud and deepfakes. It requires property/casualty insurers and life/health insurers to pay annual contributions based on their Mississippi premiums (with a $100 minimum per company), capped at $1 million yearly. Funds must be used exclusively for fraud detection tools, cybersecurity, arson investigations, and related department expenses - no longer flowing into the general state fund. The bill also prevents unspent funds from lapsing into the general fund and allows federal/private grants for the program. This replaces the previous system where insurers paid into the general fund for department costs.
Maddy summaryThis bill would add kratom to Mississippi's Schedule III controlled substances under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act. It directly affects individuals who use or sell kratom products in Mississippi, as possession or distribution would become regulated under state law. The key mechanism is reclassifying kratom as a Schedule III substance, placing it alongside drugs like ketamine and certain barbiturates with recognized medical use but potential for abuse. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and is not currently law.
Maddy summaryHB 19 appropriates $597 million from state funds for Mississippi's Department of Health operations during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It allocates specific sums to critical programs, including $34 million for the Trauma Care System (covering hospitals in Mississippi and select out-of-state partners), $20 million from the Tobacco Control Fund for cancer programs and school nurse initiatives, and $7 million for targeted health disparity and maternal care programs. The bill also sets strict limits on "Personal Services" funding (salaries and benefits) for 2,083 authorized positions. The legislation passed the legislature but was partially vetoed by the governor on June 19, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 22 allocates $13.55 million from general funds and $28.63 million from special funds to cover the Mississippi Department of Insurance’s expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It specifically restricts $11.21 million of these funds to "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits for 131 authorized positions), prohibiting their use for promotions or salary increases for current staff. The bill mandates that "Vacancy Funding" ($619,005) can only fill unfilled positions from fiscal year 2025, not raise existing salaries, and requires the department to maintain detailed spending records. This is a routine funding measure affecting the department’s budget execution, not a policy change.
Maddy summaryHB 23 appropriates approximately $8.4 billion in state funds for Mississippi's Medicaid program during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It allocates $906 million from the General Fund, $842 million from the Medical Care Fund, and $6.6 billion from special funds to provide medical assistance to eligible residents and cover administrative costs under Mississippi's Medicaid Law. The bill also sets a strict $61.8 million cap on "Personal Services" funding (salaries, wages, and benefits) for Medicaid staff, requiring the agency to stay within this limit without exceeding previous year's appropriations. This funding directly supports Medicaid recipients and ensures the Division of Medicaid can operate within defined budgetary constraints.
Maddy summaryHB 17 appropriates $136.49 million from general funds and $177.90 million from special funds to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill specifically allocates $124.89 million for "Personal Services" (covering salaries, benefits, and vacancy funding) to support 1,507 permanent and 412 time-limited staff positions. It strictly prohibits using these funds for salary increases beyond budgeted amounts, requires using vacancy funds only to fill open positions (not for raises), and mandates detailed accounting of all expenditures. This funding directly affects the department’s ability to operate child protection services, including staffing and operational costs, without exceeding the approved budget limits.
Maddy summaryHB 20 appropriates $92.9 million from general funds and $1.578 billion from special funds to the Mississippi Department of Human Services (DHS) for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026), covering operational expenses. It restricts spending to authorized duties under state/federal law and mandates strict limits on "Personal Services" funds (covering salaries, benefits, and vacancy funding totaling $113.9 million), requiring DHS to maintain headcount levels and avoid exceeding budgeted amounts for personnel costs. The bill also directs $1 million from DHS special funds to the Department of Health’s Child Care Licensure Program by July 31, 2025. This funding measure directly affects DHS’s ability to operate its programs, including child care services, by allocating specific resources for personnel and agency expenses.
Maddy summaryHB 29 appropriates $33.68 million from general funds and $227.77 million from special funds to cover the Department of Rehabilitation Services' expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It specifically allocates $3.68 million from the Health Care Expendable Fund to match federal funds and support the Independent Living Program, including the State Attendant Care Program. The bill strictly limits $66.12 million in "Personal Services" funds to salaries, wages, and fringe benefits, requiring the department to maintain headcount limits (875 permanent, 201 time-limited) and prohibiting fund transfers to other categories or salary increases without new funding. This directly affects the department’s operations, its employees’ compensation, and the delivery of rehabilitation services to Mississippi residents.