Rep. John Hines

Maddy summaryHB 150 would create a program allowing each Mississippi legislator to award $25,000 annually for public projects within their district, with funds distributed to the county where the project is located. Projects could combine grants from multiple legislators, and the Mississippi Development Authority's Community Services Division would set application criteria and oversee disbursement. The program would expire on July 1, 2029, and was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 152 would increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals in Mississippi counties with both an average unemployment rate of 8% or higher (based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data) and a critical shortage of doctors and nurses. Specifically, it requires the Medicaid division to pay at least 80% of the Medicare rate for inpatient hospital services in these areas, starting September 1, 2026, with annual adjustments. This targets rural hospitals struggling with workforce shortages and economic challenges, aiming to improve their financial stability. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 77, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, proposed requiring all Mississippi public universities and colleges to conduct annual mental health assessments for every member of school-sponsored athletic teams governed by national or regional sports associations. The bill also mandated assessments for any enrolled student with an arrest record, administered by licensed professionals (like doctors or psychologists) using cognitive and behavioral criteria, with results kept confidential. Institutions would need to partner with local behavioral health specialists to provide follow-up care and could consult the Mississippi Department of Mental Health for resources. The bill was never enacted, as it failed to advance beyond committee review.

Maddy summaryHB 74 directs Mississippi's Health Department to establish WISEWOMAN (for women) and WISEMAN (for men) programs targeting chronic diseases in counties west of Interstate 55. The programs would provide education on healthy behaviors, early screening for heart disease, stroke, specific cancers, and diabetes, and prevention services based on scientific evidence. They would be implemented through contracts with clinics or agencies experienced in reducing chronic disease incidence. The bill, which died in committee in February 2026, would have required the Health Department to seek CDC grants for funding but is not currently law.

Maddy summaryHB 278 creates the Mississippi Anti-Hunger and Anti-Food Insecurity Task Force to study food insecurity across the state, with a focus on rural and underserved communities. The 17-member task force - including health officials, university representatives, community leaders, and state agency staff - will examine causes of hunger, assess federal nutrition programs, and hold public meetings to gather input. It must submit two reports to the Legislature by January 2027 and January 2028, after which the task force dissolves. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has not advanced further.

Maddy summaryHB 432 directs Mississippi's Department of Human Services to transfer the first $40 million of unspent Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds from the prior fiscal year to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). This funding will specifically support child care vouchers under the Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) for qualifying low-income families with children. The bill requires this annual transfer using existing unspent TANF resources, expanding access to child care assistance without new state appropriations. It directly affects families eligible for CCPP services by increasing available voucher funding.

Maddy summaryHB 665 would allow individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies to legally possess and use firearms or specified knives (like bowie knives or switchblades) solely for defending their residence. It directly affects people with nonviolent felony convictions who currently face firearm restrictions under Mississippi law. The bill requires applicants to prove they reside in the home where the weapon is kept, and it would override existing prohibitions for this specific home-defense use. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and would have taken effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 667 would automatically register Mississippi residents to vote when they apply for, renew, or update a driver's license or state ID card, provided they qualify to vote. Applicants would need to provide basic personal details (name, address, date of birth, etc.) and could opt out if they chose not to register. The Department of Public Safety would collect this information and send it to election officials within five days, with an opt-out option requiring a clear affirmative decline. This bill directly affects anyone applying for a Mississippi driver's license or ID card who is eligible to vote. It does not change voting eligibility rules but creates a new, streamlined registration process through the DMV.

Maddy summaryHB 664, the Mississippi Firearms Parental Amnesty Act, would create legal immunity for parents or legal guardians who voluntarily turn in firearms owned or controlled by a minor under 18 to law enforcement. It protects them from civil or criminal liability for the firearm’s prior possession or use, regardless of whether it was involved in a crime. Parents could surrender firearms at police stations or request an officer to collect them, without needing to provide ID, photos, or fingerprints, and no payment would be required. The bill also amends related firearm storage and surrender laws (Section 45-9-53) to align with this provision. The bill died in committee in 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 668 requires private landowners or renters in Mississippi with cemeteries, graves, or burial sites to allow reasonable access to family members, plot owners, and researchers who provide advance notice. The bill specifies that access is limited to visiting graves, maintaining sites, or conducting research, and landowners can set reasonable hours, frequency, and routes for entry. Visitors must not damage the property and are liable for any damage caused, while landowners gain legal immunity from lawsuits related to this access. The law, set to take effect July 1, 2026, died in committee before becoming law.