Rep. Jeff Hale

Maddy summaryHB 913 requires food processors, retailers, and restaurants to clearly label meat and non-meat products (like plant-based or lab-grown alternatives) at the final point of sale to prevent consumer confusion. It defines terms like "cultivated-protein food product" and mandates that businesses must state whether a product is meat-based or not, using plain language on labels or signage. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture will enforce these rules based on complaints, with civil penalties for violations, but cannot revoke business licenses for noncompliance. This directly affects food businesses selling meat substitutes, ensuring consumers know if a product is actual meat or a non-meat alternative.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a joint legislative study committee to examine potential impacts of wind turbines on agriculture in Mississippi. The committee will specifically study issues like wind turbine placement affecting nearby farming (including chemical drift), impacts on aquifers, safety for agricultural pilots, effects on migratory birds along the Mississippi Flyway, and decommissioning funding. It directly affects agricultural communities, farmers, and property owners near wind energy installations. The committee, composed of relevant committee chairs, must report findings and proposed legislation to the legislature by December 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1721 would have authorized DeSoto County, Mississippi, to purchase radar speed detection equipment for the sheriff's department to enforce speed limits on county roads and state highways outside city limits. It required that any fines collected from speeding violations detected using this radar be used to fund school resource officers in DeSoto County public schools. The bill specifically applied to roads outside incorporated municipalities and required county funds for equipment purchase. The bill was referred to committee but died there on April 3, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1567 is a procedural bill that reorganizes specific sections of Mississippi's code related to fire truck funding programs. It moves existing code sections (like 17-23-1, which details the Rural Fire Truck Acquisition Assistance Program) to more logical positions in the codebook for administrative clarity. The bill does not change the program's funding limits ($1,010,000 max per county), truck purchase rules, or NFPA standards requirements. It solely streamlines the code structure without altering policy or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1732 appropriates $22,815,388 in special funds to cover the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District's (PRVWSD) operating expenses for fiscal year 2026. The bill authorizes 100 permanent staff positions and includes strict rules requiring PRVWSD to stay within budgeted personnel costs, prohibit salary increases for current staff using these funds, and maintain detailed financial records. It also mandates that PRVWSD waive traffic control fees for vehicles with "REZ" tags and provide priority hosting and fee waivers for certain fishing tournaments (like the ESPN Bass Masters Classic) if local entities win bids. The bill specifies that funds must not replace federal or other special funds and includes a $200,000 allocation for overtime pay and reservoir dredging activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1728 appropriates $68,451,691 for the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport to cover its operating expenses during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It directly affects the Port Authority by funding its operations, including authorizing 39 permanent staff positions and $135,000 for overtime or standby pay. Key provisions require the Port Authority to maintain detailed financial records, prioritize purchases from Mississippi Industries for the Blind when bids are equal, and restrict funds to port operations only. The bill ensures compliance with state budget laws and mandates reporting similar to the previous fiscal year.

Maddy summaryHB 1735 allocates $566,298 from the state general fund and $37,484,521 from a special fund to cover the administrative costs and operations of Mississippi's State Soil and Water Conservation Commission for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes 9 permanent and 6 time-limited staff positions to carry out existing programs under Mississippi Code § 69-27-1 et seq. It includes specific rules for personnel spending, requiring funds to cover salaries and positions without exceeding prior-year allocations unless new programs are approved. This is a funding bill for the Commission’s current operations, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1733 appropriates $5,048,950 from the State General Fund and $464,494 from a special fund to cover the Mississippi Public Service Commission's (PSC) operational expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes 51 permanent and 6 time-limited positions for the PSC and establishes specific performance targets, including resolving utility complaints within three days and handling 142 utility dockets annually. It restricts fund usage for salary increases of current employees (allowing only new hires for essential roles) and requires the PSC to report on meeting performance metrics to the legislature. The PSC must also maintain detailed financial records and use funds exclusively for regulatory duties as defined by state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $269,654 from the State General Fund and $108,294 from a special fund to cover the Grand Gulf Military Monument Commission's operational costs for fiscal year 2026, including funding for 7 permanent staff positions. It requires strict accounting practices, prohibits using state funds to replace federal funding, and mandates preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions. The commission must spend funds only for monument maintenance within the allocated amounts and adhere to specific rules about personnel expenditures and capital fund reappropriation. The bill does not create new policies but provides dedicated funding for the existing commission's operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1737 appropriates $17.3 million from Mississippi's General Fund and $73.8 million from dedicated sources (including $5.75 million from gasoline taxes) to fund the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for fiscal year 2026. It authorizes 518 permanent and 42 temporary positions, with strict rules prohibiting the use of funds for salary increases beyond budgeted amounts or to replace federal funds. The bill requires the department to submit detailed spending reports for Wildlife Heritage funds by September 1 each year and mandates that personnel expenditures not exceed projections from the Legislative Budget Office. This funding supports conservation operations, parks maintenance, and programs like Project WILD, directly affecting the department's ability to manage natural resources and public facilities.