Rep. Rob Roberson

Maddy summaryHB 879, the Retailer Tax Fairness Act, would have provided a 2.5% tax credit to Mississippi merchants and sellers for state and local taxes collected on credit or debit card purchases. This credit would apply to taxes paid on transactions where the merchant paid an interchange fee (processing fee) to payment networks. The bill defined "electronic payment transactions" broadly to include all card-based purchases and specified the credit amount as 2.5% of the taxes collected from such transactions. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1719 exempts admissions charged at athletic games or contests between universities or colleges from Mississippi's 7% sales tax. This change directly affects colleges, universities, and event organizers hosting intercollegiate sporting events, removing the standard tax on ticket sales for these games. The bill amends Mississippi's tax code (Section 27-65-22) to explicitly exclude such admissions from taxation, aligning with existing exemptions for similar events listed in the law. It does not create new taxes or funding mechanisms but clarifies that these specific admissions are not subject to the state sales tax.

Maddy summaryHB 1619 clarifies that Mississippi school districts with extended school calendars may use state funds to pay agricultural vocational teachers for specific instructional activities between academic terms. It directly affects agricultural education teachers in these districts, allowing compensation for tasks like supervising student agricultural programs, teaching farmers, or leading youth leadership groups. The bill specifies that funds can only cover activities tied to economic development, such as student supervision, farmer instruction, or approved vocational programs. It does not create new funding but clarifies existing rules for districts using extended calendars. The bill died on the calendar in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1433, the "Mississippi Quality Desert Educational Enrollment and Transfer Scholarship Act" (QDESA), allows students enrolled in Mississippi public schools or districts rated "D" or "F" by the state to transfer to higher-performing public schools or accredited nonpublic schools. Eligible students' families receive full base per-pupil state funding if transferring to a public school, or monthly reimbursement for tuition and qualifying expenses at nonpublic schools after exhausting nearby public school options. The bill requires transferee schools to publicly share enrollment capacity policies and mandates annual reporting by the state education department on program participation and compliance. It also separately establishes education scholarship accounts for foster children. The legislation aims to expand access to higher-performing schools while ensuring funding follows students.

Maddy summaryHB 1624 would reform Mississippi's career and technical education (CTE) programs by creating two separate lists of industry certifications: one for K-12 reimbursement and another for community college students. It establishes a $600 annual incentive grant paid to community colleges for each student earning a qualifying certification (linked to high-demand jobs or wages ≥70% of state median income), covering exam fees, equipment, or program support. The bill directly affects community colleges and students in CTE programs by providing funding tied to industry credentials. It also requires the state to report annual data on certification completion and grant usage. Note: The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that Mississippi's student funding law now directs tax revenue to the "Education Enhancement Fund" (replacing the previously abolished "Educational Facilities Revolving Loan Fund") for deposit purposes, without changing existing funding distribution mechanisms. It specifically amends Section 27-65-75 to ensure loan repayments from the former fund are directed to the Department of Finance and Administration until obligations are satisfied. The bill does not alter how funds are allocated to municipalities, schools, or the Capitol Complex Improvement District. It is a procedural clarification to align the law with current practice, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 880, titled the "Fatherhood Begins at Conception Act," would require Mississippi courts to order fathers to pay for pregnant mothers' medical expenses during pregnancy and for two years after birth, specifically for unmarried couples. It amends multiple laws to extend a father's financial responsibility to cover the mother's pregnancy-related medical costs, including mental or dietary needs linked to childbirth. The bill establishes guidelines for calculating support based on the father's adjusted gross income, including specific medical expense coverage. The legislation died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1623 requires Mississippi school districts and the State Department of Education to pay an annual $6,000 salary supplement plus fringe benefits to National Board Certified Occupational Therapists and National Board Certified School Psychologists employed in those settings. The supplement is in addition to their regular salary, with certification documentation due by October 15 for full payment or February 15 for a prorated amount starting the second term. This bill directly affects certified therapists and psychologists working in public schools or state education roles, expanding existing salary supplement provisions previously limited to other certified professionals like Master Teachers and School Nurses. The policy aims to provide financial recognition for nationally certified school-based health and mental health professionals. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1528 establishes the Mississippi Young Readers Club (MYRC) to provide monthly, age-appropriate books and literacy materials directly to students in PreK-5 who are reading below grade level. It requires the State Department of Education to partner with an organization to select books aligned with state standards, mail them to students' homes, and include family support guides for at-home reading. The bill allocates $2 million for book purchases and shipping, mandates annual program evaluations tracking student engagement and family involvement, and requires a legislative report by December 15 each year. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and remains pending.

Maddy summaryHB 1058 would limit how often Medicaid managed care plans can switch enrolled members to different providers. It prohibits managed care organizations from transferring a Medicaid member to another plan or fee-for-service provider more than once every 12 months, unless a significant medical reason (determined by Mississippi's Medicaid division) requires an additional transfer. This directly affects Medicaid enrollees in managed care plans by reducing disruptive changes to their healthcare providers. The bill aims to stabilize care continuity for members while allowing exceptions for urgent medical needs. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025.)