Maddy summaryHB 1310, the "Mississippi Open to Religion Act," requires public school districts and nonsectarian public charter schools to adopt policies enabling daily, voluntary prayer and Bible/religious text reading sessions for students and staff. These sessions must include written parental/student consent forms acknowledging choice, waiving legal claims (including Establishment Clause challenges), and prohibiting participation without consent. The bill mandates safeguards like no public address system broadcasts, no substitution of instructional time, and physical separation from non-consenting individuals, with schools able to schedule sessions before school or in fully consented areas. It clarifies the policy doesn’t restrict individual prayer outside designated times or conflict with existing religious expression protections under state law or the First Amendment. The Attorney General would provide legal defense and model consent forms for compliant schools.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 610 requires Mississippi prosecutors to notify law enforcement officers before sending a "Giglio letter" (a notice to an officer's employer about credibility concerns) or adding an officer to a "Giglio list" (a compiled list of officers deemed unreliable for testimony). The bill mandates that prosecutors provide written notice detailing the issue, allow officers to review evidence and meet with prosecutors, and give officers 30 days to appeal the decision to a circuit court for a full review. This applies to all prosecutors, including district attorneys, county attorneys, and contracted private attorneys. The law aims to create a fairer process for officers facing credibility challenges that could prevent them from testifying in court.
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 summaryHB 1578 requires all Mississippi public school districts to adopt policies addressing online safety risks, including social media predators, grooming, and human trafficking, by October 2028. It mandates the State Board of Education to create a model policy by July 2027, covering definitions, safety planning, reporting procedures, staff training, and parent/student education. Schools must integrate age-appropriate lessons on healthy relationships and social media dangers into health courses for grades K-12, using state-approved materials. The policy must be included in school discipline codes and distributed to students and parents annually.
Maddy summaryHB 1881 allocates $1.5 million from the State General Fund to the City of Booneville for its Sewer Restoration Project during fiscal year 2027. The funds directly assist Booneville city officials in upgrading a collapsed sewer system and replacing damaged water pipes. The appropriation covers costs associated with these specific infrastructure repairs for the period July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. This is a straightforward funding measure with no additional policy mechanisms beyond the state financial support for the local project.
Maddy summaryHB 4088 appropriates $250,000 from the state general fund to the City of Booneville for repairs and upgrades to the George E. Allen Library. The funds specifically cover roof repairs, other library improvements, and the addition of ADA-compliant restrooms for the 2027 fiscal year. This bill directly affects the City of Booneville's library operations and accessibility by providing state funding for these physical upgrades. It is a straightforward funding allocation with no policy changes beyond the specified project.
Maddy summaryHB 1878 authorizes Mississippi to issue state bonds to help Alcorn County cover costs for building a new Fire Department Southwest Station No. 2 and helipad. The bill creates a special fund to disburse bond proceeds exclusively for this specific fire station construction project. State bonds issued under this bill would be general obligations of Mississippi, backed by the state's full credit, with repayment guaranteed from state funds if needed. This is a funding mechanism, not a policy change, directly supporting Alcorn County's local fire infrastructure.
Maddy summaryHB 1880 appropriates $700,000 from the State General Fund to the City of Rienzi's governing authorities to cover costs for constructing additions to Rienzi City Hall during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The funding is provided through state warrants issued by the State Fiscal Officer upon the city's requisition. This procedural bill directly affects Rienzi's local government by enabling a specific capital improvement project. No policy changes or broader regulations are included; it solely provides state financial assistance for a defined local construction need.
Maddy summaryHB 1883 appropriates $150,000 from the state general fund to Alcorn County's Board of Supervisors. This funding directly assists in covering costs for constructing the Fire Department Southwest Station No. 2 and a helipad in Alcorn County. The money is designated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027. The bill provides no policy changes - it solely allocates state funds for a specific local infrastructure project.
Maddy summaryHB 1992 allocates $35,000 from the state general fund to the City of Booneville to help cover costs for repairing and upgrading VFW Post 4877 building (a veterans' organization facility). The funding is specifically for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027) and must be used for the building’s repair, renovation, and improvements. This is a straightforward funding appropriation with no new policy provisions, directly affecting Booneville’s local government and VFW Post 4877.