Rep. John Hines

Maddy summaryHB 61 allocates $100 million total (split equally as $50 million each) from Mississippi's state funds to Coahoma Community College and Mississippi Delta Community College for campus facility repairs and improvements. The funding covers specific projects including restoring historic buildings, upgrading electrical/plumbing/HVAC systems, improving student housing, creating modern academic spaces, enhancing safety systems, and supporting energy efficiency initiatives. As a condition, each college must develop a detailed plan with timelines for using the funds and submit annual progress reports to the legislature. The appropriation is effective immediately and expires on June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $150 million from three state funds ($13M from Health Care Expendable Fund, $2M from State BP Settlement Fund, and $135M from Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund) to provide grants to Mississippi hospitals through the Mississippi Hospital Recovery Trust Program. The funds are intended to cover eligible hospital expenses that qualify under federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) guidelines, with strict requirements to ensure hospitals haven’t received duplicate reimbursement from other sources. The Department of Finance and Administration must verify all grant uses comply with federal Treasury rules before disbursing funds and monitor compliance with audit standards. The program runs from the bill’s passage through June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) commending Jamal Roberts, a Meridian, Mississippi native, for winning the 23rd season of *American Idol*. It formally congratulates him as the second Mississippian and second African-American male to win the competition, highlighting his musical achievements and roots. The resolution has no policy impact; it simply expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' praise and will be sent to Roberts and the press. It does not affect any laws, regulations, or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 98 requires Mississippi's statewide student tests to be administered in the primary spoken language of English Language Learners (ELLs) instead of only English. It directly affects ELL students in public schools by mandating that the State Department of Education translate tests into appropriate languages for each grade level, and school districts must report ELL language data and request translation assistance in advance. Key provisions include requiring translated test materials, providing translation support through state-provided observers/proctors, and excluding English language arts tests and the ACT from these requirements. The bill aims to ensure ELL students are not disadvantaged during testing by accommodating their language needs.

Maddy summaryHB 73 would allow mechanics who haven't been paid for vehicle repairs to seek title to the vehicle from a title loan company, but only if the vehicle owner obtained the title loan *after* repairs began. This directly affects mechanics with unpaid bills and vehicle owners who secured title loans during ongoing repairs. The bill adds a provision to Mississippi law requiring mechanics to notify the owner and title loan company after 30 days of nonpayment and a 5-day redemption period before seeking title from the lender. If the owner doesn't pay within that timeframe, the mechanic could claim the title directly from the title loan company instead of relying solely on the vehicle's sale.

Maddy summaryHB 135 proposed changing how members are selected for Mississippi's Child Care Advisory Council. It would have required child care providers across the state to recommend individuals for council appointments, rather than the State Health Officer appointing members directly. The council, which advises the state agency on child care licensing regulations, would still consist of 12 members with no more than four from any single Supreme Court district. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 99 requires licensed residential builders and remodelers in Mississippi to provide customers with a detailed cost breakdown within 15 days of a request, including invoices, material receipts, and labor fees. It also mandates the State Board of Contractors to set clear fee limits: no more than 20% of construction costs for large projects, or $150 per hour for small projects. Contractors who fail to provide itemized statements or charge fees exceeding these limits face disciplinary action or consumer protection lawsuits. The bill directly affects residential contractors and their customers by increasing transparency and preventing excessive fees.

Maddy summaryHB 92 increases Mississippi's workers' compensation maximum benefit period from the previous limit to 520 weeks for injured workers. It directly affects employees who suffer permanent total or partial disabilities, extending the time they can receive benefits (calculated as 66.67% of their average weekly wage) before reaching the cap. The bill amends key sections of Mississippi's workers' compensation law to set this 520-week maximum across all disability types, including permanent total, temporary total, and partial disabilities. This change does not alter weekly benefit rates but extends the total duration for which payments may be made. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 146 requires Mississippi's Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) to use clear, standardized guidelines based on widely accepted medical standards when determining if care is medically necessary. This directly affects Medicaid patients by preventing MCOs from denying care that professional guidelines would approve. The bill prohibits MCOs from adding extra criteria that would lead to denials of appropriate, necessary care. It mandates that all MCO utilization decisions align strictly with these specified guidelines, overseen by the Division of Medicaid.

Maddy summaryHB 95 establishes a 11-member study committee to examine how Mississippi can better support working parents through its Child Care Payment Program (CCPP). The committee will analyze existing federal and state funds that could be redirected to expand the program, focusing on current gaps like the number of children on waiting lists and the cost to serve all eligible families earning 85% or less of Mississippi’s median income. It will study funding streams, labor force impacts, and successful models from other states or employers to develop recommendations for increasing access to affordable child care. This study aims to help low- to moderate-income working parents participate in the workforce by improving the CCPP’s reach and efficiency.