Rep. Jonathan McMillan

Maddy summaryHB 962 adds Madison-Ridgeland Academy to a list of organizations eligible for special license tags in Mississippi. Residents who pay a $30 annual fee can get a distinctive license tag displaying the academy's name, with $24 of each fee going directly to the academy. The remaining fee portions fund the Mississippi Burn Care Fund ($1), highway maintenance ($2), and another state fund ($1). This bill does not change existing tax rates but creates a new revenue stream for the listed organizations through license tag fees.

Maddy summaryHB 946 allows retired members of Mississippi's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to work full-time in positions where their employer has a documented critical shortage of staff while still receiving their full retirement benefits. Employers must provide quantifiable evidence of the staffing shortage and verify the retiree's qualifications for the specific role before hiring. This amendment specifically overrides previous rules that limited retirees to part-time work or reduced benefits when reemployed. It directly affects retired state and local government workers in critical shortage roles who meet the employer's documented needs and qualifications. The policy change applies only to positions with verified shortages, excluding teaching roles already covered under separate provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 963 provides retirement benefits for Mississippi law enforcement officers and firefighters who joined the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) on or after July 1, 2011, and have at least four years of service. It grants these members one additional year of retirement credit for every five years of service (at no cost to them), accelerating their eligibility for full retirement benefits. The bill also allows retired PERS members in these roles to work full-time for departments facing critical staffing shortages while still receiving their full retirement pay and salary. These changes directly affect current and future first responders in Mississippi’s state and local public safety agencies.

Maddy summaryHB 964 revises Mississippi's property tax rules for agricultural land owned by nonresident aliens. It requires that land used for farming and owned or controlled in majority part (50% or more) by foreign individuals, foreign-owned businesses, or foreign governments be assessed using standard property valuation methods starting January 1, 2027 - replacing the current agricultural appraisal method. This change affects only agricultural land meeting the "nonresident alien" ownership criteria, not all farmland. The bill defines "nonresident alien" broadly to include foreign individuals, foreign-domiciled entities, and foreign governments, and "majority part" as 50% or more ownership by such entities. The policy shift ensures this land is taxed based on general property value, not agricultural use.

Maddy summaryHB 1236 creates a new legal framework allowing Mississippi associations (like fire service groups) to use self-funded health benefit plans regulated by another state or federal government instead of Mississippi insurance laws. To qualify, these plans must meet strict requirements, including operating as nonprofits for at least three years, complying with federal ERISA rules, maintaining proper reserves, and not being marketed to the public. The bill requires written notice to participants that Mississippi does not regulate these plans or their benefits, and exempts qualifying plans from Mississippi’s insurance laws once approved by the state insurance commissioner. This directly affects associations seeking alternative health coverage options for their members without Mississippi regulatory oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 1684 would have named a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 7 in Grenada County as the "Robert Noah Memorial Highway." The bill required the Mississippi Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs designating this specific highway segment. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law. This was a ceremonial designation with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1371, the Domestic Violence Transparency Act, would require Mississippi to create a public online registry for individuals convicted of domestic violence two or more times. The registry would include names, aliases, dates of birth, and photographs (but not Social Security numbers or addresses) and would be maintained by the Department of Public Safety. Court clerks would automatically send conviction details to the registry after a conviction or release, and registrants would pay a $150 fee within 30 days. Information would be removed after 5 to 20 years (depending on prior convictions) once all fines and restitution are paid, with disclaimers noting the registry only includes Mississippi state court convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 1100, the "Mississippi Teachers' Bill of Rights," would require teachers to create annual classroom management plans and grant teachers immediate authority to remove students for disruptive, threatening, or dangerous conduct (like persistent refusal to follow directions or verbal outbursts) without prior administrative approval. It mandates schools to notify parents about removal authority, establish clear timelines for plan approvals, and ensure removed students are placed under supervised administrative control - not suspended - while requiring written documentation and behavioral support plans for repeated removals. The bill directly affects Mississippi teachers, students, and school administrators by clarifying classroom management procedures, prohibiting principal interference with teacher removal decisions, and protecting teachers from retaliation for using these rights. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1203 prohibits camping on most public property in Mississippi, including sidewalks, streets, highways, and alleys, unless the area is specifically designated for camping by local authorities or state law. It defines "camping" to include setting up tents, sleeping bags, or other personal items and requires all camping to occur only in authorized locations. Local governments can remove camping materials after 24 hours' notice (or immediately for unsanitary or dangerous items) and must provide information about housing or health resources when removing individuals. Violations may result in penalties, but courts can consider mitigating factors like access to services when determining punishment.

Maddy summaryHB 1201 creates a 25% income tax credit for developers who rehabilitate blighted, tax-forfeited properties in Mississippi, requiring costs to exceed $50,000 for owner-occupied homes or $100,000 for commercial buildings. The credit applies to eligible properties declared unsafe by local authorities and placed into use as residences or businesses within 36 months. Developers can carry forward unused credit amounts for up to 10 years if the credit exceeds their annual tax liability, or opt for a 75% rebate instead. This law directly affects developers who redevelop qualifying properties, aiming to increase property values and community safety through tax incentives.