Rep. Robert Sanders

Maddy summaryHB 114 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to provide funding for Bolivar County's third phase of the Terrene Landing River Park project near Rosedale. The bill directs bond proceeds to cover costs associated with this specific park development, directly benefiting Bolivar County and local residents who use the park. Key provisions include the State Bond Commission managing bond issuance and repayment, with the state's full credit pledged for the bonds. The funds would be disbursed solely for the park project and related bond costs, as specified in the bill's resolution.

Maddy summaryHB 110 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund specific park improvements in the Towns of Pace and Benoit. The funds would cover costs like site grading, playground equipment, and basketball court upgrades for both towns' parks. This bill directly assists these two local communities with tangible infrastructure projects, without creating new state programs or affecting broader public policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1700 authorizes the State of Mississippi to issue general obligation bonds to provide funds specifically for the Town of Benoit's 2025 road improvement project. The bill establishes that bond proceeds must be used exclusively for this project's costs, with the state pledging its full faith and credit for repayment. It outlines the bond issuance process, including sale procedures and restrictions on fund usage, but does not create new policy or affect broader public services. The bill directly assists Benoit in financing its infrastructure project while requiring state-level bond authorization.

Maddy summaryHB 1920 appropriates $100 million (split equally as $50 million each) to Coahoma Community College and Mississippi Delta Community College for campus facility repairs and improvements through June 2026. The funds cover specific projects like restoring historic buildings, upgrading electrical/plumbing systems, modernizing academic spaces, improving student housing, enhancing safety systems, and implementing energy efficiency initiatives. Each college must submit a detailed plan with timelines and provide annual progress reports to the Legislature. The bill, referred to Appropriations committees in February 2025, died in committee and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1921 appropriates $300 million ($100 million to each) to Mississippi's three HBCUs - Alcorn State, Jackson State, and Mississippi Valley State - for repairing and upgrading campus buildings and infrastructure. The funds cover specific projects like restoring historic structures, modernizing electrical/plumbing systems, improving student housing, creating new academic spaces, enhancing safety systems, and supporting energy efficiency. Each university must submit a detailed plan for approval and provide annual progress reports to the legislature on how the money is spent.

Maddy summaryHB 1810 appropriates $1,000,000 from the state general fund to Bolivar County's Board of Supervisors for construction, upgrades, and maintenance at Richard M. Coleman, Sr. Recreational Park. The funding covers buildings, facilities, roads, and infrastructure improvements within the park for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It directly affects Bolivar County residents by supporting recreational infrastructure at a named public park. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1811 provided $540,000 in state funding to the Town of Benoit, Mississippi, to cover costs for its planned 2025 road improvement project during the 2025-2026 fiscal year (July 2025-June 2026). The bill authorized the State Treasurer to disburse the funds from the State General Fund upon proper requisitions. It directly affected Benoit town officials and residents by supporting infrastructure upgrades on local roads. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 857 expands Mississippi's literacy program to support students in grades 4 through 8 by requiring evidence-based reading instruction and interventions. It mandates annual universal reading screenings for all students in these grades, professional development for teachers focused on the "science of reading" (including phonics and decoding), and prohibits the use of "three-cueing systems" for teaching word reading. The bill also creates a system to identify "Middle Literacy Support Schools" based on reading data and requires the state education department to develop a structured literacy course for grades 6-8. Schools must provide targeted interventions for struggling readers, and the department must submit annual implementation reports to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 1 honors the legacies of Mississippi blues musician B.B. King and civil rights leader Medgar Evers on the 100th anniversary of their births in 2025, recognizing their cultural and social impact. The resolution formally commemorates their contributions - King's influence on music and Evers' work advancing civil rights - and directs that it be presented to their surviving descendants and to Mississippi museums including the B.B. King Museum and Medgar Evers Home National Monument. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial tribute.

Maddy summaryHB 105 would change Mississippi law to allow businesses with package retailer alcohol permits to sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays. Currently, these retailers are prohibited from selling on Sundays under Section 67-1-83(3). The bill specifically removes the Sunday sales ban while maintaining existing restrictions on sales before 10 a.m., after 10 p.m., and on Christmas Day. This change would affect licensed package retailers, enabling them to operate on Sundays without additional permits. The bill was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2025, if passed.