Rep. Doc Harris

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the State of Mississippi to issue general obligation bonds to help the City of Olive Branch fund repairs, renovations, and upgrades to the historic Maples Methodist Church building. The funds will be used to convert the church into a community events center and theater for public use. The State Bond Commission will manage the bond sale process, and the state pledges its full faith and credit to repay the bond principal and interest.

Maddy summaryHB 641 designates January as National Blood Donor Month in Mississippi through an amendment to state law. The bill symbolically recognizes the importance of blood donation by encouraging Mississippi citizens to honor donors and participate in blood drives, particularly during a historically low supply period. It does not create new legal requirements or change existing blood donation policies - it simply adds January to the list of designated observances in Mississippi Code Section 3-3-7. The designation aligns with the national observance established over 55 years ago and emphasizes the critical role of volunteer donors in supporting patients needing transfusions. This is a non-binding observance, not a legal holiday or policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 827, the "Rick Kennedy Act," requires that a person’s Mississippi hunting license be suspended if they cause injury or death to another person while hunting (using a firearm, bow, arrow, or other hunting weapon) and face criminal charges. The license remains suspended until the criminal case ends with dismissal, acquittal, or a not-guilty verdict. To reinstate the license after such an incident, the person must complete an approved hunter safety course, serve a one-year probation period, and appear before the wildlife commission. Law enforcement must notify the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks within 48 hours of the criminal charges being filed.

Maddy summaryHB 532 would amend Mississippi law to impose specific penalties for false reports about crimes or emergencies at schools. It directly affects minors (under 18) who falsely report threats, violence, or other emergencies at public or private K-12 schools or colleges. Key provisions require youth courts to order at least 120 hours of community service, up to $10,000 in fines, or both for minors; violations of these terms could lead to 10-15 days in juvenile detention. The bill also mandates restitution for investigation costs and died in committee on February 3, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 485 increases Mississippi's MCOPS grant program funding for school resource officers (SROs) from a minimum of $10,000 to $40,000 per officer annually, requiring school districts to provide a 50% local match. It also raises reimbursement for required SRO training at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy from $1,000 to $2,400 per officer. The bill directly affects school districts and law enforcement agencies hiring SROs, mandating that at least 75% of an SRO's time be spent in schools and requiring a Memorandum of Understanding between schools and law enforcement. The funding supports new SRO hires, rehiring previously laid-off officers, or covering SRO salaries/benefits, with applications due by May 31 each year.

Maddy summaryHB 493 authorizes local law enforcement agencies to partner with independent nonpublic schools (private schools accredited by MAIS or the state, not under state education board oversight) to place school resource officers (SROs) on their campuses. It requires a written agreement (MOU) between law enforcement and the school’s governing board, mandating at least one SRO per campus. The bill also sets training rules: non-sworn SROs must complete basic law enforcement training within two years, or lose their peace officer authority. This changes existing law to formalize SRO placements at these private schools while ensuring officer qualifications.

Maddy summaryHB 486 requires Mississippi public school districts to adopt a policy granting all school district employees (both instructional and noninstructional) free admission to school-sponsored athletic and extracurricular events governed by the Mississippi High School Activities Association. The policy must be included in employment contracts as part of an employee’s compensation and applies only to the employee, not to family members or others. School boards must implement this policy starting with the 2026-2027 school year, effective July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects school employees by providing a non-monetary benefit tied to their employment.

Maddy summaryHB 484 amends Mississippi law to exempt county and municipal employees from needing a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) when operating vehicles owned and used by their local government for work duties. Specifically, it adds a new exemption (under § 63-1-203(f)(5)) for vehicles controlled by local governments, operated by their employees during job tasks, and used to transport work-related items within 150 miles of a worksite. This change directly affects county and city workers (like public works or sanitation staff) who drive government-owned vehicles for daily operations. The bill does not alter CDL requirements for commercial vehicles or private drivers, only clarifies an exemption for local government operations.

Maddy summaryHB 494 requires all Mississippi public school districts and charter schools to display the Ten Commandments in a prominent location within every classroom by January 1, 2027. The display must be a framed poster or document at least 11x14 inches, with the specific text provided in the bill as the central focus. The bill also permits schools to display additional historical documents related to American or Mississippi history, culture, or founding principles. It directs the state education department to identify free resources for compliance and lists the required Ten Commandments text, which matches a version upheld in a 2005 Supreme Court case. The mandate applies to all classrooms in public and charter schools across Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 574 would increase the paid military training leave allowance for Mississippi state and local government employees who are reserve military members, raising the current 30-day limit. The bill requires employers to grant additional leave without loss of pay, time, annual leave, or efficiency rating, and mandates reinstatement to the employee's original position or an equivalent after training. It also establishes a process for enforcement through county or district attorneys if reinstatement is denied. This change would directly affect reserve members working for state agencies, counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions.