Maddy summaryThis bill creates a joint legislative committee to study potential unintended effects of wind turbines on agriculture in Mississippi. The committee will examine issues like wind displacement of farm chemicals onto neighboring properties, impacts on aquifers and water sources, safety for agricultural pilots, effects on migratory birds (especially along the Mississippi Flyway), and decommissioning funding. Composed of committee chairs from agriculture, energy, and wildlife committees, the group will gather input from agencies like the Department of Environmental Quality and Farm Bureau, with a final report due by December 2026. As a procedural resolution, it does not enact new laws but aims to inform future legislation based on their findings.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1466 modifies Mississippi's seafood labeling rules to allow businesses to label crawfish and seafood by country of origin instead of only "domestic" or "imported." It permits restaurants to use a single visible menu legend for all seafood items rather than listing each one individually. Products already compliant with federal Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements are exempt from state labeling, but grocery stores and seafood markets must still label fresh or unfrozen products sold directly to consumers. This bill directly affects seafood wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, and consumers seeking transparency about seafood sources.
Maddy summaryHB 1612 reorganizes Mississippi's Department of Public Safety by consolidating its offices (like Highway Patrol, Forensic Labs, and Homeland Security units) under a single Commissioner. It removes a fee requirement for emergency communications training funding and increases fees for medical examiner autopsies ($185 base + up to $100 for SIDS cases) and vehicle safety inspections for salvage titles. These changes directly affect the state agency (through structural shifts), counties (paying higher medical examiner fees), and vehicle owners (paying increased inspection costs). The bill makes operational adjustments to existing fee structures and departmental organization without introducing new programs or funding.
Maddy summaryHB 1393 creates the Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund in the state treasury to support energy-related projects that boost economic development. The fund provides grants, loans, or financial assistance to local entities (like counties, municipalities, or economic development groups) for approved projects, such as expanding transmission lines, pipelines, or facilities that improve energy infrastructure. Projects must demonstrate significant regional impact or enhance economic development sites, and electric utilities cannot directly receive funding. The Mississippi Development Authority administers the fund, sets application requirements, and has sole discretion to approve assistance based on project eligibility.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $3,692,008 from general funds and $257,168,829 from special funds (including $3,050,000 from gasoline taxes) for Mississippi's Department of Marine Resources during fiscal year 2027. It directly affects the department's staffing and budgeting, requiring all funds to be used strictly for personnel costs like salaries and fringe benefits, with no transfers to other spending categories. The bill prohibits using vacancy funding for employee raises or promotions and mandates strict adherence to approved staffing levels (108 permanent and 65 time-limited positions). It also requires the department to maintain detailed records for all expenditures and comply with state personnel compensation rules.
Maddy summaryHB 1902 appropriates $572,914 from general funds and $44,328,969 from special funds to cover the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission's administrative expenses and operations for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It strictly limits "Personal Services" spending (salaries, wages, and benefits) to $1,076,083, including $90,784 designated for filling authorized vacancies. The bill requires the Commission to adhere to Mississippi’s Variable Compensation Plan, prohibits using general funds to replace other funding sources, and mandates strict budget adherence for personnel costs. This funding supports the Commission’s ongoing work under Mississippi Code § 69-27-1 et seq., directly affecting its staff and operational budget.
Maddy summaryHB 1900 appropriates $4,938,517 from the State General Fund and $464,494 from special source funds to cover the Mississippi Public Service Commission’s (PSC) operating expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). The bill specifically allocates $4,372,677 for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits) to support 48 permanent and 6 time-limited staff positions, with strict rules preventing use of these funds for promotions or salary increases beyond budgeted amounts. It requires the PSC to comply with Mississippi’s Variable Compensation Plan and mandates the State Personnel Board to monitor spending to ensure it does not exceed the allocated budget or require new funds for FY 2028 without legislative approval. This is a routine funding bill with no policy changes, solely directing how existing budget resources will be used for PSC personnel costs.
Maddy summaryHB 1891 appropriates $21.38 million from general funds and $252.06 million from special funds to support Mississippi's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for fiscal year 2027. It directly affects DEQ employees and operations by setting strict annual limits on salary and staffing costs, including a cap of 210 permanent and 170 time-limited staff positions. The bill requires the DEQ to maintain strict budget compliance, prohibiting spending that exceeds allocated "Personal Services" funds (covering salaries, wages, and benefits) without approval, and mandates that vacancy funding must only fill unfilled positions - not increase current employees' pay.
Maddy summaryHB 1904 allocates $21 million from general state funds and $86 million from special funds (including $5.75 million from gas tax revenue) to support Mississippi's Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for fiscal year 2027. The bill specifically directs $125,335 from the Education Enhancement Fund for Project WILD, an environmental education program. It imposes strict limits on spending for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits), capping total funds at $44.68 million and requiring the department to stay within authorized headcount levels (515 permanent and 51 temporary positions). The department must report Wildlife Heritage Fund spending to the legislature by September 1 each year.
Maddy summaryHB 1889 provides $13.3 million from general funds and $30.8 million from special funds to cover the Department of Archives and History's operating expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill allocates funds specifically for personnel costs, including salaries and benefits for up to 161 permanent and 10 time-limited employee positions. It includes strict rules requiring the department to stay within the allocated budget for "Personal Services" and prohibiting the use of these funds for promotions or salary increases beyond approved headcounts. This is a routine funding measure for an existing state agency's operations, not a policy change.