Rep. John Faulkner

Maddy summaryHB 1925 appropriates $117,462 for the Mississippi Auctioneers Commission to cover its operating expenses during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). The bill requires the commission to maintain detailed financial records matching its FY2026 standards and submit future budget requests in a comparable format. It also mandates that the commission give preference to Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods or equipment, both with and without competitive bids. The funds must be spent in compliance with existing state budget laws prohibiting overspending.

Maddy summaryHB 1933 reappropriates unspent funds from prior fiscal years to continue construction and renovation projects at Mississippi state agencies, institutions, and higher education facilities for fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). It allocates specific amounts from previously authorized budgets (including $70 million for higher education and $75 million for general state projects) but requires that funds not exceed remaining unspent balances as of June 30, 2026, and cannot change the original purpose of the spending. The bill does not create new funding or policy changes - it simply allows existing, unspent allocations to be reused for ongoing projects.

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 788 modifies Mississippi's election rules to allow voters who are not registered in the jurisdiction they are voting in (but are otherwise eligible) to cast an affidavit ballot. This ballot will be used as their official voter registration, adding them to the statewide voter rolls as if they had completed a standard registration form. The bill also allows the affidavit ballot to serve as a written request to transfer voting precincts or wards, and automatically reactivates voters who were placed on inactive status (due to a confirmation notice) after they cast such a ballot. These changes aim to streamline voter registration and address common issues at polling places.

Maddy summaryHB 1126 increases base teacher salaries by $5,000 annually starting with the 2026-2027 school year, with an additional $3,000 annual supplement for licensed special education teachers and $6,000 for certified occupational therapists and school psychologists. It also raises assistant teachers' pay by $5,000 and caps superintendent salaries at 250% of equivalent teacher pay, including district supplements. The bill includes related provisions for retirement benefits for first responders and revised roles for student success coaches, but its core focus is direct compensation increases for educators.

Maddy summaryHB 4036 authorizes Mississippi to issue state bonds to provide financial assistance to Alliance Training, Inc. for repairing, renovating, and upgrading its worksite training facility. The bill directly affects Alliance Training, Inc., which would use the bond proceeds to cover costs for facility improvements. Key mechanisms include the State Bond Commission issuing the bonds as general state obligations, with proceeds deposited into a special fund for the company's project. The bonds would be backed by the full faith and credit of Mississippi, with repayment funded through state treasury if needed.

Maddy summaryHB 586 appropriates $1,000,000 from Mississippi's state general fund to Marshall County's Board of Supervisors to help cover costs for repairing and renovating the Marshall County courthouse. The funding is designated for the 2026-2027 fiscal year (July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027), with the state treasurer disbursing funds upon proper authorization. This bill directly supports Marshall County's courthouse maintenance efforts by providing state financial assistance for specific facility improvements.

Maddy summaryHB 587 appropriates $2.5 million from Mississippi's state general fund to the City of Holly Springs, to assist Alliance Healthcare System in covering construction costs for a micro-hospital inside the system's existing clinic. This funding is designated for the 2026-2027 fiscal year (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027) and directly supports the city and healthcare system in expanding on-site healthcare services. The state treasurer will disburse the funds upon proper requisitions, as specified in the bill. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 601 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to provide funds for the City of Holly Springs to cover costs related to building, furnishing, and equipping a new wellness and aquatics center. The bill directly affects Holly Springs residents by enabling the city to construct this public facility using state funds. Key provisions include the state pledging its full faith and credit to repay the bonds, with proceeds transferred to a dedicated fund exclusively for this project. The bill does not alter existing tax laws or create new regulations, focusing solely on providing financial assistance for the facility's construction.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $100,000 from the Mississippi State General Fund to the City of Holly Springs to cover costs for restoring the gravesite of Hiram Revels during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). It directly affects Holly Springs city officials by providing state funding for this specific historical preservation project. The bill is purely procedural, authorizing a one-time payment without creating new policies or regulations.