Rep. Karl Oliver

Maddy summaryHB 1935 allocates over $5.49 billion in state funds to support Mississippi's public K-12 education system for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It directs specific funding to the State Department of Education for general operations, vocational training, the Mississippi Student Funding Formula, and targeted programs like early learning initiatives, literacy efforts, and the Mississippi Eye Screening Program. The bill also includes restrictions limiting how much can be spent on personnel expenses for certain positions. This funding directly affects public schools, students, and educational programs across Mississippi.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.477 billion from state funds to cover the Mississippi Department of Transportation's (MDOT) administrative costs and program expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It allocates specific amounts for key areas: $1.02 billion for construction, $274 million for maintenance, $64.9 million for administration, $81.6 million for debt service, and $37.5 million for aeronautics/rails. The funds are restricted to authorized uses, including strict limits on salary expenses and prohibitions against using general funds to replace federal funding. This is a routine funding measure, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1936 appropriates $4,713,259 from the State General Fund and $8,419,652 from special funds to cover the operational costs of the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television (MAET) for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifically restricts $6,548,722 of these funds for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits), limiting MAET to 80 permanent and 7 time-limited staff positions while prohibiting the use of these funds for promotions or salary increases without additional approvals. It requires MAET to prioritize maintaining its current educational broadcasting schedule over producing new content and mandates strict adherence to state personnel budget rules, including using "Vacancy Funding" solely to fill unfilled positions from the prior year. The funds cannot replace federal or other special funds used for salaries.

Maddy summaryHB 1934 appropriates $1,686,731 from the State General Fund and $2,699,838 from special funds to cover the Mississippi Arts Commission's expenses for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The bill specifies that $1,168,500 of these funds must be used exclusively for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits) for 13 authorized positions (11 permanent, 2 time-limited), with strict limits on exceeding the appropriation or using funds for promotions. It requires compliance with Mississippi's Variable Compensation Plan and mandates that the Commission maintain detailed accounting records for all expenditures. This is a routine funding bill, not a policy change, directly affecting the Arts Commission's budget operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1937 appropriates $11,456,706 from general funds and $4,888,390 from special funds to support the Mississippi Library Commission for fiscal year 2027. The bill specifically allocates $3,475,228 for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and fringe benefits) to cover 49 authorized positions (48 permanent and 1 time-limited), with strict limits preventing salary increases or headcount expansions without new funding. It requires the Library Commission to use these funds solely for employee compensation, prohibits using general funds to replace withdrawn federal or special funds, and mandates quarterly payments of Personnel Incentive Grants to public library systems. This funding directly affects the Library Commission's operations and public libraries receiving incentive grants.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 designates a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Yazoo County as the "Colonel Donnell Berry Memorial Highway" to honor Colonel Donnell Berry. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will install and maintain signage along this highway segment. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1461 would allow Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Mississippi to sign death certificates if they provided the primary care for the patient's condition leading to death or were covering for the patient's regular provider. It would also authorize APRNs to sign POLST (Physician Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment) orders for patients under their care, which document end-of-life treatment preferences. The bill amends specific sections of Mississippi law to expand APRNs' scope of practice in death certification and end-of-life care planning. These changes would directly affect APRNs and the patients they serve in medical settings.

Maddy summaryHB 1604 requires county boards of supervisors to appoint another judge (from the same or neighboring county) to cover court duties when a justice court judge is suspended due to facing felony charges. The appointed judge receives extra daily pay equal to 1/260th of a standard justice court judge's salary. The bill also specifies that suspended judges no longer receive their regular salary during the suspension period. This applies directly to Mississippi justice court judges under such suspension and the county supervisors responsible for making appointments.

Maddy summaryHB 42 appropriates over $5.2 billion in state funds for Mississippi's K-12 education system for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It directly funds public schools, the State Department of Education, vocational programs, and specific initiatives like literacy programs, school facilities, special education services, and the Mississippi Student Funding Formula. Key provisions include $2.7 billion for the general education budget, $268 million for the student funding formula, and targeted allocations for programs such as Early Learning Collaboratives ($21.2 million) and Mississippi School for Math and Science ($1.1 million). The bill also restricts $37.6 million in funds to "Personal Services" (salaries and benefits) for education staff, requiring compliance with state personnel pay rules. This is a funding bill, not a policy change, directing existing state resources to existing education programs.

Maddy summaryHB 45 appropriates $1.48 billion from state funds to the Mississippi Department of Transportation for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It allocates $194.2 million specifically for salaries, benefits, and approved vacancies ("Personal Services"), with strict rules preventing salary reductions below state board minimums and requiring unused "Vacancy Funding" to fill unfilled positions rather than raise existing salaries. The bill also directs $1.02 billion for construction, $274.6 million for maintenance, $81.8 million for debt service, and $37.5 million for aeronautics/rails, plus $650,000 to the Agriculture Department for beaver control and $5 million to Public Safety for commercial truck enforcement. This is a routine funding measure for ongoing transportation operations, not a new policy.