Rep. Jeff Hale

Maddy summaryHB 710 requires Mississippi's Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to be reimbursed from the state General Fund for revenue lost when issuing legally mandated discounts on hunting/fishing licenses, state park admissions, and other recreational fees (like boat rentals). The department must track these lost revenues annually, submit a report by June 30 each year, and receive payment within 30 days to the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund. This applies only to discounts issued on or after July 1, 2026, and requires the department's accounting to be audited by the State Auditor. The bill ensures the department isn't financially burdened by required discount programs while directing funds to a dedicated conservation account.

Maddy summaryHB 1013 designates October as Bullying Prevention Awareness Month in Mississippi to promote education and awareness about bullying and cyberbullying. This designation, added to Mississippi Code Section 3-3-7, establishes a month-long observance for schools, community organizations, and the public to focus on prevention efforts. It does not create a legal holiday or impose new legal requirements, but rather serves as a symbolic recognition to encourage statewide awareness activities. The bill amends existing law to formally include October as a dedicated month for raising public consciousness about bullying prevention.

Maddy summaryHB 1223 allows Mississippi vehicle owners to reuse license plates from a traded-in vehicle on a newly purchased vehicle under specific conditions. It applies to owners who buy from a dealer (as part of a trade-in) or sell a vehicle privately, provided the plate matches the new vehicle’s required series, is authorized for that vehicle type, and the registration county remains the same. The bill eliminates the requirement to surrender the traded-in plate when meeting these conditions. This change simplifies plate reuse for residents without altering vehicle registration fees or tax obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1220 limits liability for cybersecurity incidents involving Mississippi state/local governments and certain businesses (called "covered entities") if they follow nationally recognized cybersecurity standards. Specifically, it creates a legal presumption against liability for entities that substantially comply with frameworks like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework or federal laws such as HIPAA. This applies when entities implement and maintain security measures protecting personal data, with compliance tailored to their size, complexity, and resources. The bill does not cover government IT acquisitions under existing law or override other immunity protections.

Maddy summaryHB 1314 raises the threshold for requiring competitive bidding on state purchases from $5,000 to $10,000, allowing agencies to buy items under that amount without formal bidding. It revises rules for reverse auctions, requiring agency or governing authority leaders to get board approval - and provide written justification - if they skip this method. The bill also adds exemptions for Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol vehicle purchases, county group contracts, and federal-compliant procurement. These changes apply directly to state agencies, counties, and local governing authorities managing public spending.

Maddy summaryMississippi's HB 1616 amends laws regarding "baby safety devices" (anonymous surrender boxes for newborns). It removes "intent" as a requirement for automatically terminating parental rights when a child is left in such a device, meaning surrender via the device now immediately ends parental rights. The bill also requires a shelter hearing within one business day if the Department of Child Protection Services takes custody of a child surrendered through a device. These changes directly affect parents using the devices, emergency medical providers who take custody, and the Department of Child Protection Services.

Maddy summaryHB 1645 establishes the State-Managed Disaster Assistance Program, creating a state-funded trust fund administered by Mississippi's Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to cover disaster preparedness, response, and recovery costs. The bill directly affects MEMA, local governments, and state agencies by providing a dedicated funding mechanism for disaster assistance when federal aid thresholds increase. Key provisions include setting up the State-Managed Disaster Assistance Trust Fund in the state treasury, requiring annual reports to the Legislature, and allowing MEMA to request funds from the trust for declared emergencies or training. Funds remain in the trust if unspent rather than lapsing into the general fund, ensuring continuity for disaster management needs.

Maddy summaryHB 1736 requires the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) to study how common dyslexia is among inmates under its care. The MDOC must screen inmates using approved methods, collect anonymized demographic and educational data, and analyze links between dyslexia and factors like disciplinary history or recidivism. The study must comply with privacy laws (HIPAA/FERPA), allow inmates to opt out without penalty, and result in a 2026 report to the legislature with findings and recommendations for supporting inmates with dyslexia. This affects all inmates in Mississippi state prisons during the study period.

Maddy summaryHB 1764 extends the repeal date for Mississippi's statute governing premium payments under the State and School Employees Life and Health Insurance Plan. This change keeps the current funding structure in place, ensuring the state continues covering 50% of life insurance costs and 100% of basic health insurance costs (for eligible employees hired before or after January 1, 2006) without disruption. The bill directly affects state employees, public school staff, library workers, and community college employees covered under this insurance plan. It does not alter benefit levels or cost-sharing rules but delays the sunset of the existing funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 1528 revises Mississippi's teacher licensure requirements by removing minimum academic barriers for entering educator preparation programs. It eliminates the need for a 21 ACT score, SAT equivalent, Praxis passing score, or 3.0 GPA to begin training, making entry more accessible for prospective teachers. The bill also requires participants in the Teach Mississippi Institute to complete two 6-hour internships and allows up to 15 credit hours toward a provisional teaching license. These changes directly affect individuals pursuing teaching careers in Mississippi, particularly those in traditional and non-traditional educator preparation programs. The policy shifts aim to streamline entry into teaching while adding structured internship components.