Rep. Jeff Hale

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (not a policy bill) that formally commends Major General John Trent Kelly for his 40-year military career and congratulates him upon his retirement in May 2025. It specifically recognizes his service in the Mississippi Army National Guard, including deployments to Desert Storm and Iraq, his leadership roles, and his awards. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on any laws, regulations, or people beyond expressing the Mississippi House of Representatives' gratitude for his service. It was adopted and signed by the legislature in March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1708 authorizes Kemper County's Board of Supervisors to optionally contribute up to $5,000 annually from the county's general fund to Philadelphia Transit, a nonprofit providing public, elderly, and disabled transportation services in Kemper County and surrounding areas. The authorization expires on July 1, 2029, and does not require the county to make such contributions. This bill directly affects Kemper County's budget decisions and Philadelphia Transit's funding sources. It creates no new obligations but permits the county to support existing transit services through discretionary annual funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1736 approves $9,089,507 in state funds for Mississippi's Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District to cover bond payments, maintenance, project costs, and other operational expenses during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill requires strict budget adherence for personnel spending, prohibiting salary increases for current staff and mandating that funds for vacancies fill new positions only. It also directs the district to prioritize Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchases, maintain detailed financial records matching 2025 standards, and deposit excess funds to earn interest rates comparable to state funds.

Maddy summaryHB 812 extends Mississippi's homestead property tax exemption to unremarried surviving spouses of honorably discharged veterans who were 90 years old or older when they died. This law, now signed into law by the governor, directly affects surviving spouses of eligible veterans who own their homes. The bill amends existing tax code to automatically include these surviving spouses in the exemption, which previously only applied to the veteran homeowners themselves. The exemption covers all ad valorem taxes on the home's assessed value, reducing property tax burdens for these households.

Maddy summaryHB 1, the "Build Up Mississippi Act," reduces Mississippi's income tax rate for taxable income over $10,000 to 3.75% in 2027, 3.5% in 2028, 3.25% in 2029, and 3% in 2030 and beyond, with potential further reductions after 2031 under specific fiscal conditions. It also imposes a 5% sales tax on grocery purchases starting July 1, 2025, and increases gasoline excise taxes to 27 cents per gallon by 2027. Additionally, the bill creates a new retirement system tier for state employees joining on or after March 1, 2026, combining a defined benefit component with a defined contribution plan requiring 9% employee contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 17, the "Protecting Patient Access to Physician-Administered Drugs Act," prevents health insurance companies from refusing to cover or charging extra fees for drugs that must be administered by a doctor (like certain IV treatments or injections). It requires insurers to pay doctors and clinics the agreed-upon rate or wholesale cost for these drugs when medically necessary, and prohibits patients from being charged additional fees to get them from their regular provider. The law directly affects patients covered by health insurance, physicians, clinics, and insurance companies in Mississippi. It became law without the governor’s signature in March 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 78) passed by the Mississippi House of Representatives to honor former Representative Wanda Jennings. It formally commends her 18-year legislative career, highlighting her work as a DeSoto County educator, businesswoman, and legislator who championed policies like repealing taxes on logistics warehouses (which spurred job growth). The resolution has no policy impact - it solely expresses the House's appreciation for her service and public contributions. It was adopted and signed by the House on March 17, 2025.

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.

Maddy summaryHR 87 is a commemorative resolution recognizing DeSoto County Deputy Sheriff Brian Brock for his selfless actions on March 4, 2025, when he deliberately positioned his vehicle to block an oncoming speeding car on Interstate 269, preventing a potential collision and saving other drivers. The resolution, adopted by the Mississippi House of Representatives on March 17, 2025, formally commends Brock for his courage and protects public safety, with no policy changes or funding involved. It is purely ceremonial, expressing gratitude for Brock’s actions and honoring his service.

Maddy summaryHB 580 proposes designating a specific segment of Interstate 22 in Mississippi (running through DeSoto, Marshall, Benton, Union, Pontotoc, Lee, and Itawamba Counties) and a portion of U.S. Highway 78 in Byhalia, DeSoto County, as the "Medal of Honor Trail." The bill requires the Mississippi Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs along this designated highway route. This is a ceremonial naming resolution with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on constituents beyond the symbolic recognition of veterans. The bill died in committee in March 2025 and was never enacted.