Maddy summaryHB 1534 redefines "clean energy" in Mississippi to include Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) from agricultural waste (like poultry litter and manure) and "Advanced Natural Gas" with carbon capture. It allows farmers to contribute to the energy grid via RNG and designates them as "Energy Harvest Partners," while requiring utilities to maintain affordable rates and protect natural gas infrastructure from mandatory retirement if it would raise costs or reduce reliability. The bill directly affects Mississippi's agricultural producers (especially poultry/livestock), utilities, and ratepayers, with implementation beginning July 1, 2026. It aims to support farm-based energy production without increasing consumer costs or compromising grid stability.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1527 legalizes mobile sports betting and online race book wagering in Mississippi under strict regulations. It requires platforms operating these services to obtain a manufacturer's and distributor's license, implement geofencing to restrict bets to Mississippi residents, and verify users are at least 21 years old. Licensed casinos can partner with only one platform, and all revenue must be reported and taxed per existing state law. The bill explicitly prohibits all other forms of online gambling (like casino-style games) and updates gaming regulations to include these new services.
Maddy summaryHB 1564 reclassifies catfish (including channel, blue, flathead, and bullhead catfish) from "nongame gross fish" to "game fish" under Mississippi law. This change subjects catfish to the same recreational fishing regulations as other game fish, such as seasonal limits, bag limits, and size requirements. The bill also references the commercial fishing license provisions (Section 49-7-9.1) for potential amendment to align with the new classification. As a result, recreational anglers and commercial fishers harvesting catfish in Mississippi will be directly affected by this regulatory shift.
Maddy summaryHB 1643 creates the Mississippi Department of Emergency Management within the state's executive branch to centralize all emergency management functions under one agency. The Governor appoints an Executive Director to lead the department, coordinate state emergency efforts, and oversee existing units like the Emergency Management Agency and Emergency Communications Authority. The bill reorganizes these units into the new department structure and establishes an Office of Administrative Services for internal operations. This change aims to streamline emergency response coordination across state agencies without altering existing emergency management programs.
Maddy summaryHB 4 requires municipalities seeking to annex adjacent unincorporated land to hold separate voter elections in both the municipality and the proposed annexation area, replacing the previous court approval process. If 20% of residents in the target area petition for an election within 60 days of an annexation ordinance, officials must schedule votes in both locations within 60 days of petition certification. Annexation only proceeds if majority voters in *both* areas approve the measure; otherwise, the municipality cannot re-propose the same annexation for five years. This bill directly affects municipalities aiming to expand and residents in territories targeted for annexation by shifting decision-making from courts to voter input.
Maddy summaryHB 1771 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's building energy efficiency standards, which require certain commercial, public, and institutional buildings to meet specific energy-saving design and construction requirements. The law applies to buildings with heating/cooling systems (like offices, schools, hotels, and retail stores) but excludes small, unheated structures, mobile homes, and federal properties. It delays the automatic repeal of these standards from July 1, 2029, to a later date (not specified in the text), keeping the current requirements in place. The bill does not change the standards themselves but ensures their continued application for covered buildings.
Maddy summaryHB 1593 clarifies that owners of Mississippi "sixteenth section" land (land historically held for public school funding) have superior rights over public access to navigable waterways or oxbow lakes located on their property. The bill amends Section 51-1-4 to declare the Sixteenth Section Trust "superior to the public waters trust," meaning landowners can restrict public use of water bodies on their land. It also updates definitions of "navigable waters" in Sections 1-3-31 and 29-3-1, 29-3-41, and 29-3-54 to align with this change. This directly affects landowners of sixteenth section parcels containing waterways, altering public access rights previously governed by state waterway laws.
Maddy summaryHB 1589 amends Mississippi law to prohibit teachers found guilty of sexual relations with students from resigning and instead mandates their termination. The bill specifically adds that if a school board finds an employee responsible for such misconduct, the employee must be terminated and cannot resign to avoid this outcome. This change applies within the existing disciplinary hearing process outlined in Section 37-9-111, where the school board reviews evidence and issues a final decision. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects teachers in Mississippi public schools who face termination for this specific violation.
Maddy summaryHB 851 removes a limit preventing counties from receiving additional fire truck funding after eight rounds of assistance under Mississippi's Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Program. It allows counties and municipalities to apply for new fire trucks even if they previously received multiple rounds of funding, expanding access to the program. The bill does not change existing funding tiers (e.g., $50,000-$90,000 per truck based on prior acquisitions) or eligibility rules. This change enables more rural communities to secure matching funds for fire truck purchases without hitting the prior eight-round cap.
Maddy summaryHB 849 establishes Mississippi's Emergency Drinking Water Network Act, administered by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). It creates a grant program using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to equip rural water systems and first responders with equipment and training for maintaining drinking water access during infrastructure failures. Key provisions include funding for potable water distribution points, transport trucks, relocatable pump systems, and training for water operators. The program requires projects to be completed by December 31, 2026, or the federal ARPA deadline, with recipients certifying project completion using other funds if deadlines pass.