Rep. Jeff Hale

Maddy summaryHB 116 requires Mississippi's State Department of Health to add Alzheimer's disease and dementia education to its existing public health programs. It mandates clear public outreach about brain health, early warning signs, and risk reduction - especially for high-risk groups - and trains healthcare providers on proven tools for early detection and Medicare billing. The bill directly affects Mississippi residents, particularly seniors and caregivers, by improving access to dementia-related information through current health initiatives. It does not create new programs but integrates education into existing outreach and provider training efforts. (Note: The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 74 increases Mississippi's speed limits to 70 mph on state highways and 75 mph on interstate highways, effective July 1, 2025. This change directly affects all drivers traveling on state-maintained highways and interstates within Mississippi. The bill amends Mississippi Code Section 63-3-501 to raise the statutory maximums, with the Mississippi Transportation Commission retaining authority to adjust limits on specific road segments within these new caps. Toll roads remain subject to separate rules (max 80 mph) but are not directly affected by this bill.

Maddy summaryHB 1656, the STRONG Act, would provide tax benefits and health care support for Mississippi National Guard members and their families. It increases income tax exemptions for Guard and Reserve members, creates a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes a program to reimburse National Guard members for Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The Adjutant General would administer the program and report its progress to the legislature. The bill passed the legislature in February 2025 but died on calendar before becoming law.

Maddy summaryThis Mississippi state resolution (HC 32) honors James Henry Taylor, a soldier who died when Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 vanished during a secret 1962 Vietnam War mission. It specifically recognizes Taylor and the 93 Army soldiers and 11 crew members who perished, whose names are now inscribed on a granite monument in Maine unveiled by Wreaths Across America. The resolution, passed by the Mississippi legislature, formally acknowledges their sacrifice and legacy without altering any laws or policies. It directly affects Taylor’s family, including his daughter Merry Taylor-Mattix, who attended the monument dedication.

Maddy summaryHB 1713 appropriates $2 million from the state general fund to Marshall County for constructing a mental health crisis stabilization facility, directly benefiting residents needing urgent mental health care. The bill allocates funds specifically for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026) to cover construction and development costs of the facility. It requires the State Treasurer to disburse funds upon proper requisitions, with the appropriation effective July 1, 2025. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not advance to become law.

Maddy summaryHB 209 appropriates $10 million from the State General Fund to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) for fiscal year 2026. The funds will directly assist in widening the lanes of the bridge over Mississippi Highway 78 in Olive Branch, addressing infrastructure needs for local traffic. This is a funding measure with no new policy provisions, solely providing financial support for a specific bridge upgrade project.

Maddy summaryHB 845 was a bill appropriating $10 million from the State General Fund to the City of Olive Branch for land acquisition and engineering services related to improvements on Mississippi Highway 305 during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and never became law. It did not create new policy but provided funding for a specific infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 1259 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to provide funding for the Town of Byhalia's construction of a new police department building and jail. The bill creates a special fund to receive bond proceeds, which will be disbursed specifically to cover costs for Byhalia's project. The state pledges its full faith and credit to repay the bonds, meaning state funds would cover repayment if needed. This bill directly affects Byhalia residents and its law enforcement operations by enabling the construction of new public safety facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1716 redirected $300,000 from Mississippi's 2024 Local Improvements Projects Fund to Marshall County's Board of Supervisors. The funds were intended to complete the Blackwater Road Bridge Project, which involves replacing two bridges and improving drainage to prevent road flooding. The bill, which died in committee on February 26, 2025, would have applied to the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. This is a procedural funding adjustment, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 710 would exempt sales of both children's and adult diapers from Mississippi's sales tax. This change directly affects consumers who purchase these essential items, including low-income families and elderly individuals requiring adult diapers. The bill amends existing tax law to add diapers to the list of exempt items, similar to how food and medical supplies are currently treated. It does not change other tax rules but removes a tax burden specifically on these hygiene products. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.