Rep. Rob Roberson

Maddy summaryHB 1766 allocates $10 million from the State General Fund to Mississippi Delta Community College for constructing a residence hall facility. The funding specifically supports the college's Law Enforcement Training Academy by providing housing for its training officers. The bill directs this money toward construction costs associated with the new residence hall, which will accommodate officers during their training. This appropriation covers the fiscal year 2026-2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027).

Maddy summaryHB 752 establishes the Mississippi Young Readers Club (MYRC) as a one-year pilot program (starting 2026-2027) to provide age-appropriate books and literacy materials to students in participating public schools. It requires each participating student to receive at least twelve books per school year, with priority given to schools serving economically disadvantaged students, Title I schools, or those with high numbers of students needing literacy support. The program will be administered by the University of Mississippi's Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction (CELI), in consultation with the Mississippi Department of Education, to expand home libraries and support early literacy development. The pilot's success will determine potential future expansion, subject to legislative funding.

Maddy summaryHB 618 would have authorized up to three locally sponsored virtual public schools in Mississippi, operated by school districts, regional agencies, or "districts of innovation." It required free enrollment for all Mississippi students regardless of residency, mandated funding transfers from a student's home district to the virtual school operator (based on local tax levies), and set standards for technology access and teacher qualifications. The bill also limited new virtual schools to three total statewide, with districts needing to apply for a slot starting in 2026. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 609, the "Tim Tebow Act," would allow homeschool students in Mississippi to participate in public school sports and activities like band or athletics, provided they meet academic requirements. Homeschool students would need to submit proof of academic progress (such as test scores, a portfolio, or prior school records) and follow the same behavioral and eligibility rules as public school students. The bill prohibits schools from discriminating against eligible homeschool students in team selections and clarifies that participation is a privilege, not a right. This proposed law died in committee on February 3, 2026, and is not currently in effect.

Maddy summaryThe Education Efficiency Act (HB 608) creates a task force to study whether consolidating Mississippi school districts - particularly in counties with multiple districts or districts spanning two counties - would improve educational efficiency. The task force will gather data on student enrollment, administrative costs, district accreditation, and socio-economic factors to assess feasibility and potential savings. It must produce a detailed report with consolidation recommendations by December 31, 2025, for the legislature and governor. This bill directly affects school districts in multi-district counties and aims to address operational efficiency through evidence-based analysis.

Maddy summaryHB 607 removes a requirement that physical therapists must have prior work experience to work at Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care (PPEC) centers in Mississippi. The bill amends licensing standards to eliminate this specific experience mandate, directly affecting physical therapists seeking employment at these specialized pediatric care facilities. Key provisions change Section 41-125-19 of Mississippi law to state that the licensing agency "may not require physical therapists to have prior work experience" at PPEC centers. The bill, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, would have taken effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 624 would have restricted Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) in Mississippi from transferring enrolled beneficiaries to another MCO or fee-for-service provider more than once every 12 months, unless a significant medical reason exists (as determined by the Medicaid Division). This bill directly affects Medicaid enrollees participating in managed care programs by preventing frequent, potentially disruptive changes in their healthcare providers. The key provision establishes a strict 12-month limit on transfers, with exceptions only for documented medical necessity. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 623 updates Mississippi Medicaid procedures for managed care providers during appeals. It allows a provider's direct on-site supervisor (who has begun credentialing and wasn't previously denied) to approve services and authorize payment during a credentialing appeal. It also prohibits the Medicaid Division from suspending payments to a provider during an appeal of a violation finding, unless the provider had a prior fraud conviction. These changes directly affect managed care providers in Mississippi who are appealing credentialing or violation decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 701, the "Fatherhood Begins at Conception Act," requires Mississippi courts to order fathers of unborn children to provide financial support for the pregnant mother, including medical expenses during pregnancy and for two years after birth. It amends multiple statutes to extend a father’s legal obligation to cover the mother’s pregnancy-related medical care, mental health needs, and dietary requirements traceable to childbirth, regardless of marital status. The bill specifies that court-ordered support must include these costs as a default, with adjustments only if a court finds the guidelines unjust in a specific case. This directly affects unmarried pregnant women seeking financial support from non-marital fathers and alters how Mississippi calculates child support obligations under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 709 revised Mississippi's Economic Development and Infrastructure Fund to redirect funding specifically toward supporting counties with legal gaming operations. It authorized grants for infrastructure repair in gaming counties, increased commercial air service at airports in those counties (using incentives like revenue guarantees), and expanded air service through airport development programs. The bill required at least $2.5 million annually for air service in gaming counties and $150,000 for broader air service projects starting in Fiscal Year 2027. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.