Rep. Oscar Denton

Maddy summaryHB 918 revises how payments from nuclear power plants (like Mississippi's Grand Gulf plant) replace local property taxes. It requires utilities to pay 2% of the plant's assessed value annually (minimum $20 million per year until 2026), with excess payments beyond $16 million distributed as $3.04 million yearly to counties where the plants are located. The bill updates the formula for allocating these payments, ensuring counties receive a fixed annual amount from the excess funds. This directly affects nuclear plant operators and the counties hosting these facilities, changing how tax-equivalent payments are distributed. The policy change applies to qualifying plants licensed to operate through 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 920 reclassifies Alcorn State University's president's residence from commercial to residential property. This change allows licensed residential builders (under Mississippi law) to perform construction or improvements on the residence without being restricted by standard height and square footage limits for residential dwellings. The bill directly affects Alcorn State University's president and the university's ability to hire qualified residential builders for the president's home. It amends two sections of Mississippi law to align with this reclassification, specifically removing limitations that previously applied to such properties. The bill makes a procedural adjustment to property classification for a single university residence, with no broader policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1344 automatically removes certain misdemeanor and felony criminal convictions from public records after 7 or 10 years, respectively, for eligible individuals who have completed their sentences. It applies to people with eligible convictions (excluding serious offenses like violent crimes, DUIs, or sex offenses), allowing up to four misdemeanor convictions and two felony convictions to be cleared. The Department of Public Safety will handle this process without requiring a court petition, using a new computer system by 2027. This law does not replace existing petition-based expungement options but adds an automatic pathway for qualifying records.

Maddy summaryHB 1343 designates June 19 (Juneteenth) as a legal holiday in Mississippi, requiring state government offices to close on that date. This bill amends Mississippi Code Section 3-3-7 to add Juneteenth to the state's official list of legal holidays, which currently includes days like Independence Day and Christmas. The change would directly affect state employees and public institutions that observe legal holidays, aligning Mississippi with other states recognizing Juneteenth. It does not alter private business operations but establishes a fixed date holiday for state entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1342 would allow individuals who disagree with decisions made by Mississippi's Department of Human Services or Child Protection Services regarding foster care placements to appeal those decisions directly to the chancery court in their county of residence. This bill specifically targets parents, guardians, or other affected parties who feel a foster care decision (such as placement, removal, or service plans) was unfair or incorrect. The key change is creating a legal pathway for these appeals, rather than altering foster care standards or procedures. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 787 creates a scholarship program for spouses and children of Mississippi first responders (including law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) who were killed in the line of duty or became permanently and totally disabled due to duty-related injuries. The scholarship covers eight semesters of tuition and fees at any state-supported Mississippi college or university, excluding books and extracurricular costs. To qualify, recipients must maintain a 2.5 GPA and be under 23 years old (with exceptions for interrupted education), while excluding cases of self-inflicted injury or death. The bill defines "first responders" broadly to include sheriffs, conservation officers, EMS personnel, and others serving in state or local roles.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HC 2), not a law-changing bill. It formally commends the Warren Central High School boys' and girls' swim teams and head coach Terry Wong for winning the 2025 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class II State Championship - their first state titles. The resolution expresses legislative recognition of their achievement, including specific relay and individual victories, and acknowledges the coach's leadership and community support. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or direct impact on policies or individuals beyond the symbolic praise.

Maddy summaryHB 1997 modifies Vicksburg's tourism tax law by removing nonprofit veteran organizations (such as VFW posts and American Legions) from the definition of "restaurant" for tax purposes. This exemption means these groups will no longer pay the 2% tax on food sales under the city's tourism tax. The bill also extends the tax's expiration date from its original deadline to July 1, 2029. The change directly affects local veteran nonprofits operating food services, while leaving the tax structure for other restaurants and hotels unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 132) from the Mississippi House of Representatives. It formally commends Nicholas Anderson, a Vicksburg, Mississippi native, for being named the 2024 Most Outstanding Rookie in the Canadian Football League (CFL). The resolution recognizes his athletic achievements, academic record, and community work through his "F.A.1.T.H." initiative. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply expresses the House's praise for his accomplishments.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 82) passed by the Mississippi House of Representatives to honor the late Representative Charles Lemuel Young, Jr. It formally mourns his passing on December 18, 2024, and celebrates his 12-year service representing House District 82 in Lauderdale County. The resolution highlights his career as a legislator, community leader, businessman, and family man, noting his work on committees like Appropriations and Public Health, his business ventures, and his dedication to local organizations. As a purely ceremonial resolution with no policy provisions, it serves only to express the House's sympathy to his family and recognize his public service legacy.