Rep. Timaka James-Jones

Maddy summaryHB 1551 creates a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board within Mississippi's Department of Health to analyze deaths from domestic violence incidents and develop prevention strategies. The board, composed of survivors, advocates, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, and other experts, reviews case records (including medical, court, and social services data) from relevant agencies and requires healthcare providers to share medical records with immunity. It must submit biennial reports to legislators detailing fatality statistics, trends, and policy recommendations, while maintaining strict confidentiality for all collected data. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1656, the STRONG Act, would provide tax benefits and health care support for Mississippi National Guard members and their families. It increases income tax exemptions for Guard and Reserve members, creates a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes a program to reimburse National Guard members for Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The Adjutant General would administer the program and report its progress to the legislature. The bill passed the legislature in February 2025 but died on calendar before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 983 allocates $2.5 million from the state general fund to Sharkey County's Board of Supervisors for necessary repairs and improvements to the county courthouse, which was damaged and remains disabled since the 2023 tornado. The funds are intended to cover costs associated with restoring the courthouse during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill specifies that the State Treasurer will disburse the funds upon proper requisitions. This is a direct appropriation bill focused on infrastructure recovery, not a policy change affecting broader public programs.

Maddy summaryHB 987 would allocate $1.5 million from Mississippi's State General Fund to Humphreys County's Board of Supervisors. This funding is intended to cover infrastructure and site development costs at the Humphreys County Industrial Park on Highway 49 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill specifies that funds would be paid through the State Treasurer upon proper requisitions from county officials. The bill did not advance beyond committee in 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 985 appropriates $10.6 million from the state general fund to Humphreys County's Board of Supervisors for recovery costs following the March 2023 EF4 tornado. The funds specifically cover 25% of debris removal costs, road repairs, replacement of county equipment, construction of a new fire station/barn, housing restoration, 911 system upgrades, and a community center. The bill, intended for fiscal year 2025-2026, died in committee on February 26, 2025, and does not affect any individual residents directly but supports county-level recovery efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 1657 would exempt children's diapers from Mississippi's sales tax by adding them to the state's list of tax-exempt items. The bill amends Section 27-65-111 of the Mississippi Code to specifically include "sales of children's diapers" under existing tax exemptions, similar to how hospital supplies or medicines are currently treated. This change would directly reduce costs for parents and caregivers purchasing diapers for infants and young children. The key mechanism is a straightforward addition to the tax code, removing sales tax liability on this essential item without altering other tax categories.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have provided $6 million from the Mississippi State General Fund to Yazoo County's Board of Supervisors to cover costs for replacing the Lake George Bridge during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The funding was intended to directly support Yazoo County's infrastructure project for the bridge replacement. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and was never enacted. It contained no policy changes beyond the state funding allocation.

Maddy summaryHB 990 appropriates $4 million from the state general fund to Humphreys County's Board of Supervisors for constructing an emergency care unit during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill directly affects Humphreys County by providing funding for a specific public infrastructure project. Key provisions include the exact funding amount, the designated purpose (emergency care unit construction), and payment mechanics via state warrants. The bill was referred to the Appropriations committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryHB 980 would provide $3 million in state funds to Sharkey County's Board of Supervisors to cover infrastructure and site development costs at the Sharkey County Industrial Park. This funding specifically supports two new manufacturing businesses in the agriculture and recycling industries planning to build at the park during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The money would come from the State General Fund and be paid to the county by the State Treasurer upon proper requisitions.

Maddy summaryHB 984 proposes a $200,000 state appropriation to the Belzoni Humphreys Development Foundation for repairs and restoration work at the city-owned Catfish Museum and Depot Theater in Belzoni. The funding is intended to cover costs necessary for reopening these facilities to the public during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill directs the State Treasurer to disburse funds from the General Fund upon proper requisitions. As a funding measure, it does not create new policy but allocates existing state resources for specific infrastructure repairs.