Rep. Bill Kinkade

Maddy summaryHB 1353 authorizes the State of Mississippi to issue general obligation bonds to provide funds for infrastructure improvements in the Town of Byhalia. The bill directly affects Byhalia by enabling it to cover costs for projects like roads or utilities, with Mississippi taxpayers ultimately responsible for repaying the bonds using state funds. Key provisions include the State Bond Commission managing the bond issuance and sale, and the bond proceeds being deposited into a special fund exclusively for Byhalia's infrastructure needs. The bill does not create new taxes but relies on the state's full credit to secure repayment.

Maddy summaryHB 1362 appropriates $20 million from Mississippi's State General Fund to the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund for fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). This funding, allocated under existing law (Mississippi Code § 49-39-7), directly supports the Trust Fund's purpose of managing resources for outdoor stewardship projects across the state. The bill establishes a specific funding amount without creating new programs or altering eligibility rules. It is a routine budgetary measure, not a policy change, and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1357 appropriates $500,000 from the State General Fund to Marshall County for completing the Red Banks Road Improvement Project during fiscal year 2027. The bill funds an eight-mile road segment connecting I-22 to Mississippi Highway 302, with funds payable starting July 1, 2026. This is a procedural funding measure with no new policy changes, directly affecting Marshall County's infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 1327 appropriates $2.2 million from the Mississippi state general fund to the Mississippi Wireless Information Network for constructing a communication tower in Marshall County during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The funding directly supports the tower's construction costs, which will enhance communication infrastructure in Marshall County. The appropriation is paid through standard state fiscal processes upon proper requisitions, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 1355 appropriates $800,000 from the State General Fund to Marshall County for planning, engineering, and environmental work related to the Byhalia Railroad Bridge Project during fiscal year 2027. The bill directly affects Marshall County by funding preparatory costs for a project that includes a railroad bridge, creek bridge, 1.5 miles of new road, and drainage improvements near Byhalia High School. Key provisions specify the funds cover only the planning phase, not construction, and require payment through state fiscal channels. This is a targeted funding allocation for infrastructure planning, not a policy change affecting broader public regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 827, the "Rick Kennedy Act," requires that a person’s Mississippi hunting license be suspended if they cause injury or death to another person while hunting (using a firearm, bow, arrow, or other hunting weapon) and face criminal charges. The license remains suspended until the criminal case ends with dismissal, acquittal, or a not-guilty verdict. To reinstate the license after such an incident, the person must complete an approved hunter safety course, serve a one-year probation period, and appear before the wildlife commission. Law enforcement must notify the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks within 48 hours of the criminal charges being filed.

Maddy summaryHB 1326 would allow year-round retail sales of consumer fireworks in Mississippi, but only for stores meeting strict conditions: they must operate in standalone buildings of at least 8,000 square feet with automatic sprinklers, use age/location verification software, be within 0.5 miles of an interstate highway, and have been open before the law's effective date. The bill amends existing law to create this exception while preserving current rules for wholesale fireworks storage (requiring fireproof rooms and extinguishers) and penalties for violations (fines up to $5,000 for repeat offenses). It directly affects retailers meeting all five criteria, not all businesses. The law would take effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1564 reclassifies catfish (including channel, blue, flathead, and bullhead catfish) from "nongame gross fish" to "game fish" under Mississippi law. This change subjects catfish to the same recreational fishing regulations as other game fish, such as seasonal limits, bag limits, and size requirements. The bill also references the commercial fishing license provisions (Section 49-7-9.1) for potential amendment to align with the new classification. As a result, recreational anglers and commercial fishers harvesting catfish in Mississippi will be directly affected by this regulatory shift.

Maddy summaryHB 825 revises Mississippi's death penalty procedures by requiring the Commissioner of Corrections, Deputy Commissioners for Finance and Institutions, the Public Safety Commissioner, and the county district attorney to select the execution method (lethal injection, nitrogen hypoxia, electrocution, or firing squad) through majority vote, with cost efficiency as a key factor in the decision. It designates lethal injection as the preferred method but mandates that cost considerations influence the choice, while also requiring confidentiality for execution team members, suppliers of lethal chemicals, and certain witnesses. The bill also grants legal immunity to participants acting in good faith during executions and clarifies that execution-related activities do not constitute the practice of medicine. These changes directly affect state officials responsible for administering executions and condemned individuals facing capital punishment.

Maddy summaryHB 847, the "Health Care Facility Right to Visit Act," prohibits Mississippi-licensed hospitals, nursing facilities, and other health care facilities from restricting patient visits by designated family or friends during hospitalizations or treatments lasting more than 24 hours, including during public health emergencies. The bill requires facilities to allow at least two designated visitors for a minimum of two hours per day, while permitting reasonable safety measures (like visitor limits). It also shields facilities from liability claims if they comply with the law, providing legal protection in addition to existing immunity. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.