Rep. John Faulkner

Maddy summaryHB 1080 designates September 27th as "Hiram Revels Day" in Mississippi to honor Hiram Revels, who was elected to the U.S. Senate by the Mississippi Legislature in 1870 - making him the first African American to serve in either chamber of Congress. The bill specifies this day should be observed for recognition and commemoration but clarifies it is not a legal holiday, unlike other days listed in Mississippi law. The bill was introduced in 2026 but died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law. It directly affects Mississippi residents through state recognition of Revels' historical significance during the Reconstruction era.

Maddy summaryHB 1360 directs the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to install directional signs on both sides of I-22 approaching Exit 26 in Marshall County, Mississippi, to guide drivers to the Marshall County Fairgrounds. The signs must be placed on the east and west corridors near the off-ramp entrances and will be paid for by Marshall County, following MDOT's standard permitting process. The bill, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, would have required these signs to be in place by July 1, 2026, primarily affecting visitors traveling to the fairgrounds.

Maddy summaryHB 1497, "The Protect Our Hunting Dogs Act," prohibits intentionally injuring or killing hunting dogs in Mississippi, directly affecting all residents and hunters. The bill defines "hunting dogs" broadly (including bird dogs and retrievers) and makes such acts a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, $10,000 fines, or both, plus mandatory restitution for veterinary costs, replacement value, and related losses. It also grants handlers limited rights to retrieve stray hunting dogs from private property under specific conditions - without weapons, with prior notice when possible, and without damaging property - while preempting conflicting local laws. The act takes effect July 1, 2026, and explicitly excludes lawful self-defense scenarios.

Maddy summaryHB 1605, the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence and STEM Education Innovation Act, proposed a pilot program allowing public schools (Grades 6-12) to use AI tools for personalized STEM instruction, teacher support, and career pathways, with priority for underperforming, rural, and high-poverty schools. Key provisions included requiring compliance with student data privacy laws (FERPA and state rules), prohibiting AI use in teacher evaluations, and mandating professional development for educators. The bill required annual reports on student outcomes and costs, with the program set to expire in 2030 unless renewed. The bill was referred to committee but died there in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 787 creates a scholarship program for spouses and children of Mississippi first responders (including law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) who were killed in the line of duty or became permanently and totally disabled due to duty-related injuries. The scholarship covers eight semesters of tuition and fees at any state-supported Mississippi college or university, excluding books and extracurricular costs. To qualify, recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA and be under 23 years old (with exceptions for interrupted education), while excluding cases of self-inflicted injury or death. The bill defines "first responders" broadly to include sheriffs, conservation officers, EMS personnel, and others serving in state or local roles.

Maddy summaryHB 1446, the "Robert G. Clark, Jr., Voting Rights Act of Mississippi," would create a Mississippi Voting Rights Commission to prevent voter suppression and protect voting rights. It prohibits political subdivisions (like counties and cities) and state agencies from implementing election policies that disproportionately affect racial, ethnic, or language minority voters, requiring such policies to be reviewed by the Commission before implementation. The bill also mandates protections for limited English proficient voters and voters with disabilities, requires advance notice of election policy changes, and establishes a statewide voting database with universities. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 35 is an appropriation bill that allocates state funds for Mississippi's legislative operations during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It directly funds salaries, travel, and daily allowances for House and Senate members, contingent operating funds for both chambers, and expenses for key legislative committees - including the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Performance Evaluation Committee, and Reapportionment Committee. The bill also covers assessments for interstate organizations like the Southern States Energy Board and allocates $2.4 million for computer systems upgrades for the Budget Committee. As a procedural funding measure, it does not create new policies but ensures existing legislative bodies have resources for their mandated duties.

Maddy summaryHB 40 reappropriates existing state funds for construction and renovation projects at Mississippi state agencies, universities, community colleges, and facilities like water treatment plants. It renews authorization for unused funds from prior fiscal years (up to $175 million total), specifically for projects previously approved under bills like HB 1816 (2024) and HB 1643 (2023). The bill does not create new funding but allows agencies to spend leftover money from the previous year on the same projects they were originally intended for. It explicitly states that spending cannot exceed the unspent balance as of June 30, 2025, and cannot change the original project purpose. This is a procedural budget adjustment, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 32 appropriates $46.39 million (split between $33.89 million general funds and $12.50 million special funds) for Mississippi's Attorney General's Office for fiscal year 2026. It directly affects the Attorney General's operations by funding salaries, staffing headcounts (91 permanent, 209 time-limited positions), and operational expenses. Key provisions strictly limit "Personal Services" spending to $30.72 million for salaries and fringe benefits, prohibit using funds for promotions or salary increases beyond budgeted amounts, and require compliance with Mississippi's Variable Compensation Plan. The bill mandates detailed financial reporting and ties funding to specific performance metrics like criminal conviction affirmations (target: 93%).

Maddy summaryHB 38 is a funding bill that allocates $75.9 million in state funds for Mississippi's judicial system for fiscal year 2026. It provides specific appropriations for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, trial judges (including special judges and chancellors), the Administrative Office of Courts, and specialized programs like Drug Courts, Mental Health Treatment Courts, and the Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program. The bill does not create new laws or policies but ensures funding for existing court operations, staff positions, and court-related services as detailed in the appropriations sections.