Rep. Kenji Holloway

Maddy summaryHB 1444 requires the Mississippi Department of Corrections (DOC) to provide protective gear - including face masks, gloves, and eye protection - to state inmates assigned to work involving strong cleaning chemicals, such as acids or alkalies. This applies specifically to inmates serving sentences longer than one year who use raw cleaning chemicals in their work assignments. The bill mandates this safety measure by amending existing correctional codes to ensure DOC complies when inmates handle such chemicals. It does not change inmate pay or program eligibility but directly affects inmate safety during specific cleaning tasks.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 designates a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Yazoo County as the "Colonel Donnell Berry Memorial Highway" to honor Colonel Donnell Berry. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will install and maintain signage along this highway segment. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 660 formalizes salary schedules for Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHP), Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), and Commercial Traffic Enforcement Division (CTED) officers within the Department of Public Safety. It establishes specific pay rates based on officer rank and years of experience, such as Troopers earning $54,000 for under 4 years and Captains earning up to $104,500 for over 25 years. The bill directly affects sworn law enforcement officers in these divisions by defining their compensation structure through a detailed salary scale. It does not create new salary increases but codifies existing pay classifications for these state law enforcement roles.

Maddy summaryHB 788 modifies Mississippi's election rules to allow voters who are not registered in the jurisdiction they are voting in (but are otherwise eligible) to cast an affidavit ballot. This ballot will be used as their official voter registration, adding them to the statewide voter rolls as if they had completed a standard registration form. The bill also allows the affidavit ballot to serve as a written request to transfer voting precincts or wards, and automatically reactivates voters who were placed on inactive status (due to a confirmation notice) after they cast such a ballot. These changes aim to streamline voter registration and address common issues at polling places.

Maddy summaryHB 1126 increases base teacher salaries by $5,000 annually starting with the 2026-2027 school year, with an additional $3,000 annual supplement for licensed special education teachers and $6,000 for certified occupational therapists and school psychologists. It also raises assistant teachers' pay by $5,000 and caps superintendent salaries at 250% of equivalent teacher pay, including district supplements. The bill includes related provisions for retirement benefits for first responders and revised roles for student success coaches, but its core focus is direct compensation increases for educators.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) commending Jamal Roberts, a Meridian, Mississippi native, for winning the 23rd season of *American Idol*. It formally congratulates him as the second Mississippian and second African-American male to win the competition, highlighting his musical achievements and roots. The resolution has no policy impact; it simply expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' praise and will be sent to Roberts and the press. It does not affect any laws, regulations, or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 676 requires every vehicle owner in Mississippi to provide proof of minimum liability insurance coverage when registering or renewing a vehicle registration. It establishes an online verification system managed by the Department of Public Safety (replacing the Department of Revenue) to check insurance status instantly during registration. The system overrides physical insurance cards, denies registration for non-compliant vehicles, and mandates insurers to submit policy data every 30 days. This directly affects all vehicle owners and insurers operating in Mississippi, with the system required to be fully operational by 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1003 revises Mississippi law to criminalize the *intentional transmission* of serious non-airborne infectious diseases (like HIV or hepatitis) instead of merely exposing others. It requires proof of specific intent to transmit and adds defenses, such as if the affected person knew the disease status beforehand or if transmission didn’t occur. The bill defines "substantial risk" using medical evidence and clarifies that failing to use protection (like condoms) alone doesn’t prove intent. It sets misdemeanor penalties (up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine) and includes specific provisions for transmission to corrections staff, visitors, or inmates. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1437 requires Mississippi's State Department of Health to annually identify food deserts and associated health issues through a report to the legislature by December 31 each year. A "food desert" is defined as an area with at least 20% poverty where over one-third of residents live more than a mile from a supermarket or healthy food provider, limiting access to fresh produce. The department may use existing federal data to meet this reporting requirement, avoiding redundant data collection. This bill aims to provide transparency on food access gaps and their health impacts, directly affecting communities in underserved areas and informing future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1453 establishes a two-year pilot program within Mississippi's Department of Health to provide remote health monitoring for pregnant women with hypertension or diabetes. It targets eligible participants enrolled in Medicaid who are members of participating managed care organizations. The program uses FDA-approved technology to track blood pressure, glucose levels, and other health data remotely, with a clinical care team offering support and an escalation pathway for concerning readings. The pilot will enroll up to 300 participants across multiple counties and require a report within two years evaluating outcomes and recommending potential statewide expansion.