Rep. Tracy Arnold

Maddy summaryHB 565 requires Mississippi law enforcement agencies to report officer resignations and terminations to the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. Agencies must provide timely notification within a specified timeframe and include an explanation if the resignation or termination resulted from disciplinary action. Failure to report carries penalties, though agencies may appeal the board's decision. This bill directly affects all law enforcement agencies in Mississippi, aiming to improve transparency in officer employment history.

Maddy summaryHB 1541 designates a half-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 366 in Prentiss County (starting at its intersection with Highway 371) as the "Houston 'Dale' Kennedy Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Mississippi Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs along this specific highway section. This is a procedural memorial bill with no policy changes, solely honoring an individual through highway naming. The bill died in committee on March 7, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 888 updates Mississippi's Burn Care Fund by expanding eligible recipients to include Baptist Medical Center and burn centers affiliated with Level I trauma centers, while removing the University of Mississippi Medical Center as a designated recipient. It increases the fee for distinctive license tags from $1.00 to $2.50 per tag or plate, and adds a $0.50 fee for commercial vehicle decals, with all new proceeds deposited into the Burn Care Fund. These changes direct funding toward specific burn care facilities within Mississippi's trauma system, shifting support from the University of Mississippi Medical Center to Baptist Medical Center and Level I-affiliated centers. The bill does not create new facilities but alters how existing funds are distributed. The fee increases take effect for vehicle registrations starting in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1656, the STRONG Act, would provide tax benefits and health care support for Mississippi National Guard members and their families. It increases income tax exemptions for Guard and Reserve members, creates a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes a program to reimburse National Guard members for Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The Adjutant General would administer the program and report its progress to the legislature. The bill passed the legislature in February 2025 but died on calendar before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1805 allocated $2.5 million from Mississippi's state general fund to Northeast Mississippi Community College for establishing and operating a Public Safety Training Center. The center would train public safety personnel - including police, firefighters, 911 operators, and emergency responders - from federal, state, and local government units. The funding was intended for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with the bill requiring payment through state fiscal channels. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 295 creates a $500 refundable income tax credit for Mississippi taxpayers who serve as active volunteer firefighters. To qualify, taxpayers must provide verified documentation from their county fire coordinator proving their service. If the credit exceeds the taxpayer's income tax liability, the Department of Revenue will issue a refund for the difference. The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and is directly available to volunteer firefighters meeting the documentation requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1699 appropriates $6 million from the state general fund to fund salary increases and required benefits for active sworn officers of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHP), Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI), and Capitol Police for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill directly affects these specific law enforcement agencies' officers by providing funding for pay raises authorized under Mississippi law. Key provisions include the exact funding amount, the specified agencies, and the fiscal year scope. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryHB 564 creates a process for Mississippi first responders (firefighters, law enforcement officers, and public EMS personnel with 10+ years of service) who test positive for drugs in an initial urinalysis. It requires employers to offer a follow-up hair follicle test within 5 days if the employee contests the results within 2 business days. The first responder pays for the follow-up test initially but gets reimbursed if it returns negative, which would overturn the initial positive result and restore their position. If the follow-up test is positive, the employee bears the cost and faces disciplinary action. This bill establishes clear procedural steps for drug testing disputes but does not change drug policy or employment standards.

Maddy summaryHB 618 requires drivers convicted of DUI who cause a death to pay child support to the victim's children under 18 (or until high school graduation). The court sets monthly payments based on the child's needs, the defendant's finances, and other factors like the child's standard of living. Payments continue even if the defendant is imprisoned, with overdue amounts addressed through payment plans after release. This applies to existing DUI convictions under Mississippi law that result in fatalities.

Maddy summaryHB 613 would replace Mississippi's current school accountability system (using letter grades like A-F) with a new 0-1,000 point numerical scoring system for all public schools and districts. The bill specifies how existing letter grades would map to point ranges (e.g., an "A" school would score above 668 points for districts), while keeping the same underlying metrics like student test scores and graduation rates. This change applies to all noncharter public schools and school districts starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.