Rep. Jody Steverson

Maddy summaryHB 1993 allocates $3 million from Mississippi's State General Fund to the existing Mississippi Volunteer Firefighter Length-of-Service Awards Program Fund for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). This funding supports the program established under Mississippi Code § 45-11-271, which provides monetary awards to volunteer firefighters based on years of service. The bill directly affects Mississippi's volunteer firefighters by ensuring continued funding for these service-based recognition awards. It is a straightforward budget allocation with no new policy changes, solely directing existing state funds to an established program.

Maddy summaryHB 4009 exempts admissions charged for athletic games or contests between universities or colleges from Mississippi's 7% sales tax. This directly affects colleges and universities that charge admission to intercollegiate sporting events. The bill amends Mississippi's tax code to explicitly include these admissions under the existing exemption listed in Section 27-65-22(3)(c), removing them from the standard sales tax calculation. The change applies only to admissions for games between educational institutions, not to professional sports or other event types covered under separate exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 4004 exempts tractors, agricultural implements, equipment, and vehicles from ad valorem property tax when held by dealers as merchandise for sale (e.g., on floor plans or consignment). This applies only to items not already exempt under Section 27-51-41(2). The bill directly affects agricultural equipment dealers by removing property tax on these items while they are in inventory for sale. It does not change tax obligations for end-users or existing exemptions for other property.

Maddy summaryHB 1457 forgives utility debt for customers in the Town of Walnut whose gas and water meters weren't read for five years before the bill's effective date. It cancels amounts accrued until July 1, 2026, directly affecting those specific Walnut utility customers. After July 1, 2026, customers become responsible for new charges, and the bill expires on June 30, 2027. The law provides a limited-time debt relief measure for a defined group based on meter-reading history.

Maddy summaryHB 622 allows Mississippi's transportation department, local governments, or municipalities to partner with private companies to fund highway, road, or bridge improvements in exchange for naming rights to those specific sections. It prohibits partnerships with companies selling products illegal for minors (like certain tobacco or alcohol) and requires all private funding to be deposited into a dedicated state fund. This fund must be used exclusively for capital improvements to rest areas, visitor centers, and welcome centers statewide, with unspent funds carrying over annually instead of lapsing. The bill creates a clear mechanism for leveraging private investment in transportation infrastructure while restricting partnerships based on product safety standards.

Maddy summaryHB 631 creates the Mississippi Work and Save Program, a state-run retirement savings initiative targeting employers in Mississippi that don’t currently offer retirement plans. It allows eligible employees (ages 18+ at participating employers) to contribute to Roth IRAs via payroll deduction, with the State Treasurer managing the program and ensuring confidentiality of participant data. Key provisions include requiring all contributions to use Roth IRAs with target-date funds, protecting employers from liability, and establishing a dedicated administrative fund. The program aims to help moderate- and lower-income workers build retirement savings, reducing future reliance on public assistance programs.

Maddy summaryHB 626 requires foreign third-party litigation funders (entities based outside the U.S. that provide funding for civil cases) to disclose specific details to Mississippi's Attorney General within 30 days of signing funding agreements. This includes the name, address, and country of origin for any foreign entity with a financial stake tied to case outcomes or access to sensitive information. The law targets funders whose sources include "foreign entities of concern" (such as those linked to governments of designated countries or terrorist organizations), aiming to increase transparency around foreign influence in civil litigation. It does not apply to regular law firms, health insurers, or nonprofit legal aid organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 625 shifts the administration of Mississippi's Main Street Revitalization Grants from the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH). It repeals a prior law directing MDA to distribute these funds and instead requires MDAH to manage the grant distribution to designated Main Street communities for eligible projects. The bill adjusts fiscal year 2025 appropriations by reducing MDA's allocation for this program while increasing MDAH's funding. This change ensures MDAH, not MDA, will handle the grant process for qualifying communities seeking revitalization projects.

Maddy summaryHB 629 increases the annual enrollment cap for Mississippi's Rural Dentist Scholarship Program from three to six students. The program recruits and supports undergraduate students committed to practicing dentistry in rural or underserved Mississippi communities after dental school. Key provisions include requiring scholarship applicants to meet competitive academic standards and securing a commission majority vote for admission. The bill aims to expand access to dental care in rural areas by growing the pipeline of dentists willing to serve those communities. It takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 697 creates a state fund to provide grants supporting Mississippi's nuclear energy sector. The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) will administer the fund, awarding grants to companies for projects like manufacturing nuclear components, building reactors, or developing nuclear technology, with criteria focused on job creation, capital investment, and wages. Grants cover eligible expenses such as property improvements and construction, paid as reimbursements after costs are incurred. The MDA must also help companies access applicable state tax credits and report annually on funded projects.