Rep. Brad Mattox

Maddy summaryHB 640 appropriates $400,000 from the state general fund to Alcorn County's Board of Supervisors for the Alcorn County Fire Department to purchase turnout gear (protective firefighter clothing) during fiscal year 2026-2027. The bill directly affects Alcorn County firefighters by funding essential safety equipment. It provides a one-time state funding allocation to cover the costs of this specific equipment purchase, with funds to be disbursed by the State Treasurer upon proper requisition. This is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes or broader implications.

Maddy summaryHB 865 would reclassify kratom as a Schedule III controlled substance under Mississippi's Uniform Controlled Substances Law, removing it from its current unregulated status. This change would allow kratom to be prescribed by doctors for medical use (as Schedule III substances have accepted medical uses) while still requiring prescriptions and regulating its distribution. The bill directly affects Mississippi residents who use kratom, pharmacies dispensing it, and law enforcement handling related cases. Note: The bill title incorrectly references marijuana; this bill specifically addresses kratom, not cannabis.

Maddy summaryHB 1070 removes a prohibition that previously prevented the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) from providing security at two specific locations: the Mississippi Department of Agriculture building at 121 North Jefferson Street and the new Farmers Market Building at High and Jefferson Streets in Jackson. The bill authorizes DPS to post security personnel, conduct regular vehicle patrols, and respond to security system alarms at these properties through a contract with the Department of Agriculture. This is a procedural change to enable existing security services at these state-owned facilities, without altering broader security policies or affecting other entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1071 would authorize Mississippi's Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce to issue subpoenas for department hearings and require witnesses to appear or produce documents, with enforcement through circuit courts. It also allows the Bureau of Plant Industry to seek court-issued administrative inspection and search warrants when denied access to regulated facilities (like farms or agribusinesses), detailing how warrants must be obtained, executed, and documented. The bill specifies that warrants require probable cause showing a public interest in enforcement, must be served during business hours, and include strict procedures for seizing property and documenting inventory. This bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and would have directly affected licensed agricultural entities subject to the Bureau’s oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 1229 requires that in Mississippi criminal cases, the first money paid by a defendant to the court must be used to pay restitution to victims. After restitution is fully paid, subsequent payments go toward court costs, then assessments, and finally fines or penalties. The bill also amends court procedures to require judges to consider a defendant's future ability to pay when setting restitution amounts. This directly affects criminal defendants, victims seeking restitution, and court staff managing payments.

Maddy summaryHB 1533 would have allowed Mississippi vehicle owners to pay a $30 annual fee for a special license tag supporting Kossuth High School, with funds distributed as follows: $24 to the school, $1 to the Mississippi Burn Care Fund, $2 to highway maintenance, and $1 to another state fund. It required the tag to be displayed alongside a regular license plate and mandated surrender of the regular tag upon issuance. The bill, which died in committee in February 2026, would have taken effect July 1, 2026, and applied only to residents registering vehicles in the state. This is a funding mechanism for a school-specific license tag program, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1100, the "Mississippi Teachers' Bill of Rights," would require teachers to create annual classroom management plans and grant teachers immediate authority to remove students for disruptive, threatening, or dangerous conduct (like persistent refusal to follow directions or verbal outbursts) without prior administrative approval. It mandates schools to notify parents about removal authority, establish clear timelines for plan approvals, and ensure removed students are placed under supervised administrative control - not suspended - while requiring written documentation and behavioral support plans for repeated removals. The bill directly affects Mississippi teachers, students, and school administrators by clarifying classroom management procedures, prohibiting principal interference with teacher removal decisions, and protecting teachers from retaliation for using these rights. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 14, 2026, as Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Awareness Day in Mississippi. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but serves as a symbolic recognition to raise public awareness about CHDs, which affect about 1 in 100 babies and require lifelong care. The resolution highlights the importance of early detection, ongoing medical support, and reducing stigma for those living with CHDs. This is a procedural resolution, not a policy change, and its primary effect is to encourage community awareness efforts.

Maddy summaryHR 88 is a non-binding Mississippi House resolution commending Caterpillar, Inc. for its 100th anniversary, with specific recognition of its Mississippi operations. It highlights the company’s 1,600+ local jobs in Corinth and Booneville, its environmental recycling efforts at remanufacturing facilities, and its $147,000 in community support to Mississippi nonprofits. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of Caterpillar’s economic and community impact in northeast Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 565 requires Mississippi law enforcement agencies to report officer resignations and terminations to the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. Agencies must provide timely notification within a specified timeframe and include an explanation if the resignation or termination resulted from disciplinary action. Failure to report carries penalties, though agencies may appeal the board's decision. This bill directly affects all law enforcement agencies in Mississippi, aiming to improve transparency in officer employment history.