Rep. Bryant Clark

Maddy summaryHB 25 creates a hardship driver's license for Mississippi residents whose regular license was suspended due to unpaid child support or other court-ordered support payments. To qualify, applicants must petition a court within 30 days, provide clear evidence of hardship (including a recommendation from the Mississippi Department of Human Services), and prove they need driving access for work or religious services. The license, costing $25 and valid for four years, requires a distinct design and restricts driving to only work and religious activities - excluding commercial vehicles. This bill modifies existing license fee and duration rules to specifically include hardship licenses under Section 63-1-47.

Maddy summaryHB 26 requires Mississippi's Department of Corrections to ensure at least 10% of eligible incarcerated individuals participate in joint state-county work programs before housing offenders in private correctional facilities. This means the Commissioner of Corrections cannot use private facilities for inmate housing unless these programs are active and meet the 10% participation threshold. The bill amends several sections of Mississippi law to implement this requirement, including provisions about contracts between the state and counties for these work programs. The bill directly affects the Department of Corrections' inmate placement decisions and private correctional facility contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 6 would create a process for identity theft victims to have debts forgiven and credit reports removed. Victims could send certified mail to creditors claiming identity theft; if creditors don't forgive the debt and notify credit bureaus within 60 days, victims could petition court with proof they didn't incur the debt, had no knowledge of it, filed a police report, and received no benefit. The court would then order creditors to release the debt and allow credit report purging. This bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and is not law.

Maddy summaryHB 27 would have required most health insurance plans in Mississippi to cover obesity treatments - including surgeries like gastric bypass and prescriptions - when a physician certifies medical necessity for patients with a body mass index (BMI) 30% above their ideal weight. It prohibited insurers from imposing extra deductibles or coinsurance for these treatments beyond standard levels and mandated reimbursement rates equal to Medicare’s for healthcare providers. The bill applied to all individual and group health plans sold in Mississippi, directly affecting residents with qualifying obesity and insurers offering coverage. It was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, but died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 240 creates a state-funded grant program to help Mississippi counties maintain or restore historic courthouses. Counties seeking grants must contribute 25% of the requested amount as matching funds. The Department of Archives and History would manage the fund, which could also accept donations or receive additional state appropriations, with all funds used solely for courthouse preservation projects. The bill was introduced in 2026 but died in committee before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 276 would designate June 19 (Juneteenth) as a legal holiday in Mississippi, adding it to the state's official list of fixed-date holidays. This change would require state government offices to close on June 19 each year, aligning with existing holidays like Independence Day and Christmas. The bill does not alter other holidays but specifically establishes Juneteenth as a day when state operations would be suspended. It directly affects state employees and public institutions that follow the legal holiday schedule.

Maddy summaryHB 253, the Mississippi Smoke-Free Air Act of 2026, bans smoking in enclosed public places (like restaurants and bars), workplaces, private clubs, residential facilities, and certain outdoor areas (such as outdoor dining). It requires businesses to post "no smoking" signs at entrances and allows voluntary smoke-free designations. The law repeals Mississippi’s previous Clean Indoor Air Act and directs the State Department of Health to educate the public and businesses on compliance. It directly affects owners, operators, and employees of venues covered by the ban, aiming to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure in these settings.

Maddy summaryHB 255 proposes creating Mississippi's first state-funded universal prekindergarten program, making pre-K education available to all 4-year-olds on a voluntary basis for parents. The bill requires public funding for at least 10 hours per week over 35 weeks annually (540 hours for half-day programs), with tuition paid directly to qualified public or private providers meeting specific quality standards. Key provisions include mandatory NAEYC accreditation, teacher qualifications, early literacy curriculum aligned with state standards, and requirements for staff training, child-to-teacher ratios (1:10), and health screenings. The program would be jointly administered by the State Board of Education and the Division of Early Childhood Care and Development, with annual reporting to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 241 establishes a grant program administered by Mississippi's State Department of Education to fund new construction and repairs of public school facilities across the state. It creates a dedicated grant fund using state sales tax revenue, with 95% of annual $30 million allocations available for school districts to improve infrastructure, build career-technical facilities, or address health/safety needs - excluding athletic facilities. Each district can receive up to $10 million over five years, prioritizing urgent needs like building code compliance or energy efficiency. The bill amended existing law to redirect funds from a previous educational enhancement fund to this new program. However, the bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 252 would expand Mississippi's Medicaid program to cover non-pregnant adults under 65 with incomes at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, provided they are not enrolled in Medicare. This would add a new eligibility category for low-income adults currently excluded from Medicaid under Mississippi's existing law. The bill aligns with the federal Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion provisions, which allow states to cover this group. If enacted, it would provide health coverage to thousands of uninsured low-income adults in Mississippi who are currently ineligible.