Maddy summaryHB 1726 appropriates $17.27 million from the State General Fund and $13.50 million from a special fund to support the Mississippi State Forestry Commission for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill authorizes 246 permanent and 7 temporary positions, mandates strict budget adherence (including prohibiting salary increases without new funds), and requires the Commission to track performance metrics like forest suppression time (target: 2.8 hours) and acres burned under prescribed burns (target: 15,000 acres). It also directs $200,000 toward the Agriculture Department’s beaver control program and requires all funds to comply with state accounting rules and procurement preferences for Mississippi Industries for the Blind. The Commission must submit detailed budget requests for 2027 based on these performance targets.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1734 allocates $2.56 million from general state funds and $80,000 from a special fund to cover the Public Utilities Staff's expenses for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill authorizes 24 permanent staff positions and strictly prohibits using these funds for salary increases, promotions, or replacing federal funds. It requires the agency to track spending within budget limits, maintain detailed records matching fiscal year 2025 standards, and submit future budget requests in a comparable format. The $80,000 is specifically designated for the "Atlas Project" and must be spent per state procurement rules.
Maddy summaryHB 1725 appropriates $62,755 from state funds to cover the operating expenses of Mississippi's State Board of Registration for Foresters for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It specifically allocates $18,626 for upgrading the board’s licensing system database and requires the board to give preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods or services. The bill also mandates detailed financial record-keeping comparable to the previous fiscal year and ensures funds are spent in compliance with existing budget laws. This directly affects the State Board of Registration for Foresters and indirectly impacts licensed foresters through their licensing system.
Maddy summaryHB 1729 appropriates $3.56 million for general support and $256.84 million (including $3.05 million from gasoline taxes) for Mississippi's Department of Marine Resources for fiscal year 2026. It authorizes 173 staff positions (108 permanent, 65 time-limited) and allocates $11.7 million specifically for tidelands projects, broken down into public access ($4.58M), management ($4.58M), bond repayment ($1.55M), and prior projects ($1M). The bill mandates strict accounting for all funds, prohibits using state funds to replace withdrawn federal funds, and requires detailed reporting on tidelands project spending. It also includes rules ensuring salary costs don’t exceed budgeted amounts and that funds for vacancies only fill positions, not increase current salaries.
Maddy summaryHB 1731 approves $7,595,440 in state funds for the Pat Harrison Waterway District to cover its fiscal year 2026 operations (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill specifically allocates $700,000 for park facility repairs (bathhouses, cabins) and $480,000 for dam repairs, while requiring the district to maintain detailed financial records and submit annual reports to the legislature by December 1, 2025 (for park repairs) and July 15 annually (for a five-year project plan). It mandates strict compliance with budget limits, prohibits using state funds to replace withdrawn federal funds, and requires preference for Mississippi Industries for the Blind in purchasing decisions. The bill directly affects the district’s budget management and operational spending for waterway maintenance, park infrastructure, and dam safety.
Maddy summaryHB 1722 allocates $12.5 million from the state general fund and $13.7 million from special funds to cover the Mississippi Department of Archives and History's operating costs for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It authorizes 165 staff positions (155 permanent, 10 time-limited) and restricts fund use to prevent salary increases beyond current levels or replace withdrawn federal funds. Specific allocations include $2 million for preserving Mississippi Landmark Properties, $100,000 for Beauvoir Shrine (Jefferson Davis' former home), and $50,000 for the Statewide Oral History Project. The bill mandates strict accounting and prohibits using state funds for rent at the State Historical Museum.
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 1650 allows Coahoma County's Board of Supervisors (as trustees of the county's Reserve and Trust Fund) to use a portion of the fund's principal balance to repair the county-owned "Federal Building," following a majority vote. If the principal is withdrawn, the fund's annual investment income payments are limited to 50% until the principal is fully restored. The bill directly affects Coahoma County's fiscal management by creating a specific process for accessing reserve funds for building maintenance. This amendment modifies existing rules governing the county's trust fund, which was established using lease proceeds from a medical center.
Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding resolution (HR 45), not a law with policy changes. It formally commends the life, legacy, and community contributions of Edward Peebles "Ed" Peacock, III, a former Coahoma County, Mississippi Chancery Court Clerk, banker, and community leader who passed away on January 31, 2025. The resolution expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' deepest sympathy to his family and friends, highlighting his decades of service in banking, local government, civic organizations, and his church. As a ceremonial tribute, it has no legal effect or direct impact on any policy or group.
Maddy summaryHB 871 allows voters who are eligible to vote in a jurisdiction but are not registered there to cast an affidavit ballot on election day, which will then become their official voter registration in the statewide system. This means election officials must add them to the active voter list, eliminating the need for separate registration before voting. The bill also specifies that casting an affidavit ballot serves as a written request to transfer voting locations and automatically reactivates voters placed on inactive status after receiving a confirmation notice. These changes directly affect voters encountering registration issues at the polls on election day.