Rep. Timaka James-Jones

Maddy summaryHB 978 appropriates $1 million from the state general fund to Sharkey County's Board of Supervisors for business recovery efforts following the 2023 tornado. The funds directly support two specific businesses beginning site development, existing businesses struggling with revenue loss and staffing shortages, and strategies to attract new businesses. The bill covers costs for business recovery activities and retention strategies during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill was referred to committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1823 would have provided $550,000 in state funding from the General Fund to Yazoo County's Board of Supervisors for infrastructure improvements at the Yazoo County Port during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill's key provision was a direct appropriation to cover costs associated with port infrastructure upgrades. It specified that funds would be paid by the State Treasurer upon proper requisitions. The bill was referred to committee in February 2025 but died in committee on February 26, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1822 proposes a $750,000 state funding appropriation to Yazoo County's Board of Supervisors for critical repairs to streets and roads in dire condition requiring immediate work. The bill specifies the funds would cover costs for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026), sourced from the State General Fund. It outlines the payment process through the State Treasurer upon proper requisitions. As a funding measure rather than a policy change, it directly affects Yazoo County's infrastructure maintenance without altering broader laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 977 provides $1 million in state funding to Sharkey County's Board of Supervisors to develop a regional housing recovery strategy. The funds will cover costs associated with restoring housing levels to pre-2023 tornado conditions and planning for workforce housing needs driven by new businesses and industry. This strategy requires collaboration with federal and state partners and applies specifically to Sharkey County for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill directs the State Treasurer to disburse funds upon proper requisitions and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1920 appropriates $100 million (split equally as $50 million each) to Coahoma Community College and Mississippi Delta Community College for campus facility repairs and improvements through June 2026. The funds cover specific projects like restoring historic buildings, upgrading electrical/plumbing systems, modernizing academic spaces, improving student housing, enhancing safety systems, and implementing energy efficiency initiatives. Each college must submit a detailed plan with timelines and provide annual progress reports to the Legislature. The bill, referred to Appropriations committees in February 2025, died in committee and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1921 appropriates $300 million ($100 million to each) to Mississippi's three HBCUs - Alcorn State, Jackson State, and Mississippi Valley State - for repairing and upgrading campus buildings and infrastructure. The funds cover specific projects like restoring historic structures, modernizing electrical/plumbing systems, improving student housing, creating new academic spaces, enhancing safety systems, and supporting energy efficiency. Each university must submit a detailed plan for approval and provide annual progress reports to the legislature on how the money is spent.

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally commends Dr. Jennifer K. Young Wallace for her historic election as the fifth African American National President of the Association of Teacher Educators (ATE) for 2025-2026. It recognizes her as the first ATE president elected who is a graduate and employee of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). The resolution has no policy impact beyond this ceremonial recognition and was adopted by the Mississippi House of Representatives. It serves solely to honor Dr. Wallace’s achievement and does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 12) is a formal commendation from the Mississippi House of Representatives to Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, for hosting its "Delta Days at the Capitol" event on February 24-25, 2025. It recognizes the sorority’s 112-year commitment to civic engagement, social advocacy, and community service in Mississippi, including their partnership with the Mississippi Center for Justice to provide free expungement services. The resolution specifically honors the event’s focus on political awareness, advocacy, and the theme "Our Fight. Our Future," which aligns with the sorority’s mission. As a procedural resolution, it does not create policy changes but publicly acknowledges the organization’s contributions to community improvement.

Maddy summaryHB 857 expands Mississippi's literacy program to support students in grades 4 through 8 by requiring evidence-based reading instruction and interventions. It mandates annual universal reading screenings for all students in these grades, professional development for teachers focused on the "science of reading" (including phonics and decoding), and prohibits the use of "three-cueing systems" for teaching word reading. The bill also creates a system to identify "Middle Literacy Support Schools" based on reading data and requires the state education department to develop a structured literacy course for grades 6-8. Schools must provide targeted interventions for struggling readers, and the department must submit annual implementation reports to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 1050 revises Mississippi law to criminalize the *intentional transmission* of certain infectious diseases (non-airborne, with serious health consequences) rather than mere exposure. It specifically targets transmission to corrections employees, visitors, or other inmates in jails/prisons, with penalties including up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. Key defenses include if the victim knew of the disease status beforehand, transmission didn’t occur, or the defendant used scientifically proven prevention methods (like condoms or treatment). The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.